Patents by Inventor Willard M. Bennett

Willard M. Bennett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5975154
    Abstract: A fuel overflow prevention system for substantially eliminating fuel spillage both due to over-filling during fueling and due to fuel expansion in fuel tanks. The device includes a fuel discharge preventor and a nozzle adapter that work together during re-fueling to allow displacement by fuel of gases within the fuel tank until such time that the fuel reaches a predetermined level in the tank. The system also includes a feedback coupling to permit the transfer of excess fuel from the preventor back to the fuel inlet, particularly when an automatic shutoff nozzle is employed. The system further includes an extension tube to allow remote location of a housing containing the discharge prevention valving of the invention. The discharge prevention housing only permits venting of vapors to the atmosphere and prevents liquid fuel discharge. A vent tube coupling permits venting of those vapors to a standard marine atmospheric vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Benric Technologies
    Inventor: Willard M. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5829491
    Abstract: A fuel overflow prevention system for substantially eliminating fuel spillage both due to over-filling during fueling and due to fuel expansion in fuel tanks. The device includes a fuel discharge preventor and a nozzle adapter that work together during re-fueling to allow displacement by fuel of gases within the fuel tank until such time that the fuel reaches a predetermined level in the tank. The predetermined level is chosen through the geometry of the fuel discharge preventor so as to provide sufficient space for thermal expansion of the fuel without subsequent fuel spillage. The fuel discharge preventor also contains a valve that closes upon attainment of the predetermined fuel level and, together with the nozzle adapter, causes a pressure build-up within the filling fuel tank so as to positively actuate the automatic turn-off features of the standard fuel pump nozzle utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Benric Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Willard M. Bennett