Russell J Pearce

US Patent:

8251171, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Jun 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/815283

Inventors:

Daniel Frank Cragel - Livonia MI, US
Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Patrick Sullivan - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 15/03

US Classification:

180 695, 220652

Abstract:

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity.

US Patent:

8434461, May 7, 2013

Filed:

Apr 29, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/097408

Inventors:

James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI, US
Chris Kragh - Commerce Township MI, US
Dennis Yang - Canton MI, US
Timothy DeBastos - Royal Oak MI, US
Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Scott Bohr - Plymouth MI, US
Michael G. Heim - Brownstown MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/02

US Classification:

123521, 123520

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for operating a fuel vapor recovery system having a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and a canister. Fuel vapors are purged from the fuel tank to a canister buffer over a plurality of purge pulses. The pulses are adjusted based on the buffer capacity, a purge flow rate, and a fuel tank pressure to improve control of canister loading and reduce air-to-fuel ratio disturbances.

US Patent:

8447495, May 21, 2013

Filed:

May 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/790791

Inventors:

Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Scott Bohr - Plymouth MI, US
Christopher Kragh - Commerce Township MI, US
Timothy DeBastos - Royal Oak MI, US
Patrick Sullivan - Plymouth MI, US
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI, US
Chad Michael Olson - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/00

US Classification:

701103, 123516, 123518, 123520

Abstract:

A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.

US Patent:

8550287, Oct 8, 2013

Filed:

Dec 13, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/324159

Inventors:

Russell R. Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Daniel F. Cragel - Livonia MI, US
Kenneth J. Kuenzel - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B65D 6/40
F16J 15/10

US Classification:

220661, 277649, 220678

Abstract:

A tank connection includes a tank formed with a plastic wall having multiple thicknesses, a first thickness being substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, the wall having an opening surrounded by an edge of the wall, a component secured by a weld to an outer surface of the wall, and seal substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, contacting a surface of the component, and biased into elastic contact with said edge.

US Patent:

20130008911, Jan 10, 2013

Filed:

Aug 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/597233

Inventors:

Daniel Frank Cragel - Livonia MI, US
Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Patrick Sullivan - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 15/03
B65D 1/42

US Classification:

220651

Abstract:

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing enclosing a lattice structure substantially spanning a portion of an interior defined by the housing, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the wall members having an unequal thickness.

US Patent:

20130042838, Feb 21, 2013

Filed:

Aug 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/209750

Inventors:

Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Mark Edward Hipp - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/02
B01D 53/02

US Classification:

123519, 96149, 96147

Abstract:

A system for a vehicle is provided herein. The system includes a fuel vapor canister comprising a shell, a compression plate within the shell and an end cap. The end cap includes a double sided spring interface and a double sided shell sealing surface having double sided identical grooves, only one of which is sealed to the shell. The system further includes a spring coupled to the compression plate and only one spring interface.

US Patent:

20130233861, Sep 12, 2013

Filed:

Apr 23, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/868772

Inventors:

Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Patrick Sullivan - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 15/03

US Classification:

220562

Abstract:

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing having an exterior surface and a lattice structure coupled to the exterior surface, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the plurality of wall members having an unequal thickness.

US Patent:

20130240539, Sep 19, 2013

Filed:

May 3, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/887192

Inventors:

Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Patrick Sullivan - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 15/077

US Classification:

220652

Abstract:

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a base element coupled to a side of a structural element.