Eaton Corporation

Timothy John Green

David Edward Herbert

Mark Louis Dell'Eva

Peter M Jacobsen

Harold L Bowman

Greg E Ford

Christopher J Babin

Thomas Scott Schaffer

David K Carlson

Scott D Adams

A hydraulic manifold assembly includes a manifold containing a plurality of hydraulic channels that direct fluid to a centralized location and a package disposed at the centralized location to measure fluid pressure at pressure ports corresponding to the hydraulic channels. The manifold assembly directs fluid to the single package rather than scattering fluid outputs to multiple sensor locations, simplifying the overall assembly configuration.

Manifold assembly having a centralized pressure sensing package

A closed loop adaptive fluid control system and method for use in hydraulic applications monitors one or more fluid characteristics, such as pressure, flow rate, accumulation time in an actuator, fill volume, etc., and compares the characteristic with a target response. A fluid characteristic sensor detects at least one fluid characteristic at a hydraulically-actuated device that is actuated by a electrically-operated. The sensor sends a device signal corresponding to the actual sensed characteristic to an electronic controller, which compares the device signal with a target response. The controller then identifies any differences between the device signal and the target response and provides a feedback signal to the electrically-operated valve to adjust the current to the valve, which in turn adjusts the electrically-operated valve so that the device signal corresponding to the sensed characteristic at the device converges toward the target response.

Closed loop adaptive fluid control system and method

Pressure transducers are incorporated as part of a transmission control unit TCU rather than placed in a remote location. This configuration eliminates the need to link the pressure transducers to the TCU via a long electrical connection, thereby shortening the signal path of the low-level signals output from the pressure transducers and reducing the complexity of the overall system. The transducers may be disposed either directly or on supports having support ports that align with pressure ports in the manifold to form fluidic paths between the manifold and the transducer.

Transmission control unit having pressure transducer package

A solenoid operated valve has a pressure transducer sensing valve outlet pressure integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding. Upon connection of the transducer and solenoid to an electronic controller, the controller generates a valve energization signal in response to a desired valve pressure output and the transducer input for providing closed loop control of the valve outlet pressure. An ASIC may also be integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding for providing integrated signal conditioning; and, the optional ASIC, if employed, may also include the circuitry for the electronic controller for providing a 'smart' pressure control valve.

Closed loop pressure control system and electrically operated pressure control valve with integral pressure sensor and method of making same

A package designed for monitoring fluid pressure in a manifold includes one or more pressure transducers and a microprocessor incorporated into a package to form a single, modular fluid pressure sensing device. The transducers may be arranged on one or more substrates to allow direct connection between the transducers and pressure ports in the manifold or be disposed on supports having support ports that couple with the pressure ports to carry fluid to the transducers. The package provides pressure-sensing capabilities without requiring reconfiguration of the manifold itself.

Pressure transducer package for a manifold

An electro-hydraulic manifold assembly with a plurality of solenoid operated valves disposed on a manifold block and each operable to control pressure from the inlet to a separate outlet. Sensing ports are provided in each outlet with a pressure sensor sealed over the sensing port for providing a signal indicative of the sensed pressure. The pressure sensors are mounted on a lead frame and connected to conductive strips in the lead frame. The lead frame has slots therein which permit the frame to be simultaneously electrically connected by bayonet connection to the terminals on each solenoid valve as the transducers are sealed over the sensing ports and the lead frame attached to the manifold block.

Electro-hydraulic manifold assembly with lead frame mounted pressure sensors

A motorized refrigerant valve has a spool axially moveable in a valving bore in a valve body for controlling flow from a high pressure inlet for expansion and discharge at substantially reduced pressure to an outlet in the valve body. A ball screw is provided on the remote end of the spool and the ball screw is driven by a rotating shaft of a stepper motor attached to the valve body to provide fine resolution for linear movement of the spool in the valving passage. A separate isolated passage through the valve body is connected to receive evaporator discharge flow and has a thermistor sensing temperature therein and provides a temperature signal to an electronic controller for providing a driver signal to the stepper motor. The stepper motor and ball screw drive to the spool provide the desired modulation of refrigerant flow in response to the signal from the controller.

Modulating refrigerant flow through a motorized expansion valve

An electric servo motor operated valve has a motor and gear reduction subassembly and a valve body subassembly with a cross-ported cylindrical rotary valve member with an arcuately shaped resilient face seal member for sealing about the cross port. The motor gear subassembly is attached to the valve body subassembly by sonic weldment.

Servo operated valve with sonically welded housing and method of making same

A vehicle driver module 10 with circuit 12 for receiving a first signal from a vehicle's controller and providing a second signal responsive thereto. The circuit 12 being placed on a substrate 14 constructed as a heat sink and preferably formed into a U-shaped configuration. A plurality of terminals 16 are attached to the substrate 14 with collars 18 made of an insulative material and having posts 20 constructed to fit within openings 50 of the substrate 14 be fastened thereto and retain the terminals 16 therein. Each of the terminals 16 include a prong 24 projecting out one side of the collar 18 and a clasp 26 out the opposite side of the collar 18. Each clasp 26 is constructed to provide a snap electrical contact at a predetermined location on the circuit on the substrate. The prongs 24 are selectively spaced so as to be received in and mesh with the standard vehicle relay junction block. The vehicle driver module 10 is a solid state, high-speed, high-power switch particularly suited for vehicle headlamps for daytime running lamp operation.

Growing community of inventors

Holly, MI, United States of America

Timothy John Green