Patents by Inventor David W. Howell

David W. Howell 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).

  • Patent number: 9457785
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a heat-exchange dryer apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a heat-exchange dryer apparatus includes a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, a purge-air reservoir secured to the desiccant cartridge, and a compressed-air conduit disposed inside the purge-air reservoir. In another embodiment, a vehicle air-brake system includes an air compressor, a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, and a heat exchange dryer apparatus disposed between the compressor and the desiccant. The temperature of the compressed air is decreased while the temperature of the purge air is increased and the desiccant adsorbs a greater amount of contaminants form the compressed air for improved drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Howell, Fred W. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8820856
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and components of a service brake system. The apparatus comprises a normally-energized solenoid operatively coupled to components of the parking brake system and for, when de-energized, exhausting air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system to set park brakes. The apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a service brakes holding function, (ii) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition, and (iii) provide one or more signals to de-energize the normally-energized solenoid to exhaust air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system and thereby to set park brakes when both signals indicative of a service brakes holding function and signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew E. Rogers, Travis G. Ramler, Timothy J. Frashure, David W. Howell
  • Publication number: 20140116534
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a heat-exchange dryer apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a heat-exchange dryer apparatus includes a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, a purge-air reservoir secured to the desiccant cartridge, and a compressed-air conduit disposed inside the purge-air reservoir. In another embodiment, a vehicle air-brake system includes an air compressor, a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, and a heat exchange dryer apparatus disposed between the compressor and the desiccant. The temperature of the compressed air is decreased while the temperature of the purge air is increased and the desiccant adsorbs a greater amount of contaminants form the compressed air for improved drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David W. Howell, Fred W. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140054118
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and components of a service brake system. The apparatus comprises a normally-energized solenoid operatively coupled to components of the parking brake system and for, when de-energized, exhausting air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system to set park brakes. The apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a service brakes holding function, (ii) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition, and (iii) provide one or more signals to de-energize the normally-energized solenoid to exhaust air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system and thereby to set park brakes when both signals indicative of a service brakes holding function and signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Rogers, Travis G. Ramler, Timothy J. Frashure, David W. Howell
  • Publication number: 20120296543
    Abstract: A vehicle, air brake system is presented with an improved service work brake arrangement. The arrangement may provide a service work brake function or both a service work brake function and a parking brake function for the vehicle. The arrangement may provide an improved service work brake arrangement disposed within a housing for reducing the number of components and plumbing required to achieve this functionality versus prior known systems. The arrangement may utilizes a pneumatic latching valve to deliver pressurized air for applying a vehicle's service brakes. The pneumatic latching valve opens upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from an electronically controlled valve and closes upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from another source. In addition, a controller and control logic may be provided for controlling the arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Rogers, Mark A. Bennett, Ron R. Stahl, Michael D. Tober, Kenneth A. Grolle, Richard J. Conklin, Timothy J. Frashure, David W. Howell
  • Publication number: 20120053220
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of inhibitors of lipoxygenase enzymes. Methods are presented for using novel lipoxygenase inhibitors: LOXBlock-1 and LOXBlock-3, and other candidate lipoxygenase inhibitors identified by similar screening strategies, in therapy and diagnostics for neurodegenerative disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Klaus Van Leyen, Theodore R. Holman, Eng H. Lo, Matthew P. Jacobson, David W. Howells
  • Publication number: 20090243379
    Abstract: An anti lock braking system for commercial vehicles is described. The system includes a rear axle brake assembly having a rear brake for each rear wheel, a relay valve for controlling rear axle brakes and a plurality of pressure modulator valves operatively connected to the relay valve, each having an outlet connected to one of the rear brakes. Multiple connector cartridges are used to sealingly connect the relay valve to each of the pressure modulator valves. The connector cartridges have a first end defining a non rotation-dependent fitting, such as a cartridge fitting, cooperating with a corresponding port cavity to form the sealed connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Naman A. ELAMIN, David W. Howell, Allen Z. Mikolcic
  • Patent number: 6917870
    Abstract: An interrupt for an automatic traction control system includes a park brake control valve for controlling a park brake of a vehicle as a function of a park brake control pressure signal. A service brake control valve controls a service brake as a function of a service brake control pressure signal. A traction control valve communicates the service brake control pressure signal to the service brake control valve as a function of the park brake control pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David W. Howell, Charles E. Eberling, William P. Amato
  • Publication number: 20040098189
    Abstract: An interrupt for an automatic traction control system includes a park brake control valve for controlling a park brake of a vehicle as a function of a park brake control pressure signal. A service brake control valve controls a service brake as a function of a service brake control pressure signal. A traction control valve communicates the service brake control pressure signal to the service brake control valve as a function of the park brake control pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: David W. Howell, Charles E. Eberling, William P. Amato
  • Patent number: 4863645
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing relatively large and dense, relatively dry sulfur particles from molten sulfur comprises a manifold having a number of small, spaced apart, molten sulfur discharge apertures which are sized, according to the rate and pressure head at which the molten sulfur is received, for enabling the sulfur flow from each aperture to be laminar. Included is a vessel for holding a quenching liquid, preferably water. The manifold is mounted above the vessel with the discharge apertures preferably about one quarter inch to about two inches above the quenching liquid surface. Means are included for continuously moving the manifold in a circular path while the moltlen sulfur is discharged from the manifold apertures so that the discharged streams continually contact different regions of the quenching liquid. A conveyor is connected to the vessel for removing particulate sulfur therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Bruce A. Harbolt, David W. Howell