Patents Assigned to Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
  • SUPPORT WASHER FOR SHOCK ABSORBER VALVE WITH BLOW-OFF TUNABILITY
    Publication number: 20120199430
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a valve body defining a fluid passage. A valve disc engages the valve body to close the fluid passage. A fulcrum disc engages the valve disc at a first position and a second position radially outward from the first position. The fulcrum disc is designed such that the second position is closer to the valve body. In one embodiment, the fulcrum disc is concave with respect to the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventor: John Patrick McGahey
  • DAMPER TUBE REINFORCEMENT SLEEVE
    Publication number: 20120181127
    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 and the area that is directly above the knuckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Keil, Ben Schaller, Christopher Conrad, Laxman Subramaniam, Michal Nowak
  • DAMPER TUBE REINFORCEMENT SLEEVE
    Publication number: 20120181766
    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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Keil, Ben Schaller, Christopher Conrad, Laxman Subramaniam
  • Snap-action valve for exhaust system
    Patent number: 8215103
    Abstract: A passive, exhaust pressure actuated valve assembly for placement inside a tubular exhaust conduit is pivotally mounted to an off-center axle for rotation between fully closed and fully opened positions. A bias element forces the valve flap toward the fully closed position. The valve flap is shaped in a manner enabling use of the interior surface of the exhaust conduit to define stops at the full closed and full opened positions. The valve flap shape, in conjunction with the bias element arrangement, enables the flap to lie substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit in the fully opened position, which provides for minimum back pressure in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Hill
  • Electronically controlled frequency dependent damping
    Patent number: 8210330
    Abstract: A gas damper includes a gas pressurized working chamber and valving within the piston to control flow of the gas through the piston. A system is in communication with the working chamber to control the gas pressure within the working chamber in order to control the damping characteristics of the damper. An electronic control unit is utilized to control the opening and closing of the valving within the piston to also control the damping characteristics of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Bart Vandewal
  • METHOD OF INSTALLING A MULTI-LAYER BATT, BLANKET OR MAT IN AN EXHAUST GAS AFTERTREATMENT OR ACOUSTIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20120144652
    Abstract: A method is provided for installing a multi-layer mat (24) in an exhaust gas aftertreatment or acoustic device. The method includes the steps of wrapping the mat (24) around an inner surface of the device along the same plane for at least a complete wrap around the inner surface; subsequently wrapping the mat (24) around the already completed wrap such that each of the successive wraps of the mat (24) are offset a constant distance from the plane of the previous wrap; a final wrap of the mat (24) wherein the mat is wrapped along a final plane for at least a complete wrap around the catalyst; and installing the mat (24) in the device (18) after the wrapping steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Myers
  • Strut assembly having multi-piece spring seat
    Patent number: 8196941
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes a top mount assembly, a shock absorber, a multi-piece lower spring seat and a spring extending between the top mount assembly and the multi-piece lower spring seat. The multi-piece lower spring seat includes a spring seat belt holding the spring and a plurality of seating supports that are attached to the shock absorber and which support the spring seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Michal Nowak
  • Positioning feature and method for precise vehicle heights
    Patent number: 8196942
    Abstract: A corner assembly includes a suspension module and a wheel assembly. In order to compensate for tolerance stack up in relation to a specified height of the corner assembly, the attachment between a damper of the suspension module and a knuckle of the wheel assembly is adjusted. The amount of adjustment is determined by measuring the assembled length of the suspension module, comparing the measured length to a standard length and determining an amount of adjustment necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John Heeren, Herman Sanen, Maarten Maes
  • Snap action valve with bumper pad
    Patent number: 8191572
    Abstract: A rotary valve plate adapted for housing within a conduit employs a vibration absorbing bumper pad coupled to the valve plate at a surface thereof adapted to contact an inner surface of the conduit whenever the valve plate is rotated to a closed position. The bumper pad minimizes vibratory noise and improves the durability of the valve plate over extended periods of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Lefler, William E. Hill, Jordan Sahs
  • Exhaust gas additive/treatment system and mixer for use therein
    Patent number: 8141353
    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 a first wall structure (20), and a second wall structure (22) carrying a set of mixer vanes (30), the second wall structure (22) being cone shaped and extending radially outwardly from the first wall structure (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Guanyu Zheng, Yongyue Zhang, Jeremy D. Popovich, Dervis A. Yetken, Adam J. Kotrba
  • Dual injector system for diesel emissions control
    Patent number: 8109077
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for injecting fluid, such as an aqueous urea solution, into an exhaust stream in order to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from diesel engine exhaust. More particularly, the present invention provides a dual-injector system for diesel emissions control and corresponding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Reba, Gregory John Baccari, Thomas V. Eldredge, James M. Valentine
  • Disc spring intake
    Patent number: 8083039
    Abstract: A disc valve assembly for a shock absorber opens due to axial movement of a valve disc. The valve disc is biased against a valve body by a valve spring. The valve spring is designed to provide a circumferentially asymmetrical load biasing the valve disc against the valve body. The disc valve assembly can be used as a piston rebound valve assembly, a piston compression valve assembly, a base valve compression valve assembly or a base valve rebound valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronny Vanbrabant
  • Junction bleed
    Patent number: 8069964
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston which has at least one compression fluid passage and at least one rebound fluid passage. A compression valve assembly closes the at least one compression passage and a rebound valve assembly closes the at least one rebound passage. An interconnecting passage connects the at least one compression fluid passage and the at least one rebound fluid passage to define an open flow path through the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • TWO STAGE VALVE AND HYDRAULIC DAMPED VALVE
    Publication number: 20110290604
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a two stage valve assembly that has two valve discs. The second valve disc defines the first stage at lower valve pressures and the first valve disc defines the second stage at higher valve pressures. The two valve discs can be defined by a single piece component or they can be separate components. The second valve disc can permit fluid flow by deflection of the second valve disc or by movement of the entire second valve disc. The two stage valve assembly can be incorporated into the piston assembly of the shock absorber and/or the two stage valve assembly can be incorporated into a base valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Kristoff Six, M'Hand Nait Oukhedou, Ronny Vanbrabant, Frank Gommans
  • STRUT ASSEMBLY HAVING MULTI-PIECE SPRING SEAT
    Publication number: 20110266765
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes a top mount assembly, a shock absorber, a multi-piece lower spring seat and a spring extending between the top mount assembly and the multi-piece lower spring seat. The multi-piece lower spring seat includes a spring seat belt holding the spring and a plurality of seating supports that are attached to the shock absorber and which support the spring seat belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Michal Nowak
  • DOUBLE PATH MOUNT FOR CAB SUSPENSION WITH TILTING FUNCTION
    Publication number: 20110266727
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Luc Knevels
  • Method and apparatus for injecting atomized fluids
    Patent number: 8047452
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for injecting reagent, such as an aqueous urea solution, into an exhaust stream in order to reduce emissions from an engine exhaust. The present teachings can use a whirl plate having a plurality of whirl slots surrounding an exit orifice of an injector, which produce a high velocity rotating flow in the whirl chamber. When the rotating flow of reagent is passed through the exit orifice into an exhaust stream, atomization occurs from a combination of centrifugal force and shearing of the reagent by air as it jets into the exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Martin, Stephen M. Thomas, Alison A. Chambers, Theodore J. Tarabulski, P. Robert Santangeli, R. Gifford Broderick
  • POSITIONING FEATURE AND METHOD FOR PRECISE VEHICLE HEIGHTS
    Publication number: 20110248459
    Abstract: A corner assembly includes a suspension module and a wheel assembly. In order to compensate for tolerance stack up in relation to a specified height of the corner assembly, the attachment between a damper of the suspension module and a knuckle of the wheel assembly is adjusted. The amount of adjustment is determined by measuring the assembled length of the suspension module, comparing the measured length to a standard length and determining an amount of adjustment necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: John Heeren, Herman Sanen, Maarten Maes
  • Positioning feature and method for precise vehicle heights
    Patent number: 7988166
    Abstract: A corner assembly includes a suspension module and a wheel assembly. In order to compensate for tolerance stack up in relation to a specified height of the corner assembly, the attachment between a damper of the suspension module and a knuckle of the wheel assembly is adjusted. The amount of adjustment is determined by measuring the assembled length of the suspension module, comparing the measured length to a standard length and determining an amount of adjustment necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John Heeren, Herman Sanen, Maarten Maes
  • Woven metal fiber particulate filter
    Patent number: 7980068
    Abstract: A passive particulate filter assembly for filtering exhaust. The assembly includes a housing unit defining a filtering chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port. A cylindrical inner core member is disposed in the filtering chamber and is surrounded by a pleated cylindrical filter pack having first and second opposite ends. An end cap couples with the first end of the filter pack and is configured to prevent exhaust flow there through. An end plate is coupled to the second end of the filter pack and is configured to secure the filter pack to the housing unit. The filter pack comprises a woven metal fiber medium preferably manufactured from stainless steel or a nickel-chromium-iron alloy having a porosity of between about 2 to about 15 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Fabrizio C Rinaldi