Patents by Inventor Mark William Hildebrandt

Mark William Hildebrandt 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: 10119429
    Abstract: A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) for monitoring engine valve position is disclosed. The system includes a valve guide having an elongated recess through it. The engine valve has a valve head and a valve stem with two adjacent materials having different magnetic properties meeting at an interface. The valve stem fits and moves linearly within the valve guide, and the valve head closes an engine combustion chamber. It also includes monitoring coils within the valve guide that create a signal related to the position of the interface within the valve guide. An engine control unit (ECU) is coupled to the monitoring coils and receives and analyzes the signal from the monitoring coils to determine operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 9702279
    Abstract: A system for controlling variable valve actuation in an automobile engine. A first cam has a first lift profile and a second cam has a second lift profile. A rocker arm assembly engages the cams having a first arm for riding on the first cam, and a second arm for riding on the second cam. The second arm has an activatable latch capable of securing the second arm to the first arm when latched. When the first arm is secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a first lift profile and when the first arm is not secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a second lift profile. A non-contact sensor mounted adjacent the rocker arm assembly is adapted to monitor and create data indicative of whether the first arm is secured to the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise, Brian Karl VanDeusen, James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20160138484
    Abstract: A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) for monitoring engine valve position is disclosed. The system includes a valve guide having an elongated recess through it. The engine valve has a valve head and a valve stem with two adjacent materials having different magnetic properties meeting at an interface. The valve stem fits and moves linearly within the valve guide, and the valve head closes an engine combustion chamber. It also includes monitoring coils within the valve guide that create a signal related to the position of the interface within the valve guide. An engine control unit (ECU) is coupled to the monitoring coils and receives and analyzes the signal from the monitoring coils to determine operation of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 9284859
    Abstract: A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) for monitoring engine valve position is disclosed. The system includes a valve guide having an elongated recess through it. The engine valve has a valve head and a valve stem with two adjacent materials having different magnetic properties meeting at an interface. The valve stem fits and moves linearly within the valve guide, and the valve head closes an engine combustion chamber. It also includes monitoring coils within the valve guide that create a signal related to the position of the interface within the valve guide. An engine control unit (ECU) is coupled to the monitoring coils and receives and analyzes the signal from the monitoring coils to determine operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20150211394
    Abstract: A system for controlling variable valve actuation in an automobile engine. A first cam has a first lift profile and a second cam has a second lift profile. A rocker arm assembly engages the cams having a first arm for riding on the first cam, and a second arm for riding on the second cam. The second arm has an activatable latch capable of securing the second arm to the first arm when latched. When the first arm is secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a first lift profile and when the first arm is not secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a second lift profile. A non-contact sensor mounted adjacent the rocker arm assembly is adapted to monitor and create data indicative of whether the first arm is secured to the second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise, Brian Karl VanDeusen, James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 8985074
    Abstract: A system for controlling variable valve actuation in an automobile engine is disclosed. A first cam has a first lift profile and a second cam has a second lift profile, both profiles having a base circle portion and a lift portion. A rocker arm assembly engages the cams having a first arm for riding on the first cam, and a second arm for riding on the second cam. The second arm has an activatable latch capable of securing the second arm to the first arm when latched. The latch may only be latched while the arms are riding on the base circle portion of the cams. When the first arm is secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a first lift profile and when the first arm is not secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a second lift profile. A non-contact sensor mounted adjacent the rocker arm assembly is adapted to monitor and create data indicative of whether the first arm is secured to the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise, Brian Karl VanDeusen, McCarthy E. James, Jr., Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 8733732
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a manifold and a valve. The manifold has a portion defining a bore having a first end and a second end. The valve is at least partially disposed within the manifold and includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field; a bobbin configured to house the coil; a pole piece located near the bobbin; and a housing. The pole piece includes a first end configured for insertion into the bore of the manifold; a circumferentially extending groove located near the first end of the pole piece; an o-ring disposed in the circumferentially extending groove; and a radially outwardly extending flange located near the circumferentially extending groove that is configured to engage both the portion of the manifold defining the first end of the bore and the bobbin. The housing includes a tab configured to fasten the valve to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert John Boychuk, Robert Andrew Dayton, Brian James O'Neil, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20130312506
    Abstract: A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) for monitoring engine valve position is disclosed. The system includes a valve guide having an elongated recess through it. The engine valve has a valve head and a valve stem with two adjacent materials having different magnetic properties meeting at an interface. The valve stem fits and moves linearly within the valve guide, and the valve head closes an engine combustion chamber. It also includes monitoring coils within the valve guide that create a signal related to the position of the interface within the valve guide. An engine control unit (ECU) is coupled to the monitoring coils and receives and analyzes the signal from the monitoring coils to determine operation of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20130306013
    Abstract: A system for controlling variable valve actuation in an automobile engine is disclosed. A first cam has a first lift profile and a second cam has a second lift profile, both profiles having a base circle portion and a lift portion. A rocker arm assembly engages the cams having a first arm for riding on the first cam, and a second arm for riding on the second cam. The second arm has an activatable latch capable of securing the second arm to the first arm when latched. The latch may only be latched while the arms are riding on the base circle portion of the cams. When the first arm is secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a first lift profile and when the first arm is not secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a second lift profile. A non-contact sensor mounted adjacent the rocker arm assembly is adapted to monitor and create data indicative of whether the first arm is secured to the second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise, Brian Karl VanDeusen, McCarthy E. James, JR., Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20110284782
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a manifold and a valve. The manifold has a portion defining a bore having a first end and a second end. The valve is at least partially disposed within the manifold and includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field; a bobbin configured to house the coil; a pole piece located near the bobbin; and a housing. The pole piece includes a first end configured for insertion into the bore of the manifold; a circumferentially extending groove located near the first end of the pole piece; an o-ring disposed in the circumferentially extending groove; and a radially outwardly extending flange located near the circumferentially extending groove that is configured to engage both the portion of the manifold defining the first end of the bore and the bobbin. The housing includes a tab configured to fasten the valve to the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert John Boychuk, Robert Andrew Dayton, Brian James O'Neil, Mark William Hildebrandt