Patents by Inventor Austin Robert Zurface

Austin Robert Zurface 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).

  • Development of a switching roller finger follower for cylinder deactivation in internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 11788439
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm to the outer arm at a first end of the inner arm and a first end of the outer arm, and a latch pin having a first position and a second position. The latch pin in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm to the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and a second end of the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. Two lost motion springs are respectively secured to mounts provided on the outer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
  • System, method, and apparatus for multi-port power converter and inverter assembly
    Patent number: 11658477
    Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Vollmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
  • CONTACTOR DAMAGE AND DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20220337070
    Abstract: A method includes interpreting a contactor open event and a contactor load value for a contactor positioned on a motive power circuit for a mobile application, determining that a contactor opening event under load has occurred in response to the contactor open event and the contactor load value, and updating a contactor wear condition in response to the contactor opening event under load, wherein updating the contactor wear condition comprises accumulating a number of the contactor opening events under load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Justin Keith Griffiths, Nilesh Surase, Ritika Shetty, Shalini Tripathy, Somdut Dey, Madhavi Gupta, Mayura Madane, Sadiya Qureshi, Toseed Khan, Amit Chavan, Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Atul Solvande, Hao Wang, Jiong Chen, Yueyue Deng, Jason Carroll, Srinivasan Arjun Tekalur, Jacob William Green, Ashok Chakravarthi Kandru, Cheng Luo, Tianyang Jiang, Cheng Wan, Ye Zhu, John Trublowski, Robert Stephen Douglass, Rajen Modi, Nilay Mehta, Laura Natali Valencia Fritsch, Han Li, Dongxin JIn, Lewei Qian, Jun Li, Hongrae Kim, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Patrick Herranz, Miroslav Horejs, Rohit Baranwal, Zhe Zhang, Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Kumar Suda, Asheesh Kumar Soni, Rene Guy Gallet, Michael Scott Sullivan, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Anvaya R. Hingangave, Devendra Patil
  • FUSE AND CONTACTOR MANAGEMENT FOR AN ELECTRIC MOBILE APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20220274504
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle including a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit including: a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including a fuse and a contactor in a series arrangement with the fuse; a high voltage power input coupling including a first electrical interface for a high voltage power source; and a high voltage power output coupling including a second electrical interface for a motive power load, where the current protection circuit electrically couples the high voltage power input coupling to the high voltage power output coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Brandon William Fisher, Martin Wayne Mensch, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni
  • Fuse and contactor management for an electric mobile application
    Patent number: 11370324
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle including a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit including: a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including a fuse and a contactor in a series arrangement with the fuse; a high voltage power input coupling including a first electrical interface for a high voltage power source; and a high voltage power output coupling including a second electrical interface for a motive power load, where the current protection circuit electrically couples the high voltage power input coupling to the high voltage power output coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Brandon William Fisher, Martin Wayne Mensch, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni
  • Electromagnetic latch assembly with flexible latch pin coupling
    Patent number: 11143064
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic latch assembly of a type that includes an armature, an electromagnet operative to actuate the armature, a latch pin, and a rigid metal structure that supports both the electromagnet and the latch pin, the latch pin is attached to the armature through a bendable connection. The electromagnet may be mounted to or housed within the metal structure. The latch pin may protrude from the rigid metal structure and may be guided by the metal structure. The bendable connection couples translation of the armature to translation of the latch pin while allowing the two parts to move independently to some degree. The bendable connection may reduce forces on the armature that could cause the armature to bend or stick. Those forces may result from misalignment between the latch pin and the armature or from the latch pin being driven off axis under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, Dale Arden Stretch, Brian Karl Vandeusen
  • System, method, and apparatus for power distribution in an electric mobile application using a combined breaker and relay
    Patent number: 11070049
    Abstract: A mobile application includes a motive power circuit having a power storage device and an electrical load, where the power storage device and the electrical load are selectively electrically coupled through a power bus. The application includes a power distribution unit (PDU) electrically interposed between the power storage device and the electrical load, where the PDU includes a breaker/relay positioned on one of a high side and a low side of the power storage device. The breaker/relay includes a fixed contact and a moveable contact selectively electrically coupled to the fixed contact, where the moveable contact allows power flow through the power bus when electrically coupled to the fixed contact, and prevents power flow through the power bus when not electrically coupled to the fixed contact. The breaker/relay includes an armature coupled to the moveable contact, and capable to open or close the motive power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
  • SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-PORT POWER CONVERTER AND INVERTER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20210218242
    Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
  • Power distribution unit and fuse management for an electric mobile application
    Patent number: 11052784
    Abstract: A system include a vehicle having a motive electrical power path and a power distribution unit (PDU). The PDU includes a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including a thermal fuse and a contactor in a series arrangement with the thermal fuse, and a high voltage power input coupling having a first electrical interface for a high voltage power source. The high voltage power output coupling includes a second electrical interface for a motive power load. The current protection circuit electrically couples the high voltage power input to the high voltage power output, and the current protection circuit is at least partially disposed in a laminated layer of the PDU. The laminated layer includes an electrically conductive flow path disposed between two electrically insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni
  • Sliding contact for electrically actuated rocker arm
    Patent number: 11008900
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine of the type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, and a camshaft includes a rocker arm assembly, a pivot providing a fulcrum for a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly, and a latch assembly. An electrical device mounted to the rocker arm assembly receives power or communicates through a circuit that includes an electrical connection formed by abutment between surfaces of two distinct parts. The rocker arm assembly is operative to move one of the two abutting surfaces relative to the other in response to actuation of the cam follower. Forming an electrical connection through abutting surfaces that are free to undergo relative motion may reduce or eliminate the need to run wires to a mobile portion of the rocker arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell, Tomas Drabek, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Philip Benjey, Eric John Yankovic, Brian Karl Vandeusen, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Michael James Stanton, Thomas Michael Tembreull, Anthony Leon Spoor
  • DEVELOPMENT OF A SWITCHING ROLLER FINGER FOLLOWER FOR CYLINDER DEACTIVATION IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    Publication number: 20210131316
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
  • DEVELOPMENT OF A SWITCHING ROLLER FINGER FOLLOWER FOR CYLINDER DEACTIVATION IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    Publication number: 20210131317
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
  • ELECTROMAGNETIC LATCH ASSEMBLY WITH FLEXIBLE LATCH PIN COUPLING
    Publication number: 20210047948
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic latch assembly of a type that includes an armature, an electromagnet operative to actuate the armature, a latch pin, and a rigid metal structure that supports both the electromagnet and the latch pin, the latch pin is attached to the armature through a bendable connection. The electromagnet may be mounted to or housed within the metal structure. The latch pin may protrude from the rigid metal structure and may be guided by the metal structure. The bendable connection couples translation of the armature to translation of the latch pin while allowing the two parts to move independently to some degree. The bendable connection may reduce forces on the armature that could cause the armature to bend or stick. Those forces may result from misalignment between the latch pin and the armature or from the latch pin being driven off axis under load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, Dale Arden Stretch, Brian Karl Vandeusen
  • SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-PORT POWER CONVERTER AND INVERTER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20200381915
    Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
  • Sliding Contact For Electrically Actuated Rocker Arm
    Publication number: 20200300129
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine of the type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, and a camshaft includes a rocker arm assembly, a pivot providing a fulcrum for a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly, and a latch assembly. An electrical device mounted to the rocker arm assembly receives power or communicates through a circuit that includes an electrical connection formed by abutment between surfaces of two distinct parts. The rocker arm assembly is operative to move one of the two abutting surfaces relative to the other in response to actuation of the cam follower. Forming an electrical connection through abutting surfaces that are free to undergo relative motion may reduce or eliminate the need to run wires to a mobile portion of the rocker arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell, Tomas Drabek, James Edward McCarthy, JR., Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Philip Benjey, Eric John Yankovic, Brian Karl Vandeusen, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Michael James Stanton, Thomas Michael Tembreull, Anthony Leon Spoor
  • POWER DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR A MOBILE APPLICATION HAVING A HIGH EFFICIENCY INVERTER
    Publication number: 20200274375
    Abstract: A power electronics assembly for a mobile application includes a first power electronics component selectively coupled to a high source on a first side and coupled to a high voltage battery on a second side, a second power electronics component selectively coupled to one of a low load or a low voltage battery on a first side and coupled to the high voltage battery on a second side; and a controller, including an operating mode circuit structured to determine a discharge operating mode for the mobile application, a power electronics configuration circuit structured to provide a switch state value for the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component in response to the discharge operating mode, and wherein the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component are responsive to the switch state value to coupled selected ones of the high source, low load, and low voltage battery to the high voltage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Keith Griffiths, Nilesh Surase, Ritika Shetty, Shalini Tripathy, Somdut Dey, Madhavi Gupta, Mayura Madane, Sadiya Qureshi, Toseed Khan, Amit Chavan, Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Atul Solvande, Hao Wang, Jiong Chen, Yueyue Deng, Jason Carroll, Srinivasan Arjun Tekalur, Jacob William Green, Chakravarthi Kandru, Cheng Luo, Tianyang Jiang, Cheng Wan, Ye Zhu, John Trublowski, Robert Stephen Douglass, Rajen Modi, Nilay Mehta, Laura Natali Valencia Fritsch, Han Li, Dongxin Jin, Lewei Qian, Jun Li, Hongrae Kim, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Patrick Herranz, Miroslav Horejs, Rohit Baranwal, Zhe Zhang, Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Kumar Suda, Asheesh Kumar Soni, Rene Guy Gallet, Michael Scott Sullivan, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Anvaya R. Hingangave, Devendra Patil
  • Sliding spring contacts providing electrical power to rocker arms
    Patent number: 10731516
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker arm assembly includes an electrical device, a rocker arm, and a cam follower. A contact held to the rocker arm abuts a spring attached to a component distinct from the rocker arm assembly to form an interface. The electrical device is powered through the interface. The spring slides over the contact as the rocker arm assembly pivots to actuate a moveable valve. The interface is formed near a pivot axis whereby the motion undergone by the interface is much less than the motion undergone by points on the rocker arm assembly more distal from the axis. Keeping the interface proximate the pivot axis and leaving the spring free to slide over the contact reducing the extent to which the spring undergoes movement and wear during valvetrain operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Lee, Michael J. Campbell, Austin Robert Zurface, Dale Arden Stretch
  • Sliding contact for electrically actuated rocker arm
    Patent number: 10731518
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine of the type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, and a camshaft includes a rocker arm assembly, a pivot providing a fulcrum for a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly, and a latch assembly. An electrical device mounted to the rocker arm assembly receives power or communicates through a circuit that includes an electrical connection formed by abutment between surfaces of two distinct parts. The rocker arm assembly is operative to move one of the two abutting surfaces relative to the other in response to actuation of the cam follower. Forming an electrical connection through abutting surfaces that are free to undergo relative motion may reduce or eliminate the need to run wires to a mobile portion of the rocker arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell, Tomas Drabek, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Philip Benjey, Eric John Yankovic, Brian Karl Vandeusen, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Michael James Stanton, Thomas Michael Tembreull, Anthony Leon Spoor
  • FUSE AND CONTACTOR MANAGEMENT FOR AN ELECTRIC MOBILE APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20200114780
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle including a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit including: a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including a fuse and a contactor in a series arrangement with the fuse; a high voltage power input coupling including a first electrical interface for a high voltage power source; and a high voltage power output coupling including a second electrical interface for a motive power load, where the current protection circuit electrically couples the high voltage power input coupling to the high voltage power output coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Brandon William Fisher, Martin Wayne Mensch, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian
  • ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20200063609
    Abstract: A method of precision manufacture of an outer arm of a rocker arm assembly is performed by determining structures of a rough outer arm that would require precision processing and locations to support the structures as they are processed. Starting with at least one structure requiring precision processing, locations on the outer arm close to the structure to hold the outer arm during processing are determined that would cause minimal distortion of the outer arm during processing. The outer arm is then provided with clamping lobes at these locations. The clamping lobes of the outer arm are clamping into a fixture for manufacturing. The slider pad may now be precision ground while the outer arm is clamped in the fixture with minimal risk of distortion of the outer arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, Tony Eric Gordon, Andrei Dan Radulescu, Otto Jerome Schultheis