Patents by Inventor Daniel Robert Ouwenga

Daniel Robert Ouwenga 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).

  • Publication number: 20240048058
    Abstract: A switchable bidirectional power converter can comprise an interleaved bridge configuration. A multi-phase grid connection to a half-bridge multi-phase switching bank can comprise a first switching half-bridge leg. A single-phase grid connection to a full-bridge single-phase switching bank can comprise the half-bridge multiphase switching bank interleaved with the full-bridge single-phase switching bank. The full-bridge single-phase switching bank can comprise the first switching halfbridge leg and a second switching half-bridge leg. A capacitor switch can be configured to switch at least two power factor correction capacitors between a parallel connection and a serial connection. The parallel connection can be to the single-phase switching bank, the first switching half-bridge leg, and the second switching half-bridge leg. The serial connection can be to the multi-phase switching bank and the first switching half-bridge leg. Such can be used in a bidirectional onboard charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Ameer JANABI, Rohit BARANWAL, Zhe ZHANG, Devendra Ramesh PATIL, Guangqi ZHU, Salwan S. SABRY, Matthew JONES, Lewei QIAN, Saeed J. SIAVOSHANI, Daniel Robert OUWENGA, Brian MCKAY
  • Patent number: 9982673
    Abstract: A supercharger constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a first shaft portion, a coupling assembly, a clutch rotor and a clutch armature. The first shaft portion can be connected to a pulley. The coupling assembly can couple the first shaft portion to a second shaft portion. The first and second shaft portions can be configured to rotate around a common longitudinal axis. The coupling assembly can be configured to provide torsional damping between the first and second shaft portions. The clutch rotor can be mounted to the second shaft portion. The clutch armature can be mounted to a drive shaft and be unconnected to the first and second shaft portion. The clutch rotor and the clutch armature can selectively cooperate in an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the clutch rotor and the clutch armature rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, William Bruce Witherspoon
  • Publication number: 20160222966
    Abstract: A supercharger constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a first shaft portion, a coupling assembly, a clutch rotor and a clutch armature. The first shaft portion can be connected to a pulley. The coupling assembly can couple the first shaft portion to a second shaft portion. The first and second shaft portions can be configured to rotate around a common longitudinal axis. The coupling assembly can be configured to provide torsional damping between the first and second shaft portions. The clutch rotor can be mounted to the second shaft portion. The clutch armature can be mounted to a drive shaft and be unconnected to the first and second shaft portion. The clutch rotor and the clutch armature can selectively cooperate in an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the clutch rotor and the clutch armature rotate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Robert OUWENGA, William Bruce WITHERSPOON
  • Patent number: 8910614
    Abstract: A combustion system comprises a supercharger with an operating range from an idled condition up to a maximum rotations per minute (RPM) of its drive shaft. An engine in the system has an engine operating range from an idled condition up to a maximum RPM of its crank shaft, the engine having at least one airflow demand for each RPM in the engine operating range for providing peak torque output. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is connected to the drive shaft for transmitting a variable amount of rotational energy to operate the supercharger. The control system controls the transmitting of the CVT based on the at least one airflow demand for each RPM in the engine operating range such that the supercharger variably pumps air across the operating range as the engine operates across the engine operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Karen E. Bevan, Daniel Robert Ouwenga
  • Patent number: 8776767
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger includes a first shaft supported for rotation within a clutch housing. A pulley is mounted on the first shaft. A clutch rotor is also mounted on the first shaft at a location that is axially spaced from the pulley. A clutch coil is supported within the clutch housing and positioned adjacent to a first face of the clutch rotor. A second shaft is supported for rotation relative to the first shaft and is coaxially aligned with the first shaft. A clutch armature is mounted on the second shaft and positioned adjacent to a second face of the clutch rotor. A supercharger system including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher W. Creager
  • Patent number: 8763586
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle valve configured to variably open and close to selectively restrict a volume of air flow. The engine system also includes a supercharger comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a rotatable drive shaft and rotors associated with the drive shaft, wherein the supercharger is sized to have a flow rate that substantially prevents backwards leaking of air flow. The engine system further includes a combustion engine comprising combustion chambers and an associated rotatable crank shaft and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) configured to variably transfer rotational energy between the drive shaft and the crank shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Karen E. Bevan
  • Publication number: 20140123939
    Abstract: A combustion system comprises a supercharger with an operating range from an idled condition up to a maximum rotations per minute (RPM) of its drive shaft. An engine in the system has an engine operating range from an idled condition up to a maximum RPM of its crank shaft, the engine having at least one airflow demand for each RPM in the engine operating range for providing peak torque output. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is connected to the drive shaft for transmitting a variable amount of rotational energy to operate the supercharger. The control system controls the transmitting of the CVT based on the at least one airflow demand for each RPM in the engine operating range such that the supercharger variably pumps air across the operating range as the engine operates across the engine operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Karen E. Bevan, Daniel Robert Ouwenga
  • Publication number: 20130266422
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger includes a first shaft supported for rotation within a clutch housing. A pulley is mounted on the first shaft. A clutch rotor is also mounted on the first shaft at a location that is axially spaced from the pulley. A clutch coil is supported within the clutch housing and positioned adjacent to a first face of the clutch rotor. A second shaft is supported for rotation relative to the first shaft and is coaxially aligned with the first shaft. A clutch armature is mounted on the second shaft and positioned adjacent to a second face of the clutch rotor. A supercharger system including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher W. Creager
  • Publication number: 20130255627
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle valve configured to variably open and close to selectively restrict a volume of air flow. The engine system also includes a supercharger comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a rotatable drive shaft and rotors associated with the drive shaft, wherein the supercharger is sized to have a flow rate that substantially prevents backwards leaking of air flow. The engine system further includes a combustion engine comprising combustion chambers and an associated rotatable crank shaft and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) configured to variably transfer rotational energy between the drive shaft and the crank shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Karen E. Bevan
  • Patent number: 8469000
    Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle valve configured to variably open and close to selectively restrict a volume of air flow. The engine system also includes a supercharger comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a rotatable drive shaft and rotors associated with the drive shaft, wherein the supercharger is sized to have a flow rate that substantially prevents backwards leaking of air flow. The engine system further includes a combustion engine comprising combustion chambers and an associated rotatable crank shaft and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) configured to variably transfer rotational energy between the drive shaft and the crank shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Karen E. Bevan
  • Patent number: 8464697
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger having a first shaft having a longitudinal axis; a pulley connected to the first shaft; a clutch rotor mounted connected to the first shaft; a clutch armature mounted to a second shaft and unconnected to the first shaft; and a clutch coil spaced along the longitudinal axis from the pulley. The clutch rotor rotates around the longitudinal axis. The clutch armature also rotates around the longitudinal axis. The design diameter of the pulley is entirely independent of the diameters of the clutch rotor, the clutch armature, and the clutch coil. A supercharger including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher W. Creager
  • Publication number: 20120037473
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger comprises a first shaft having a longitudinal axis; a pulley connected to the first shaft; a clutch rotor connected to the first shaft; a clutch armature unconnected to the first shaft; and a clutch coil spaced along the longitudinal axis from the pulley. The clutch rotor rotates around the longitudinal axis. The clutch armature also rotates around the longitudinal axis. The diameter of the pulley is independent of the diameters of the clutch rotor, the clutch armature, and the clutch coil. A supercharger including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Ouwenga
  • Patent number: 8096288
    Abstract: A supercharger is provided that includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing may at least partially define a chamber and may include at least one rotor disposed within the chamber. The supercharger includes an inlet port proximate the first end of the housing and an outlet port proximate the second end of the housing. The supercharger further includes a relief chamber in fluid communication with the chamber. In an embodiment, the relief chamber may extend in the axial direction and may have a depth in the axial direction that is equal to at least about 10% of the axial length of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Matthew G. Swartzlander
  • Publication number: 20100086402
    Abstract: A supercharger is provided that includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing may at least partially define a chamber and may include at least one rotor disposed within the chamber. The supercharger includes an inlet port proximate the first end of the housing and an outlet port proximate the second end of the housing. The supercharger further includes a relief chamber in fluid communication with the chamber. In an embodiment, the relief chamber may extend in the axial direction and may have a depth in the axial direction that is equal to at least about 10% of the axial length of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Matthew G. Swartzlander
  • Patent number: 7621263
    Abstract: A supercharger drive system that includes a shaft connected to a set of gears; a one-way clutch provided for connection to the shaft; and an actuation controller in communication with the one-way clutch. In an embodiment, the one-way clutch can disengage and rotors or impellers associated with the system are permitted to rotate independently of the one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William Nicholas Eybergen, Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher Wayne Creager