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).
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Publication number: 20220246050Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Maud Dombreval, Peter Heppel
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Publication number: 20160001827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Raymond J. Vanassche, Richard Glowe, Christopher Vipperman
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Patent number: 8979172Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Aerofficient, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Raymond J. Vanassche, Richard Glowe, Christopher Vipperman
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Patent number: 8857893Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Aerofficient, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Christopher Vipperman
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Publication number: 20130313856Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: AEROFFICIENT, LLCInventors: JAMES REIMAN, PETER HEPPEL, CHRISTOPHER VIPPERMAN
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Publication number: 20130181477Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: AEROFFICIENT, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Raymond J. Vanassche, Richard Glowe, Christopher Vipperman
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Publication number: 20130169000Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: AEROFFICIENT LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
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Patent number: 8408570Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Aerofficient LLCInventors: Peter Heppel, Herbert Golding, Doug Memering, James Reiman, Daniel Peterson, William Bowman
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Patent number: 8025330Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Aerofficient, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Cory Worley
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Patent number: 7942466Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Aerofficient LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Kenneth Gilbert
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Publication number: 20110025092Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: AEROFFICIENT, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Cory Worley
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Patent number: 7837254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Aeroefficient, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Cory Worley
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Patent number: 7604284Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Aerofficient, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
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Publication number: 20090230726Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: AEROFICCIENT LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
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Publication number: 20090212596Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: AEROFFICIENT LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel, Kenneth Gilbert
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Publication number: 20090212595Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: AEROEFFICIENT LLCInventors: Peter Heppel, Herbert Golding, Doug Memering, James Reiman, Daniel Peterson, William Bowman
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Patent number: 7404592Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Aerofficient, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
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Publication number: 20080061597Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
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Publication number: 20080061598Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel
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Patent number: 6915611Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Aerotail, LLCInventors: James Reiman, Peter Heppel