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).

  • Publication number: 20180087475
    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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20170328311
    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 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Max Russell Franklin, Nikhil Nahar, Vaughn Kevin Mills, Mark Beaupre, Sudeep Motilal Solanki, Matthew Memmer, Steven L. Ambrose, Robert P. Benjey, Kenneth Brauning, Santosh Balasaheb Patil, Atish Dinkar Gawale, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Hrushikesh Arun Barve, Pritam Bhurke
  • Patent number: 9751411
    Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, William N. Eybergen, Vasilios Tsourapas, Martin D. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20150066272
    Abstract: An example method for selecting between modes of regeneration of an energy storage device of a vehicle includes: determining operating conditions of the vehicle; and when regeneration is appropriate based upon the operating conditions, regenerating the energy storage device, including selecting between a nonperformance-impacting regeneration mode and a performance-impacting regeneration mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Vasilios Tsourapas
  • Publication number: 20150047617
    Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, William N. Eybergen, Vasilios Tsourapas, Martin D. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20140208745
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling an engine. The method includes manipulating a combustion air bypass valve between an open position and a closed position to create a negative pressure differential across a supercharger. The negative pressure differential is converted into a torque by the supercharger and transmitted from the supercharger back to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher Suhocki, Michael J. Silar, Robert P. Benjey, William N. Eybergen, Vasillos Tsourapas, Martin D. Pryor, Daniel R. Ouwenga
  • Publication number: 20120211687
    Abstract: An isolation valve has a housing having a vent path and a sealing member that opens and closes the vent path. The sealing member is driven by a motor via a gear arrangement that links the sealing member with the motor. The motor drives the gear arrangement in a first direction to open the vent path and a second direction to close the vent path. During operation, a motor current rises when the sealing member reaches the first position and/or the second position. The controller detects the motor current rise and changes operation of the motor (e.g., stops the motor) in response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, MATTHEW L. ERDMANN
  • Publication number: 20110126916
    Abstract: An on-board refueling vapor recovery system includes a shutoff mechanism that closes a first vapor path between the fuel tank and the filler cup when liquid fuel in the tank reaches a predetermined level and a vent line closure that closes a second vapor path between the canister and the filler cup, wherein closure of the first vapor path and the second vapor path reduces pressure in the filler cup to induce shutoff of a fuel nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 7896022
    Abstract: An on-board refueling vapor recovery system includes a shutoff mechanism that closes a first vapor path between the fuel tank and the filler cup when liquid fuel in the tank reaches a predetermined level and a vent line closure that closes a second vapor path between the canister and the filler cup, wherein closure of the first vapor path and the second vapor path reduces pressure in the filler cup to induce shutoff of a fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 7882823
    Abstract: A double shut-off refueling valve responds to a full fuel tank level by closing the recirculation line and the canister line. The valve includes at least one float having one or more sealing surfaces corresponding with the recirculation line and the canister line, respectively. The sealing surface is on the top of a float in the float valve. When the fuel in the tank reaches a full level, the float moves upward to close the recirculation line and the canister line substantially simultaneously. In one embodiment, the valve is a float valve having a coaxial seal where the two valve openings corresponding to the recirculation line and the canister line are arranged concentrically. In other embodiments, the sealing surfaces can be, for example, a ribbon seal, two separate sealing surfaces, or any other seal configuration that corresponds with the orientation of the recirculation line and the canister line within the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20110005614
    Abstract: A vent valve assembly at least partially disposed within an interior of a fuel tank is provided. The vent valve assembly comprises a housing, a first venting orifice, a float configured to close the first venting orifice when the level of fuel in the housing reaches a predetermined level, a second venting orifice, and a stop configured to close the second venting orifice to facilitate a pressure differential between the housing and the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Pifer, Charles Joseph Martin, Robert P. Benjey, Andrew McIntosh
  • Patent number: 7866356
    Abstract: A vapor emission control system includes an electrically operated shutoff valve in the fuel vapor vent recirculation line to the filler tube. The electrically operated valve is controlled by an electronic controller responsive to signals from a fuel level indicator and a fuel cap sensor in the tank. In one embodiment, the valve closes when the fuel level indicator indicates a full tank condition and when the fuel cap sensor indicates that the fuel cap is off the filler neck. The present invention thus provides a positive shutoff of fuel vapor to the filler tube during refueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20100193076
    Abstract: A capless fuel tank filler pipe assembly includes a filler pipe and a bulkhead disposed on the filler pipe. The bulkhead includes a nozzle receiving portion. A flapper door is pivotally disposed on the filler pipe, and is biased to a closed position. The flapper door is configured to compress an annular seal disposed between the bulkhead and the flapper door. The annular seal includes a liquid/vapor sealing material bonded to a substantially impermeable material. The substantially impermeable material substantially blocks emission of hydrocarbon molecules that permeate the liquid/vapor sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Paul D. Walkowski, Robert P. Benjey, Kenneth Maynard Spink
  • Patent number: 7726363
    Abstract: A filler tube assembly for use in a system having vapor recirculation includes a check valve having a flapper that is responsive to the viscosity of fluid around the flapper and/or a differential pressure across the flapper. The assembly also includes a nozzle chamber formed in the filler neck that has a constant diameter to ensure consistent vacuum generation regardless of fuel nozzle length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Daniel L. Pifer, Russell C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 7644740
    Abstract: A protective cover for a filler neck is designed to discriminate between different sizes of fuel nozzles. The cover includes a body portion and a movable door that covers and exposes an opening in the filler neck. The body portion has a pair of spaced body protrusions that form a gate, and the door has a ledge that may also be formed by a pair of spaced door protrusions. The protrusions on the door can be easily moved to an open position by pressing a tip of a fuel nozzle against the protrusions. The gate and the ledge are configured so that they can accommodate the fuel nozzle for only one type of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Paul D. Walkowski, Russell C. Jahnke, Andrew W. McIntosh, David Adam Deboskey
  • Publication number: 20090266830
    Abstract: A fluid container component assembly includes a fluid container component including a body and at least one mounting feature attached to the body. The mounting feature(s) are configured to magnetically engage a portion of a fluid container shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 7503343
    Abstract: A check valve for connection in a fuel tank filler tube. The valve has a tubular body with a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections on the inner surface of the tubular body or mounting adaptor. A valve seat is disposed downstream of the ribs, and an aperture is formed in the side of the tubular body. When the end of a siphoning hose is inserted into the check valve, the projections deflect the hose through the aperture to facilitate further insertion of the hose into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Pk Haridass Krishnamoorthy, Steven H. Verzyl, Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 7458391
    Abstract: A fuel filler tube assembly including a one-way valve or check valve. The tube assembly is adaptable for pre-assembly on either a metal or plastic fuel tank and employs a common check valve with an adapter tube for plastic tanks. The valve employs a flapper with spaced ribs for deflecting a siphon hose away from the valve seal; and, the ribs are spaced to maintain the flow stream of he fuel during refueling and facilitating opening of the flapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Pk Haridass Krishnamoorthy, Charles J. Martin, Maxim V. Zorine, Steven H. Verzyl, Robert P. Benjey
  • Publication number: 20080210333
    Abstract: A protective cover for a filler neck is designed to discriminate between different sizes of fuel nozzles. The cover includes a body portion and a movable door that covers and exposes an opening in the filler neck. The body portion has a pair of spaced body protrusions that form a gate, and the door has a ledge that may also be formed by a pair of spaced door protrusions. The protrusions on the door can be easily moved to an open position by pressing a tip of a fuel nozzle against the protrusions. The gate and the ledge are configured so that they can accommodate the fuel nozzle for only one type of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Paul D. Walkowski, Russell C. Jahnke, Andrew W. McIntosh, David Adam Deboskey
  • Patent number: D728625
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey