Patents by Inventor Robert P. Benjey

Robert P. Benjey 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: 11698045
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank and an evaporative emissions control system. The evaporative emissions control system is configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor. The evaporative emissions control system includes a liquid trap, a first device, a second device, a control module and a G-sensor. The first device is configured to selectively open and close a first vent. The second device is configured to selectively open and close a second vent. The control module regulates operation of the first and second devices to provide over-pressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The G-sensor provides a signal to the control module based on a measured acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn K. Mills, Matthew Memmer, Curtis T. Moy, Steven Ambrose, Russell Trapp, Robert P. Benjey, Max Russell Franklin, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke, Daniel L. Pifer
  • Patent number: 11542893
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20220381203
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank and an evaporative emissions control system. The evaporative emissions control system is configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor. The evaporative emissions control system includes a liquid trap, a first device, a second device, a control module and a G-sensor. The first device is configured to selectively open and close a first vent. The second device is configured to selectively open and close a second vent. The control module regulates operation of the first and second devices to provide over-pressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The G-sensor provides a signal to the control module based on a measured acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn K. Mills, Matthew Memmer, Curtis T. Moy, Steven Ambrose, Russell Trapp, Robert P. Benjey, Max Russell Franklin, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke, Daniel L. Pifer
  • Publication number: 20220260041
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank and an evaporative emissions control system. The evaporative emissions control system is configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor. The evaporative emissions control system includes a liquid trap, a first device, a second device, a control module and a G-sensor. The first device is configured to selectively open and close a first vent. The second device is configured to selectively open and close a second vent. The control module regulates operation of the first and second devices to provide over-pressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The G-sensor provides a signal to the control module based on a measured acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn K. Mills, Matthew Memmer, Curtis T. Moy, Steven Ambrose, Russell Trapp, Robert P. Benjey, Max Russell Franklin, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke, Daniel L. Pifer
  • Publication number: 20210372351
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20210370762
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent line disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 11091027
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 11092113
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20210122233
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 10954894
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank and an evaporative emissions control system. The evaporative emissions control system is configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor. The evaporative emissions control system includes a liquid trap, a first device, a second device, a control module and a G-sensor. The first device is configured to selectively open and close a first vent. The second device is configured to selectively open and close a second vent. The control module regulates operation of the first and second devices to provide over-pressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The G-sensor provides a signal to the control module based on a measured acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn K. Mills, Matthew Memmer, Curtis T. Moy, Steven Ambrose, Russell Trapp, Robert P. Benjey, Max Russell Franklin, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke, Daniel L. Pifer
  • Patent number: 10828981
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20200284226
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 10662900
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey, Kenneth Brauning
  • Publication number: 20200055390
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a liquid trap of a vehicle fuel tank assembly includes a pump configured to couple to the liquid trap and selectively drain liquid therefrom, a sensor configured to monitor an inductive signature of the pump, and a controller programmed to operate the pump and monitor the inductive signature to determine if liquid is present in the liquid trap based on the monitored inductive signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Jeffrey B. Smith, Daniel Pifer, Robert A. Dayton
  • Publication number: 20190353121
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank and an evaporative emissions control system. The evaporative emissions control system is configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor. The evaporative emissions control system includes a liquid trap, a first device, a second device, a control module and a G-sensor. The first device is configured to selectively open and close a first vent. The second device is configured to selectively open and close a second vent. The control module regulates operation of the first and second devices to provide over-pressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The G-sensor provides a signal to the control module based on a measured acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn K. Mills, Matthew Memmer, Curtis T. Moy, Steven Ambrose, Russell Trapp, Robert P. Benjey, Max Russell Franklin, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke, Daniel L. Pifer
  • Patent number: 10400713
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a first vent tube, an evaporative emissions control system and a cam driven tank venting control assembly. The first vent tube is disposed in the fuel tank. The evaporative emissions control system is configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor. The evaporative emissions control system has a controller. The cam driven tank venting control assembly has a rotary actuator that rotates a cam assembly based on operating conditions. The cam assembly has at least a first cam having a first cam profile configured to selectively open and close the first vent tube based on operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Vaughn K. Mills, Matthew Memmer, Curtis T. Moy, Steven Ambrose, Russell Trapp, Robert P. Benjey, Max Russell Franklin, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke, Daniel L. Pifer
  • Publication number: 20190105984
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system configured to recapture and recycle emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The control system includes a first and second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank, a first and second vent valve, a vent shut-off assembly, a purge canister and a control module. The vent shut-off assembly selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank. The control module regulates operation of the vent shut-off assembly based on operating conditions to vent the first and second vent valves to the purge canister. The vehicle fuel tank comprises a saddle tank having first and second lobes and a raised portion arranged generally at a top portion of the fuel tank. The first vent valve is arranged generally in the first lobe and the second vent valve is arranged in the raised portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Max Franklin, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20180245545
    Abstract: A fuel vapor management system for a vehicle includes a vehicle fuel pump assembly and a fuel volatility sensor system having a test chamber and a valve. The test chamber is fluidly coupled to the fuel pump assembly to receive a flow of fuel therefrom, the valve configured to selectively isolate and seal a portion of the fuel flow within the test chamber to determine fuel volatility of the portion of the fuel flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20180216983
    Abstract: A solid state fuel level sensor system disposed in a fuel tank according to one example of the present disclosure includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a reference chamber, a liquid discriminating membrane and a reference tube. The first pressure sensor is disposed in the fuel tank. The second pressure sensor is disposed in the fuel tank. The first and second pressure sensors are separated a vertical distance from each other in the fuel tank. The reference chamber is fluidly connected to the first and second pressure sensors. The reference tube is fluidly connected between the reference chamber and the liquid discriminating membrane. The reference tube extends into a vapor space of the fuel tank at the liquid discriminating membrane such that a vapor pressure at the vapor space is communicated into the reference chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: D816718
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey