Patents by Inventor Vaughn Kevin Mills

Vaughn Kevin Mills has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11542893
    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: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20220268223
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured for use with a vehicle fuel tank includes a purge canister, an accelerometer, first and second vent tubes that terminate at first and second vent openings, a first vent valve, a second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly and a control module. The accelerometer senses acceleration in an x, y and z axis. The first vent valve is fluidly coupled to the first vent tube. The second vent valve is fluidly coupled to the second vent tube. The vent shutoff assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves. The control module estimates a location of liquid fuel based on the sensed acceleration from the accelerometer and determines which vent opening is one of submerged and about to be submerged based on the estimated location of the liquid fuel. The control module closes the vent valve associated with the determined vent opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Nikhil Nahar, Sudeep Motilal Solanki, Max Russell Franklin, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Robert Andrew Dayton
  • Publication number: 20210370762
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent line disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20210372351
    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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 11091027
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 11092113
    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 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20210122233
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 10947913
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured for use with a vehicle fuel tank includes a purge canister, an accelerometer, first and second vent tubes that terminate at first and second vent openings, a first vent valve, a second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly and a control module. The accelerometer senses acceleration in an x, y and z axis. The first vent valve is fluidly coupled to the first vent tube. The second vent valve is fluidly coupled to the second vent tube. The vent shutoff assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves. The control module estimates a location of liquid fuel based on the sensed acceleration from the accelerometer and determines which vent opening is one of submerged and about to be submerged based on the estimated location of the liquid fuel. The control module closes the vent valve associated with the determined vent opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Nikhil Nahar, Sudeep Motilal Solanki, Max Russell Franklin, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Robert Andrew Dayton
  • Patent number: 10828981
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20200284226
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190145326
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured for use with a vehicle fuel tank includes a purge canister, an accelerometer, first and second vent tubes that terminate at first and second vent openings, a first vent valve, a second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly and a control module. The accelerometer senses acceleration in an x, y and z axis. The first vent valve is fluidly coupled to the first vent tube. The second vent valve is fluidly coupled to the second vent tube. The vent shutoff assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves. The control module estimates a location of liquid fuel based on the sensed acceleration from the accelerometer and determines which vent opening is one of submerged and about to be submerged based on the estimated location of the liquid fuel. The control module closes the vent valve associated with the determined vent opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Nikhil Nahar, Sudeep Motilal Solanki, Max Russell Franklin, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Robert Andrew Dayton
  • Publication number: 20190105984
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 10041450
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a tank of a vehicle is disclosed. A valve body is adapted to be attached to the tank. A seat is disposed inside the valve body and defines an outlet for venting the tank. A float is disposed inside the valve body and is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the valve body in response to a liquid fluid level inside the tank. A support is coupled to the float and is movable with the float between the first and second positions. A sealing member is attached to the support and has an engagement portion supported by a base to define a space between the engagement portion and the support to allow movement of the engagement portion between an initial position when in the first position and a displaced position when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Walkowski, Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Publication number: 20170328311
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Sudeep Motilal Solanki, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke
  • Patent number: 9796262
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a tank of a vehicle and a method of creating a vacuum are disclosed. A valve body defines a cavity and an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity for venting the tank. The assembly includes a seat disposed in the cavity of the valve body. The seat separates the cavity into first and second cavity portions. The seat defines an aperture to provide fluid communication between the first and second cavity portions. The assembly includes a cover device disposed between the seat and the outlet. The cover device defines at least one hole therethrough. The cover device is movable between a rest position engaging the seat to minimize fluid communication between the aperture and the hole and an actuated position spaced from the seat to increase fluid communication between the aperture and the hole when a vacuum is created in the first cavity portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Publication number: 20170253116
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a seat separating a cavity of a valve body into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The assembly includes a cover device separating the first cavity portion into a first pocket and a second pocket. The cover device defines at least one hole to provide fluid communication between an aperture of the seat and an outlet of the valve body via the hole. The cover device is movable between a rest position to restrict fluid communication between the aperture and the hole, and an actuated position to increase fluid communication between the aperture and the hole when a vacuum is created in the first cavity portion. The aperture is in direct fluid communication with the first pocket when in the actuated position. The outlet is in direct fluid communication with the second pocket when in the rest and actuated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Patent number: D750746
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Bruce McLauchlan, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Ronald Earl Sexton, Steven Lee Ambrose, Robert Dean Keller, Daniel Lee Pifer
  • Patent number: D764026
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Ronald Earl Sexton
  • Patent number: D764629
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Ryan Kirk Whitmore