Sean T Whelan

US Patent:

20090250119, Oct 8, 2009

Filed:

Feb 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/391782

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Lansing MI, US

International Classification:

B60K 15/035
B01D 50/00

US Classification:

137197, 96 6

Abstract:

Venting systems for use with fuel tank systems are described. An example venting system includes a membrane disposed within a vent line or an emission control component to form a passageway through the venting system. The membrane is coated with a hydrophobic material to substantially prevent the flow of liquid and permit the flow of vapors or gases through the passageway.

US Patent:

20090250468, Oct 8, 2009

Filed:

Apr 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/061183

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Lansing MI, US
Steven E. Hovinga - Middleville MI, US

International Classification:

B65D 51/16

US Classification:

220371

Abstract:

Fuel cap apparatus for use with fuel venting systems are described. An example fuel cap apparatus includes a body having a central cavity and a flange. A membrane is coupled to the body to form a passageway therethrough and coated with a material to substantially prevent the flow of liquid and permit the flow of gas through the passageway.

US Patent:

20110083771, Apr 14, 2011

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793013

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Lansing MI, US
Robert Tate - South Haven MI, US
Brian Scott - Comstock Park MI, US

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141126

Abstract:

Overflow prevention apparatus for use with fuel tanks are described herein. An example overflow prevention apparatus includes a fluid coupling configured to fluidly couple a fluid tank to a liquid fill passage. The fluid coupling includes a first portion configured to receive a liquid via the liquid fill passage and a second elongate portion configured to convey the liquid received via the liquid fill passage to the fluid tank. The second elongate portion has an aperture adjacent an end of the second portion. Also, the second portion is configured to extend into the fluid tank to prevent at least one of a gas or vapor from flowing between the fluid tank and the liquid fill passage when a liquid in the fluid tank is in the aperture.

US Patent:

20110083772, Apr 14, 2011

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793001

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Lansing MI, US
Robert Tate - South Haven MI, US
Brian Scott - Comstock Park MI, US

International Classification:

B65B 1/04
B23P 11/00
B65D 90/00

US Classification:

141369, 29428, 220562

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods to couple fuel delivery system components to fuel tanks are described herein. An example liquid containment apparatus includes a fuel tank having a cavity to store a liquid fuel. The fuel tank includes only one opening in fluid communication with the cavity. A coupling apparatus is coupled to a portion of the fuel tank to provide a passage between an exterior surface of the fuel tank and the cavity. The coupling receives a plurality of components of a fuel delivery system.

US Patent:

20110083989, Apr 14, 2011

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793005

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Lansing MI, US
Robert Tate - South Haven MI, US
Brian Scott - Comstock Park MI, US

International Classification:

B65D 85/84
B23P 17/00

US Classification:

2065246, 295271

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods to permanently attach fuel delivery system components to fuel tanks are described herein. An example apparatus includes an insert material integrally formed with at least a portion of the fuel tank. The insert material includes a first layer material having a low permeation characteristic and a second layer material adjacent the first layer material having a relatively lower melting point than a melting point of the first layer material to enable permanent attachment of a coupling apparatus to a surface of the fuel tank by melting at least a portion of the second layer material.

US Patent:

20110084073, Apr 14, 2011

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793009

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Lansing MI, US
Robert Tate - South Haven MI, US
Brian Scott - Comstock Park MI, US

International Classification:

B65D 41/04
B23P 11/00

US Classification:

220288, 29428

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for mounting fuel delivery system components to fuel tanks are described herein. An example fuel tank includes a housing having a cavity to store a liquid fuel and a boss integrally formed with and protruding from a surface of the housing to receive a fuel delivery system component. The boss receives a threaded fastener to couple the fuel delivery system component to the surface of the fuel tank.

US Patent:

20110084076, Apr 14, 2011

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793003

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Lansing MI, US
Robert Tate - South Haven MI, US
Brian Scott - Comstock Park MI, US

International Classification:

B65D 51/16

US Classification:

2203671

Abstract:

Pressure relief apparatus for use with fuel delivery systems are described herein. An example pressure relief apparatus includes a pressure relief system coupled to a body of a fuel cap to define a first side of the body and a second side of the body. The pressure relief system comprises a plurality of fluid valves to enable fluid flow from the first side of the body to the second side of the body when a first pressure differential across the pressure relief system from the first side to the second side is greater than a first reference pressure and to enable fluid flow from the second side of the body to the first side of the body when a second pressure differential across the pressure relief system from the second side to the first side is greater than a second reference pressure.

US Patent:

20140034638, Feb 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 1, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/564388

Inventors:

Sean Whelan - Grand Ledge MI, US
Anthony Slabaugh - Belmont MI, US
Christopher Bostwick - Rockford MI, US

International Classification:

B65D 47/00

US Classification:

220 862

Abstract:

Fuel fill apparatus for use with fuel tanks are described. An example fuel fill apparatus includes a body to removably couple to a neck of a fuel tank. The body has an opening to receive a fuel nozzle and guide liquid fuel from the fuel nozzle to a cavity of the fuel tank. A nozzle retainer retains the fuel nozzle in the opening. A positioner in the opening offsets the fuel nozzle relative to a central axis of the opening such that an aspirator of the fuel nozzle is positioned adjacent an inner wall of the opening when the fuel nozzle is inserted in the opening. The positioner maintains a fuel nozzle outlet opening substantially parallel relative to a central axis of the opening during a fueling event.