Patents Assigned to Eaton Corporation
  • Publication number: 20180267495
    Abstract: A distributed logic control apparatus is usable to control a system and includes a plurality of enhanced intelligent devices and a network protocol control that are connected with a data network. The intelligent devices each have a processor apparatus and an algorithm operable thereon that enables each intelligent device to control a corresponding part of the system. Other algorithms on the intelligent devices provide an advantageous setup operation that enables the intelligent devices to cooperate with one another in a self-setup operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven Dale Rees
  • Publication number: 20180267925
    Abstract: A distributed logic control apparatus is usable to control a system and includes a plurality of enhanced intelligent devices and a network protocol control that are connected with a data network. The intelligent devices each have a processor apparatus and an algorithm operable thereon that enables each intelligent device to control a corresponding part of the system. Other algorithms on the intelligent devices provide an advantageous setup operation that enables the intelligent devices to cooperate with one another in a self-setup operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven Dale Rees
  • Patent number: 10077812
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly includes a rotor assembly operable to rotate about an axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an armature assembly operable to rotate about the axis. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an electromagnetic coupling system operable to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field induces the rotor assembly and the armature assembly against one another along the axis for frictional engagement such that the rotor assembly and the armature assembly rotate together. The electromagnetic clutch assembly also includes an air gap defined between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly when the rotor assembly and the armature assembly are in frictional engagement. In another implementation, at least one plate is positioned between the rotor assembly and the armature assembly such that magnetic flux passes through the at least one plate. The plate is formed from a mixture of powdered metal and solid lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornbrook, Brian W. Franke, Michael J. Warwick, Mark C. Barnholt
  • Publication number: 20180261994
    Abstract: A protection module is for a modular ground fault protective relay. The modular ground fault protective relay includes a power supply module having a connection port. The protection module includes a body having a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side, a module connector extending outwardly from the first side, the module connector being structured to be removably coupled to the connection port of the power supply module, and a module expansion port extending inwardly from the second side toward the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: JASON EASTON, PAUL SEFF, JEFFERY KUYKENDALL, MICHEL RIVAS
  • Publication number: 20180251019
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Stoltz
  • Patent number: 10065649
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission power on up shift including an on-coming clutch and an off-going clutch. The method includes implementing a prep phase comprised of decreasing torque on the off-going clutch, monitoring the off-going clutch speed to determine a slip point, and adding a bump torque to the off-going clutch when the off-going clutch reaches the slip point. The method implements a torque phase transferring torque from the off-going clutch to the on-coming clutch by increasing torque on the on-coming clutch towards an engine torque, decreasing torque on the off-going clutch, and simultaneously keeping the combination of torques greater than the slip point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Dunfee, II, Andrew Hart, Simon Fitzgerald, Michael Gallion
  • Publication number: 20180245545
    Abstract: A fuel vapor management system for a vehicle includes a vehicle fuel pump assembly and a fuel volatility sensor system having a test chamber and a valve. The test chamber is fluidly coupled to the fuel pump assembly to receive a flow of fuel therefrom, the valve configured to selectively isolate and seal a portion of the fuel flow within the test chamber to determine fuel volatility of the portion of the fuel flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 10059196
    Abstract: A vent valve for a fuel system includes a float, a flapper assembly and an orifice plate. The flapper assembly has a flapper and a seal mounted on or fixed to the flapper. The flapper assembly can be movably engaged with the float. The orifice plate can have a plate body that includes a nipple portion extending to a terminal end that defines a valve seat. The valve seat comprises an orifice having splines arranged around an outer diameter thereof. The seal is configured to selectively engage the valve seat between a sealed, closed position and an unsealed, open position. The splines facilitate movement of the seal from the closed position to the open position with reduced reopening force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Walkowski
  • Patent number: 10056851
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating operating characteristics of an induction motor is disclosed. The system includes a motor control device that is electrically connectable between a motor and a power source. The motor control device includes a plurality of switching devices comprising at least one thyristor corresponding to a respective phase of the motor. The motor control device also includes a controller programmed to disconnect the power source from the motor for a predetermined time period following a first plurality of cycles of a mains phase voltage of the power source. The controller is further programmed to measure a back-emf voltage during the predetermined time period, estimate an operating characteristic of the motor from the measured back-emf voltage, and trigger the plurality of switching devices to reconnect the power source to the motor following estimation of the operating characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dongxiao Wu, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Yahan Hua, Vijay Bhavaraju, Kaijam M. Woodley, Steven Andrew Dimino
  • Publication number: 20180233917
    Abstract: A method of starting a power system including an inverter having a plurality of DC feeds, wherein the DC feeds include a first DC feed and a number of additional DC feeds. The method includes connecting the first DC feed to a DC link of the inverter, synchronizing the inverter to an AC grid, and connecting the synchronized inverter to the AC grid. The method also includes, for each of the additional DC feeds, responsive to determining: (i) that a predetermined time period based on a required power ramp rate of the inverter has elapsed, and (ii) that current operating conditions of the inverter are within a safe operating area of a plurality of switching devices of the inverter, connecting the additional DC feed to the DC link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Armen Baronian, Prasanna Sharadchandra Nirantare
  • Publication number: 20180233308
    Abstract: A transfer assembly is for a switching assembly mounted in an electrical enclosure. The switching assembly has an electrical switching apparatus, a shaft, and a handle member coupled to the shaft. The electrical switching apparatus is structured to move between an ON position and an OFF position. The transfer assembly includes a body structured to be coupled to the electrical switching apparatus, and a cam assembly structured to move between a FIRST position and a SECOND position. The cam assembly includes a rotary member coupled to the body and structured to be coupled to the shaft, and a driving member cooperable with the rotary member. When the cam assembly moves between the FIRST position and the SECOND position, the driving member drives the electrical switching apparatus between the ON position and the OFF position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: SUJIT SUBHASH PATWARDHAN, RAMESH SHIVAJI POWAR
  • Patent number: 10047644
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one of temperature and pressure within a cylinder of an internal combustion engine can include an engine valve and a sensor. The internal combustion engine can include a valvetrain having rocker arm assembly, a camshaft, a valve, and a hydraulic lash adjuster. The engine valve can have a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head in an axial direction. The valve head can have a valve face configured to be in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem can have an outer surface with a cylindrical portion and a variably-shaped portion. The variably-shaped portion can define a target detectable by the sensor and the sensor can be installed adjacent to the target. Alternatively, the sensor can be positioned to detect a level of force at some point along the valvetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, John Albert Kovacich, John Trublowski, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Karen Evelyn Bevan, Douglas J. Nielsen, David Yee, Evan Grimm, Xubin Song, Martin Pryor
  • Publication number: 20180216983
    Abstract: A solid state fuel level sensor system disposed in a fuel tank according to one example of the present disclosure includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a reference chamber, a liquid discriminating membrane and a reference tube. The first pressure sensor is disposed in the fuel tank. The second pressure sensor is disposed in the fuel tank. The first and second pressure sensors are separated a vertical distance from each other in the fuel tank. The reference chamber is fluidly connected to the first and second pressure sensors. The reference tube is fluidly connected between the reference chamber and the liquid discriminating membrane. The reference tube extends into a vapor space of the fuel tank at the liquid discriminating membrane such that a vapor pressure at the vapor space is communicated into the reference chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20180209309
    Abstract: A valve train assembly includes an intake rocker arm, an exhaust rocker arm, a carrier configured to couple to a cylinder block and operably associated with the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, the carrier including a first aperture, and a cylinder deactivation (CDA) capsule disposed within the first aperture. The CDA capsule is configured to move between a latched condition that transfers motion from a push rod to one of the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, and an unlatched condition that absorbs motion from the push rod and does not transfer the motion to the intake rocker arm or the exhaust rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark VanWingerden, Douglas Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180212373
    Abstract: A light pipe is for an EV charging handle. The EV charging handle includes a housing having a thru hole, and a light source coupled to the housing. The light pipe includes a body structured to be coupled to the light source in order to transmit light from the light source through the thru hole of the housing, the body having a first side portion having a first interior surface having a first surface roughness, and a second side portion extending from the first side portion, the second side portion having a second interior surface having a second surface roughness greater than the first surface roughness in order to increase a visibility range with which the light is transmitted through the thru hole of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: XIANZHEN ZHANG, LILI DU, HAIDONG ZHANG, LIN YANG
  • Publication number: 20180212417
    Abstract: An auto-monitoring circuit including a first input structured to receive a signal from a processor of a circuit interrupter, a second input structured to receive power from a circuit protected by the circuit interrupter, a first switch structured to remain closed while the signal is received at the first input and remains above a predetermined threshold level and to open when the signal ceases to be received at the first input or drops below the predetermined threshold level, a second switch structured to remain open while the first switch is closed and to close when the first switch opens, and an output electrically connected to a trip circuit of the circuit interrupter. Closing the second switch causes a trip signal to be output to the trip circuit that causes the trip circuit to trip open the separable contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: VICTOR DOUALLA EPEE
  • Publication number: 20180209528
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic limited slip differential system for a vehicle includes an axle assembly having an axle housing having an aperture formed therein, and an electro-hydraulic limited slip differential assembly disposed within the axle housing. The limited slip differential assembly includes a differential case, a differential gear assembly disposed in the differential case, a clutch assembly having a clutch pack and a clutch actuator assembly, and a hydraulic fitting disposed at least partially within the aperture. The hydraulic fitting is coupled to a hydraulic port of the clutch actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew N. Edler, Ashish Wadhva, John St. John, Kandice Kawala, Randy Graves, Daniel P. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20180204699
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes an electronic trip unit structured to receive power from a power supply. The electronic trip unit includes a start-up process and is structured to proceed through the start-up process when the electronic trip unit begins receiving power from the power supply and a timing circuit including a capacitor structured to begin charging when the electronic trip unit begins receiving power from the power supply. The electronic trip unit includes a processor that is structured to read a voltage across the capacitor when the start-up process has completed and to determine an elapsed time of the start-up process based on the read voltage across the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: DANIEL A. HOSKO, THEODORE J. MILLER, ZHI GAO, RANDY P. SHVACH
  • Publication number: 20180202444
    Abstract: A supercharger constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a housing, a first rotor, a second rotor, a first timing gear, a second timing gear, a first rotor shaft, a second rotor shaft and a coupling. The first and second rotors are received in cylindrical overlapping chambers of the housing. The first timing gear has a gear body that includes first helical teeth. The gear body further defines a central bore and a series of openings. The second timing gear has second helical teeth and is arranged in meshed engagement with the first timing gear. The first rotor shaft supports the first rotor and the first timing gear. The second rotor shaft supports the second rotor and the second timing gear. The coupling has a coupling body and includes a series of protrusions configured to be inserted into the series of openings of the gear body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Sheen, Justin Hopkins, Sandeep Kumar, Daniel Ouwenga
  • Patent number: 10024365
    Abstract: A bearing retaining assembly for a supercharger includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve and a biasing member. The bearing retaining assembly rotatably supports an input shaft that rotates about an input shaft axis. The first sleeve can have a counterbore that receives a bearing. The second sleeve can be fixed to a cover of the supercharger. The biasing member can be disposed between the first and second sleeves. The first sleeve can selectively translate along the input shaft axis relative to the second sleeve against the bias of the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Penn