Patents by Inventor Peter Heppel

Peter Heppel 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: 20220246050
    Abstract: Autocorrecting device comprising a support; at least two constant-diameter objects that can be rotated, at least one of the objects being referred to as determinant, the other at least one object being referred to as determined, each of the objects being provided with at least one stimulus associated with an angular position of the object; a drive means for driving the objects in rotation and having an object-driving torque M; a rotational blocking means for angularly blocking a determinant object in position; a selection means for selecting an angular position of a first object with respect to a second object, the selection means applying a resistive torque Cr between the first and second objects the two objects having a coupled position in which the resistive torque is higher than the driving torque M and an uncoupled position in which the resistive torque is lower than the driving torque M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Maud Dombreval, Peter Heppel
  • Publication number: 20160001827
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel coupled to the wheel set so that the second fairing panel moves with an adjustment in the position of the wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Raymond J. Vanassche, Richard Glowe, Christopher Vipperman
  • Patent number: 8979172
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel coupled to the wheel set so that the second fairing panel moves with an adjustment in the position of the wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Aerofficient, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Raymond J. Vanassche, Richard Glowe, Christopher Vipperman
  • Patent number: 8857893
    Abstract: A trailer or intermodal trailer chassis having a vehicle side fairing that accommodates, without being damaged, a container or other object lowered onto the trailer or intermodal chassis in a misaligned orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aerofficient, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Christopher Vipperman
  • Publication number: 20130313856
    Abstract: A trailer or intermodal trailer chassis having a vehicle side fairing that accommodates, without being damaged, a container or other object lowered onto the trailer or intermodal chassis in a misaligned orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: AEROFFICIENT, LLC
    Inventors: JAMES REIMAN, PETER HEPPEL, CHRISTOPHER VIPPERMAN
  • Publication number: 20130181477
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel coupled to the wheel set so that the second fairing panel moves with an adjustment in the position of the wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: AEROFFICIENT, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Raymond J. Vanassche, Richard Glowe, Christopher Vipperman
  • Publication number: 20130169000
    Abstract: An aerodynamic device for the crash bar of a tractor trailer and support structures is easily installed on the front and optionally on the rear of the crash bar forming a rounded fairing surface or “bull nose.” A device may optionally be attached to the crash bar support structures. Using a flexible material, such as EPDM extrusion, or forming a molded part in polyurethane elastomer, ensures that the fairing surface recovers its shape after being crushed so that the device may be used repeatedly with a retaining device at a docking bay during loading and unloading, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: AEROFFICIENT LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
  • Patent number: 8408570
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidable mounted to plural cylindrical bars mounted on the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation. The second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set with a mechanical fastener that selectively joins and releases the second fairing panel and the wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aerofficient LLC
    Inventors: Peter Heppel, Herbert Golding, Doug Memering, James Reiman, Daniel Peterson, William Bowman
  • Patent number: 8025330
    Abstract: A fairing structure for a vehicle having a front vehicular component and a rear vehicular component in tandem and separated by a gap, comprising a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to the rear vehicular component, a first side surface adapted to be attached to a first side of the rear vehicular component, joining a first end of the top surface and generally perpendicular to the top surface, and a second side surface adapted to be attached to a second side of the rear vehicular component, joining a second end of the top surface opposite the first end and generally perpendicular to the top surface. Each of the top and first and second side surfaces has a proximal edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a vehicle, as well as a distal edge adapted to be positioned away from the vehicle with respect to the respective proximal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Aerofficient, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Cory Worley
  • Patent number: 7942466
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidably mounted to the first fairing panel. The second fairing panel is releasably secured to the wheel set so that the second fairing panel can be moved with an adjustment in the position of the wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Aerofficient LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Kenneth Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20110025092
    Abstract: A fairing structure for a vehicle having a front vehicular component and a rear vehicular component in tandem and separated by a gap, comprising a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to the rear vehicular component, a first side surface adapted to be attached to a first side of the rear vehicular component, joining a first end of the top surface and generally perpendicular to the top surface, and a second side surface adapted to be attached to a second side of the rear vehicular component, joining a second end of the top surface opposite the first end and generally perpendicular to the top surface. Each of the top and first and second side surfaces has a proximal edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a vehicle, as well as a distal edge adapted to be positioned away from the vehicle with respect to the respective proximal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: AEROFFICIENT, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Cory Worley
  • Patent number: 7837254
    Abstract: A fairing structure for a vehicle having a front vehicular component and a rear vehicular component in tandem and separated by a gap, comprising a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to the rear vehicular component, a first side surface adapted to be attached to a first side of the rear vehicular component, joining a first end of the top surface and generally perpendicular to the top surface, and a second side surface adapted to be attached to a second side of the rear vehicular component, joining a second end of the top surface opposite the first end and generally perpendicular to the top surface. Each of the top and first and second side surfaces has a proximal edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a vehicle, as well as a distal edge adapted to be positioned away from the vehicle with respect to the respective proximal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Aeroefficient, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Cory Worley
  • Patent number: 7604284
    Abstract: A vehicle fairing structure has a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to a trailer box, and first and second side fairing surfaces adapted to be attached to the sides of the trailer box, in the gap between a tractor cab and a trailer box in a tractor-trailer combination. The fairing structure directs air flow away from the gap, and is positioned in the gap to lessen aerodynamic drag, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Aerofficient, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
  • Publication number: 20090230726
    Abstract: A fairing structure for a vehicle having a front vehicular component and a rear vehicular component in tandem and separated by a gap, comprising a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to the rear vehicular component, a first side surface adapted to be attached to a first side of the rear vehicular component, joining a first end of the top surface and generally perpendicular to the top surface, and a second side surface adapted to be attached to a second side of the rear vehicular component, joining a second end of the top surface opposite the first end and generally perpendicular to the top surface. Each of the top and first and second side surfaces has a proximal edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a vehicle, as well as a distal edge adapted to be positioned away from the vehicle with respect to the respective proximal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: AEROFICCIENT LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
  • Publication number: 20090212596
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidably mounted to the first fairing panel. The second fairing panel is releasably secured to the wheel set so that the second fairing panel can be moved with an adjustment in the position of the wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: AEROFFICIENT LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Kenneth Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20090212595
    Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidable mounted to plural cylindrical bars mounted on the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation. The second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set with a mechanical fastener that selectively joins and releases the second fairing panel and the wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: AEROEFFICIENT LLC
    Inventors: Peter Heppel, Herbert Golding, Doug Memering, James Reiman, Daniel Peterson, William Bowman
  • Patent number: 7404592
    Abstract: A combination of vehicle fairing structures forming a fairing system having a front end structure, a rear end structure, and first and second side structures, for optimizing the aerodynamic profile of vehicles, especially tractor-trailer combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Aerofficient, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
  • Publication number: 20080061597
    Abstract: A vehicle fairing structure has a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to a trailer box, and first and second side fairing surfaces adapted to be attached to the sides of the trailer box, in the gap between a tractor cab and a trailer box in a tractor-trailer combination. The fairing structure directs air flow away from the gap, and is positioned in the gap to lessen aerodynamic drag, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
  • Publication number: 20080061598
    Abstract: A combination of vehicle fairing structures forming a fairing system having a front end structure, a rear end structure, and first and second side structures, for optimizing the aerodynamic profile of vehicles, especially tractor-trailer combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
  • Patent number: 6915611
    Abstract: A structure having a first semi-rigid surface with a first curved edge, the first semi-rigid surface adapted to be rotatably secured to a reference to permit the first semi-rigid surface to assume a first position and a second position, and a first joint structure spanning the first semi-rigid surface to permit the first semi-rigid surface to be folded when in the first position and unfolded when in the second position. The structure includes a second semi-rigid surface having a second curved edge, the second semi-rigid surface adapted to be rotatably secured to the reference to permit the second semi-rigid surface to assume a first position and a second position. The first and second semi-rigid surfaces are joined together at their first and second curved edges by a second joint structure adapted to permit the first and second semi-rigid surfaces to fold approximately together when the first and second semi-rigid surfaces are in their first positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Aerotail, LLC
    Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel