Robert J Torrence

US Patent:

48968609, Jan 30, 1990

Filed:

May 8, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/348368

Inventors:

Peter J. Malone - Elk Grove IL
Robert J. Torrence - Addison IL

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16K 3106

US Classification:

25112905

Abstract:

A solenoid operated refrigerant expansion valve, particularly for automotive air conditioning systems, having a center-post guided tubular armature which slides on the post to provide valving of cross-ports communicating with a hollow region in the post which communicates with the valve outlet. The tubular armature has a pair of sleeves disposed on the interior at opposite ends thereof which provide the sole sliding contact surfaces on the post for minimizing friction therebetween to reduce the tendency of the armature to seize on the post.

US Patent:

53541030, Oct 11, 1994

Filed:

Jan 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/188508

Inventors:

Robert J. Torrence - Addison IL
Kathryn D. Loew - Bensenville IL
Anthony M. Oliver - Northlake IL
Peter J. Malone - Mount Prospect IL

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16L 3900

US Classification:

2851371

Abstract:

A technique for quick insert connecting tubular fluid pressure conduits into spaced ports having internal seal rings in a common side of a valve or block. A plastic spring lock member with apertures coinciding with the ports is disposed over the ports. The apertures are chamfered on a common side and slotted for permitting resilient expansion. The spring lock member is retained by a cover bolted to the block with clearance apertures over the ports. Upon insertion of a conduit with an annular convolution adjacent the end, the convolution cams against the chamfer expanding the slotted aperture permitting the convolution to snap through and the conduit to be retained in the port with the periphery of the conduit end contacting the internal seal ring.

US Patent:

48922854, Jan 9, 1990

Filed:

Apr 29, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/188017

Inventors:

Robert J. Torrence - Addison IL

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16K 3106

US Classification:

25112905

Abstract:

A solenoid operated refrigerant expansion valve for providing control of refrigerant flow with a modulated electrical signal having a valve block with an armature guide post cantilevered therefrom with a tubular valve spool slidably received thereon and a cover thereover attached to the block which forms a valving chamber communicating with the inlet, the guide post has a cavity formed therein which communicates with the outlet and cross ports which are valved by movement of the spool. The free end of the guide post is registered in a recess formed in the cover. The cover has a controlled clearance over the valve member to provide viscous dampening thereof. A coil and pole frame are received over the cover and retained thereon.

US Patent:

RE374237, Oct 30, 2001

Filed:

Jun 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/904420

Inventors:

Thomas Francis Glennon - Darien IL
Robert James Torrence - Addison IL

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F25B 4104

US Classification:

236 92B

Abstract:

A mechanical refrigerant thermal expansion valve has a sensing port scaled with a cupped shape closure received therein and sealed about the cup rim. A cover assembly is removeably attached to the valve over the cup with a thermistor extending into the cup which is filled with thermally conductive grease for thermal conductivity between the cup and the thermistor. The cover assembly has an electrical connector provided thereon. The thermistor is preferably mounted on printed circuit board potted in the cover which may include electronic signal logic and power switching circuitry.

US Patent:

50852671, Feb 4, 1992

Filed:

Jun 18, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/539400

Inventors:

Robert J. Torrence - Addison IL

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F25B 2900
B60H 102
G05D 2300

US Classification:

165 2

Abstract:

An automatic control system for regulating the temperature of blower air discharged over a heater core to a vehicle passenger compartment. A thermistor is disposed to sense discharge air adjacent the heater core and provide a temperature signal. An electrical indication is provided of the condition of a servomotor driven valve controlling water flow to the heater core. An electrical reference signal is provided indicative of a user selected relative change of flow discharge air temperature. A signal is provided indicating inlet pressure to the valve controlling flow of liquid to the heater core. The signals are summed; and, the valve servo driven until the sum is zero modulating the valve to maintain the sum at zero for regulating blower air discharge temperature at a constant level.

US Patent:

55777058, Nov 26, 1996

Filed:

Mar 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/218783

Inventors:

Robert J. Torrence - Sanford NC

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16K 3106

US Classification:

25112915

Abstract:

A solenoid operated valve suitable for use as a refrigerant expansion valve. An electrical receptacle is attached to the side of the valve body and has thermistor probes attached for sensing temperature in port provided in the body. The receptacle has terminals in a recess on one end enabling the solenoid to be attached to the valve and plug-in to the receptacle. The solenoid terminals and the probes are converted internally in the receptacle to recessed connector pins in the opposite end of the receptacle to enable a single, multi-in external harness connector to connect the solenoid and probes by plug-in to the receptacle.

US Patent:

47901454, Dec 13, 1988

Filed:

Nov 13, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/119943

Inventors:

Michael B. Thompson - Hoffman Estates IL
Robert J. Torrence - Addison IL

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F25B 4100
F25B 4104
F02M 1500
F02M 3120

US Classification:

62212

Abstract:

A system for preventing vapor-lock in a positively pressurized loop-type engine fuel line having the low pressure or tank return portion of the fuel line passing through a heat exchanger disposed in the refrigerant line for the vehicle air conditioner between the endothermic heat exchanger or evaporator and the compressor inlet. A thermistor senses the temperature of the refrigerant discharging from the fuel line heat exchanger and a pressure transducer senses evaporator discharge saturation pressure. Look-up tables are used to determine saturation temperature from the saturation pressure, and saturation temperature and actual refrigerant temperature compared to generate a pulse-width modulated control signal for controlling an electrically operated refrigerant expansion valve to maintain a desired amount of superheat at the discharge of the fuel line heat exchanger.

US Patent:

49441604, Jul 31, 1990

Filed:

Jan 31, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/473066

Inventors:

Peter J. Malone - Elk Grove Village IL
Michael B. Thompson - Hoffman Estates IL
Robert J. Torrence - Addison IL
Marvin F. Gaudette - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F25D 1700

US Classification:

62180

Abstract:

A refrigeration system employing a mechanical thermal expansion valve with a self-heated thermistor sensing saturation temperature at a high pressure inlet and a second thermistor sensing saturation temperature at the evaporator outlet. A microprocessor based controller compares the sensed temperature with stored limits and provides output signals to a relay for cycling the condenser fan responsive to high side pressure and the compressor clutch responsive to the low pressure side temperature. For low pressure drop evaporators, the second thermistor may be disposed at the evaporator inlet.