Patents by Inventor Rudi Schurmans

Rudi Schurmans 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: 9272598
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly including a first end, a second end, and a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is movable between a retracted position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a first overall length, and an extended position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a second overall length greater than the first overall length. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to raise a vehicle when moved from the first overall length to the second overall length by the hydraulic actuator. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to lower the vehicle when moved from the second overall length to the first overall length by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Kazmirski, Rudi Schurmans, David Blankenship, Scott Dunaway, Zoren Gaspar
  • Publication number: 20140306409
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly including a first end, a second end, and a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is movable between a retracted position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a first overall length, and an extended position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a second overall length greater than the first overall length. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to raise a vehicle when moved from the first overall length to the second overall length by the hydraulic actuator. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to lower the vehicle when moved from the second overall length to the first overall length by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Kazmirski, Rudi Schurmans, David Blankenship, Scott Dunaway, Zoren Gaspar
  • Publication number: 20060081428
    Abstract: The present invention provides the art with a shock absorber which is capable of compensating for the differing thermal expansion between two materials. The shock absorber in its various embodiments includes a free floating pressure tube that is able to expand or contract axially without breaking a seal, a hybrid piston rod with a shaft of one material that compensates for differing thermal expansions and a cap of another material that absorbs axial forces, a unique rod guide assembly with a biasing member that compensates for differing thermal expansions, and a unique cylinder end assembly with a biasing member made from springs, a rubber block, or pressurized gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Rudi Schurmans
  • Patent number: 7004293
    Abstract: The present invention provides the art with a shock absorber which is capable of compensating for the differing thermal expansion between two materials. The shock absorber in its various embodiments includes a free floating pressure tube that is able to expand or contract axially without breaking a seal, a hybrid piston rod with a shaft of one material that compensates for differing thermal expansions and a cap of another material that absorbs axial forces, a unique rod guide assembly with a biasing member that compensates for differing thermal expansions, and a unique cylinder end assembly with a biasing member made from springs, a rubber block, or pressurized gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Rudi Schurmans
  • Patent number: 6896110
    Abstract: A rod guide assembly for a shock absorber includes a seal assembly which is biased towards a sealing surface on the rod guide by a biasing member which is located between the seal assembly and the bearing which is assembled to the rod guide housing. The biasing of the seal assembly prohibits movement of the seal assembly during operation of the shock absorber. In addition, a wire circlip which radially biases the seal assembly can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Vanmechelen, David Holiviers, Rudi Schurmans
  • Publication number: 20050067242
    Abstract: A rod guide assembly for a shock absorber includes a seal assembly which is biased towards a sealing surface on the rod guide by a biasing member which is located between the seal assembly and the bearing which is assembled to the rod guide housing. The biasing of the seal assembly prohibits movement of the seal assembly during operation of the shock absorber. In addition, a wire circlip which radially biases the seal assembly can be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Vanmechelen, David Holiviers, Rudi Schurmans
  • Publication number: 20050067237
    Abstract: The present invention provides the art with a shock absorber which is capable of compensating for the differing thermal expansion between two materials. The shock absorber in its various embodiments includes a free floating pressure tube that is able to expand or contract axially without breaking a seal, a hybrid piston rod with a shaft of one material that compensates for differing thermal expansions and a cap of another material that absorbs axial forces, a unique rod guide assembly with a biasing member that compensates for differing thermal expansions, and a unique cylinder end assembly with a biasing member made from springs, a rubber block, or pressurized gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventor: Rudi Schurmans
  • Patent number: 6802404
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid flow passage has a controlled restriction disposed within the passage. The restriction includes a first filter, a second filter and a plurality of particles disposed between the two filters. The particles are either dielectric particles or they are magnetizable particles. The dielectric particles create an electro-rheological fluid between the filters and the magnetizable particles create a magneto-rheological fluid between the filters. The arrangement for the dielectric particles is controlled by an electric field and the arrangement for the magnetizable particles is controlled by a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Rudi Schurmans, Mario Maes, David Holiviers