Patents by Inventor Patrick S. Dillman

Patrick S. Dillman 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: 20190316650
    Abstract: The damper assembly includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a resilient member. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap define an inner volume. The sidewall includes a shoulder separating the tubular member into a first portion and a second portion. The resilient member is disposed between the secondary piston and the cap and thereby is positioned to bias the secondary piston into engagement with the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Publication number: 20190308480
    Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume configured to contain a liquid therein, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the tubular element having an internal volume that defines a first fluid chamber configured to contain a compressible gas therein, a first piston separating the internal volume of the main body into a second fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber, and a flow control element disposed along a flow path between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. Movement of the tubular element generates a flow of the liquid through the flow control element to produce a damping force and changes the pressure of the compressible gas to produce a spring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Robert K. Sollenskog, Erik Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 10369860
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper includes a housing having a wall that at least partially surrounds at least a portion of the primary damper, the volume between the wall and the primary damper defining a chamber, and the wall defines an aperture. The secondary damper also includes a piston positioned within the chamber, a conduit defining a flow path that includes the aperture, and a valve disposed along the flow path. The secondary damper is configured to provide a damping force that varies based on the position of the piston within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger, Aaron J. Rositch, Robert K. Sollenskog
  • Patent number: 10350956
    Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume configured to contain a liquid therein, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the tubular element having an internal volume that defines a first fluid chamber configured to contain a compressible gas therein, a first piston separating the internal volume of the main body into a second fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber, and a flow control element disposed along a flow path between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. Movement of the tubular element generates a flow of the liquid through the flow control element to produce a damping force and changes the pressure of the compressible gas to produce a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Robert K. Sollenskog, Erik Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Publication number: 20180335104
    Abstract: The damper assembly includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a resilient member. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap define an inner volume. The sidewall includes a shoulder separating the tubular member into a first portion and a second portion. The resilient member is disposed between the secondary piston and the cap and thereby is positioned to bias the secondary piston into engagement with the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Publication number: 20180229569
    Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume configured to contain a liquid therein, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the tubular element having an internal volume that defines a first fluid chamber configured to contain a compressible gas therein, a first piston separating the internal volume of the main body into a second fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber, and a flow control element disposed along a flow path between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. Movement of the tubular element generates a flow of the liquid through the flow control element to produce a damping force and changes the pressure of the compressible gas to produce a spring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Robert K. Sollenskog, Erik Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 10030737
    Abstract: The damper assembly includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a resilient member. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap define an inner volume. The rod extends within the inner volume. The primary piston is positioned within the inner volume and coupled to the rod. The primary piston defines a first contact surface. The secondary piston includes a body member having a second contact surface, an opposing second surface, and an inner cylindrical face defining a central aperture that receives the rod. The secondary piston defines a channel extending from the inner cylindrical face to an outer periphery of the body member. The first contact surface and the channel are configured to cooperatively define a flow conduit upon engagement between the primary piston and the secondary piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 9944145
    Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume configured to contain a liquid therein, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the tubular element having an internal volume that defines a first fluid chamber configured to contain a compressible gas therein, a first piston separating the internal volume of the main body into a second fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber, and a flow control element disposed along a flow path between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. Movement of the tubular element generates a flow of the liquid through the flow control element to produce a damping force and changes the pressure of the compressible gas to produce a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Robert K. Sollenskog, Erik Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Publication number: 20180056746
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper includes a housing having a wall that at least partially surrounds at least a portion of the primary damper, the volume between the wall and the primary damper defining a chamber, and the wall defines an aperture. The secondary damper also includes a piston positioned within the chamber, a conduit defining a flow path that includes the aperture, and a valve disposed along the flow path. The secondary damper is configured to provide a damping force that varies based on the position of the piston within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger, Aaron J. Rositch, Robert K. Sollenskog
  • Patent number: 9809080
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper includes a housing having a wall that at least partially surrounds at least a portion of the primary damper, the volume between the wall and the primary damper defining a chamber, and the wall defines an aperture. The secondary damper also includes a piston positioned within the chamber, a conduit defining a flow path that includes the aperture, and a valve disposed along the flow path. The primary damper is configured to provide a base damping force and the secondary damper is configured to provide a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the piston within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger, Aaron J. Rositch, Robert K. Sollenskog
  • Publication number: 20160208883
    Abstract: The damper assembly includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a resilient member. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap define an inner volume. The rod extends within the inner volume. The primary piston is positioned within the inner volume and coupled to the rod. The primary piston defines a first contact surface. The secondary piston includes a body member having a second contact surface, an opposing second surface, and an inner cylindrical face defining a central aperture that receives the rod. The secondary piston defines a channel extending from the inner cylindrical face to an outer periphery of the body member. The first contact surface and the channel are configured to cooperatively define a flow conduit upon engagement between the primary piston and the secondary piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Publication number: 20160167475
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper includes a housing having a wall that at least partially surrounds at least a portion of the primary damper, the volume between the wall and the primary damper defining a chamber, and the wall defines an aperture. The secondary damper also includes a piston positioned within the chamber, a conduit defining a flow path that includes the aperture, and a valve disposed along the flow path. The primary damper is configured to provide a base damping force and the secondary damper is configured to provide a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the piston within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger, Aaron J. Rositch, Robert K. Sollenskog
  • Patent number: 9303715
    Abstract: A damper assembly is disclosed that includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a seal. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap defining an inner volume. The rod extends within the inner volume of the tubular member. The primary piston defines a contact surface and is positioned within the inner volume and coupled to an end of the rod. The secondary piston defines a central aperture and a channel. Engagement of the primary piston and the secondary piston forms a flow conduit between the channel and the contact surface. The seal is disposed between an outer surface of the secondary piston and the sidewall such that a flow path is formed through the central aperture and the flow conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 9291230
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper coupled to the primary damper. The secondary damper includes a housing, a piston, a conduit, and a valve. The housing includes a sidewall that defines a set of apertures and at least partially surrounds the primary damper, and the volume between the sidewall and the primary damper defines a damping chamber. The piston is positioned within the damping chamber and is slidably coupled to the sidewall. The conduit forms a flow path between the set of apertures, and the valve is disposed along the flow path. The primary damper provides a base damping force, and the secondary damper provides a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the piston along the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger, Aaron J. Rositch, Robert K. Sollenskog
  • Publication number: 20150290993
    Abstract: A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume configured to contain a liquid therein, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the tubular element having an internal volume that defines a first fluid chamber configured to contain a compressible gas therein, a first piston separating the internal volume of the main body into a second fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber, and a flow control element disposed along a flow path between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. Movement of the tubular element generates a flow of the liquid through the flow control element to produce a damping force and changes the pressure of the compressible gas to produce a spring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: OSHKOSH DEFENSE, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Robert K. Sollenskog, Erik Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Publication number: 20140326555
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper coupled to the primary damper. The secondary damper includes a housing, a piston, a conduit, and a valve. The housing includes a sidewall that defines a set of apertures and at least partially surrounds the primary damper, and the volume between the sidewall and the primary damper defines a damping chamber. The piston is positioned within the damping chamber and is slidably coupled to the sidewall. The conduit forms a flow path between the set of apertures, and the valve is disposed along the flow path. The primary damper provides a base damping force, and the secondary damper provides a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the piston along the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger, Aaron J. Rositch, Robert K. Sollenskog
  • Publication number: 20140251742
    Abstract: A damper assembly is disclosed that includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a seal. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap defining an inner volume. The rod extends within the inner volume of the tubular member. The primary piston defines a contact surface and is positioned within the inner volume and coupled to an end of the rod. The secondary piston defines a central aperture and a channel. Engagement of the primary piston and the secondary piston forms a flow conduit between the channel and the contact surface. The seal is disposed between an outer surface of the secondary piston and the sidewall such that a flow path is formed through the central aperture and the flow conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: OSHKOSH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 8801017
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper is coupled to the primary damper and includes a housing and an annular piston. The housing includes a sidewall that partially surrounds the primary damper, and the volume between the sidewall and the primary damper defines a damping chamber. The sidewall defines a plurality of apertures. The annular piston is positioned within the damping chamber and slidably coupled to the sidewall. The primary damper provides a base damping force and the secondary damper provides a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the annular piston along the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger, Aaron J. Rositch, Robert K. Sollenskog
  • Publication number: 20130249183
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a primary damper and a secondary damper. The secondary damper is coupled to the primary damper and includes a housing and an annular piston. The housing includes a sidewall that partially surrounds the primary damper, and the volume between the sidewall and the primary damper defines a damping chamber. The sidewall defines a plurality of apertures. The annular piston is positioned within the damping chamber and slidably coupled to the sidewall. The primary damper provides a base damping force and the secondary damper provides a supplemental damping force that varies based on the position of the annular piston along the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: OSHKOSH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erik S. Ellifson, Patrick S. Dillman, Jason J. Zuleger