Patents by Inventor Dale Arden Stretch

Dale Arden Stretch 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: 10358951
    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: January 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell, Tomas Drabek, James Edward McCarthy, Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Philip Benjey, Eric John Yankovic, Brian Karl Vandeusen, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Michael James Stanton, Thomas Michael Tembreull, Anthony Leon Spoor
  • Publication number: 20190186304
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes an outer rocker arm, a first inner rocker arm, and a second inner rocker arm. The first inner rocker arm is configured to move between a latched and unlatched position relative to the outer rocker arm. The second inner rocker arm is configured to move between a latched and unlatch position relative to the outer rocker arm. The rocker arm assembly provides at least three distinct lift profiles including (i) a first lift profile when the first inner rocker arm is latched and the second inner rocker arm is unlatched, (ii) a second lift profile when the second inner rocker arm is latched and the first inner rocker arm is unlatched, and (iii) a third lift profile when both the first and second inner rocker arms are unlatched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Dale Arden Stretch
  • Publication number: 20190153905
    Abstract: An engine comprises a plurality of rotating eccentric cams on a cam rail, a valve train mechanism, and respective followers wherein at least one of the respective followers has a respective first end in contact with a respective rotating eccentric cam and a respective second end in contact with the valve train mechanism, a body extending between the first end and the second end, and a follower fluid port. The engine further comprises an oil gallery bore parallel to the cam rail wherein the oil gallery bore is configured to supply oil to the respective follower through its fluid port. The engine further comprises a gallery insert placed in the oil gallery bore and is configured to abut the respective follower to prevent axial rotation with respect to the cam rail. The engine further comprises a gallery insert abut a flat surface of a follower to prevent axial rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Dale Arden STRETCH
  • Patent number: 10180089
    Abstract: A valvetrain includes a rocker arm assembly having an electromagnetic latch housed in a chamber formed by a rocker arm. The chamber may be a retrofit hydraulic chamber. A flux shifting bi-stable latch provides a sufficiently compact design. Isolation of the magnetic elements within the rocker arm chamber may provide protection from metal particles carried by oil in an operating environment for the rocker arm assembly. Wiring connections to the rocker arms may be made through spring posts on the rocker arms. Connection to the rocker arms may be made with springs that can endure the rapid motion induced by the rocker arms. A wiring harness for the rocker arms may attach to hydraulic lash adjusters of the rocker arm assemblies. The rocker arm assemblies and their wiring may be formed into a unitary module that facilitates installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Mark Allan Juds, Mustafa Huseyin, Peter John Theisen, Amogh Vilas Kank, Dale Arden Stretch, Andrei Dan Radulescu, Douglas Anthony Hughes, Otto Schultheis, Kyle Crayne, James Edward McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10087792
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a hollow first piston (11) comprising a first extant with a first outer diameter (D1) and a second extant comprising a second outer diameter (D2), where D1>D2. A second piston (12) is slidable within the first piston. An actuator housing (14) comprising a recess (22), a first tubular port (23) in communication with the first piston, and a second tubular port (24) in communication with the second piston. The first extant has a length (L1) and wherein the second extant has a length (L2). The first tubular port extends for a length (L4), and the recess extends for a length (L3), where L4?L2, and where L3>L2>L1. The first piston and the second piston are housed in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • 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: 20180223757
    Abstract: A method for operating a multiple cylinder diesel engine system in a thermal management mode comprises monitoring an aftertreatment temperature, monitoring operating conditions, and determining that the aftertreatment temperature is below an ideal temperature. Fuel injected in to firing cylinders of the multiple cylinder diesel engine can be increased until the aftertreatment temperature is above the ideal temperature, which can comprise selecting a get hot mode that provides an optimal heat transfer rate for transferring heat exhausted from the multiple cylinder diesel engine to the aftertreatment. When the aftertreatment temperature is above the ideal temperature, and when the multiple cylinder diesel engine system is operating within at least one threshold range, cylinder deactivation mode can be entered in at least one cylinder of the multiple cylinder diesel engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: JAMES E MCCARTHY, JR., Douglas J Nielsen, Dale Arden Stretch
  • Publication number: 20170241300
    Abstract: A valvetrain includes a rocker arm assembly having an electromagnetic latch housed in a chamber formed by a rocker arm. The chamber may be a retrofit hydraulic chamber. A flux shifting bi-stable latch provides a sufficiently compact design. Isolation of the magnetic elements within the rocker arm chamber may provide protection from metal particles carried by oil in an operating environment for the rocker arm assembly. Wiring connections to the rocker arms may be made through spring posts on the rocker arms. Connection to the rocker arms may be made with springs that can endure the rapid motion induced by the rocker arms. A wiring harness for the rocker arms may attach to hydraulic lash adjusters of the rocker arm assemblies. The rocker arm assemblies and their wiring may be formed into a unitary module that facilitates installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Mark Allan Juds, Mustafa Huseyin, Peter John Theisen, Amogh Vilas Kank, Dale Arden Stretch, Andrei Dan Radulescu, Douglas Anthony Hughes, Otto Schultheis, Kyle Crayne, James Edward McCarthy, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160245133
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a hollow first piston (11) comprising a first extant with a first outer diameter (D1) and a second extant comprising a second outer diameter (D2), where D1>D2. A second piston (12) is slidable within the first piston. An actuator housing (14) comprising a recess (22), a first tubular port (23) in communication with the first piston, and a second tubular port (24) in communication with the second piston. The first extant has a length (L1) and wherein the second extant has a length (L2). The first tubular port extends for a length (L4), and the recess extends for a length (L3), where L4?L2, and where L3>L2>L1. The first piston and the second piston are housed in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • Publication number: 20160115830
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    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
  • Patent number: 9157339
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head mounted to an engine block that at least partially forms a plurality of cylinder combustion chambers. The cylinder head has multiple intake ports and multiple exhaust ports. Engine valves regulate the passage of gas into and out of the combustion chamber. Cam-operated engine valves are mechanically coupled to a rotating cam directly or through one or more of a variety of components that assist in transforming the rotational kinetic energy of the cam to linear motion of the engine valves. One of the exhaust valves and one of the intake valves are mechanically coupled to the cam. Electrohydraulic actuators actuate separate intake and exhaust valves of a particular cylinder. The electrohydraulic actuators are in fluid communication with a high pressure fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, David Gerard Genise, Douglas John Nielsen, James Edward McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8863569
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring temperature comprises a housing and an actuator pressure sealed to the housing and having a shaft. The actuator is configured to be in pressure communication with a volume of gas or liquid. Upon a change in pressure, the actuator is displaced at least partially in the axial direction. A sensor detects axial displacement of a magnetically encoded target upon the change in pressure in the volume. A device for measuring pressure and temperature in an engine cylinder comprises a valve in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem has a magnetic coding located adjacent a sensor. Axial displacement of the stem under cylinder pressure and temperature changes are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • Publication number: 20140116363
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head mounted to an engine block that at least partially forms a plurality of cylinder combustion chambers. The cylinder head has multiple intake ports and multiple exhaust ports. Engine valves regulate the passage of gas into and out of the combustion chamber. Cam-operated engine valves are mechanically coupled to a rotating cam directly or through one or more of a variety of components that assist in transforming the rotational kinetic energy of the cam to linear motion of the engine valves. One of the exhaust valves and one of the intake valves are mechanically coupled to the cam. Electrohydraulic actuators actuate separate intake and exhaust valves of a particular cylinder. The electrohydraulic actuators are in fluid communication with a high pressure fluid source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, David Gerard Genise, Douglas John Nielsen, James Edward McCarthy, JR.
  • Patent number: 8505365
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring pressure comprises a housing and an actuator pressure sealed to the housing and having a shaft. The actuator is configured to be in pressure communication with a volume of gas or liquid. Upon a change in pressure, the actuator is displaced at least partially in the axial direction. A sensor detects axial displacement of a magnetically encoded target upon the change in pressure in the volume. A device for measuring pressure in an engine cylinder comprises a valve in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem has a magnetic coding located adjacent a sensor. Axial displacement of the stem under cylinder pressure is detected and pressure is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, David Gerard Genise
  • Patent number: 8332130
    Abstract: An injection system includes an injector, first valve, second valve, and pressure sensing device. In an embodiment, first valve is in communication with an injector outlet and includes a closed position for at least partially stopping fluid flow from injector outlet. The second valve is in communication with an injector inlet and includes a closed position for at least partially stopping fluid flow to injector inlet. The pressure sensing device is configured for sensing an injector inlet pressure drop of the injector. The injection system may be configured to stop or impede fluid flow to injector inlet when the rate of pressure drop measured by the pressure sensing device is at least equal to a predetermined pressure value that represents a rate of pressure drop measured between injector inlet and second valve when the first valve and second valve are in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • Publication number: 20120163412
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring temperature comprises a housing and an actuator pressure sealed to the housing and having a shaft. The actuator is configured to be in pressure communication with a volume of gas or liquid. Upon a change in pressure, the actuator is displaced at least partially in the axial direction. A sensor detects axial displacement of a magnetically encoded target upon the change in pressure in the volume. A device for measuring pressure and temperature in an engine cylinder comprises a valve in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem has a magnetic coding located adjacent a sensor. Axial displacement of the stem under cylinder pressure and temperature changes are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • Publication number: 20110253809
    Abstract: A pressure swirl atomizer has a swirl chamber with an exit orifice and a plurality of tangential swirl channels disposed around the circumference of the swirl chamber. A pintle bearing surrounds a pintle. The pintle has a body portion and a nose portion that is narrower than the body portion. The nose portion has a tip that opens and closes the exit orifice and a side that is movable in the pintle bearing. In one embodiment, a return path formed between the nose portion of the pintle and the pintle bearing drains fluid from the swirl chamber when the exit orifice is closed. The nose portion positions the return path closer to a centerline of the atomizer, forcing fluid to swirl in the swirl chamber before draining. Since the fluid does not remain static in the chamber, less energy is needed to increase the fluid velocity and quickly form a desired spray pattern when the exit orifice is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel William Bamber, Steven Lee Ambrose, Dale Arden Stretch
  • Publication number: 20110226047
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring pressure comprises a housing and an actuator pressure sealed to the housing and having a shaft. The actuator is configured to be in pressure communication with a volume of gas or liquid. Upon a change in pressure, the actuator is displaced at least partially in the axial direction. A sensor detects axial displacement of a magnetically encoded target upon the change in pressure in the volume. A device for measuring pressure in an engine cylinder comprises a valve in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem has a magnetic coding located adjacent a sensor. Axial displacement of the stem under cylinder pressure is detected and pressure is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, David Gerard Genise
  • Publication number: 20100082224
    Abstract: An injection system includes an injector, first valve, second valve, and pressure sensing device. In an embodiment, first valve is in communication with an injector outlet and includes a closed position for at least partially stopping fluid flow from injector outlet. The second valve is in communication with an injector inlet and includes a closed position for at least partially stopping fluid flow to injector inlet. The pressure sensing device is configured for sensing an injector inlet pressure drop of the injector. The injection system may be configured to stop or impede fluid flow to injector inlet when the rate of pressure drop measured by the pressure sensing device is at least equal to a predetermined pressure value that represents a rate of pressure drop measured between injector inlet and second valve when the first valve and second valve are in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 6581739
    Abstract: A multiple working surface magnetic particle device for transferring torque between two rotatable members is disclosed. The magnetic particle device comprises relatively rotatable members defining a gap therebetween containing a magnetically reactive medium The magnetically reactive medium stiffens in the presence of a magnetic field interlocking the rotatable members. The multiple working surface design allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the magnetic field source resulting in a more compact, lighter weight device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, Wade Alan Smith