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).

  • Patent number: 11499557
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp
  • Patent number: 11192200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
  • Patent number: 9863374
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
  • Publication number: 20170167446
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
  • Patent number: 9587593
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
  • Publication number: 20150322903
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
  • Patent number: 9109549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
  • Publication number: 20150108104
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
  • Patent number: 8921735
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
  • Patent number: 8766139
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Kropp, Daniel C. Fosbinder
  • Publication number: 20140097165
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp
  • Patent number: 8604385
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp
  • Publication number: 20120240900
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
  • Publication number: 20080264919
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Helf, John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp
  • Publication number: 20080264921
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Ilinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Kropp, Daniel C. Fosbinder
  • Publication number: 20080264920
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Leisner, Eric M. Kropp