Eaton Corporation

Schmelzer Corporation

Lectron Products, Inc.

Tom Mcguane Industries, Inc.

Lectron Products, Inc. (a Subsidiary of Eaton Corporation)

Charles A Detweiler

Daniel L Deland

Gerrit V Beneker

Charles Robert Martus

Barbara J Erickson

Benjamin C Benjamin

Peter J Henning

Richard A Schultz

David Curtis Turner

Robert Dean Keller

Michael Slavin

Ellsworth S Miller

David R Sosnowski

Daniel J Osterhart

Jian Luo

Dennis A Rainwater

Gerit V Beneker

David L DeLang

A solenoid operated valve is connected in series with a resistor and a PTC thermistor. Upon coil energization, the armature moves to close the valve member against a valve seat and further armature movement to close an air gap with a pole piece is absorbed by a spring between the armature and valve member. Upon closure of the air gap, the magnetic reluctance between the armature and pole piece is decreased such that significantly less current is required in the coil to hold the valve closed. Upon heating of the thermistor, the resistance is increased sufficiently to reduce the current to the hold-close level and less power is required thereafter to maintain the valve closed. The valve is applied to on-board vehicle diagnostic procedures performed after engine shut-down where current must be minimized to prevent battery drain to a level preventing re-start.

Low current solenoid valve

A solenoid valve having the valve body formed integrally on one end of the coil bobbin. A C-frame formed integrally from a single piece of sheet stock has at least one of the end of the C-frame deformed over an end of the bobbin and the opposite end thereof received on the opposite end of the bobbin to increase the surface area for flux transfer to a sliding armature within the bobbin for operating a valve obturator. In one embodiment, both ends of the C-frame are each deformed respectively over one end of the bobbin.

Solenoid assembly with high-flux C-frame and method of making same

A fuel tank vapor management valve (VMV) for controlling purge flow from a vapor storage canister to an engine inlet manifold. In one embodiment, an existing VMV utilizing an electrically operated atmospheric bleed valve or EVR for controlling vacuum pressure on one side of the regulator valve diaphragm is modified to have an additional vacuum ported valve seat in the EVR to be opened and closed by the bleed valve instead of providing a vacuum port in the regulator diaphragm signal pressure chamber. The inlet of the EVR is connected to the storage canister instead of being ported to the atmosphere which equalizes canister pressure across the regulator diaphragm thus preventing undesired opening of the regular valve when the engine is shut off. In another embodiment, an existing VMV is unmodified, with the EVR bleed port connected to the canister and the shut-off valve is connected in the line connecting the engine manifold with the regulator valve diaphragm signal pressure chamber. The shut-off valve may be either electrically operated or pressure actuated by engine manifold vacuum.

Pressure compensating vapor management valve

A latchbolt assembly having a carrier with a solenoid operator mounted on the carrier is slidably received in a base or mounting cap with an annular groove formed in the carrier with a projection formed in the groove at a vertically downward location. A split ring is received in the groove with the projection orienting the gaps in the split ring and the split ring is compressed radially for sealing between the carrier and a base. A latchbolt is slidably received in the carrier and is connected to the solenoid armature for movement to the unlocking position upon energization of the solenoid. A cable extends through the housing and armature and is connected to the latchbolt for manual retraction by the user pulling on the cable. The latchbolt assembly is particularly suitable for motor vehicle fuel filler door latching applications.

Latchbolt assembly and method of sealing same

A permanent magnet D.C. torque motor has the stator mounted in cantilever from a base and nested in a cup-shaped rotor journalled for rotation on the base. The permanent magnets are disposed about the inner periphery of the rotor. The stator core has a plurality of radially outwardly directed webs with coils therearound and may be formed integrally as one-piece or laminated. The pole segments may be integrally formed with the web or attached as separate members. The pole segments have truncated cylindrical pole shoe surfaces forming radial air gaps with the rotor magnets. The pole segments extend axially and transversely beyond the webs. The axial pole segment extensions provide increased total flux for a given motor volume without an increase in ampere turns of electrical energization. The motor of the present invention is particularly suitable as an engine air throttle actuator.

Direct current torque motor with extended stator poles

A variable area valve and pressure regulator for providing fuel vapor purge control in an evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle. A solenoid valve assembly selectively controls fluid communication between a fuel vapor source and an intake manifold by varying the area of an orifice associated with the solenoid valve assembly. A pressure regulator assembly is responsive to pressure differentials between an inlet cavity and an outlet cavity to further control the flow through the purge regulator. In operation, the purge regulator assembly is operable to generate nonlinear output flow characteristics which are independent of changes in the intake manifold vacuum, as well as the inlet pressure, and which further provides the desired nonlinear response.

Fuel vapor purge control

A fuel vapor canister purge control valve assembly has an electric valve and a pressure regulator valve for connection at its inlet to a canister fluidically in series in a common housing. The electric valve has a spherical magnetically permeable operator biased closed against the seat by a balanced rotary armature. A C-shaped solenoid pole frame defines diametrally oppositely disposed radial working air gaps with the armature. Upon PWM energization of the solenoid, the armature rotation permits the spherical valve member to move from the seat to open the valve. A venturi is formed in the electric valve inlet and the venturi throat has a pressure tap connected to provide a reference pressure for one side of the pressure regulator diaphragm. The opposite side of the regulator diaphragm has an elastomeric obturator and is exposed to the outlet pressure of the electric valve. The elastomeric obturator is moveable with respect to another valve seat for controlling flow to the outlet for connection to an engine inlet manifold.

Controlling vapor flow in a conduit

An electrically controlled fuel vapor canister purge pressure regulator valve assembly has the regulator valve housing formed integrally with the solenoid operated valve body. A pressure responsive diaphragm is disposed in the housing to form on opposite sides thereof, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The valve body has an inlet passage communicating with the inlet chamber and an outlet passage communicating with the outlet passage. The solenoid controls by-pass flow around the diaphragm to the outlet chamber. The outlet passage is closed by a closure member defining an outlet passage and valve seat. The diaphragm has a plate thereon moveable with the diaphragm to control flow over the valve seat. The outlet closure member encloses the diaphragm periphery and is sealed to the housing by a weld ring which may be spin friction or ultrasonically welded to the housing. An inlet chamber closure member forms an inlet fitting and inlet passage and retains a filter in the inlet chamber. The inlet closure member is sealed to the housing by a weld ring similar to the outlet closure member.

Welded construction for fuel vapor purge regulator valve assembly

An electrically operated actuator mechanism for remote locking and unlocking of a door. The moveable bolt is coupled to a solenoid armature for movement in a guide which is registered against the door in the closed position. The solenoid coil bobbin is stationary and the pole frame including a magnet, bolt guide and bolt are slidable thereon for locating the bolt guide against the door at installation. A spring biases the bolt into engagement with the door. Upon coil energization in one direction, the magnetic flux of the coil and magnet are sufficient to move the armature and retract the bolt unlocking the door. Upon de-energization of the solenoid coil the magnet holds the armature and bolt in the unlocked position. Upon subsequent re-energization of the coil in the opposite direction, the magnet flux is neutralized and the spring returns the armature and bolt to the locked position. The actuator is particularly suitable for automotive fuel filler access door locking/unlocking applications.

Bi-stable self-adjusting actuator mechanism

A diaphragm type flow regulator has an electrically operated bleed valve to control fluid signal pressure in a chamber on one side of the diaphragm. A valve member mounted on the opposite side of the diaphragm is moved, in response to the difference in pressure between the signal chamber and a flow regulating chamber, with respect to a valve seat for controlling flow of a compressible fluid between an inlet and outlet in the flow regulating chamber. An auxiliary chamber communicates with the flow regulating chamber through a restricting orifice which function to dampen or attenuate diaphragm vibration caused by pressure pulses or transients which may occur in the fluid supply conduit. In one arrangement the auxiliary chamber is formed as part of the regulator housing. In other arrangements, the auxiliary chamber is formed as part of a separate fitting attached to the regulator flow regulating chamber inlet.

Dampening resonance in a flow regulator

A fuel vapor management valve or VMV having an electrically operated vent valve for controlling atmospheric bleed flow to a vacuum signal pressure chamber. The pressure in the signal pressure chamber controls the differential pressure acting on opposite sides of a diaphragm which moves a valve member for regulating fuel vapor purge flow from a canister to the engine intake manifold. Vacuum is applied to the signal pressure chamber through restrictive passages in a connector which prevent sonic flow choking. In one embodiment two orifices are spaced fluidically in series. In another embodiment fluidically parallel laminar flow passages are provided in an element comprising a porous filter preferably formed of fibrous material or sintered metal. In another embodiment, the laminar flow element is disposed fluidically in series with a flow restricting orifice.

Method of controlling fuel vapor canister purge flow and vapor

A diaphragm type flow regulator has an electrically operated bleed valve to control fluid signal pressure in a chamber on one side of the diaphragm. A valve member mounted on the opposite side of the diaphragm is moved, in response to the difference in pressure between the signal chamber and a flow regulating chamber, with respect to a valve seat for controlling flow of a compressible fluid between an inlet and outlet in the flow regulating chamber. An inertial mass is mounted for limited, resiliently opposed movement on the diaphragm, and serves to dampen diaphragm vibration caused by pressure pulses in the fluid supply conduit.

An electrically controlled vacuum operated valve controls flow of fuel vapors from a collector canister to the engine intake manifold. A pressure regulator controls fuel vapor flow from the canister to the inlet of the electric valve and is normally closed. During engine operation, if the control valve maintains a threshold level of vacuum at the regulator outlet, the regulator will permit fuel vapor flow from the canister to the control valve, otherwise the regulator is closed.

Fuel vapor control system

The present invention provides an electrical switch that is adapted to compensate for dimensional variations in the alignment between a resilient switch member and a movable actuation member. To this end, the electrical switch has general utility but is primarily intended for use in automotive applications. More specifically, the improved electrical switch is incorporated into a latching mechanism for controlling an electrical circuit that is provided for indicating whether the latching mechanism is in a latched or an unlatched condition. The electrical switch has a pair of overlapping and offset terminal blades and further includes a biasing arrangement for biasing each terminal blade into a predetermined alignment relative to the other. The biasing arrangement is further operable for biasing both blades relative to the movable actuation member of the latch mechanism. The actuation member is made of an electrically insulative material and has a reference surface which, due to the preload biasing exerted on the terminal blades, is maintained in continuous engagement with at least one of the terminal blades during movement of the actuation member.

Electrical switch for automotive vehicle deck lid latches

A flow regulator for automotive vehicles of the type having a computer-controlled emission control system. The flow regulator has an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve that regulates the vacuum signal provided to a vacuum regulator valve in accordance with the current signal supplied to the EVR valve by the engine controller unit. The vacuum regulator valve includes a control chamber and a valve chamber that are separated by a movable diaphragm valve assembly. The preload on a biasing spring acting on the diaphragm valve assembly can be adjusted during calibration of the flow regulator for setting a first calibration point. An adjustable flow restrictor provided in the inlet portion of the vacuum regulator valve can be varied during calibration for setting a second calibration point. In operation, the flow regulator is operable to generate substantially linear output flow characteristic between the two calibration points as a function of the current signal in a manner that is independent of changes in manifold vacuum.

Growing community of inventors

Durand, MI, United States of America

Charles A Detweiler