Don R Draper
Engineers in Chanhassen, MN

5634495, Jun 3, 1997

Jan 18, 1996

8/591248

Kenneth G. Rasmussen - Maple Grove MN
Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

F15B 1304, F15B 1310

13762524

A fluid controller (17) having a housing (21) and valving including a spool (41) and a follow-up sleeve (43). The spool and sleeve define a central reference plane (RP) with the housing having two annular chambers (61, 62) receiving pressurized fluid from an inlet port (23). One of the annular chambers (61) communicates pressurized fluid to the main flow control orifice (A1) in a left turn, and to the flow amplification orifice (AQ) in a right turn, while the other annular chamber (62) communicates pressurized fluid to the main flow control orifice (A1) in a right turn, and to the flow amplification orifice (AQ) in a left turn. A check valve (103,105) is associated with each of the annular chambers, such that one check valve (103) is an inlet check in a right turn and a reverse flow prevention check while manually steering in a left turn, whereas the other check valve (105) is an inlet check in a left turn and a reverse flow prevention check while manually steering in a right turn. The disclosed arrangement makes it possible to combine wide angle steering architecture with flow amplification capability, without the need to close off the amplification orifice (AQ) during manual steering.

5186212, Feb 16, 1993

Jan 13, 1992

7/819715

Dwight B. Stephenson - Savage MN
Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

F15B 1302

13762524

A fluid controller (11) is disclosed of the type including a housing (13), a fluid meter (17), a primary (spool) valve (35), and a follow-up (sleeve) valve (37). An inlet port (23) is in communication with a series of fluid ports (85), and operating ports (91L and 91R) are in communication with the cylinder ports (27 and 29). Rotation of the spool relative to the sleeve causes axial displacement of the sleeve as a result of the configuration of a pin opening (55) in which a drive pin (53) is disposed. After a certain amount of axial movement of the sleeve, the various ports (85,91L,91R) begin to communicate with a pair of meter grooves (67R and 67L) and a tank groove (71R), respectively, to define variable axial flow control orifices (A1a,A4a,A5a).

6560961, May 13, 2003

Sep 18, 2001

09/954489

Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN
Douglas R. Gilbert - Shakopee MN

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

F16D 1302

60384, 60387, 60422

A full fluid-linked steering system includes a fluid pump ( ), a fluid controller ( ), a steering actuator ( ), an electro-hydraulic compensation valve ( ), and a vehicle microprocessor ( ). Downstream of the fluid pump ( ) is a load sensing priority flow control valve ( ) having both a controlled flow outlet port (CF) and an excess flow outlet port (EF). The excess flow outlet port (EF) communicates with an inlet port ( ) of the fluid controller ( ), while the controlled flow outlet port (CF) communicates with a fluid inlet ( ) of the compensation valve ( ). As a result, when the steering actuator ( ) is at the end of its travel, pressure will be communicated only through the compensation valve ( ), and the operator will be unable to turn the steering wheel further in the same direction.

6539710, Apr 1, 2003

Feb 9, 2001

09/780802

Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

F16D 3104

60328, 60384, 60390, 60392

A hydrostatic steering system of the type including a fluid controller ( ) for controlling the flow of fluid from a source ( ) to a steering actuator ( ) in response to movement of a steering wheel (W). The controller ( ) is of the type having a fluid meter ( ) including a moveable star member ( ), the movement of which corresponds to the flow of fluid to the actuator ( ). The controller includes a sensor assembly ( ) which senses the movement of the star member ( ) and generates an electrical signal ( ) representative of the fluid flow through the fluid meter ( ). This signal ( ) is compared by the vehicle microprocessor ( ) to a steered wheel position signal ( ), and a command signal ( ) representative of the “error” is generated and transmitted to a valve assembly ( ) which communicates compensation fluid into or out of the circuit connected to the steering actuator ( ) to try to null the difference between the movement of the fluid meter ( ) and that of the steered wheels.

8528767, Sep 10, 2013

Jan 6, 2009

12/349200

Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN, US
Christopher T. Arneson - Elko MN, US

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

B65D 51/16

22020323, 220360, 220328

An exemplary hydraulic reservoir includes a reservoir tank having an interior cavity for retaining a fluid and an aperture fluidly connecting the interior cavity to an exterior region of the reservoir. A cover selectively engages the reservoir tank, and is movable between an open position, wherein the fluid path through the aperture in the reservoir tank is at least partially open, and a closed position, wherein the fluid path through the aperture is substantially closed. The hydraulic reservoir further includes a pressure relief mechanism having at least one pressure responsive fastener for releasably connecting the cover to the reservoir tank. The at least one pressure responsive fastener includes a fastener fixed for concurrent movement with one of the cover and the reservoir tank, and a biasing member operably connecting the fastener to whichever of the cover and reservoir tank is not fixed for concurrent movement with the fastener.

2013006, Mar 21, 2013

Sep 16, 2011

13/234271

Brian L. Van Batavia - Delano MN, US
Timothy I. Meehan - Waconia MN, US
Michael W. Olson - Minneapolis MN, US
David L. Makis - Shakopee MN, US
Michael J. Voigt - Chaska MN, US
David S. Remba - Eden Prairie MN, US
Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN, US

F16H 59/00, F16H 3/08

74335, 74325, 180 6521, 903902

A vehicle drivetrain has a first driver, a first clutch to selectively couple the first driver with an engine, an energy storage device coupled to the first driver, a second driver coupled to the energy storage device and connected to a driveshaft, and a second clutch that selectively couples the first and second drivers. In one embodiment, the first clutch is opened and the second clutch is closed during a vehicle operating condition requiring high torque, the first clutch is closed and the second clutch is opened during a transient vehicle operating condition, and the first clutch and the second clutch are closed during a steady-state vehicle operating condition. Additional clutches may be included to reduce energy losses or provide multiple mechanical ratios. The drivers themselves may be pumps, motors, generators, combined pump/motors, or combined motor/generators, making the invention suitable for both hydraulic implementation and electric implementation.

8544675, Oct 1, 2013

May 27, 2011

13/117876

Don Rulon Draper - Chanhassen MN, US
Christopher Thomas Arneson - New Market MN, US

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

F17C 13/06

220622, 220 892, 220 891, 220 433

A fluid reservoir assembly includes a base assembly defining an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a fluid. A cover assembly is engaged to the base assembly. The cover assembly includes a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. A first plurality of fasteners engages the first end of the cover assembly to the base assembly. The first plurality of fasteners has a first strength. A second plurality of fasteners engages the second end of the cover assembly to the base assembly. The second plurality of fasteners has a second strength. The first strength is less than the second strength.

6971411, Dec 6, 2005

Apr 8, 2005

11/101904

Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN, US

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

F16L055/04

138 30, 138 26, 220721, 220530

A hydraulic accumulator of the liquid-gas type, comprising a housing () defining a chamber (C), a gas port () and a liquid port (). A gas charging valve () is disposed in the gas port () to control admission of high pressure gas. A semi-permeable separator () is disposed within the housing () to separate the internal chamber (C) into a gas chamber () in communication with the gas port (), and a liquid chamber () in communication with the liquid port. A means () is within the liquid chamber for collecting gas which passes from the gas chamber (), through the semi-permeable separator, and into the liquid chamber. Included is a conduit () having one end () in communication with the gas collecting means (), and another end () operably associated with the housing () to communicate gas from the collecting means () out of the liquid chamber.

2010017, Jul 8, 2010

Jan 6, 2009

12/349073

Don R. Draper - Chanhassen MN, US
David L. Makis - Shakopee MN, US

F16K 17/16

137 6823

An exemplary pressure relief mechanism includes a reservoir having an interior cavity for retaining a fluid and a gas. The reservoir includes an aperture that fluidly connects the interior cavity to an exterior region of the reservoir. A rupture disk is arranged across the aperture in the reservoir and substantially blocks the fluid path through the aperture. The rupture disk is configured to open the fluid path through the aperture when a pressure within the interior cavity generally exceeds a predetermined level.