Patents Assigned to Eaton Corporation
  • Patent number: 11078928
    Abstract: A hydraulic control unit that delivers hydraulic fluid to a limited slip differential includes a hydraulic control unit housing, a vent hole and first and second passageways. The hydraulic control unit housing has an accumulator housing portion that houses a biasing assembly and a piston. The accumulator housing portion forms an accumulator chamber with the piston. The vent hole is defined in the hydraulic control unit housing. The first passageway is defined in the hydraulic control unit housing. The second passageway is defined in the hydraulic control unit housing that intersects the vent hole and is oriented at a different angle than the first passageway. The vent hole is dual purpose permitting hydraulic fluid entry into the accumulator chamber through the second passageway while air is permitted to escape the hydraulic control unit housing through the vent hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Fox
  • Patent number: 10968787
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm can include an outer arm extending between a first end and a second end. The outer arm can have a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm. The first and second outer side arms can define outer pivot axle apertures and axle slots. The inner arm can be disposed between the first and second outer side arms. The inner arm can have a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm. The first and second inner side arms can define bearing apertures. A bearing can be mounted in the bearing apertures of the inner arm and the axle slots of the outer arm. The axle slots can be configured to permit lost motion movement of the bearing. A first biasing member can be disposed on the second end of the outer arm and in biasing contact with the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 10955048
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated manual transmission system having a transmission and a shifter is provided. The shifter includes a Drive Mode, a Low Mode and at least one of a Manual Mode and a Hold Mold. The Drive Mode automatically selects a default gear of the transmission and automatically performs all upshifts and downshifts. The Manual Mode permits an operator to manually select an upshift and a downshift of the transmission. The Hold Mode permits an operator to maintain a current operating gear. Control determines whether the shifter is in one of the Manual Mode and the Hold Mode. Control determines whether a vehicle operating condition is outside of a predetermined threshold. Control operates the transmission in Drive Mode based on the vehicle operating condition being outside of the predetermined threshold irrespective of the shifter being in one of the Low Mode, Manual Mode or Hold Modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Ian Daniel McKenzie
  • Patent number: 10941680
    Abstract: A method of providing a rocker arm set for a valvetrain includes providing a first rocker arm configured as a switching rocker arm for a first intake valve, and providing a second rocker arm configured as a fixed rocker arm for a second intake valve, the second rocker arm operating in a normal Otto cycle mode. The first rocker arm operates in a late intake valve closing (LIVC) mode where the first rocker arm is configured to close the first intake valve later than the second intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Edwin Scott Brownell, Nikhil Saggam, Susheel Dharmadhikari
  • Patent number: 10927724
    Abstract: A valve train assembly includes a first exhaust valve, a second exhaust valve, and a valve bridge including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body, the main body configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever configured to engage the second exhaust valve. An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively open the first and second exhaust valves, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly including an exhaust valve rocker arm with a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) assembly coupled thereto, the HLA assembly in contact with the valve bridge main body. An engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively open the second exhaust valve and including an engine brake rocker arm with a combined HLA and added motion capsule coupled thereto. The combined HLA and added motion capsule is configured to selectively engage and rotate the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, Jr., Kshamta Bishnoi, Kiran Bairy, Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 10907714
    Abstract: A method of providing limited slip in a differential assembly includes interconnecting an axle and a differential assembly through a first slippable linkage. The axle is driven in rotation with a first housing of the differential assembly operable to be driven in rotation by a ring gear. A plurality of pinion gears of the differential assembly are positioned in the first housing and are driven in rotation by the first housing. A side gear is fixed to the axle and is meshed with at least some of the pinion gears. The axle is operable to slip relative to the first housing. The first housing, the plurality of pinion gears and the side gear are enclosed within a second housing. The axle extends from a first end positioned within both of the first housing and the second housing to a second end positioned outside of both of the first housing and the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Oesch, Matthew G. Fox
  • Patent number: 10895223
    Abstract: A vapor impermeable solenoid includes an outer housing fabricated from a vapor impermeable material configured to prevent fuel vapor molecules from passing therethrough; windings configured to generate a magnetic flux when energized, a flux collector configured to direct the magnetic flux, a pole piece, and a magnetic armature disposed within the housing and coupled to a seal configured to selectively seal a passage that allows fuel vapor to pass to a purge canister. The magnetic armature is configured to move from a first position to a second position when an electric current is applied to the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Andrew Dayton
  • Patent number: 10888914
    Abstract: A variable crimp machine includes an actuator adjustment assembly including a dial that rotates about an actuation axis and a barrel positioned along the actuation axis within the dial. The barrel includes a first set of axially spaced markings corresponding to a first hose and a second set of axially spaced markings correspond to a second hose. The dial includes a first set of circumferentially spaced markings corresponding to the first hose and a second set of circumferentially spaced markings corresponding to the second hose. The first set of circumferentially spaced markings are used in concert with the first set of axially spaced markings to adjust an actuator for use with the first hose, and the second set of circumferentially spaced markings are used in concert with the second set of axially spaced markings to adjust the actuator for use with the second hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Ellerbrock, Bob Laipply
  • Patent number: 10828982
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a saddle fuel tank, a control module, a first and second solenoid, and a first and second vent line. The saddle fuel tank can have a first lobe and a second lobe. The first vent line can have a first vent port located in the first lobe of the saddle fuel tank. The first solenoid is configured to open and close the first vent port. The second vent line can have a second vent port located in the second lobe of the saddle fuel tank. The second solenoid is configured to open and close the second vent port. The control module sends a signal to the first and second solenoids to close the first and second vents upon reaching a full fuel condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Vaughn K. Mills
  • Patent number: 10808701
    Abstract: A supercharger includes a main housing, a front cover coupled to the main housing and having an inner portion received within the main housing, a drive coupling assembly arranged between an input shaft and a rotor shaft, and a coupling sleeve disposed about the drive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Coates, Brandon J. Elliott, Eric J. Locker
  • Patent number: 10801557
    Abstract: A transmission gear synchronizer includes a sliding sleeve a hub and a blocker ring. The sliding sleeve has an inner surface defining a sleeve spline. The hub is received within the sliding sleeve. The hub has a plurality of gear teeth extending radially outward from a root diameter of the hub. The plurality of gear teeth are configured to engage the sleeve spine. A notch is disposed proximate the root diameter of the hub and spaced apart from the plurality of gear teeth. The blocker ring comprises a thermoplastic material. The blocker ring comprises a thermoplastic material. The blocker ring has a plurality of molded clutch teeth extending radially outward from a root diameter of the blocker ring. The plurality of molded clutch teeth are configured to engage the sleeve spline in response to the sliding sleeve engaging the blocker ring during a transmission shift event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Josevaldo Roberto Fernandez, Thiago Fontoura de Andrade, Carlos Henrique Coronado Sena
  • Patent number: 10703197
    Abstract: A fuel filler tube housing assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel filler neck and a filler extension tube. The fuel filler neck housing includes a first mounting structure operable to support a check valve. The fuel filler extension tube is fixed to the fuel filler neck housing and has a second mounting structure substantially similar to the first mounting structure and thereby also operable to support the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Walkowski, Robert A. Dayton
  • Patent number: 10696151
    Abstract: A transmission system selectively coupled to an engine crankshaft of an internal combustion engine arranged on a vehicle includes a transmission, a motor generator, a master clutch and a controller. The transmission includes an input shaft, a mainshaft, an output shaft and a countershaft offset from the input shaft. The countershaft is drivably connected to the first input shaft and the mainshaft. The motor generator is selectively coupled to the countershaft. The master clutch includes a driving portion connected to the engine crankshaft and a driven portion coupled to the transmission input shaft and adapted to frictionally engage the driving portion between open and closed positions. The controller selectively operates the transmission system in a first operating mode that includes defueling the engine while the vehicle is moving based on vehicle operating conditions and routes rotational energy from the output shaft, through the countershaft and into the motor generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Stoltz
  • Patent number: 10688864
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a purge canister and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can be fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly can include a main valve and a safety check valve. The main valve can have a main valve first port fluidly coupled to an outlet of the fuel tank and a main valve second port fluidly connected to the purge canister. The safety check valve can be configured to move from an open position to a closed position upon a pressure drop at the fuel tank outlet exceeding a predetermined threshold. The safety check valve can have a safety check valve first port fluidly coupled to the outlet of the fuel tank and a safety check valve second port fluidly coupled to the purge canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Ambrose, Jeffrey B. Smith, Raymond Bruce McLauchlan
  • Patent number: 10662900
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey, Kenneth Brauning
  • Patent number: 10655720
    Abstract: An electronic limited slip differential system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure is provided. The system includes an axle housing defining an inner chamber, a differential assembly disposed within the inner chamber, and a hydraulic control unit (HCU) coupled directly to a top of the axle housing such that the HCU is mounted on a top of the differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: EatON Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Hillman, Jordan Allen, Mark James Shewchuk
  • Patent number: 10626758
    Abstract: A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, includes a rocker arm body, an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body, and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode. The exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, and the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Kshamta Bishnoi
  • Patent number: D885439
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Leighton Roberts, Kevin Matson, Douglas Wright, James E. McCarthy, Jr., Matthew Vance, Otto Schultheis
  • Patent number: D894239
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Ernest Coates, Brandon John Elliott
  • Patent number: D899458
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Mensch, Tamara Orshanskaya, Jing Xu