Steven H Hoffman

US Patent:

7980228, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Jun 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/480043

Inventors:

Mark Peters - Wolverine Lake MI, US
Steven James Hoffman - Ann Arbor MI, US
John Hedges - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/02

US Classification:

123518, 123519

Abstract:

A fuel vapor recovery system and method for an automotive vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle fuel tank is vented to atmosphere via a passageway having a carbon canister to remove fuel vapors, a bladder, and a normally-closed isolation valve. When fueling the vehicle, the gases in the fuel tank displaced by entering fuel are introduced into the carbon canister where the fuel vapors are stored. The isolation valve is commanded to open to allow such flow through the carbon canister. When the vehicle is parked for a period of a day, it undergoes a diurnal temperature change which causes fuel to vaporize into the fuel system. According to an aspect of the present development, the isolation valve remains closed and the gases are contained within the bladder as it expands or contracts as the volume of gases increases or decreases in response to temperature changes.

US Patent:

8245699, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Jun 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/480048

Inventors:

Mark Peters - Wolverine Lake MI, US
Steven James Hoffman - Ann Arbor MI, US
John Hedges - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/02

US Classification:

123518, 123519

Abstract:

A fuel vapor recovery system and method for an automotive vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle fuel tank is vented to atmosphere via a passageway having a carbon canister to remove fuel vapors, a bladder, and a normally-closed isolation valve. When fueling the vehicle, the gases in the fuel tank displaced by entering fuel are introduced into the carbon canister where the fuel vapors are stored. The isolation valve is commanded to open to allow such flow through the carbon canister. When the vehicle is parked for a period of a day, it undergoes a diurnal temperature change which causes fuel to vaporize into the fuel system. According to an aspect of the present development, the isolation valve remains closed and the gases are contained within the bladder as it expands or contracts as the volume of gases increases or decreases in response to temperature changes.

US Patent:

47976233, Jan 10, 1989

Filed:

Apr 16, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/039186

Inventors:

Steven L. Hoffman - Macomb MI
Robert L. Rammage - Wayne MI

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01R 3102

US Classification:

324556

Abstract:

A testing implement that can be electrically connected to a test-alarm pa in a vehicle fire-suppression system for verifying the integrity of the panel circuitry. The testing implement can be used with the test-alarm panel installed in a vehicle or outside the vehicle (i. e. , bench testing). The implement can also be used to test the integrity of electrical cables used in the fire-suppression system.

US Patent:

20180036956, Feb 8, 2018

Filed:

Aug 2, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/226034

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Shawn McGrath - Carleton MI, US
Roger Joseph Khami - Troy MI, US
Chris A. Myers - Holly MI, US
Robert Joseph Mohan - Canton MI, US
Steven James Hoffman - Ann Arbor MI, US
John Emley - Canton MI, US
Scott M. Rollins - Canton MI, US
Eric A. Macke - Ann Arbor MI, US
Matthew Werner - Marysville MI, US

International Classification:

B29C 65/08
F02M 25/08
B29C 45/00
B29C 65/02
B29C 65/48
B29C 65/58

Abstract:

Vapors in the fuel tank of a vehicle are collected in a carbon canister. An ejector or aspirator is used to purge the carbon canister in a pressure-charged engine in which a positive pressure exists in the intake. A compact ejector includes a substantially planar flange and a venturi tube coupled to the flange with a central axis of the venturi tube substantially parallel to the flange. By manufacturing the ejector in two pieces, dimensions within the ejector: throat, converging section, and diverging section, is more accurate than prior art manufacturing techniques thereby providing better flow characteristics throughout the boost range.