Patents by Inventor Fred Hoffman

Fred Hoffman 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: 7789925
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W Nichols
  • Publication number: 20100139487
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W Nichols, William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7708793
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7631656
    Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a housing, a piston within the housing, a biasing means within the housing for biasing the piston to seat in a first position for limiting fluid communication between an inlet port of the housing and an outlet port of the housing, and an insert cooperating with the biasing means for setting a pressure differential between an inlet side of the piston and an outlet side of the piston that unseats the piston from the first position for establishing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Publication number: 20090056292
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20070234904
    Abstract: A dry compressed air module is provided for attachment to the frame of commercial vehicle. The dry compressed air module includes a shell, an air compressor, an air dryer, and a reservoir. The air compressor, the air dryer, and the reservoir are disposed on the shell, and can be collectively attached to the frame using the shell. The air dryer is provided with compressed air from the air compressor, and the reservoir is provided with dry compressed air from the air dryer. The reservoir capable of storing and supplying the dry compressed air to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Randall Nichols
  • Publication number: 20070214963
    Abstract: A charging system used for supplying compressed air to a destination includes a compressor for generating the compressed air and a reservoir capable of being alternately discharged and recharged with the compressed air. A supply line fluidly connects the compressor, the reservoir, and the destination. A control valve positioned along the supply line is used in controlling flow of the compressed air from the charging system to the destination. A first branch line and a second branch line are positioned between the reservoir and the supply line. A check valve is positioned along the first branch line that when opened allows the compressed air to flow out of the reservoir into the supply line and when closed prohibits the compressed air from flowing into or out of the reservoir. A pressure protection valve is positioned along the second branch that opens to allow the compressed air to flow into the reservoir when the pressure in the supply line is above a threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Fred Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20070209705
    Abstract: A drain valve for a vehicle compressed air system. The drain valve including a body portion is adapted to separate water, debris and other relatively heavy objects from a compressed air stream passing through the valve and a gladhand portion capable of connecting to a gladhand connector. The drain may also include a pressure actuated valve and drain port for automatically discharging water from the drain valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Randall Nichols, Gregory Ashley, Leonard Quinn, Fred Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20070188013
    Abstract: An air charging arrangement for an air brake system of a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. The arrangement includes a hydraulic motor for driving an air compressor, which is mounted to the vehicle at a location that is thermally isolated from the engine. The arrangement may also include an air compressor controller that places the air compressor in a non-operating state when air pressure in an air reservoir is at or above a predetermined amount. In one embodiment, the air compressor is self-lubricated and air cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Publication number: 20070107784
    Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a housing, a piston within the housing, a biasing means within the housing for biasing the piston to seat in a first position for limiting fluid communication between an inlet port of the housing and an outlet port of the housing, and an insert cooperating with the biasing means for setting a pressure differential between an inlet side of the piston and an outlet side of the piston that unseats the piston from the first position for establishing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Publication number: 20070084348
    Abstract: A cartridge for an air dryer includes a desiccant volume, a desiccant in the desiccant volume for removing at least one of moisture and contaminants from air, a first passage in fluid communication with the desiccant volume and a first air storage volume, a second passage in fluid communication with the desiccant volume and in fluid communication with a second air storage volume, and a valve which, in a first position, restricts the fluid communication between the desiccant volume and the first air storage volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn, Eugene Clair
  • Publication number: 20070028777
    Abstract: A purge valve for use with an air drying system is provided. The valve includes a housing or body, a piston disposed within the body, and a valve in communication with the piston. The respective geometries of the piston body and the valve define a circumferential cavity between and around the piston body and the valve. A sealing means is disposed within the circumferential cavity for forming a seal between the valve and the body. A plurality of guide members attached to or formed integrally with the valve provide positional stability to the valve within the body and provide enhanced airflow in, through, and around the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn, Randall Nichols
  • Publication number: 20060236558
    Abstract: An improved system and method for mounting an air dryer is provided. The improved system and method employs a single centralized special fitting that secures the air dryer manifold to a reservoir. The bore in which the fitting is disposed is used to communicate air from the reservoir to the air dryer in order to purge the desiccant in the air dryer. The mounting assembly includes anti-rotational mechanisms which prevent the air dryer from rotating about its axis. The mounting assembly may also include a reservoir and a mounting bracket for the reservoir which uses less than 75 percent of a truck mounting rail height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Patent number: 7100305
    Abstract: An improved system and method for mounting an air dryer is provided. The improved system and method employs a single centralized special fitting that secures the air dryer manifold to a reservoir. The bore in which the fitting is disposed is used to communicate air from the reservoir to the air dryer in order to purge the desiccant in the air dryer. The mounting assembly includes anti-rotational mechanisms which prevent the air dryer from rotating about its axis. The mounting assembly may also include a reservoir and a mounting bracket for the reservoir which uses less than 75 percent of a truck mounting rail height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Bendix Commerical Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Publication number: 20060162778
    Abstract: A drain valve for a vehicle compressed air system, which separates dirt, water, debris and other relatively heavy objects from a compressed air stream. The drain valve includes a sump with a tangential inlet. The tangential inlet creates a vortex within the sump that collects relatively heavy objects at the bottom of the sump and allows the compressed air to exit the drain valve through an outlet port located at the top of the drain valve. A pressure actuated valve and drain port allows for the water to be discharged from the drain valve while retaining the pneumatic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Randall Nichols, Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Publication number: 20050168058
    Abstract: A module includes a reservoir having at least three chambers for storing compressed air for a vehicle air supply system, and a mounting assembly for supporting the reservoir on the vehicle. The chambers are separate from each other internally. The reservoir includes external connections, such as air lines or piping, for interconnecting the three chambers. The mounting assembly includes a bracket having a support surface. A bracket liner is received on the bracket between the support surface and the outer side surface of the reservoir. The reservoir may also include a purge chamber and an air dryer, as one unit, supported on the vehicle by the mounting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Eberling, Curtis Snyder, Gregory Ashley, Fred Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20050092180
    Abstract: An oil separator for use in a vehicle air system includes a recycling valve for removing coalesced oil. The recycling valve may include a piston movable in a cylinder in response to a control air pressure to open the recycling valve and thus drain coalesced oil from a sump under the influence of residual air pressure in the sump. The separator may include a fixture for mounting the separator to a vehicle, including a plurality of ports extending from an inlet port for directing air into the cartridge with a combined flow area at least equal to the flow area of the inlet port. The plurality of ports preferably extend at a right angle to the direction of flow of air through the inlet port. A safety relief valve on the separator releases air when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: William Fornof, Gregory Ashley, Leonard Quinn, Fred Hoffman, Gregory Smith
  • Patent number: 6878194
    Abstract: An air dryer assembly and mounting bracket for mounting an air dryer to a vehicle. The air dryer assembly has a manifold and a canister which seal against the surface of the mounting bracket. Orientation pegs are provided along the sealing surface of the air dryer manifold and receive corresponding indented regions in a cut out region in the mounting bracket. By providing a number of orientation pegs on the surface of the manifold, a number of mounting orientations for the air dryer assembly can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20050066540
    Abstract: An improved system and method for mounting an air dryer is provided. The improved system and method employs a single centralized special fitting that secures the air dryer manifold to a reservoir. The bore in which the fitting is disposed is used to communicate air from the reservoir to the air dryer in order to purge the desiccant in the air dryer. The mounting assembly includes anti-rotational mechanisms which prevent the air dryer from rotating about its axis. The mounting assembly may also include a reservoir and a mounting bracket for the reservoir which uses less than 75 percent of a truck mounting rail height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
  • Publication number: 20040154187
    Abstract: An air dryer assembly and mounting bracket for mounting an air dryer to a vehicle. The air dryer assembly has a manifold and a canister which seal against the surface of the mounting bracket. Orientation pegs are provided along the sealing surface of the air dryer manifold and receive corresponding indented regions in a cut out region in the mounting bracket. By providing a number of orientation pegs on the surface of the manifold, a number of mounting orientations for the air dryer assembly can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn