Patents by Inventor Aaron Kelly Krahn
Aaron Kelly Krahn 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).
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Patent number: 10435064Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a fluid pump, an actuator in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump, a hydrostatic steering system and an electro-hydraulic steering system. The hydrostatic steering system includes a fluid controller having a first proportional valve in fluid communication with the fluid pump and a fluid meter in fluid communication with the first proportional valve and the actuator. The electro-hydraulic steering system includes a second proportional valve in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump and the actuator. The second proportional valve is disposed in parallel to the first proportional valve. The electro-hydraulic steering circuit further includes a load-reaction switching valve assembly disposed in series with the first proportional valve of the hydrostatic steering system. The load-reaction switching valve allows fluid communication between the actuator and the fluid controller when the first proportional valve is in a neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER, LTD.Inventor: Aaron Kelly Krahn
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Patent number: 9920776Abstract: A fluid controller includes a valve housing having an inlet port, a return port, first and second control ports and a load sense port. The fluid controller further includes a fluid meter in selective fluid communication with the valve housing and a valve assembly adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the valve housing and the fluid meter. The valve housing includes a main flow path and a load sense flow path. The main flow path is adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the inlet port and the first control port. Fluid in the main flow path passes through the fluid meter. The load sense path is adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the load sense port and the main flow path. The load sense flow path includes a variable load sense orifice that substantially closes prior to a maximum rotational displacement of the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventor: Aaron Kelly Krahn
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Publication number: 20170072998Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a fluid pump, an actuator in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump, a hydrostatic steering system and an electro-hydraulic steering system. The hydrostatic steering system includes a fluid controller having a first proportional valve in fluid communication with the fluid pump and a fluid meter in fluid communication with the first proportional valve and the actuator. The electro-hydraulic steering system includes a second proportional valve in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump and the actuator. The second proportional valve is disposed in parallel to the first proportional valve. The electro-hydraulic steering circuit further includes a load-reaction switching valve assembly disposed in series with the first proportional valve of the hydrostatic steering system. The load-reaction switching valve allows fluid communication between the actuator and the fluid controller when the first proportional valve is in a neutral position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventor: Aaron Kelly KRAHN
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Patent number: 9512838Abstract: A torque generator is disclosed. The torque generator includes a valve arrangement including a spool valve and a valve sleeve. A torsion bar biases the valve arrangement toward a neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Aaron Kelly Krahn, Vance Richard Murray
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Patent number: 9200645Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a steering system having first and second steering circuits in fluid communication with a fluid actuator wherein the steering circuits are disposed in parallel to each other. The second steering circuit includes a proportional valve having a load-sense feature in selective fluid communication with a load-sense connection and the first steering circuit. The load-sense feature is open to the first steering circuit when the proportional valve is in a neutral position and closed to the first steering circuit when the proportional valve is moved to a first or second steering position. When the proportional valve is actuated from the neutral position to the first or second steering position the movement of the proportional valve closes the load sense feature from the first steering circuit and operates to deactivate the first steering circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Aaron Kelly Krahn
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Publication number: 20150204324Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device includes a housing section defining an inlet port and a return port. A valving assembly is in fluid communication with the inlet port and the return port. A first fluid meter defines a plurality of volume chambers that are in fluid communication with the valving assembly. A second fluid meter defines a second plurality of volume chambers in selective fluid communication with the valving assembly. A drive assembly is engaged with the first fluid meter and the second fluid meter. The drive assembly has a drive shaft and a drive collar. The drive shaft has a first axial end portion engaged with the first fluid meter and an oppositely disposed second axial end portion, the drive collar is removably coupled to the second axial end portion of the drive shaft. The drive collar is engaged with the second fluid meter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Aaron Kelly Krahn, Neil West Murphy
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Publication number: 20140366520Abstract: A fluid controller includes a valve housing having an inlet port, a return port, first and second control ports and a load sense port. The fluid controller further includes a fluid meter in selective fluid communication with the valve housing and a valve assembly adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the valve housing and the fluid meter. The valve housing includes a main flow path and a load sense flow path. The main flow path is adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the inlet port and the first control port. Fluid in the main flow path passes through the fluid meter. The load sense path is adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the load sense port and the main flow path. The load sense flow path includes a variable load sense orifice that substantially closes prior to a maximum rotational displacement of the valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventor: Aaron Kelly Krahn
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Publication number: 20140271309Abstract: A torque generator is disclosed. The torque generator includes a valve arrangement including a spool valve and a valve sleeve. A torsion bar biases the valve arrangement toward a neutral position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Aaron Kelly Krahn, Vance Richard Murray
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Patent number: 8397858Abstract: A steering system includes a steer-by-wire (SBW) valve, a main steering pump, a steering actuator, and a steering control unit (SCU). The SCU is in fluid communication with the actuator via a pair of fluid conduits, and includes upper and lower portions. The upper portion contains a first solenoid valve and a cross-over check valve assembly. The lower portion contains a fluid control valve. An ECU generates a steering input signal in response to steering wheel rotation, and transmits the signal to the SBW valve. The SCU controls the first solenoid valve to deliver fluid from the lower portion to the actuator via the cross-over valve assembly in an emergency steering mode, and also controls the first solenoid valve to prevent flow into the actuator and allow recirculation of fluid within the lower portion in a torque feel mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Aaron Kelly Krahn
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Patent number: 8225603Abstract: A fluid controller includes a first fluid meter defining a first plurality of volume chambers and a second fluid meter defining a second plurality of volume chambers. A selector assembly, disposed between the first fluid meter and the second fluid meter, includes a selector plate defining a bore and a selector valve disposed in the bore. The selector valve is adapted for rotational movement between a first position and a second position and includes a first face and an oppositely disposed second face. The selector valve defines a plurality of thru-passages that extend axially through the first and second faces and that is adapted to provide fluid communication between the first and second volume chambers in the first position. The selector valve defines a groove disposed on the second face. The groove recirculates fluid from the second plurality of volume chambers when the selector valve is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William John Novacek, Aaron Kelly Krahn
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Publication number: 20110297473Abstract: A steering system includes a steer-by-wire (SBW) valve, a main steering pump, a steering actuator, and a steering control unit (SCU). The SCU is in fluid communication with the actuator via a pair of fluid conduits, and includes upper and lower portions. The upper portion contains a first solenoid valve and a cross-over check valve assembly. The lower portion contains a fluid control valve. An ECU generates a steering input signal in response to steering wheel rotation, and transmits the signal to the SBW valve. The SCU controls the first solenoid valve to deliver fluid from the lower portion to the actuator via the cross-over valve assembly in an emergency steering mode, and also controls the first solenoid valve to prevent flow into the actuator and allow recirculation of fluid within the lower portion in a torque feel mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventor: Aaron Kelly Krahn
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Publication number: 20090199915Abstract: A fluid controller includes a first fluid meter defining a first plurality of volume chambers and a second fluid meter defining a second plurality of volume chambers. A selector assembly, disposed between the first fluid meter and the second fluid meter, includes a selector plate defining a bore and a selector valve disposed in the bore. The selector valve is adapted for rotational movement between a first position and a second position and includes a first face and an oppositely disposed second face. The selector valve defines a plurality of thru-passages that extend axially through the first and second faces and that is adapted to provide fluid communication between the first and second volume chambers in the first position. The selector valve defines a groove disposed on the second face. The groove recirculates fluid from the second plurality of volume chambers when the selector valve is in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: William John Novacek, Aaron Kelly Krahn