Patents by Inventor Barbara J. Erickson

Barbara J. Erickson 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: 5967183
    Abstract: A fuel vapor canister purge control valve assembly has an electric valve and a pressure regulator valve for connection at its inlet to a canister fluidically in series in a common housing. The electric valve has a spherical magnetically permeable operator biased closed against the seat by a balanced rotary armature. A C-shaped solenoid pole frame defines diametrally oppositely disposed radial working air gaps with the armature. Upon PWM energization of the solenoid, the armature rotation permits the spherical valve member to move from the seat to open the valve. A venturi is formed in the electric valve inlet and the venturi throat has a pressure tap connected to provide a reference pressure for one side of the pressure regulator diaphragm. The opposite side of the regulator diaphragm has an elastomeric obturator and is exposed to the outlet pressure of the electric valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Detweiler, Daniel L. DeLand, Barbara J. Erickson, Gerrit V. Beneker
  • Patent number: 5941267
    Abstract: An electrically controlled flow regulator valve assembly having a diaphragm operated pressure regulator valve with a solenoid operated valve for by-passing the diaphragm to control flow to the regulator valving chamber. In one embodiment the regulator valving chamber communicates through a small restricting orifice with a closed dampening chamber. In another embodiment a second closed dampening chamber is formed to communicate through a second small restrictive orifice with a chamber on the inlet pressure side of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. DeLand, Barbara J. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5921261
    Abstract: A diaphragm type flow regulator has an electrically operated bleed valve to control fluid signal pressure in a chamber on one side of the diaphragm. A valve member mounted on the opposite side of the diaphragm is moved, in response to the difference in pressure between the signal chamber and a flow regulating chamber, with respect to a valve seat for controlling flow of a compressible fluid between an inlet and outlet in the flow regulating chamber. An auxiliary chamber communicates with the flow regulating chamber through a restricting orifice which function to dampen or attenuate diaphragm vibration caused by pressure pulses or transients which may occur in the fluid supply conduit. In one arrangement the auxiliary chamber is formed as part of the regulator housing. In other arrangements, the auxiliary chamber is formed as part of a separate fitting attached to the regulator flow regulating chamber inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara J. Erickson, Gerrit V. Beneker, Charles A. Detweiler, Daniel L. DeLand
  • Patent number: 5853018
    Abstract: A diaphragm type flow regulator has an electrically operated bleed valve to control fluid signal pressure in a chamber on one side of the diaphragm. A valve member mounted on the opposite side of the diaphragm is moved, in response to the difference in pressure between the signal chamber and a flow regulating chamber, with respect to a valve seat for controlling flow of a compressible fluid between an inlet and outlet in the flow regulating chamber. An inertial mass is mounted for limited, resiliently opposed movement on the diaphragm, and serves to dampen diaphragm vibration caused by pressure pulses in the fluid supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. DeLand, Gerrit V. Beneker, Barbara J. Erickson, Charles A. Detweiler