Patents Assigned to Hunter Engineering Company
  • Method and Apparatus For Vehicle Service System Optical Target Assembly
    Publication number: 20100165332
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target attached to the vehicle wheel, the optical target having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of target elements arranged in a known geometric and spatial configuration relative to each other. A two-dimensional image of the optical target is acquired by an imaging system to detect a plurality of target element images corresponding to the plurality of target elements arranged on the optical target. A spatial orientation of the optical target and an alignment of the vehicle wheel is then determined from the plurality of target element images and the known geometric and spatial configuration of the plurality of target elements on the optical target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael T. Stieff, Daniel R. Dorrance, Thomas J. Golab, Mark S. Shylanski
  • Vehicle wheel balancer system with projection display
    Patent number: 7735367
    Abstract: A wheel balancer includes a microprocessor configured to receive data associated with a vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly imbalance from at least one sensor, and to identify optimal correction weight plane locations, as well as to present the operator with the imbalance correction weight arrangement. The microprocessor is further configured to control a projection display system disposed to project a two-dimensional image onto a surface of the vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly, to facilitate completion of a wheel imbalance correction procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Douglas, Nicholas J. Colarelli
  • Method and apparatus for vehicle service system optical target assembly
    Patent number: 7703212
    Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system optical target assembly incorporating an adaptor for attachment of an optical target to a vehicle wheel assembly. The adaptor includes at least three contact points for abutment against surfaces of a vehicle wheel assembly, and an attachment mechanism configured to grip surfaces of a tire mounted to the wheel rim to hold the optical target assembly in contact with the wheel assembly surface. The optical target is secured to the adaptor, and maintained in a fixed relationship to the wheel assembly thereby during a vehicle wheel alignment measurement procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Stieff, Gregory F. Meyer, Daniel R. Dorrance, Mark S. Shylanski, Thomas J. Golab
  • Method And Apparatus For Determining Imbalance Correction Weight Amounts For Application During Vehicle Wheel Balancing
    Publication number: 20100095767
    Abstract: A method for reducing imbalance correction weight usage during a balancing operation of a vehicle wheel assembly. An imbalance of the vehicle wheel assembly is initially determined and utilized together with an established acceptable threshold of imbalance for the vehicle wheel assembly to compute a reduced imbalance value having a magnitude less than the determined imbalance. Using the reduced imbalance value, correction weight amounts and placement locations for application to the vehicle wheel assembly are identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael W. Douglas
  • Vehicle lift measurement system
    Patent number: 7702126
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system to measure an orientation of one or more vehicle supporting surfaces of a vehicle lift system, and to measure and compensate one or more vehicle measurements relative to the vehicle supporting surface of the vehicle lift system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Strege, Patrick Callanan, David A. Voeller, Mark S. Shylanski
  • Methods and systems for balancing spoked wheels using weight behind a single spoke
    Patent number: 7686403
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing imbalance in a wheel assembly are provided. The method includes determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a first plane, determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a second plane, and translating a component of the imbalance characteristic from the first plane to the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Douglas
  • Method and apparatus for resurfacing brake rotors
    Patent number: 7681478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automotive vehicle brake lathes configured for resurfacing brake rotor components, and in particular, to an improved on-car brake lathe apparatus and a method for reducing vibrations during resurfacing of brake rotor components with a brake lathe having a variable speed spindle motor, an output spindle rotationally driven by the variable speed motor adapted to couple the brake lathe to the brake rotor component, and at least one adjustable cutting tip adapted to engage a surface of the vehicle brake component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael A. Olsen, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Matt Wise, Gerry E. Friton
  • Methods and systems for wheel balancer weight placement aid
    Patent number: 7684027
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating weight placement on a vehicle wheel assembly that includes a tire and a wheel are provided. The method includes determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a plane of the vehicle wheel, determining a correction weight placement position associated with the determined imbalance characteristic, and directing a line of visible light at the determined weight placement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Douglas, Michael D. Gerdes, David M. Scribner, Micah N. Vaninger
  • Method and apparatus for selection of balancer static imbalance correction mode
    Patent number: 7658108
    Abstract: A method for measuring the imbalance characteristics of a rotating body, and for determining if an application of at least one imbalance correction weight in only one of two identified imbalance correction weight planes is sufficient to reduce the measured imbalance characteristics of the rotating body to an acceptable residual imbalance level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Douglas
  • Method and apparatus for resurfacing brake rotors
    Patent number: 7640832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automotive vehicle brake lathes configured for resurfacing brake rotor components, and in particular, to an improved on-car brake lathe apparatus and a method for compensating for runout between an on-car brake lathe and a vehicle wheel hub to which the on-car brake lathe is secured for a brake rotor resurfacing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael A. Olsen, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Matt Wise, Gerry E. Friton
  • Method and apparatus for vehicle wheel balancer imbalance correction weight type selection
    Patent number: 7617726
    Abstract: A method of operation of a vehicle wheel balancer system for identifying an imbalance correction weight mode which an operator desires to utilize during an imbalance correction procedure without requiring the operator to manually input or select an imbalance correction weight mode prior to beginning the placement of the imbalance correction weights. The imbalance correction weight mode is determined from operator guided movements of one or more dataset arms which identify if an operator-selected imbalance correction weight placement plane is associated with a clip-on imbalance correction weight, an adhesive imbalance correction weight, or a patch-type imbalance correction weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Douglas
  • Method for determining an imbalance condition of a rotating body
    Patent number: 7594436
    Abstract: A method for measuring imbalance forces in a rotating body, and for determining if an application of imbalance correction weights is required to compensate for the measured imbalance forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael W. Douglas, Joel Clasquin, William B. Feero
  • Machine vision vehicle wheel alignment image processing methods
    Patent number: 7583372
    Abstract: A method of the present invention provides methods for processing images of vehicle wheel assemblies acquired during vehicle service procedures to determine vehicle wheel assembly pose components, from which vehicle wheel alignment angles may be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Shylanski, Daniel R. Dorrance, Thomas J. Golab, Leigh R. Burns, Jr.
  • Vehicle wheel balancer system
    Patent number: 7574913
    Abstract: A method for determining weight display thresholds for static and dynamic imbalances and correction weights on a rotating body such as a vehicle wheel assembly, which vary with parameters of the rotating body, wheel and/or tire, and for displaying measured imbalances in relation to determined imbalance thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael W. Douglas, David M. Scribner, Joel Clasquin, William B. Feero
  • Vehicle brake lathe with variable speed motor
    Patent number: 7536936
    Abstract: The present invention relates to on-car brake lathes configured for resurfacing brake rotor components, and in particular, to improved on-car brake lathes configured with a drive system for controlling a rotational direction of an output spindle during a brake rotor resurfacing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael A. Olsen, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Vehicle wheel alignment system scanned beam imaging sensor
    Patent number: 7538864
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment sensor for a machine-vision vehicle wheel alignment system comprising a scanned beam camera incorporating an illumination source, a means for deflecting light emitted by the illumination source along a path within a field of view, and a detector array for receiving illumination reflected from objects within the field of view to generate an image which is representative of a region of interest within the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Golab, Daniel R. Dorrance
  • Vehicle service system with variable-lens imaging sensors
    Patent number: 7518714
    Abstract: A optical imaging sensor assembly for a machine-vision vehicle service system comprising a variable lens optical assembly. The variable lens optical assembly is controlled in response to direction from a vehicle service software application to alter an optical characteristic such as a field of view, a lens focal length, or an optical axis alignment to acquire images for use in a vehicle service procedure such as a vehicle wheel alignment procedure, vehicle tire balancing procedure, or tire changing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: David A. Voeller, Timothy A. Strege
  • Vehicle tire changing system with imaging components
    Patent number: 7495755
    Abstract: An improved vehicle tire changing system for servicing a vehicle wheel assembly consisting of a tire and rim, configured with one or more imaging sensors to accurately measure distances, dimensions, and characteristics of features associated with a vehicle wheel assembly during a tire mounting, tire dismounting, or tire mount altering procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: David A. Voeller, Joel Clasquin, Michael W. Douglas
  • Method and apparatus for wheel alignment system target projection and illumination
    Patent number: 7454841
    Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system configured with at least one cameras for acquiring images of the wheels of a vehicle, and an associated light projectors configured to project a pattern image onto the surfaces of vehicle components such as vehicle wheel assemblies. Images of the projected patterns acquired by the camera, are processed by the vehicle wheel alignment system to facilitate a determination of the relative orientation and position of the surfaces such as wheel assemblies in three dimensional space, from which vehicle parameters such as wheel alignment measurements can be subsequently determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Leigh R. Burns, Jr., Daniel R. Dorrance, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Timothy A. Strege, Gerald E. Friton, Mark S. Shylanski, David A. Voeller
  • Vehicle lift reference system for movable machine-vision alignment system sensors
    Patent number: 7453559
    Abstract: A method for enabling a vehicle wheel alignment system to compensate an imaging sensor coordinate system for changes associated with adjustments to the pose of an imaging sensor, following movement of a vehicle lift mechanism supporting a vehicle undergoing a vehicle wheel alignment procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Dorran, Timothy A. Strege, Leigh R. Burns, Jr.