Stephen T Kempfer from Howell, MI, age 62

Us Patents

Vehicles Containing Water-Producing Fuel Cells, And Methods For Using Water Produced By The Fuel Cells
view source
US Patent:

6467698, Oct 22, 2002
Filed:

Jan 17, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/761632
Inventors:

Erik Hans Gaarder - Ann Arbor MI
Gerald Ray Spradlin - Milan MI
Robert Charles Borregard - Wyandotte MI
Stephen Thomas Kempfer - Canton MI
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI
International Classification:

B60H 102
US Classification:

237 123B, 165 41
Abstract:

A vehicle includes a fuel cell that generates electricity and water, which fuel cell includes a first end, a second end electrically coupled to the first end, and a water outlet. The water outlet of the fuel cell is connected to at least one of a washing system, a cooling system, a humidification system, and combinations thereof. In addition, a method is described for utilizing water produced by a fuel cell that includes generating water from the fuel cell, and conveying a first portion of the generated water to a component of a vehicle, which component, upon actuation, transfers a liquid comprising a portion of the first portion from the component to a point distal therefrom.

Hybrid Electric/Mechanical Compressor With Gear Reducer
view source
US Patent:

6644932, Nov 11, 2003
Filed:

Nov 15, 2001
Appl. No.:

10/003783
Inventors:

Brian Robert Kelm - Northville MI
Robert John Mohrmann - Pinckney MI
Richard Eric Luken - Farmington Hills MI
Stephen Kempfer - Canton MI
Shawn Harold Swales - Canton MI
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI
International Classification:

F04B 4900
US Classification:

417212, 4174101, 417374, 180 652, 477 5, 62157
Abstract:

A system for driving a compressor is disclosed. The system includes an internal combustion engine in communication with the compressor for selectively driving an input shaft of the compressor; an electric motor in communication with the compressor for selectively driving the compressor when the compressor is not being driven by the engine; and a gear assembly operatively connected to a motor output of the electric motor shaft for changing a rotational speed of the motor output shaft.

Vehicles Containing And Methods For Using A Pre-Heater To Reduce Emissions, And For Warming Fuel Cells At Low Ambient Temperatures
view source
US Patent:

6675573, Jan 13, 2004
Filed:

Jan 17, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/761613
Inventors:

Stephen Thomas Kempfer - Canton MI
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI
International Classification:

F01N 300
US Classification:

60284, 60274, 60300, 429 13, 429 19
Abstract:

A vehicle includes a fuel cell that generates electricity, a pre-heater electrically coupled to the fuel cell, wherein the pre-heater provides an output, and a component configured to receive a portion of the output, wherein a temperature of the component is changed through receipt of the portion of the output. In addition, a method is described for operating a fuel cell in a vehicle that includes: generating electricity from the fuel cell, and providing a portion of the electricity to a pre-heater, which provides an output to a vehicular component, thereby pre-heating the component.

Fuel Sender Assembly
view source
US Patent:

6783336, Aug 31, 2004
Filed:

Jun 28, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/184587
Inventors:

Stephen Thomas Kempfer - Canton MI
DeQuan Yu - Ann Arbor MI
Norman Nelson Krieger - Milford MI
David Joseph Setsuda - Farmington Hills MI
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI
International Classification:

F04B 1700
US Classification:

4174231, 41742314, 310 71, 123509
Abstract:

A fuel sender assembly comprises an in-tank electrical connection to an electric fuel pump that is formed between a socket member and a plug element, in which the plug element includes a terminal that is received in a receptacle in the socket member. The socket element comprises a socket wall that extends about the socket face. The plug element also includes a plug wall that sealingly engages the socket wall to prevent the electrical contact from exposure to fuel vapors within the tank.

Low Deviation Pressure Relief Valve For Fuel Pumps
view source
US Patent:

6840270, Jan 11, 2005
Filed:

Oct 9, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/267479
Inventors:

DeQuan Yu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Stephen T. Kempfer - Canton MI, US
David J. Rink - Ann Arbor MI, US
David M. Dokas - Ann Arbor MI, US
Paul E. Fisher - Dexter MI, US
Jeff Moll - Whitmore Lake MI, US
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Van Buren Township MI
International Classification:

F16K 1504
US Classification:

137539, 13753319, 13754319, 251333, 251359
Abstract:

A low deviation pressure relief valve for a fuel pump consisting of a housing having an elongated bore having a continuous wall, an axis, shoulders arranged on the wall so as to extend toward the axis. A ball in the housing has a diameter at least less than the diameter of the bore and a ball retainer located in the bore upstream from the shoulders forms a ball seat by pre-coining process. The ball is smaller than the retainer seat in diameter to ensure an edge seal with the ball. A spring coaxial with the axis located down stream from the ball retainer and supported on the shoulders, and the ball is located between the spring and the ball seat wherein low flow restriction is created and reduced pressure variation is created as fluid flows past the ball and less buckling in the spring is created by guide ribs.

Low Noise Fuel Pump Design
view source
US Patent:

6890144, May 10, 2005
Filed:

Sep 27, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/256619
Inventors:

DeQuan Yu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Stephen Thomas Kempfer - Canton MI, US
Paul Edward Fisher - Dexter MI, US
Norman Nelson Krieger - Milford MI, US
David M. Dokas - Ann Arbor MI, US
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI
International Classification:

F04D005/00
US Classification:

415 554, 415119
Abstract:

A regenerative fuel pump comprising a housing, a pump cover having a first flow channel formed therein, a pump body having a second flow channel formed therein whereby the first flow channel and the second flow channel define a pumping chamber, and an impeller mounted between the pump cover and pump body and including a plurality of vanes spaced circumferentially about the impeller and defining a plurality of vane grooves. The vanes are spaced un-evenly in a non-repeating pattern about the impeller. The first and second flow channels each include an inlet end, an outlet end, and a stripper area defined as the area between the inlet end and the outlet end extending from the inlet end away from the flow channel. Each of the stripper areas including a plurality of grooves formed therein adapted to dampen pressure pulsations within the pumping chamber.

Pressure Regulating Valve For Automotive Fuel System
view source
US Patent:

6953026, Oct 11, 2005
Filed:

Oct 16, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/687137
Inventors:

DeQuan Yu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Stephen T. Kempfer - Canton MI, US
Marc Possley - Dexter MI, US
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Van Buren Township MI
International Classification:

F02M037/04
F16K031/18
US Classification:

123510, 137450
Abstract:

A pressure regulated valve is provided for a mechanical returnless fuel system for an automotive vehicle that includes a fuel pump for supplying fuel from a fuel supply to an engine. The pressure regulating valve includes a conduit in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The valve includes a valve seat and a valve body having a frustoconical seal surface. A spring biases the valve body to close the valve body against the valve seat. During operation, increased fuel pressure from the pump opens the valve body to discharge excess fuel to the fuel supply.

Fuel Pump Impeller
view source
US Patent:

6984099, Jan 10, 2006
Filed:

May 6, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/430853
Inventors:

DeQuan Yu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Norman Nelson Krieger - Milford MI, US
Stephen Thomas Kempfer - Canton MI, US
Joseph Grabowski - Grosse lle MI, US
Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Van Buren Township MI
International Classification:

F04D 5/00
US Classification:

415 551, 416237
Abstract:

A ring impeller includes a central hub with a first row of vanes extending from the hub and a second row of vanes extending from the hub adjacent to and staggered from the first row of vanes. The vanes in each row are grouped to form adjacent vane pairs and a partition wall is positioned between each of the vanes within the vane pairs. A rib extends radially from the hub in alignment with the partition wall and is positioned between each vane pair. The bottom thickness of the partition wall is the same thickness as the rib. The partition wall includes a reduced material area at its forward and rear edges. The vanes in the first row are unevenly spaced and the vanes in the second row are spaced equidistantly between the vanes in the first row. The spacing of the vanes in the first row may be about 70% to about 140% of a spacing equal to an equal spacing. Some of the vanes may have a height that is less than the height of other vanes.