Eaton Corporation

Other

Grschultz Consultanting, LLC

Gary R Schultz

James Alden Beverly

Alan R Freigang

Thomas L Runels

Eugene R Braun

Bradford W Hicks

Brian R Blust

James Foltan Ziech

Jerome Kenneth Hastings

David M Preston

Stephen P Claussen

G Clark Fortune

Mark D Boardman

Thomas J Waraksa

Dale L Kwasniewski

James H Bigelow

Kurt R Gerlofs

Conrad Lindberg

Jerry M Oltean

Lawrence M Ruzicka

Lannie R Bryan

Charles Duffie

William Pickornik

A fuel pump system for aircraft includes an auxiliary fuel pump in-line with the primary pump, and an electric motor driving the auxiliary fuel pump at an operational motor speed. The system includes an electric control circuit (ECC) and a pressure sensor to regulate the speed of the electric motor based on the output pressure from the sensor to maintain a constant predetermined output pressure. The system may have additional fault mitigation circuitry configured to automatically switch from a processor-controlled to a fixed voltage as a source of power driving the electric motor at either a regulated speed or a constant fixed speed, respectively. The system may include a switch having user-selectable operational modes, including ECC-controlled mode and a high boost mode selectable if the ECC fails. In high boost mode, the ECC is bypassed to drive the electric motor at a fixed safe speed.

Fuel pump with electronic controlled pressure regulation and failure mitigation

A clip apparatus comprising a pair of opposing clip members, an attachment assembly and a biasing member. Each clip member includes an outer surface and an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end, and side edges extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end. The attachment assembly is capable of attaching the pair of opposing clip members between the proximal and distal ends thereof, to facilitate pivoting thereabout. The biasing member comprises a central region, a pair of opposing leg regions extending away from the central region, and an attachment assembly capable of pivotably attaching the opposing end regions to opposing clip members substantially about the proximal end thereof. Upon assembly of the clip apparatus, the biasing member substantially biases against the proximal ends of the respective clip members, to, in turn, force the distal ends of the respective clip members into abutment.

Clip apparatus

A method of establishing a target pressure for a vehicle tire for storage in a receiver having a microcontroller where a sensor/transmitter combination is mounted on each wheel. After each tire is inflated to the target pressure the sensor/transmitters are sequentially triggered to send an identification code and a target pressure signal to the receiver for storage in memory. In an alternate embodiment, the target tire pressures are statistically averaged and a warning signal is generated if a single tire target pressure deviates a predetermined amount from the statistical average.

Target pressure learn strategy for vehicular tire pressure systems

A pressure relief valve (61) including a body (110, 114) interconnecting an inflatable volume (20a,22a) with a source of pressurized fluid (30) and the atmosphere. A pair of valve members (120, 122) cooperate to allow controlled inflation and deflation of the volumes (20a,22a) as well as to close off the fluid path between the source and the volumes and vent fluid from the volumes to the atmosphere in order to achieve at least two predetermined fluid pressures in the volume.

Two stage kneeling valve

A method for measuring the pressure of fluid in the wet tank (32) of a central tire inflation system (10) prior to initiating a tire pressure check sequence in order to ensure an accurate tire pressure reading by waiting for a sufficient wet tank pressure. To measure wet tank pressure, the wet tank (32) is isolated from the atmosphere and from a distribution manifold (55). Pressure is measured with an existing pressure transducer (44). Once wet tank pressure is sufficient, a normal tire pressure check sequence is allowed to begin.

Measure wet tank routine comparing its pressure to that of associated

An adaptive tire pressure control strategy for a central tire inflation system 10 wherein the programmed demand pressure setting P.sub.D may be increased automatically if certain criteria are met. These criteria are indicative of a running condition wherein tire temperature may be increasing to unacceptable levels due to underinflation. Additionally, air may also be added to tires in this condition in order to increase the load capacity of the tire, reduce tire temperature and prolong tire life.

CTI program pressure setting override

A central tire inflation system for a vehicle is disclosed 10 including a controller 222 for preselecting one of several desired air pressures for the tires 12 by actuating one of the push buttons 226, 228 or 230. The system 10 will adjust the tire pressure to the preselected pressure. Should the operator sense enemy fire or believes combat is eminent, the 'run flat' button 234 is actuated which causes the electronic timer of the control unit 237 to cause the automatic measurement of tire pressure every few seconds instead of several times an hour. Should one of the tires 12 be damaged while the button 234 is actuated, the damaged tire will be immediately identified and the system 10 will assume the inflate mode and supply air to the damaged tire so long as the leakage rate does not exceed the capacity of the source 138 of pressurized air.

Central tire inflation system

A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (86) provides quick venting of positive air pressure in the conduit assembly (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100 ) when the conduit is vented.

Vehicle central tire inflation system

A vehicle including a pressure relief valve mounted on a wheel is provided. The valve includes a spring biased vent valve mechanism therein and a blocker which is a actuable or manipulable to either a vent position or a nonvent position. When the blocker is in the vent position, the valve acts as a vent valve. When the blocker is in the nonvent position, the spring biased valve mechanism is prevented from opening.

Pressure relief valve

A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100) when the conduit is vented.

An apparatus and method for a vehicle central tire inflation system (CTIS) produces a series of valve open signals in response to a demand tire pressure signal in which each valve open signal has a time period and a time space occurs between each open signal. The series of open signals terminates when the current tire pressure is at least equal to the demand tire pressure and upon termination, a count is made of the number of valve open signals. In each successive series of valve open signals, the time period is increased or decreased depending upon whether the previous count is greater or less than a predetermined count range.

Adaptive inflation control for vehicle central tire inflation system

A self-diagnostic method for an on-board CTIS (10) for sensing system faults and/or vehicle conditions requiring system shut down. Includes a method for preventing operations of the CITS if the pressure in the air tank has not reached a desired minimum when the vehicle speed exceeds a reference speed for a preselected period of time.

Fault detection method for central tire inflation system

A land vehicle wheel end assembly (16) for a rigid tubular drive axle assembly (10) includes a nonrotatable sleeve (34) interposed between a portion of a spindle (14) of the axle assembly and a wheel hub (20). The wheel hub is rotatably supported on the spindle by inboard and outboard bearings (24,26) lubricated by oil from the drive axle. The hub includes a passage for directing the oil to the inboard bearing (24). The sleeve and hub include air passages (34f,34d,39,34e and 20e) for directing air from a vehicle onboard central tire inflation system to a pneumatic tire supported by the hub. A relative rotational interface between the sleeve and hub air passages is sealed by a seal assembly (52) which is lubricated by the oil. An outboard end of the sleeve preferably includes an axially open annular groove (45 or 47) for inserting an O-ring (38) seat therein after installation of the sleeve on the spindle.

Drive axle sleeve and seal assembly

A self-diagnostic method of for an on-board CTIS (10) for sensing system faults and/or vehicle conditions requiring shut down. The pressure transducer (80) is exposed to atmospheric pressure to determine if the transducer is generating believable input signals to the system controller (88).

Fault detection method

A solenoid (30) controlled, pilot air actuated valve assembly (10) includes a poppet valve cartridge (20) which is either of the normally open type or normally closed type by reversing assembly of identical component parts.

Growing community of inventors

Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

Gary R Schultz