Patents by Inventor Norman E. Zerndt

Norman E. Zerndt 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: 5363743
    Abstract: A fluid pressure operated servomotor having a housing shell containing a flexible diaphragm forming a fluid pressure chamber with a port through the housing connectable for receiving a fluid pressure signal. The diaphragm has a rigid insert extending therethrough and sealed thereabout with a cup shape on the interior of the chamber and having a rod pivot surface formed on the exterior side of the diaphragm. A spring inside the chamber has one end registered in the cupped shape to bias the diaphragm insert in one direction. In one embodiment, the insert is shaped to have a rod pivot surface nested in the coils spring such that the rod pivot load resists lateral buckling of the spring; and, in another embodiment, a shroud is formed on the insert about the rod pivot surface for limiting rotation of the insert with respect to the rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Claus D. Raddatz, Ronald J. Wojtecki, Norman E. Zerndt
  • Patent number: 5255891
    Abstract: A servomotor actuated engine coolant valve with a plastic body and a thin resilient butterfly plate valve member formed of plastic material internally with a shaft hub drum having the motor shaft received therethrough for torque transmission to the butterfly plate. The butterfly plate is configured to have sufficient resiliency to absorb servomotor overtravel in the valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Pearson, Norman E. Zerndt
  • Patent number: 5052424
    Abstract: A two-position motorized servo actuator with automatic motor shut off at either position. The user remotely energized the motor with a two-position switch and the motor drives in rotation a floating lead screw journalled for both rotational and axial movement. A follower traverses the lead screw during rotation; and, a lever means moved by the follower is operative to perform a desired function, such as for example, open and close a valve. Upon the follower contacting a travel limit stop, the motor continues rotation of the lead screw which moves axially by threaded advancement in the follower, and the axial movement of lead screw is operative to toggle a switch and reverse the polarity of the power to the motor. If the motor is remotely energized, for reverse rotation by user movement of the two-position switch to its opposite position, the servo will operate to drive the follower to an opposite limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Norman E. Zerndt, Cyril E. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 4981283
    Abstract: An overtravel absorbing drive connection for a servo operated rotary actuated valve having an external shaft means. A crank pin provided on the external portion of the shaft means is engaged on opposite sides thereof respectively by a pair of resilient arms extending from driving hub of a connector attached to the servo output shaft. Continued rotation of the servo output shaft after closure of the valve is absorbed by resilient bending of the connector arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Cyril E. Bradshaw, Norman E. Zerndt