James F Potter

US Patent:

6341552, Jan 29, 2002

Filed:

Apr 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/560663

Inventors:

James C. Potter - Novi MI
Larry P. Bennett - Franklin MI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F15B 13044

US Classification:

91433, 91459, 91470

Abstract:

A self-calibrating method and system for controlling a hydraulically operated device, such as a clutch actuator in an automatic power transmission, provides a pressure switch in the hydraulic circuit that provides feed-back to the controller when the hydraulic fluid pressure has reached a set point level. Pressure switch provides a signal to controller that allows the controller to compare the control signal at the pressure set point level with that of the calibrated curve for adjusting the calibration curve.

US Patent:

6591857, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Nov 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/997736

Inventors:

Brian Allen Engle - Armada MI
James Fuller Potter - Livonia MI
Harold Edward Cunningham - Oxford MI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16K 2404

US Classification:

137202, 137587

Abstract:

A venting system for venting a gaseous fluid from a tank having an aperture and a fuel delivery module cover. The tank is made of a predetermined material. The venting system comprises a venting valve disposed within the aperture. The venting valve includes a valve body having a top portion and a neck portion extending from the top portion. The top portion is disposed outside the tank and is engaged thereto. The venting system further includes a channel which connects to the valve body so that the venting valve is in fluid communication therewith and is attached to the fuel delivery module cover to allow the gaseous fluid in the tank to be vented therefrom. The venting system further includes a cover which is comprised of the same predetermined material and is welded to the tank to seal the valve between the cover and the tank.

US Patent:

6722521, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

May 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/140626

Inventors:

James Fuller Potter - Livonia MI
Erich James Vorenkamp - Pinckney MI
Duane Allen Fish - Fenton MI
Link Eugene Vaughn - Canton MI
Huan-Kun Chang - Sylvania OH

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B65D 3300

US Classification:

220562, 220 414, 220 6222

Abstract:

The present invention involves a low permeation pinchoff connection at a pinchoff region having a pinchoff end between first and second formed sheets of a fluid tank. The low permeation pinchoff connection comprises a continuous inner polymeric layer at a pinchoff region having a pinchoff end between the first and second formed sheets. The connection further comprises an outer polymeric layer in side-by-side relationship with the continuous inner polymeric layer. The outer polymeric layer tapers at the pinchoff region to first and second outer polymeric ends at the pinchoff end separating the first and second outer polymeric ends. The connection further comprises a low permeation barrier layer disposed between the continuous inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer. The low permeation barrier layer tapers with the outer polymeric layer at the pinchoff region to first and second barrier ends separated at the pinchoff end to determine a pinchoff gap. The low permeation barrier layer is exposed at the pinchoff end.

US Patent:

6755422, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Aug 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/222063

Inventors:

James F. Potter - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16J 1510

US Classification:

277652, 277627, 277654, 277644

Abstract:

The present invention involves a low permeation sealing member for reducing permeation of hydrocarbons from a vessel. The low permeation sealing member comprises an elongated body having a contact surface and a low permeation barrier layer attached along the contact surface of the elongated body. The low permeation barrier layer has opposite edges spaced apart to define a slot. The low permeation barrier layer partially covers the elongated body to allow the elongated body to expand through the slot. The low permeation barrier layer has an outer side configured for contacting hydrocarbons from the vessel to reduce permeation of the hydrocarbons therefrom.

US Patent:

6810569, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Jul 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/614999

Inventors:

Brian Engle - Armada MI
Harold E. Cunningham - Oxford MI
Larry D. Land - Grosse Ile MI
James F. Potter - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01M 1900

US Classification:

2940704, 29701, 29705, 29709, 285319, 285 93, 285305, 285921

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing a workpiece, such as an automotive fuel tank, that includes a connection between a male connector and a female connector, one of which includes a tab that is only removable following the connection. The tab includes a computer-readable code that is read by the computer. During manufacturing, the workpiece is loaded into a workstation, the connection is made, and the tab is removed. The tab is presented to a computer to verify the connection. In the event that a command is received to release the workpiece and the computer has not verified the connection, the computer issues an alert. In a workstation that comprises a computer-controlled release mechanism, a preferred alert comprises a refusal to release the workpiece prior to verification of the connection.

US Patent:

6810913, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/133086

Inventors:

James Fuller Potter - Livonia MI
Kale Stephen Schulte - Marshfield WI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16K 2404

US Classification:

137797, 137202, 137587

Abstract:

A device that is adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of a polymeric fuel tank includes a body, a weld foot adapted to be inserted into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and having a support surface adapted to control insertion of the weld foot into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and to position the device relative to the inner surface, and a break zone positioned between and interconnecting the weld foot and the body and having a structural cross section that is weaker than the weld foot and the body such that under sufficient force, the break zone will fracture and allow the body to separate from the inner surface of the fuel tank, thereby leaving the weld foot embedded within the inner surface of the fuel tank.

US Patent:

6860398, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Nov 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/053154

Inventors:

James Fuller Potter - Livonia MI, US
Duane Allen Fish - Fenton MI, US
Erich James Vorenkamp - Pinckney MI, US
John E. Thorn - Sylvania OH, US
Link E. Vaughn - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Van Buren Township MI

International Classification:

B65D088/00

US Classification:

2205672, 220 414

Abstract:

Low permeation fittings and low permeation plastic containers using same are constructed by molding an outer component into the wall of a plastic container while it is being formed. This causes the opening of a passageway in the outer component to be covered with wall forming material. The inner component is then inserted into the outer component through the wall forming material thereby trapping the wall material between the internal and external components. The barrier layer of the container wall is therefore continuous from the container to inside the fitting. A new fuel container, fuel neck fitting, and flange for mounting components on a fuel tank are disclosed.

US Patent:

6988976, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Mar 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/804422

Inventors:

James Potter - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 41/04
G06F 7/00
G06F 17/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

477115, 701 66

Abstract:

A method, used in a powertrain of a motor vehicle having an engine, a secondary power source, and a step-change automatic transmission for driving a load, controls an upshift from a current gear to a next gear and includes the steps of establishing first shift points of a demanded engine output and a corresponding vehicle speed, at which the upshift would occur if the engine were the only power source. The length of a first period in which energy is available to the secondary power source is determined. The length of a second period for the current vehicle speed to increase to a target vehicle speed of a first shift point whose corresponding demanded engine output is equal to a combined current demanded output of the engine and secondary power source is determined. The upshift is produced if the length of the second period is equal to or greater than the length of the first period.