Patents by Inventor Robert B. Craft

Robert B. Craft 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: 10514092
    Abstract: A transmission position sensor body assembly configured to be securely attached to a transmission housing includes a sensor body housing, a cap member and compression limiters. The sensor body housing has a central rim and a pair of outer receiving lobes that define a corresponding pair of bores. The cap member has a central body portion including integrally formed outer ears extending therefrom. The cam member is coupled to the sensor body. The compression limiters are coupled to the cap member at the respective outer ears and that extend through the bores of the sensor body housing. Fasteners are received through respective compression limiters. Clamping forces are transferred onto the cap member during the tightening of the fasteners to the transmission housing without acting on the sensor body housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, Christopher Robert Knapp, Patrick Martin Fergus
  • Publication number: 20180172141
    Abstract: A transmission position sensor body assembly configured to be securely attached to a transmission housing includes a sensor body housing, a cap member and compression limiters. The sensor body housing has a central rim and a pair of outer receiving lobes that define a corresponding pair of bores. The cap member has a central body portion including integrally formed outer ears extending therefrom. The cam member is coupled to the sensor body. The compression limiters are coupled to the cap member at the respective outer ears and that extend through the bores of the sensor body housing. Fasteners are received through respective compression limiters. Clamping forces are transferred onto the cap member during the tightening of the fasteners to the transmission housing without acting on the sensor body housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporatin
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, Christopher Robert Knapp, Patrick Martin Fergus
  • Patent number: 9958054
    Abstract: A transmission has a float level sensor in a fluid sump of the transmission case. A shield having a first panel and a second panel connected to and generally perpendicular with the first panel. The first panel cooperates with a first wall of the transmission case in the sump. The second panel cooperates with a second wall and a bottom wall of the transmission case in the sump. The first and second panels are adapted to cooperate with the first wall, the second wall, and the bottom wall of the transmission case to form a generally stagnant well within the fluid sump surrounding the fluid level sensor to decrease fluid motion adjacent to the sensor. The generally stagnant well and the sump are in fluid communication with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, Michael C. Weddington
  • Publication number: 20150153001
    Abstract: This invention provides both a pump and a lubrication and cooling system with a pump which includes a pump housing, a rotor, a relief valve and a bypass valve. The relief valve is configured to relieve pump pressure when the pump pressure is indicative of an abnormal restriction of flow. The bypass valve is configured to direct fluid flow from an outlet chamber of the pump to an intake chamber of the pump when pressure in the outlet chamber is at a value associated with a predetermined speed of rotor rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, Paul J. Mason, Jerry J. Britt
  • Publication number: 20140353087
    Abstract: A transmission has a float level sensor in a fluid sump of the transmission case. A shield having a first panel and a second panel connected to and generally perpendicular with the first panel. The first panel cooperates with a first wall of the transmission case in the sump. The second panel cooperates with a second wall and a bottom wall of the transmission case in the sump. The first and second panels are adapted to cooperate with the first wall, the second wall, and the bottom wall of the transmission case to form a generally stagnant well within the fluid sump surrounding the fluid level sensor to decrease fluid motion adjacent to the sensor. The generally stagnant well and the sump are in fluid communication with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, Michael C. Weddington
  • Patent number: 8726749
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary transmission clutch fork position sensor including an elongated bar and a clutch fork slidably engaging the elongated bar. A yoke bar includes a first end coupled to the clutch fork for concurrent movement therewith. A position sensor operably engages the yoke bar, and is operable for detecting a position of the yoke bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Hirsch, Paul J. Mason, Robert B. Craft
  • Publication number: 20130075224
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary transmission clutch fork position sensor including an elongated bar and a clutch fork slidably engaging the elongated bar. A yoke bar includes a first end coupled to the clutch fork for concurrent movement therewith. A position sensor operably engages the yoke bar, and is operable for detecting a position of the yoke bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Hirsch, Paul J. Mason, Robert B. Craft
  • Publication number: 20120061184
    Abstract: This invention provides both a pump and a lubrication and cooling system with a pump which includes a pump housing, a rotor, a relief valve and a bypass valve. The relief valve is configured to relieve pump pressure when the pump pressure is indicative of an abnormal restriction of flow. The bypass valve is configured to direct fluid flow from an outlet chamber of the pump to an intake chamber of the pump when pressure in the outlet chamber is at a value associated with a predetermined speed of rotor rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, Paul J. Mason, Jerry J. Brittan
  • Patent number: 6245232
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus suitable for filtering oil used in connection with a mechanical transmission. The apparatus includes a transmission having an oil circulator, typically an oil pump, at least one transmission inlet and at least one transmission outlet to facilitate the flow of oil through the transmission; an oil filter in communication with the transmission inlet and transmission outlet; and an adapter connected to the filter and the transmission. The oil filter, which may be of the conventional spin-on type, is positioned for ease of access and may be inspected and/or replaced without having to remove an oil pan or to drain a significant amount of oil from the system. Moreover, the system is readily adapted to conventional equipment and can further include an oil cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Craft
  • Patent number: 6206140
    Abstract: A lubrication system for transmissions is provided wherein a lubrication flow path is provided from an oil pump located within a transmission casing to front countershaft bearings. A second flow path provides oil directly to a predetermined number of gear sets located along a main shaft. In one embodiment, oil flows through a first tube from the oil pump to an annular ring located in a groove between a front wall of the transmission main case and a rear face of a clutch housing. The ring is provided with a plurality of apertures along its outer circumference spaced to allow oil to flow directly to front bearings of any counter shaft placed adjacent the main shaft. A closed ended tube connects to the annular ring and extends perpendicularly from the annular ring through the front wall of the transmission main case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, Daniel A. Monette
  • Patent number: 6015444
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for venting a transmission (10) is disclosed which provides a transmission breather (12) which allows pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of the transmission while reducing or eliminating fluid expulsion from the transmission. The breather includes a standpipe (18), a bowl (20) having a first end (70) secured to the standpipe and at least one aperture (80), a shroud (22) secured to the standpipe, and a filter (90) disposed between the bowl and the standpipe. The standpipe has a first end (30), a second end (32) and an intermediate portion (34) extending axially between the first and second ends. The second end of the standpipe has at least one surface (46) for transmitting torque to the standpipe to enable the breather to be top drivable to facilitate installation and removal of the breather with the transmission. The intermediate portion has an axially extending central passage (60) and at least one radially extending passage (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, John S. Steurer, Paul R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5647246
    Abstract: A reverse idler shaft and washer assembly particularly suited for use in a compound transmission includes a lubricating washer having at least one notch for collecting and directing lubricating oil through a reverse idler gear bearing such that lubrication passageways are eliminated from the reverse idler shaft. The lubricating washer includes an annular region capable of supporting a clamping load through the inner race of the reverse idler gear bearing to resist rotation while allowing the outer race and the associated reverse idler gear to rotate freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, William R. Chene, Robert J. Bailey, Ivars Liliensteins
  • Patent number: 5505102
    Abstract: A gear mounting for use in a compound change gear transmission (10) having an intermediate wall portion (50), and a shaft support portion (66) axially spaced from the intermediate wall portion (50). Disposed axially between the intermediate wall portion and the shaft support portion is a gear member (48). The intermediate wall portion and shaft support portions define aligned shaft bores (92,96) with the shaft member (98) disposed therein, and including retention means (122) to retain the shaft member within the bores. The shaft member defines lubricant passage means (100) permitting flow of lubrication fluid through the shaft and into a set of bearings (64) which receive the forward end of an adjacent countershaft (60). The outer surface of the shaft member (98) defines an inner race for a set of bearings (120) disposed between the shaft and the gear member (48). The disclosed mounting arrangement substantially simplifies and strengthens the mounting of the gear member (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Craft
  • Patent number: 5383543
    Abstract: A thrust washer and retainer ring combination is provided for a vehicular transmission (100) of the type having adjacent mainshaft gears (12) and (18) floating about a mainshaft (2) that have respective flanges (40) and (42) extending radially inwardly theretowards. A thrust washer (32) is disposed in a groove (38) between flanges (40) and (42) and a pair of retainer rings (28) and (30) are respectively disposed in grooves (34) and (36) adjacent a side of flanges (40) and (42) facing away from each other to prevent gears (12) and (18) from moving axially away from each other. Retainer rings (28) and (30) have an axial width "X" that is greater than the axial width "Y" of thrust washer (32) such that thrust washer (32) cannot be inadvertently received into retainer ring grooves (34) and (36) and the radial height of thrust washer (32) is preferably high enough to prevent it from being received into retainer ring grooves (34) and (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Craft
  • Patent number: 5161904
    Abstract: A motor vehicle countershaft type transmission (100) is provided in which a rotary shim member (200) is employed to rotationally advance through a threaded opening (39) in an external cover plate (38) to engage and minimize end-play of the countershaft to the extent desired and then be releasably locked at the selected rotational position by a retainer (40) having one end that engages a depression (30) in the exposed end of shim member (200) and an opposite end that is releasably secured to cover plate (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Craft