Patents by Inventor Carl Mellings
Carl Mellings has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20230347857Abstract: A vehicle braking system comprising a spring brake actuator having a spring brake chamber, a spring brake control assembly and an immobiliser valve which is movable between brake release position in which the spring brake control assembly is operable to cause the flow of pressurised fluid into the spring brake chamber or to vent the spring brake chamber to a low pressure region, and an immobilise position in which the spring brake control assembly is operable to connect the spring brake chamber to a low pressure region but cannot be operated to cause the flow of pressurised fluid into the spring brake chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Dudley John HARRISON, Carl MELLINGS, Mark PIECZKO, Neil BRIGHTMAN
-
Patent number: 11738730Abstract: An electro-pneumatic vehicle braking system including a control line, a modulator valve for controlling the supply of pressurised fluid to at least one brake actuator, a primary valve assembly and a secondary valve assembly, the primary valve assembly and the secondary valve assembly each being fluidly communicable with a source of pressurised fluid, and each of the primary and secondary valve assemblies being fluidly communicable with a control valve assembly, the control valve assembly being configurable in a first configuration to enable fluid communication between the primary valve assembly and the modulator valve, to provide a pneumatic control signal to the modulator valve, in a second configuration to enable fluid communication between the secondary valve assembly and the modulator valve, to provide a pneumatic control signal to the modulator valve, and in a third configuration in which fluid communication between either of the primary and secondary valve assemblies and the modulator valve is preventedType: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Carl Mellings, Dudley Harrison
-
Patent number: 11685352Abstract: A vehicle braking system comprising a spring brake actuator having a spring brake chamber, a spring brake control assembly and an immobiliser valve which is movable between brake release position in which the spring brake control assembly is operable to cause the flow of pressurised fluid into the spring brake chamber or to vent the spring brake chamber to a low pressure region, and an immobilise position in which the spring brake control assembly is operable to connect the spring brake chamber to a low pressure region but cannot be operated to cause the flow of pressurised fluid into the spring brake chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Dudley John Harrison, Carl Mellings, Mark Pieczko, Neil Brightman
-
Patent number: 11661040Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a control unit (340) which is operable to communicate with at least one sensor (320, 350), the sensor (320, 350) being operable to provide signals corresponding to a characteristic of a vehicle to the control unit (340), and the control unit (340) being in communication with a brake demand source (300) to receive brake demand data, and the control unit (340) also being in communication with a plurality of wheel end units, each wheel end unit including a brake torque control unit (310) which is operable to control an associated brake actuator to apply a braking torque dependent upon a signal received from the control unit (340).Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Carl Mellings, Alexander Kraus, Dudley Harrison, Andreas Jahnke
-
Patent number: 11654874Abstract: A vehicle control system comprising an electronic processor, the processor comprising an input port for receiving data from a loading apparatus concerning at least one of the weight, dimensions, volume, or location of a load placed or to be placed by the loading equipment into or onto an associated vehicle in which the vehicle control system is fitted, and is programmed to use the data received from the loading apparatus to make control adjustments such that the associated vehicle maintains stability.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Carl Mellings, Andreas Jahnke
-
Patent number: 11655909Abstract: A valve (10) including a first port (12), a second port (14), a third port (16) and a flexure (30), the flexure (30) being moveable between a first position which causes the first port (12) to open, a second position which causes the second port (14) to open, and a third position which causes the first and second ports (12, 14) to close, wherein at least a part of the flexure (30) is magnetisable, to provide a first magnet (32), a second magnet (34) is associated with the first port (12) and a third magnet (36) is associated with the second port (14). A valve assembly includes a pair of valves wherein only one of the valves is operable at any given time.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Carl Mellings, Edward Shaw, Andreas Jahnke
-
Patent number: 11614179Abstract: An electromagnetic flexure valve (1) including: a first pole piece (50a) and a second pole piece (50b); a flexure assembly (40) a portion of which is configured for movement between a first state adjacent the first pole piece and a second state adjacent the second pole piece; a coil (20) configured to receive electrical power from a power supply and to actuate the flexure assembly between the first and second states; and a biasing configuration configured to bias the flexure assembly into the first or the second state when the coil is not powered and irrespective of the current state of the flexure assembly such that a failsafe mode is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Alexander Kraus, Carl Mellings, Edward Shaw
-
Patent number: 11370400Abstract: A vehicle braking system comprising a first braking electronic control unit (ECU) which is operable to control the operation of a first set of vehicle brakes, a second braking electronic control unit (ECU) which is operable to control the operation of a second set of vehicle brakes, and a first connection between the first and second braking ECUs by means of which an electrical braking control signal may be transmitted between the first and second braking ECUs, the first braking ECU being provided with a first wireless signal receiver by means of which data from a further vehicle concerning the braking of the further vehicle may be received, wherein the second braking ECU is provided with a second wireless signal receiver by means of which data from a further vehicle concerning the braking of the further vehicle may be received, and is programmed to, in the event of a failure of the first wireless signal receiver, transmit either the data received from the further vehicle or information or instructions basedType: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Andreas Jahnke, Carl Mellings
-
Patent number: 11207935Abstract: An air suspension system of a commercial vehicle comprises an electronic control device with a level control valve device. A valve element is coupled to a drive element mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel or axle. In a first relative position of the valve element and a counter valve element, a port for an air suspension bellow is blocked. In a second relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for an aeration device. In a third relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for a deaeration device. Control logic generates a control signal for an actuator which, when a level change is set by an operator, correspondingly changes the relative position of the valve element and the counter valve element or the relative position of the counter valve element and a valve housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: HALDEX BRAKE PRODUCTS AKTIEBOLAGInventors: Dudley Harrison, Carl Mellings, Georg Sulzyc, Christian Schering, Siegfried Heer, Stefan Becke, Joachim Noecker, Tobias Tschoeke, Arne Busch
-
Publication number: 20210331657Abstract: An electro-pneumatic vehicle braking system including a control line, a modulator valve for controlling the supply of pressurised fluid to at least one brake actuator, a primary valve assembly and a secondary valve assembly, the primary valve assembly and the secondary valve assembly each being fluidly communicable with a source of pressurised fluid, and each of the primary and secondary valve assemblies being fluidly communicable with a control valve assembly, the control valve assembly being configurable in a first configuration to enable fluid communication between the primary valve assembly and the modulator valve, to provide a pneumatic control signal to the modulator valve, in a second configuration to enable fluid communication between the secondary valve assembly and the modulator valve, to provide a pneumatic control signal to the modulator valve, and in a third configuration in which fluid communication between either of the primary and secondary valve assemblies and the modulator valve is preventedType: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Carl Mellings, Dudley Harrison
-
Publication number: 20210276522Abstract: A vehicle braking system comprising a spring brake actuator having a spring brake chamber, a spring brake control assembly and an immobiliser valve which is movable between brake release position in which the spring brake control assembly is operable to cause the flow of pressurised fluid into the spring brake chamber or to vent the spring brake chamber to a low pressure region, and an immobilise position in which the spring brake control assembly is operable to connect the spring brake chamber to a low pressure region but cannot be operated to cause the flow of pressurised fluid into the spring brake chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2017Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Haldex Brake Products ABInventors: Dudley John Harrison, Carl Mellings, Mark Pleczko, Neil Brightman
-
Publication number: 20210162965Abstract: A vehicle control system comprising an electronic processor, the processor comprising an input port for receiving data from a loading apparatus concerning at least one of the weight, dimensions, volume, or location of a load placed or to be placed by the loading equipment into or onto an associated vehicle in which the vehicle control system is fitted, and is programmed to use the data received from the loading apparatus to make control adjustments such that the associated vehicle maintains stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2018Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Carl Mellings, Andreas Jahnke
-
Publication number: 20200384963Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a control unit (340) which is operable to communicate with at least one sensor (320, 350), the sensor (320, 350) being operable to provide signals corresponding to a characteristic of a vehicle to the control unit (340), and the control unit (340) being in communication with a brake demand source (300) to receive brake demand data, and the control unit (340) also being in communication with a plurality of wheel end units, each wheel end unit including a brake torque control unit (310) which is operable to control an associated brake actuator to apply a braking torque dependent upon a signal received from the control unit (340).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2018Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Carl Mellings, Alexander Kraus, Dudley Harrison, Andreas Jahnke
-
Publication number: 20200370670Abstract: An electromagnetic flexure valve (1) including: a first pole piece (50a) and a second pole piece (50b); a flexure assembly (40) a portion of which is configured for movement between a first state adjacent the first pole piece and a second state adjacent the second pole piece; a coil (20) configured to receive electrical power from a power supply and to actuate the flexure assembly between the first and second states; and a biasing configuration configured to bias the flexure assembly into the first or the second state when the coil is not powered and irrespective of the current state of the flexure assembly such that a failsafe mode is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2018Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Alexander Kraus, Carl Mellings, Edward Shaw
-
Publication number: 20200370672Abstract: A valve (10) including a first port (12), a second port (14), a third port (16) and a flexure (30), the flexure (30) being moveable between a first position which causes the first port (12) to open, a second position which causes the second port (14) to open, and a third position which causes the first and second ports (12, 14) to close, wherein at least a part of the flexure (30) is magnetisable, to provide a first magnet (32), a second magnet (34) is associated with the first port (12) and a third magnet (36) is associated with the second port (14). A valve assembly includes a pair of valves wherein only one of the valves is operable at any given time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2018Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Carl Mellings, Edward Shaw, Andreas Jahnke
-
Publication number: 20200361429Abstract: A vehicle braking system comprising a first braking electronic control unit (ECU) which is operable to control the operation of a first set of vehicle brakes, a second braking electronic control unit (ECU) which is operable to control the operation of a second set of vehicle brakes, and a first connection between the first and second braking ECUs by means of which an electrical braking control signal may be transmitted between the first and second braking ECUs, the first braking ECU being provided with a first wireless signal receiver by means of which data from a further vehicle concerning the braking of the further vehicle may be received, wherein the second braking ECU is provided with a second wireless signal receiver by means of which data from a further vehicle concerning the braking of the further vehicle may be received, and is programmed to, in the event of a failure of the first wireless signal receiver, transmit either the data received from the further vehicle or information or instructions basedType: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Andreas Jahnke, Carl Mellings
-
Patent number: 10814691Abstract: A mechanically actuated level control valve device for a commercial vehicle with an air suspension system is a level control valve and comprises a drive element that can be mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel or axle. A valve element and a counter valve element have a first relative position, wherein the port for the air suspension bellow is closed, a second relative position, wherein the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to the port for the aeration device, and a third relative position, wherein the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to the port for the deaeration device. The valve element is coupled to a rotatable driveshaft of the level control valve by a drive mechanism. An integrated actuator changes the relative position of the valve element and the drive element or the relative position of the counter valve element and a valve housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: HALDEX BRAKE PRODUCTS AKTIEBOLAGInventors: Dudley Harrison, Carl Mellings, Georg Sulzyc, Christian Schering, Siegfried Heer, Stefan Becke, Joachim Noecker, Tobias Tschoeke, Arne Busch
-
Publication number: 20180354335Abstract: A mechanically actuated level control valve device for a commercial vehicle with an air suspension system is a level control valve and comprises a drive element that can be mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel or axle. A valve element and a counter valve element have a first relative position, wherein the port for the air suspension bellow is closed, a second relative position, wherein the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to the port for the aeration device, and a third relative position, wherein the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to the port for the deaeration device. The valve element is coupled to a rotatable driveshaft of the level control valve by a drive mechanism. An integrated actuator changes the relative position of the valve element and the drive element or the relative position of the counter valve element and a valve housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Dudley Harrison, Carl Mellings, Georg Sulzyc, Christian Schering, Siegfried Heer, Stefan Becke, Joachim Noecker, Tobias Tschoeke, Arne Busch
-
Publication number: 20180354333Abstract: An air suspension system of a commercial vehicle comprises an electronic control device with a level control valve device. A valve element is coupled to a drive element mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel or axle. In a first relative position of the valve element and a counter valve element, a port for an air suspension bellow is blocked. In a second relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for an aeration device. In a third relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for a deaeration device. Control logic generates a control signal for an actuator which, when a level change is set by an operator, correspondingly changes the relative position of the valve element and the counter valve element or the relative position of the counter valve element and a valve housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Dudley Harrison, Carl Mellings, Georg Sulzyc, Christian Schering, Siegfried Heer, Stefan Becke, Joachim Noecker, Tobias Tschoeke, Arne Busch