Patents by Inventor Eric M. Kropp
Eric M. Kropp 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: 11499557Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a regulator coupled to the compressor and located on a control panel. Another welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine and a monitor circuit configured to monitor the duration of operation of the compressor by monitoring engagement of the clutch. A pressure gauge configured to be coupled to a compressor is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp
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Patent number: 11192200Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a generator coupled to the engine, and a rotary screw compressor coupled to the chassis independent from the engine. The engine may be configured to drive both the generator and the rotary screw compressor. A method, according to another embodiment, may include isolating a rotary air compressor from an engine and a generator in a common chassis. The isolating may include separately mounting the rotary air compressor and the engine with a resilient or distance adjustable connection in between. The isolating also may include resiliently mounting the engine, or the rotary air compressor, or both.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
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Patent number: 9863374Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
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Publication number: 20170167446Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
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Patent number: 9587593Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
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Publication number: 20150322903Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
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Patent number: 9109549Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
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Publication number: 20150108104Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a generator coupled to the engine, and a rotary screw compressor coupled to the chassis independent from the engine. The engine may be configured to drive both the generator and the rotary screw compressor. A method, according to another embodiment, may include isolating a rotary air compressor from an engine and a generator in a common chassis. The isolating may include separately mounting the rotary air compressor and the engine with a resilient or distance adjustable connection in between. The isolating also may include resiliently mounting the engine, or the rotary air compressor, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
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Patent number: 8921735Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a generator coupled to the engine, and a rotary screw compressor coupled to the chassis independent from the engine. The engine may be configured to drive both the generator and the rotary screw compressor. A method, according to another embodiment, may include isolating a rotary air compressor from an engine and a generator in a common chassis. The isolating may include separately mounting the rotary air compressor and the engine with a resilient or distance adjustable connection in between. The isolating also may include resiliently mounting the engine, or the rotary air compressor, or both.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
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Patent number: 8766139Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes an engine, a generator coupled to the engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to soft start the compressor. A method, in another embodiment, includes soft starting an air compressor in a portable welding unit having the air compressor, an engine coupled to the air compressor, and a welding generator coupled to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Kropp, Daniel C. Fosbinder
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Publication number: 20140097165Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a regulator coupled to the compressor and located on a control panel. Another welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine and a monitor circuit configured to monitor the duration of operation of the compressor by monitoring engagement of the clutch. A pressure gauge configured to be coupled to a compressor is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp
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Patent number: 8604385Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a regulator coupled to the compressor and located on a control panel. Another welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine and a monitor circuit configured to monitor the duration of operation of the compressor by monitoring engagement of the clutch. A pressure gauge configured to be coupled to a compressor is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp
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Publication number: 20120240900Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
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Publication number: 20080264919Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, may include a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a generator coupled to the engine, and a rotary screw compressor coupled to the chassis independent from the engine. The engine may be configured to drive both the generator and the rotary screw compressor. A method, according to another embodiment, may include isolating a rotary air compressor from an engine and a generator in a common chassis. The isolating may include separately mounting the rotary air compressor and the engine with a resilient or distance adjustable connection in between. The isolating also may include resiliently mounting the engine, or the rotary air compressor, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
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Publication number: 20080264921Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes an engine, a generator coupled to the engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to soft start the compressor. A method, in another embodiment, includes soft starting an air compressor in a portable welding unit having the air compressor, an engine coupled to the air compressor, and a welding generator coupled to the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: Ilinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Kropp, Daniel C. Fosbinder
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Publication number: 20080264920Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a regulator coupled to the compressor and located on a control panel. Another welding system is provided that includes an engine, a compressor coupled to the engine and a monitor circuit configured to monitor the duration of operation of the compressor by monitoring engagement of the clutch. A pressure gauge configured to be coupled to a compressor is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp