Daniel P Cunkle

US Patent:

6338362, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Nov 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/707465

Inventors:

David John Gabbey - Pinckney MI
Daniel Paul Cunkle - Jonesville MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

F16K 2400

US Classification:

137588, 137587, 137592

Abstract:

A positive sealing inlet (PSI) valve assembly is provided for an automotive fuel tank fill tube. The PSI valve assembly includes a tubular housing having an interior and an exterior and this housing is fluidly mounted in series with the fuel tank fill tube. The housing includes a wall extending across the interior of the housing adjacent one end and this wall includes a through opening. A flapper valve is movable between an open and a closed position. In its closed position, the flapper valve overlies and closes the wall opening. Conversely, in its open position, the flapper valve is positioned away from the wall opening to permit nozzle insertion through the wall opening. The PSI valve is pivotally connected to a valve holder and this valve holder is mounted entirely within the interior of the housing. A spring is operatively disposed between the valve holder and flapper valve and urges the vent valve towards its closed position.

US Patent:

6698799, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Dec 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/318537

Inventors:

Stephen J. Anderson - Livonia MI
Daniel Paul Cunkle - Jonesville MI
David John Gabbey - Pinckney MI
Larry Marin Vandervoort - Spring Arbor MI

Assignee:

Martinrea Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

F16L 3500

US Classification:

2851391, 285360, 285207

Abstract:

A spud assembly for use with a fuel tank having a body defining an interior chamber and having an outer periphery. The spud assembly includes a base attached to the outer periphery of the fuel tank and the base has a throughbore open to both the interior chamber of the tank as well as exteriorly of the tank. An elongated spud having an axial throughbore is movable relative to the base between a connected and an unconnected position. In its connected position, the spud is positioned through the base throughbore so that the spud fluidly connects the interior of the fuel tank to the spud. Additionally, when the spud is moved to its fully connected position, a locking finger on the base engages a lock abutment surface on the spud to secure the spud and base together. In an alternate embodiment, a locking ring is coaxially disposed over the spud and base when the spud is in its connected position. The locking ring is rotatable between an unlocked position in which the spud and base can be disconnected from each other, and a locked position in which the spud and base are secured together.

US Patent:

6968874, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

Oct 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/960816

Inventors:

David John Gabbey - Pinckney MI, US
Daniel Paul Cunkle - Jonesville MI, US

Assignee:

Martinrea Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B65B001/04

US Classification:

141349, 141348, 141382, 220 862

Abstract:

A capless automotive fueling system having a funnel with a port open to receive a fuel filling nozzle. A spring loaded valve is movable between an open position in which the port is open and a closed position in which the fuel valve overlies and sealingly covers the port. A shield is movable between a first position in which the shield overlies and covers the valve, and a second position in which the shield is laterally disposed to one side of the valve to permit insertion of the fuel filling nozzle. A motor is drivingly connected to the shield and, on activation, moves the shield from its first and to its second position. Alternatively, two latches engage the valve to retain the valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of a properly sized fuel nozzle, the nozzle engages the latches and pivots them to an open position.

US Patent:

6994130, Feb 7, 2006

Filed:

Jul 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/181317

Inventors:

David John Gabbey - Pinckney MI, US
Daniel Paul Cunkle - Jonesville MI, US

Assignee:

Martinrea Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141371, 141301, 141369, 141370

Abstract:

A capless automotive fueling system having a funnel with a port open to receive a fuel filling nozzle. A spring loaded valve is movable between an open position in which the port is open and a closed position in which the fuel valve overlies and sealingly covers the port. A shield is movable between a first position in which the shield overlies and covers the valve, and a second position in which the shield is laterally disposed to one side of the valve to permit insertion of the fuel filling nozzle. A motor is drivingly connected to the shield and, on activation, moves the shield from its first and to its second position. Alternatively, two latches engage the valve to retain the valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of a properly sized fuel nozzle, the nozzle engages the latches and pivots them to an open position.

US Patent:

20020104570, Aug 8, 2002

Filed:

Feb 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/778549

Inventors:

Daniel Cunkle - Jonesville MI, US
Stephen Anderson - Livonia MI, US
Daniel Smith - Chelsea MI, US
Larry Vandervoort - Spring Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

F16K024/04

US Classification:

137/587000

Abstract:

A check valve assembly is disclosed for use with a fuel vapor recirculation tube in a fuel system for an automotive vehicle. The vapor recirculation tube has a lower end open to the fuel tank and an upper end open to the upper end of the fuel filler pipe. The check valve assembly includes a housing having a throughbore, and the housing is positioned within and fluidly in series with the recirculation tube adjacent the upper end of the recirculation tube. The housing includes a valve seat at its end closest to the filler pipe while a normally open valve is mounted to the housing and movable from an open position to a closed position in response to liquid fuel flow into the upper end of the recirculation tube.

US Patent:

20080041492, Feb 21, 2008

Filed:

Aug 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/465910

Inventors:

David Gabbey - Pinckney MI, US
Daniel P. Cunkle - Jonesville MI, US
Sorin Stancu - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Martinrea Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141350

Abstract:

An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles. The system includes a funnel assembly having a circular port adapted to receive the fuel nozzle. A nozzle valve assembly includes at least two segments and is disposed in series with the port. Each segment, furthermore, is pivotal between an open and a closed position. When all segments are in the closed position, the nozzle valve assembly serves to prevent dust and debris from reaching the flapper valve. A hook is attached to a radially inner end of each nozzle valve segment and a cam is also attached to each nozzle valve segment configured to provide a clearance between the end of only the larger nozzle and the hooks upon insertion of the larger nozzle, but not upon insertion of the smaller nozzle.

US Patent:

6336482, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/702622

Inventors:

Daniel Paul Cunkle - Jonesville MI
Larry Martin Vandervoort - Spring Arbor MI
David John Gabbey - Pinckney MI

Assignee:

Pilot Industries, Inc. - Dexter MI

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141350, 141301, 220 862, 220DIG 33

Abstract:

An automotive fuel tank fill assembly for a fuel tank is disclosed having a fuel fill tube with a first end adapted to receive fuel and a second end open to the fuel tank. The fill tube includes a spiral indentation formed around its first end so that the spiral indentation forms both an external and internal thread at the first end of the tube. An inlet valve housing containing a normally closed inlet valve has an external thread. This external thread is dimensioned to threadably engage the internal thread on the fill tube while a latch and detent mechanism locks the inlet valve housing to the fill tube at a predetermined rotational position. Similarly, a mount housing includes an internal thread which threadably engages the external thread on the fill tube. The mount housing includes a locking tab which engages the detent formed on the fill tube at a predetermined rotational position of the mount housing relative to the fill tube.