Patents by Inventor Steven C. Crusius

Steven C. Crusius 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: 10337395
    Abstract: A fluid control system may include a fluid conduit defining a fluid passage, and a fluid metering assembly in fluid communication with the fluid passage. The fluid metering assembly may include a metering valve rotatably secured within an internal chamber. An actuator may be coupled to the metering valve. A control unit may be coupled to the actuator. The control unit is configured to operate the actuator to rotate the metering valve between an open position in which fluid flows through the fluid passage and a closed position in which the fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid passage. The control unit is configured to operate the actuator to rotate the metering valve into a pressure relief position beyond the closed position that is configured to allow a reduced portion of the fluid to flow through the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Crusius, David Lickenbrock
  • Publication number: 20170101921
    Abstract: A fluid control system may include a fluid conduit defining a fluid passage, and a fluid metering assembly in fluid communication with the fluid passage. The fluid metering assembly may include a metering valve rotatably secured within an internal chamber. An actuator may be coupled to the metering valve. A control unit may be coupled to the actuator. The control unit is configured to operate the actuator to rotate the metering valve between an open position in which fluid flows through the fluid passage and a closed position in which the fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid passage. The control unit is configured to operate the actuator to rotate the metering valve into a pressure relief position beyond the closed position that is configured to allow a reduced portion of the fluid to flow through the fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. CRUSIUS, David LICKENBROCK
  • Patent number: 9121746
    Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid-height detector employs conductive rods extending from a housing, and corresponding transducers, into a liquid, where elastic seals surround the rods at their exit point from the housing. Acoustic crosstalk between the rods through the seals and the housing (rather than through the liquid) is minimized by displacing the seals from each other as measured through the housing to increase a path length through the housing so that the crosstalk energy is delayed with respect to the direct energy indicating liquid height. A sampling window is positioned to sample transmitted sound across the rods at a time before the arrival of the crosstalk energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Terence J. Knowles, Brian J. Truesdale, Kenneth A. Albrecht, Steven C. Crusius
  • Publication number: 20130091946
    Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid-height detector employs conductive rods extending from a housing, and corresponding transducers, into a liquid, where elastic seals surround the rods at their exit point from the housing. Acoustic crosstalk between the rods through the seals and the housing (rather than through the liquid) is minimized by displacing the seals from each other as measured through the housing to increase a path length through the housing so that the crosstalk energy is delayed with respect to the direct energy indicating liquid height. A sampling window is positioned to sample transmitted sound across the rods at a time before the arrival of the crosstalk energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Terence J. Knowles, Brian J. Truesdale, Kenneth A. Albrecht, Steven C. Crusius