Patents Represented by Attorney C. H. Grace
  • Patent number: 4470381
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjusting tappet 10 for use in engine valve gear of the direct acting type having one end of the tappet contacting the end of the combustion chamber valve stem 26 and the other end contacting the camshaft lobe 16. The tappet has the body 40 formed with a tubular wall portion 42 having an inwardly extending web portion 44 intermediate the ends thereof with a tubular hub 46 disposed therewithin formed integrally with the web and extending axially therefrom. A cam face disc member 18 is attached about the periphery thereof to one end of the tubular wall. A plunger means 50 is slidably received in the tubular hub and includes a piston 64 slidable therein forming a high pressure chamber 86 within the plunger remote from the cam face and having therein one-way valve means for admitting fluid to the chamber for lash adjustment. An annular retainer 56 is received over the outward end of the hub and a passage 84 is provided through the tubular wall portion for communicating fluid to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Buente, William T. Mihalic
  • Patent number: 4470428
    Abstract: A combined unloading valve and check valve (10) for use with a motor driven air compressor. The unloading valve (16) includes a spool (30) axially movable within a tubular body (12). In the unloading position of the valve, one of two spaced-apart ring seals (32) on the spool is out of engagement with the body to open a flowpath from the inlet of the valve past the spool to exhaust ports (28) formed in the body. When the compressor is operating and the valve is pressurized, both ring seals engage the body to close off the flowpath. The check valve (18) extends beyond the end of the body and includes a poppet valve element (50) which engages a valve seat (52) formed on an end of the spool. When the unloading valve and check valve is installed in a wall (14) of an air tank the check valve extends into the air supply within the tank, thereby helping to cool the internal elements of the valve structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William V. Bishop, Lawrence Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 4471215
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of radiation grafting a shape retaining jacket (32) made from an elastomeric polyurethane to an olefinic semi-conductive composition electrically interconnecting at least two elongate spaced-apart conductors (28) to provide an improved, flexible, elongate semi-conductive heating cable (8) that is provided with improved mechanical and electrical integrity and diminished imperfections and improved handling characteristics by reason of a substantially improved bond between the jacket and the olefinic semi-conductive composition arising from radiation grafting in a process that includes a means (14) of oxidizing the outer surface of the semi-conductive surface in combination with application of vacuum able to draw the jacket against the semi-conductive composition within not more than about one and one-half inches from the exit of a die head (4) through which the product is passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Roger L. Blumer
  • Patent number: 4471245
    Abstract: A fast turn-on FET circuit is provided by a constant current source and fast turn-on capacitor combination in the gate circuit of the FET. At turn-on, a bypass capacitor momentarily short-circuits a control resistor in the current source such that a momentarily higher current is supplied by the current source to the FET gate until the capacitor is charged, whereafter constant current as controlled by the resistor is supplid to the FET gate circuitry to maintain conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Janutka
  • Patent number: 4470612
    Abstract: An axle beam asembly (33) for an articulated vehicle (10). The beam assembly receives a drive axle (42) of the vehicle and is mounted on a frame (28) of the vehicle for rotation about a horizontal axis (30) which is laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline (37) of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a transfer case (63) having a driveshaft (48) extending therefrom to the drive axle through a hole (46) formed in the beam assembly on an axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Yale Ltd.
    Inventor: Godfrey S. Kent
  • Patent number: 4469999
    Abstract: A regenerative drive control is connectable to an AC power source and includes a negative converter bridge (10) having an input (12, 14, 16) connectable to the AC power source and an output connectable to a DC bus, including a positive bus (18) and a negative bus (20), a load (24) having inductance and resistance and operable to generate regenerative current and direct regenerative current through the negative converter bridge to the AC power source. The negative converter bridge includes a plurality of SCR's (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) arranged in a plurality of series connected pairs with each series connected pair forming a leg of the converter bridge which extends between the positive and negative buses. A gating circuit (80) is provided for sequentially gating the SCR's to establish a controllable DC output on the DC bus. Sensing means (110) for generating an inhibit signal indicative of a fault is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Swenson
  • Patent number: 4469974
    Abstract: An acoustic fuel injector-atomizer comprising a horn (74) actuated by piezoelectric crystals (28a, 28b) to form a resonant structure (18) excited by an oscillator signal. The oscillator (16) which generates the excitation signal is self-tuned to the resonant frequency of the structure (18) by means of a first transformer coupling (66, 56) which provides a feedback path between the structure (18) and the oscillator transistor (24) and a second transformer coupling (68, 56) which provides a compensation signal representing static capacitance of the crystals (28a, 28b). The compensation signal is subtracted from the feedback signal of the structure (18) so as to eliminate the static capacitance component as an error source in the self-tuning function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Speranza
  • Patent number: 4470027
    Abstract: A contact structure (40, 44; 62, 63) is arranged to provide oppositely directed parallel current paths within a closed loop magnetic flux amplifier (46) to be directly separable under high overload current conditions, the flux amplifier (46) functioning to arrest the movable contact (62, 63) momentum. Manufacturing economies are realized by subassembling the stationary contact structure (40, 42, 44) and flux amplifier (46) and subsequently trapping one end (42a) of that assembly within the base (4a) and securing the other end with a single screw (68). The movable contact arm (62) comprises a plurality of blanked laminations assembled to provide improved contact (63) mounting and bearing (62d) surfaces. The molded case sidewalls are strengthened in the contact separation area by offsetting the parting line (PL) between cover (6) and base (4) closer to the bottom of base (4) and overlapping the thinner base sidewalls with thicker cover sidewalls at the offset (4e, 6e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Link, John A. Swessel, Jr., Peter J. Theisen
  • Patent number: 4469968
    Abstract: An eddy current coupling 11 includes an input member 19, an output member 21 rotatable relative to the input member about an axis of rotation, a pole assembly 29, an inductor drum assembly 25 and a field coil 41 for coupling the input and output members. The inductor drum assembly 25 includes a generally cylindrically drum portion 27 and a radially extending drum portion 26. A heat dissipating member 71 integrally formed from a heat conductive material such as aluminum is attached to the radially extending portion 26 of the inductor drum assembly. The heat dissipating member includes heat dissipating fins 75 on one side thereof and rivet means 77 on the opposite side thereof for connecting the integrally formed heat dissipating member 71 to the radially extending portion 26 of the inductor drum assembly. The rivet means 77 act to transfer heat from the inductor drum assembly 25 to the heat dissipating member 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph L. Jaeschke
  • Patent number: 4469120
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid pressure and signal controller (60) that is adapted to regulate a fluid pressure regulator (16) by means of rotation of a cam (24) in response to rotation of a shaft. The controller is additionally provided with means for generating signals at one or more predetermined positions on the cam by movement of an output member (48) that is in contact with a profiled surface (40, 40') of a body member (38) which in turn is caused to move in response to movement of a cam follower (42) that is in contact relationship with the cam. Means are provided such as threads (51) are provided for adjusting the rotative position of the body member with respect to the position of the cam follower to account for any change in the initial position of the cam member and to enable more than one of the signal generation means to be positioned at different locations about the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Anderson, Robert D. Forschler
  • Patent number: 4468603
    Abstract: A three-phase motor control system (FIG. 1) having a current control regulator (CCR) that includes adjustable current ramp time or adjustable current level during starting and acceleration and incorporates a load voltage-current displacement regulator (VCFB) that automatically becomes effective when the motor approaches synchronous speed, thereby to reduce the power input to the motor to what is needed to run the load, thus saving energy. Additionally, a second quadrant detector (SQD) senses overhauling load conditions and operates a gate (NG) to lock out the load voltage-current displacement feedback signal thereby allowing the reference signal to place the motor across the line until the motor operation returns to the motoring quadrant. The system further includes means (24 in FIG. 2h) affording integral control and means (30 in FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Vander Meer, Robert W. Spink
  • Patent number: 4466518
    Abstract: A viscous coupling adapted to be positioned within the housing of a torque converter automatic transmission for use as a bypass of the torque converter and including an annular clutch lining secured to a side face of the outer peripheral portion of the coupling and a control valve assembly positioned in the outer peripheral portion to cushion the impact of engagement of the annular clutch lining with the confronting surface of the torque converter housing. The control valve assembly includes a rolling diaphragm which extends across the open end of an axially extending bore in the outer peripheral portion and is arranged to rollingly traverse the bore to successively cover or uncover a series of axially spaced leakage holes communicating with the main chamber of the torque converter and the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert S. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4462492
    Abstract: A bypass drive line for a torque converter type automatic transmission in which the bypass drive line includes a viscous coupling and automatic transmission fluid is selectively passed through the periphery of the viscous coupling to provide a flow of cooling fluid around the coupling. The fluid flowing through the coupling enters at one face of the coupling adjacent the periphery of the coupling and then flows around the periphery of the coupling through a major sector of the circular plane of the coupling and then exits at the opposite face of the coupling at a location spaced from the entry location by a minor sector of the circular plane of the coupling, thereby providing a circuitous path through the coupling which provides a flow rate of cooling fluid through the coupling that varies in proportion to the viscosity, and thereby the temperature, of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert S. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4462489
    Abstract: A double acting synchronizer clutch (20) is disclosed with sheet metal spring pins (34). The spring pins are disposed at their ends in arcuate recesses in friction rings (28-30). Each spring pin (34) includes a unitary member (36) having split end rings (36a and 36b) and a plurality of spring leafs (36c) interconnecting the split ends which snugly receive closed rings (38 and 40) to prevent radial flexing of the split end rings. Two additional embodiments (46 and 47) of the spring pins are disclosed which embody the principles of pins (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Morscheck
  • Patent number: 4462657
    Abstract: A plurality of coil springs (6) are secured to the flat inner surfaces (4a) of a jaw type connector (12) to receive a flat conductor (20, 24) such as a bus bar between the opposed springs, the individual coils of each spring (6) engaging the surfaces of the connector (4) and bus bar (20, 24) to provide a compliant, multiple path electrical connection between the connector and bus bar. The springs are plated with a material having a low interface resistance (Rp) with respect to the resistance of the spring wire (Rw) to minimize the net change in resistance of any individual current path in the event of contact interface breakdown between a spring coil and bus bar or connector, thereby reducing or eliminating harmful damage to the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Albert C. Snowdon, Kenneth A. Forsell, Peter J. Theisen, Emil W. Zarling, David G. Porter
  • Patent number: 4461372
    Abstract: A disc brake (10) of the floating caliper type wherein the caliper (14) is slidably mounted on the torque plate (34) by two guide pins (60) which are received in complementary grooves (62, 66) in the torque plate and caliper and which are held to the torque plate by screw bolts (74) passing through bores (72) in the adjacent portions of the torque plate. The pins and grooves have sufficient wrapping engagement to allow limited sliding movement of the caliper on the pins while precluding separation of the caliper from the pins. When one guide pin is released by unscrewing the related bolts, the caliper may be pivoted about the other pin and then removed from the torque plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew H. Bekkala, Wayne H. Garrett
  • Patent number: 4459572
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a pivotal movable contact arm (6) operated between open and closed positions with a stationary contact (14c) by an overcenter drive spring (8) in response to pivotal movement of a manual operating handle (4). A latch lever (10) is provided to locate the other end of the drive spring (8) and is releasable upon overload currents to carry the point of connection (10d) of the drive spring and latch lever essentially downward in line with the line of action of the drive spring to quickly reduce its force and stored energy, thereby quickly reducing the contact pressure provided thereby and enabling constriction and/or repulsion forces to separate the contacts (6c,14c). A further amount of movement of the latch lever (10) carries the point of connection (10d) of the drive spring and latch lever across the pivot plane of the movable contact arm (6) to separate the contacts. The latch lever (10) is released by a pivotally supported latch arm (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Fajner, Peter J. Theisen, Marian M. Rzepecki
  • Patent number: 4458798
    Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (42) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complimentary shear surfaces (30 & 56) in the clutch and body members. During relative rotation between the two members, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to a storage chamber (76) through a return passage (111). Fluid is returned to the operating chamber via bleed ports (118). The return passage and bleed ports are selectively restricted by an electromagnetically controlled valve (112) which taps the kinetic energy of the rotating members. A control system (132) senses vehicle coolant temperature and actuates the valve as a function thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Warren G. Bopp
  • Patent number: 4458124
    Abstract: A three-position toggle switch having a transparent toggle lever (28) illuminated in its natural color in the center position and illuminated in second and third colors in its respective left and right positions. Molded color filters (32, 34) are structurally attached to the interior end of the lever by dovetail slots (28k, 28m) and dovetail ribs (32b, 34b) and are retained thereon by confinement within the interior switch cavity (2a). The filters (32, 34) have offset legs (32a, 32b) depending toward a lamp (8) in the switch base (2) to reflect or redirect light rays from the lamp (8) to enhance color separation while permitting an inexpensive, unfocused lamp to be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Neil W. Kroth, Gursharan P. S. Nat
  • Patent number: RE31634
    Abstract: An electric switch having two pushbuttons for rocking a pivotal actuator alternately in opposite directions for alternately closing double-throw contacts. The pivotal actuator is snap-in assembled to a switch frame which is snap-in assembled to a switch base or housing that supports the contacts. The two pushbuttons are alike and are guided in their vertical reciprocal motion by the switch frame and by one another. To allow use of minimum height pushbuttons while having ample finger-engaging surface, the pushbuttons are provided with like but complementary guiding structures integrally molded thereon to guide one another in their relative vertically reciprocal movements without binding or "window-locking" with respect to one another or the switch frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Norby