Patents Assigned to Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
  • Damper tube reinforcement sleeve
    Patent number: 8408569
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes an upper mount assembly, a shock absorber and a knuckle. The upper mount assembly is attached to a piston rod which is a part of the shock absorber. The knuckle is attached to an outer tube of the shock absorber which can be a reserve tube of a dual-tube shock absorber or a pressure tube of a single tube shock absorber. A reinforcement member increases the strength of the outer tube in the area that interfaces with the knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Keil, Ben Schaller, Christopher Conrad, Laxman Subramaniam
  • Reagent tank normalizing system
    Patent number: 8402750
    Abstract: A reagent injection system for reducing emissions from an engine includes a reagent container. A heating element is positioned in a heat transfer relationship with reagent stored within the container. An interchange tube includes a first end in receipt of a recirculated liquid reagent and a second open end positioned in the container. The interchange tube includes a bleed-off tube branching off of the interchange tube between the first and second ends. A terminal end of the bleed-off tube is positioned within a vapor dome above a surface of the reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Floyd, Eric Grant, Dan McAninch, David Blumhardt, John M. Lowry, Michael L. Shovels
  • Exhaust gas additive/treatment system and mixer for use therein
    Patent number: 8397495
    Abstract: An exhaust mixer (16) is provided for use in an engine exhaust system (10) downstream from an additive injector (14). The mixer (16) includes eight vanes (20), with four of the vanes (20A) extending from a first side (22) of the mixer (16) and arranged in an equally spaced circumferential array around a central axis (24), and the other four of the vanes (20B) extending from an opposite side (26) of the mixer (16) and arranged opposite from the other four vanes (20A) in an equally spaced circumferential array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Salanta, Guanyu Zheng, Daniel Salanta
  • Method of installing rotatable flapper valve to an interior of a conduit
    Patent number: 8381401
    Abstract: A method of assembly of a rotatable flapper valve to an interior of a conduit features the ability to couple the valve plate to its axle outside of the conduit in an independent operation. The conduit is split into first and second sections each having a flared end and a pair of indentations for receipt of the valve axle. While separated, the valve axle is placed in a pair of indentations in one of the conduit sections and then the second conduit section is moved into abutting engagement such that its indentations also partially surround the axle. The first and second conduit sections are then joined by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Sahs, Jason Lefler, William E. Hill
  • On-vehicle nitrogen oxide aftertreatment system
    Patent number: 8381514
    Abstract: An emissions system for reducing nitrogen oxides in engine exhaust includes an emissions catalyst having an inlet adapted to receive an exhaust from the engine. A fuel tank is adapted to provide fuel for combustion within the engine. A first injector is operable to inject fuel into the exhaust upstream of the catalyst. A second injector is operable to inject supplemental reductant from a supplemental reductant tank into the exhaust upstream of the catalyst. A controller is operable to control the first and second injectors and vary the supply of fuel and supplemental reductant into the exhaust to reduce nitrogen oxides within the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Salanta, Timothy Jackson, Henry Sullivan, Adam J. Kotrba
  • Exhaust gas additive/treatment system and mixer for use therein
    Patent number: 8375709
    Abstract: An exhaust mixer (16) is provided for use in an engine exhaust system (10) downstream from an additive injector (14). The mixer (16) includes eight vanes (20), with four of the vanes (20A) extending from a first side (22) of the mixer (16) and arranged in an equally spaced circumferential array around a central axis (24), and the other four of the vanes (20B) extending from an opposite side (26) of the mixer (16) and arranged opposite from the other four vanes (20A) in an equally spaced circumferential array. The vanes (20) include embossed ribs (60) and mount flanges (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Salanta, Daniel Salanta, Guanyu Zheng
  • Double path mount for cab suspension with tilting function
    Patent number: 8371562
    Abstract: A cab mounting assembly attaches a cab to a chassis of a vehicle at the point of rotation of the cab when the cab is tilted. The cab mounting assembly provides two paths for the forces acting between the cab and the chassis. The static forces are supported by a bearing assembly which includes a relatively hard elastomeric member. The dynamic forces are supported by an elastomeric mount which includes a relatively soft elastomeric member. The elastomeric mount is attached to the bearing assembly and to a shock absorber. The bearing assembly is attached to the elastomeric mount and to an air spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Luc Knevels
  • LOW NOISE VALVE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20130020159
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a valve assembly which includes a valve disc engaging an inner and outer valve land defined by a valve body. The inner valve land is a non-circular valve land such that a radial dimension between the inner and outer valve land varies based upon a circumferential position of the radial dimension. The varying radial dimension provides a progressive valve opening for the valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Gary W. Groves, Ben Schaller, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Andrew M. Jacobson, John P. McGahey
  • Snapper valve for hot end systems with burners
    Patent number: 8353153
    Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of an exhaust stream includes a main exhaust passageway adapted to receive the exhaust stream from an engine. A bypass passage includes an inlet and an outlet in communication with the main exhaust passageway. The outlet is located downstream from the inlet. A burner is positioned within the bypass passage for treating the exhaust passing through the bypass passage. A valve is positioned within the main exhaust passageway downstream from the inlet and upstream from the outlet. The valve is operable to vary the exhaust flow through the burner. A controller selectively operates the burner to maintain a desired exhaust temperature downstream of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Kotrba, Guanyu Zheng, Mike Golin, Gabriel Salanta
  • Injector mounting system
    Patent number: 8327829
    Abstract: An injector mount system (30) is provided for mounting an injector (22) to an exhaust flow conduit (21) in an exhaust treatment system (10). The injector (22) includes a housing (32) having an open end (46) that mounts an orifice/nozzle (38). The injector mount system (30) includes a boss (62) fixed to the exhaust flow conduit (21), and an end cap (44) of the injector (22) that is attached to the housing (32), closing the open end (46) and securing the orifice/nozzle (38) in the open end (46). The boss (62) and end cap (44) include mating flanges (60,64) that define a non-threaded connector for securing the injector (22) to the exhaust flow conduit (21). The mating flange (60) of the end cap (44) being formed as a unitary part of the end cap (44), and the mating flange (64) of the boss being a unitary part of the boss (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Keidel, Stephen Thomas, Jeremy D. Popovich, Jeffrey Broderick, Samuel Hiss, Ryan Floyd, Collin Sullivan
  • NESTED CHECK HIGH SPEED VALVE
    Publication number: 20120292146
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • NESTED CHECK HIGH SPEED VALVE
    Publication number: 20120292147
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • NESTED CHECK HIGH SPEED VALVE
    Publication number: 20120292145
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • NESTED CHECK HIGH SPEED VALVE
    Publication number: 20120292144
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Nested check high speed valve
    Patent number: 8297418
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Ultrasonic acoustic emissions to detect substrate fracture
    Patent number: 8281661
    Abstract: A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process includes positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component. A manufacturing process is performed while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component. A signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process is provided to a controller where it is determined whether the component has fractured based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Olivier, Thomas Custer
  • Combined exhaust gas aftertreatment/air cleaner dust and ejector unit
    Patent number: 8277548
    Abstract: A combined exhaust gas aftertreatment/dust ejector unit (10) is provided for use with a combustion process (14) and an air cleaner (16) of the combustion process (14). The unit (10) includes an elongate housing (30) containing an exhaust gas aftertreatment device (40) and having a radial exhaust gas outlet (34) to direct an exhaust gas flow (12) radially from the housing (30), and a dust ejector (60) including an ejector outlet (62) positioned in the exhaust gas outlet (34). The exhaust gas outlet (34) and the ejector outlet (62) have elliptical shaped cross sections (68,70), with the ejector outlet cross section (70) spaced inwardly from the exhaust gas outlet (34) to define a reduced flow area (72) for the exhaust gas flow (12) to accelerate the exhaust gas flow (12) past the ejector outlet (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kleinfeld, Isidro Hernandez, Shi Zheng, Rick Veneziano
  • Tail pipe exhaust cooling device
    Patent number: 8272210
    Abstract: An exhaust cooling device (10) is provided for an exhaust pipe (12) of a combustion process. The cooling device (10) includes a tubular housing (20) having an upstream portion (16) and a downstream portion (18), with the upstream portion (16) having a necked-down section (24) tapered in an upstream direction, and a plurality of openings (30) formed in the necked-down section (24) to allow an ambient air flow from an exterior of the tubular housing (20) to an interior of the tubular housing (20). The cooling device (10) further includes a nozzle element (22) fixed in the necked-down section (24) to direct an exhaust gas flow into the tubular housing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Keller
  • SHOCK ABSORBER HAVING A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE WITH BASE LINE VALVING
    Publication number: 20120228072
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
  • Shock absorber having a continuously variable valve with base line valving
    Patent number: 8256586
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou