Kenneth R Rasmussen

US Patent:

6575263, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Apr 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/843973

Inventors:

Timothy A. Hjelsand - Waconia MN
Kenneth G. Rasmussen - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B62D 500

US Classification:

180402, 180444

Abstract:

A steer-by-wire vehicle steering system and method of controlling such a steering system when steering into and away from a steering stop. In one embodiment, the system includes a steering reaction device ( ) including a fluid displacement mechanism ( ), and a valve arrangement ( ) operable to vary the steering reaction provided to the vehicle operator. In another embodiment, there is a âfrictionâ reaction device ( ) including an electromagnetic coil ( ) which can have a varying signal ( ) applied to it to vary the steering reaction the coil imposes on a movable member ( ) of the device ( ). In either embodiment, the reaction device includes a spring arrangement ( ), such that rotation of the steering wheel ( ) is in opposition to a spring force. In accordance with the method of the invention, as the operator steers into a stop, the reaction torque increases enough to prevent turning the steering wheel ( ) further, but when the operator turns the wheel to steer away from the stop, the system senses the reversed direction of steering and reduces substantially the steering reaction which the operator senses.

US Patent:

51862115, Feb 16, 1993

Filed:

May 1, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/877001

Inventors:

Dwight B. Stephenson - Savage MN
Keith R. Carlson - Victoria MN
Kenneth G. Rasmussen - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F15B 1302

US Classification:

13762524

Abstract:

A hydrostatic power steering device (11;111) is provided of the type including a primary, spool valve (35;135), and a follow-up, sleeve valve (37;137). During normal operation, relative rotation of the spool and sleeve define one or more variable flow control orifices (A1A5; AN; A1) and these orifices have a first area versus deflection relationship when the sleeve is biased to its first position (FIG. 5; FIG. 10). The sleeve may be moved toward a second position (FIG. 6; FIG. 11) in response to an input (95, 99) other than rotation of the vehicle steering wheel. In the second axial position of the sleeve, the flow control orifice has a different area versus deflection relationship, the difference providing a useful steering or ancillary function.

US Patent:

53299698, Jul 19, 1994

Filed:

Jul 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/100012

Inventors:

Kenneth G. Rasmussen - Maple Grove MN
Dwight B. Stephenson - Savage MN
William J. Novacek - Bloomington MN

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F15B 909

US Classification:

13762524

Abstract:

A controller (11) and a system for controlling the flow of fluid to a fluid pressure operated device (C) are disclosed. The controller is of the type including a rotatable spool valve (35) and a relatively rotatable sleeve valve (37). Relative rotation between the spool and sleeve define a main fluid path (MFP) and relative axial movement therebetween defines an auxiliary fluid path (AFP). An actuator (65) generates a mechanical output (71) in response to an electrical input signal (CS) to move the sleeve (37) between its neutral axial position (FIG. 6) and an axial operating position (FIG. 7). Axial movement of the sleeve is controlled by a joystick (J). The system includes various sensors (S,PS,G,P), which can sense a predetermined condition and generate an interrupt signal to interrupt or change the gain of the electrical input signal (CS).

US Patent:

56344953, Jun 3, 1997

Filed:

Jan 18, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/591248

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F15B 1304
F15B 1310

US Classification:

13762524

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

56200269, Apr 15, 1997

Filed:

Mar 17, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/405665

Inventors:

Dwight B. Stephenson - Burnsville MN
Kenneth G. Rasmussen - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F15B 1306

US Classification:

13762524

Abstract:

A fluid controller (17) is disclosed of the type including a relatively rotatable valve spool (95) and valve sleeve (97) which define a series of variable control orifices (71-76) during normal steering operations. Fluid flow to a control port (27) is controlled by a variable control orifice (74). During small steering corrections, at relatively small valve displacements, the present invention provides an additional variable control orifice (155), which opens before the control orifice (74) opens. A form of check valve (153) is in series with the additional orifice (155), and downstream thereof, to prevent reverse flow from the control port (27) through the controller. The invention is especially beneficial in controllers of the dynamic load signal type including a load signal drain orifice (76) which is open to the system reservoir (R) at the relatively small displacements.

US Patent:

51294249, Jul 14, 1992

Filed:

Nov 13, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/792514

Inventors:

Dwight B. Stephenson - Savage MN
Kenneth G. Rasmussen - New Hope MN
H. P. Schutten - Eden Prairie MN

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F15B 1306

US Classification:

13762524

Abstract:

A fluid controller (15) is provided of the type having a primary valve member (53) and a follow-up valve member (55). The controller includes a housing (41) defining main fluid ports (27,29) connected to a steering cylinder (19), and also defines auxiliary fluid ports (31,33), connected to an auxiliary fluid motor (21). The spool and sleeve cooperate with the housing to provide main control valving (35) controlling the flow of fluid to the steering cylinder in response to relative rotation of the spool and sleeve, and auxiliary control valving (35), controlling the flow to the auxiliary motor in response to axial motion of the sleeve, relative to the spool and housing. By performing both the main and auxiliary valving in the spool and sleeve, the main valving (35) is automatically given priority over the auxiliary valving (37), without the need for any expensive, complicated controls or interface between the two types of valving.