Patents by Inventor Michael J. Keeler
Michael J. Keeler 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).
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Patent number: 11806693Abstract: Methods for producing porous graphic carbon microspheres having improved separation properties over conventional porous graphitic carbons. The methods include dispersing a monovinyl aromatic monomer, a polyvinyl aromatic monomer, and an initiator in a solvent, contacting porous silica microspheres with the monomer dispersion for a time sufficient for the monomers to coat the porous silica microspheres, polymerizing the monomers to form copolymer coated microspheres, sulfonating the copolymer, pyrolyzing the sulfonated copolymer, digesting the carbon microspheres to dissolve the silica leaving porous carbon microspheres, pyrolyzing the porous carbon microspheres, and graphitizing the porous carbon microspheres to form porous graphitic carbon microspheres. Further provided are improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres and chromatography columns including the improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres described herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLCInventors: William R. Betz, Michael J. Keeler, Curtis W. Frantz, Jay M. Jones, William Maule, Kenneth G. Espenschied, Cory E. Muraco, Clinton Corman, Maochun Ye
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Publication number: 20220402324Abstract: A fabricated torque arm for use in a vehicle suspension, including a rod having a solid rectangular cross-section, the rod having a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, a first bushing hub, and wherein the rod is only a single piece cut from a metal plate or sheet, wherein the first bushing hub comprises cut tubing, wherein the first end of the rod has a radius that conforms to an outer surface of the first bushing hub, and wherein the first end of the rod is welded to the outer surface of the first bushing hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Scott Allen Massa, Jason C. Fugitt, Matthew D. Kowalski
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Publication number: 20210394156Abstract: Methods for producing porous graphic carbon microspheres having improved separation properties over conventional porous graphitic carbons. The methods include dispersing a monovinyl aromatic monomer, a polyvinyl aromatic monomer, and an initiator in a solvent, contacting porous silica microspheres with the monomer dispersion for a time sufficient for the monomers to coat the porous silica microspheres, polymerizing the monomers to form copolymer coated microspheres, sulfonating the copolymer, pyrolyzing the sulfonated copolymer, digesting the carbon microspheres to dissolve the silica leaving porous carbon microspheres, pyrolyzing the porous carbon microspheres, and graphitizing the porous carbon microspheres to form porous graphitic carbon microspheres. Further provided are improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres and chromatography columns including the improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: William R. Betz, Michael J. Keeler, Curtis W. Frantz, Jay M. Jones, William Maule, Kenneth G. Espenschied, Cory E. Muraco, Clinton Corman, Maochun Ye
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Patent number: 10994581Abstract: A clamp group for a vehicle leaf spring suspension is disclosed. The clamp group secures a longitudinally disposed, leaf spring at separate and distinct locations, between which the leaf spring is undamped and spaced away from the top and bottom pads of the clamp group. Shear stress is reduced and the spring remains active throughout its length.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Dmitriy Enrikovich Rubalskiy, Scott Allen Massa, Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Michael P. Bloink, Damon E. Dilworth, Matthew J. Van Meter
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Patent number: 10953499Abstract: A brake system component axle mount for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve. A method of forming the brake system component axle mount includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: R. Scott Fulton, Andrew J. Westnedge, Dmitriy E. Rubalskiy, Michael J. Keeler, Phillippi R. Pierce
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Patent number: 10744836Abstract: Composite suspension components are disclosed. The components are made from resin containing elongated fibers (8). The arms of the suspension components may receive reinforcement (40) using different devices and methods. A composite torque rod also incorporates a tunable compliance feature.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Michael J. Keeler, Scott Allen Massa, Dmitriy Enrikovich Rubalskiy
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Patent number: 10611206Abstract: An automatic air suspension control system is provided for use in combination with a vehicle having a non-driven rear axle, a driven rear axle, and an air suspension associated with the rear axles to apply a load to each of the rear axles. The air suspension control system is programmed to maintain the load applied to the non-driven rear axle at a level that is less than the load applied to the driven rear axle until the load applied to the driven rear axle is equal to a threshold amount. The threshold amount may be equal to the maximum load that may be legally applied to the driven rear axle or some lower level. There may be no load applied to the non-driven rear axle prior to the load on the driven rear axle reaching the threshold amount or may be a non-zero amount.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Michael J. Keeler, Ashley Thomas Dudding
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Patent number: 10137749Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows includes a bellows chamber. The bellows is attached to a main member of the heavy-duty vehicle and to the piston. The piston includes an open bottom that is sealingly closed by a disc attached to the open bottom. The piston and the disc define a piston chamber. The piston is mounted on the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle. The bellows chamber and the piston chamber are in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening, wherein airflow between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber provides damping to the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Jeff R. Zawacki, Andrew J. Westnedge, Jason M. Ramus, Jacob Andreasen, Nicholas J. Giamati
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Publication number: 20180229567Abstract: A clamp group for a vehicle leaf spring suspension is disclosed. The clamp group secures a longitudinally disposed, leaf spring at separate and distinct locations, between which the leaf spring is undamped and spaced away from the top and bottom pads of the clamp group. Shear stress is reduced and the spring remains active throughout its length.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2016Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Michael J. KEELER, Dmitriy Enrikovich RUBALSKIY, Scott Allen MASSA, Jeffrey R. ZAWACKI, Michael P. BLOINK, Damon E. DILWORTH, Matthew J. van METER
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Publication number: 20170326935Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows includes a bellows chamber. The bellows is attached to a main member of the heavy-duty vehicle and to the piston. The piston includes an open bottom that is sealingly closed by a disc attached to the open bottom. The piston and the disc define a piston chamber. The piston is mounted on the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle. The bellows chamber and the piston chamber are in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening, wherein airflow between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber provides damping to the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Jeff R. Zawacki, Andrew J. Westnedge, Jason M. Ramus, Jacob Andreasen, Nicholas J. Giamati
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Patent number: 9738131Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows includes a bellows chamber. The bellows is attached to a main member of the heavy-duty vehicle and to the piston. The piston includes an open bottom that is sealingly closed by a disc attached to the open bottom. The piston and the disc define a piston chamber. The piston is mounted on the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle. The bellows chamber and the piston chamber are in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening, wherein airflow between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber provides damping to the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Jeff R. Zawacki, Andrew J. Westnedge, Jason M. Ramus, Jacob Andreasen, Nicholas J. Giamati
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Publication number: 20160347145Abstract: A fabricated torque rod including a rod having first and second ends, a first bushing hub welded to the first end of the rod and a second bushing hub welded to the second end of the rod; wherein the rod is a piece cut from a metal plate or sheet, wherein the first and second bushing hubs are made of cut tubing, wherein the first end of the rod has a radius that conforms to an outer surface of the first bushing hub and the second end of the rod has a radius that conforms to an outer surface of the second bushing hub, and wherein the first end of the rod is welded to the outer surface of the first bushing hub and the second end of the rod is welded to the outer surface of the second bushing hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Scott Allen Massa, Jason C. Fugitt, Matthew D. Kowalski
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Publication number: 20160332497Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows includes a bellows chamber. The bellows is attached to a main member of the heavy-duty vehicle and to the piston. The piston includes an open bottom that is sealingly closed by a disc attached to the open bottom. The piston and the disc define a piston chamber. The piston is mounted on the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle. The bellows chamber and the piston chamber are in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening, wherein airflow between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber provides damping to the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Jeff R. Zawacki, Andrew J. Westnedge, Jason M. Ramus, Jacob Andreasen, Nicholas J. Giamati
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Patent number: 9193236Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Andrew J. Westnedge, Jason P. Shiffler, Michael J. Keeler, Dmitriy E. Rubalskiy, Phillippi R. Pierce
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Publication number: 20150329099Abstract: An automatic air suspension control system is provided for use in combination with a vehicle having a non-driven rear axle, a driven rear axle, and an air suspension associated with the rear axles to apply a load to each of the rear axles. The air suspension control system is programmed to maintain the load applied to the non-driven rear axle at a level that is less than the load applied to the driven rear axle until the load applied to the driven rear axle is equal to a threshold amount. The threshold amount may be equal to the maximum load that may be legally applied to the driven rear axle or some lower level. There may be no load applied to the non-driven rear axle prior to the load on the driven rear axle reaching the threshold amount or may be a non-zero amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jeffrey R. Zawacki, Michael J. Keeler, Ashley Thomas Dudding
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Patent number: 9157529Abstract: A piston for an air spring of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a sidewall and a central hub. The sidewall and the central hub are attached to a first bottom plate of the piston. A top plate is removeably attached to a top portion of the sidewall and a top portion of the central hub. A bottom portion of said central hub includes a second bottom plate that is recessed relative to the first bottom plate for attachment to a piston mounting pedestal that is in turn mounted to a beam of a suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Andrew J. Westnedge, Dmitriy Enrikovich Rubalskiy, Michael J. Keeler
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Publication number: 20150273964Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Andrew J. Westnedge, Jason P. Shiffler, Michael J. Keeler, Dmitriy E. Rubalskiy, Phillippi R. Pierce
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Patent number: 9079467Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Henderickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Andrew J. Westnedge, Dmitriy E. Rubalskiy, Michael J. Keeler, Phillippi R. Pierce
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Publication number: 20130343931Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit. The invention also includes a parallel pump that captures air to increase the pressure in the vehicle air supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Phillippi R. Pierce, Matthew J. VanMeter, Santo Padula, Michael J. Keeler
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Publication number: 20130277936Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Andrew J. Westnedge, Dmitriy E. Rubalskiy, Michael J. Keeler, Phillippi R. Pierce