Patents Assigned to Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10704641
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube forming a working chamber. A reserve tube is concentric with and radially outward from the pressure tube. A baffle is positioned radially outward from the pressure tube. A reservoir chamber is formed between the reserve tube and the baffle. A piston is attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A rod guide is attached to the pressure tube and supports the piston rod. An electromechanical valve is positioned within the rod guide. A plurality of non-linear passageways are disposed between the baffle and at least one of the pressure tube and the reserve tube for transporting fluid between the electromechanical valve and the reservoir chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Michael Golin
  • Patent number: 10690215
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes an outer tube, a piston rod, and a piston assembly that is mounted to the piston rod and separates the outer tube into first and second working chambers. A valve assembly, mounted to the piston assembly, controls fluid flow between the first and second working chambers. A magnetic rotor is fixed to and extends annularly about the outer tube. A stator assembly is coupled to the piston rod by a spherical bearing assembly. The stator assembly includes a plurality of coils that apply an active damping force to the piston rod when energized. The coils can also generate electricity from axial movements of the piston rod relative to the outer tube. One or more glide bearings are disposed radially between the coils and the magnetic rotor in a sliding fit to stabilize the stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Monzer Al Sakka, Miguel Dhaens, Christophe Lauwerys, Thibault Le Polain
  • Patent number: 10683786
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes a first injector body defining a first end and a second end. The first injector body further includes an outlet opening disposed proximal to the second end. The injector further includes a valve assembly at least partly enclosed by the first injector body. The valve assembly is configured to selectively dispense the reagent through the outlet opening of the first injector body. The injector further includes a cover member coupled to the first injector body and adapted to at least partially cover the second end of the first injector body. The cover member includes an integral flange portion for mounting the injector on a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit P. Upadhye, Alan Brockman
  • Patent number: 10661785
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis control system may include a target calculation module, brake control module, suspension control module, and tire pressure control module. The target calculation module calculates a target brake torque, a target vertical force, and a target tire pressure associated with the wheel of a vehicle. The brake control module adjusts brake torque applied to the wheel based on a comparison of the target brake torque and an estimated current brake torque. The suspension control module adjusts vertical force applied to the wheel based on a comparison of the target vertical force and an estimated current vertical force. The tire pressure control module adjusts tire pressure in the wheel based on a comparison of the target tire pressure and a measured tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Dhaens, Dzmitry Savitski, Valentin Ivanov, Klaus Augsburg
  • Patent number: 10663027
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes including a pressure tube, a piston rod, and a piston assembly that is mounted to the piston rod and separates the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. A valve assembly, mounted to the piston assembly, controls fluid flow between the first and second working chambers. A frequency dependent damper assembly, coupled to the piston rod at a position below the piston assembly, includes a plunger sleeve that is longitudinally moveable to transmit an adaptive force to a valve assembly. A plunger travel limiter, positioned longitudinally between the frequency dependent damper assembly and the valve assembly, contacts the plunger sleeve and prevents the plunger sleeve from moving further towards the piston assembly to limit the magnitude of the adaptive force applied to the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Patel, Koenraad Reybrouck, Justin Hendrix
  • Patent number: 10655523
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes a first injector body and a second injector body. The first injector body includes an outlet opening. The second injector body includes a reagent tube. The second injector body is movable relative to the first injector body. The injector further includes a valve assembly at least partly enclosed by the first injector body. The valve assembly is configured to selectively dispense the reagent through the outlet opening of the first injector body. The injector further includes a spring member positioned between the first injector body and the second injector body. The spring member is pre-loaded to bias the second injector body towards the first injector body. The spring member is further configured to limit a maximum movement of the second injector body relative to the first injector body in response to expansion of the reagent during freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit P Upadhye, Alan Brockman, Olaf Enke, Mark Devito
  • Patent number: 10648385
    Abstract: A DEF injector is configured to inject DEF into an exhaust system of a vehicle. A DEF pump includes an electric motor configured to drive a compression mechanism and pumps the DEF to the DEF injector. A pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure of the DEF output from the DEF pump. A sampling module is configured to, based on a rotational position of an output shaft of the electric motor, selectively output samples of the pressure. A measurement module is configured to determine a measured pressure at the pressure sensor based on a present one of the samples and a last one of the samples output before the present one of the samples. A pump control module is configured to apply power from a power source to the electric motor based on a difference between the measured pressure and a target pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Perry Paielli
  • Patent number: 10641153
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system that is configured to treat an exhaust produced by an engine, and includes a bypass passage including an inlet for receiving an amount of the exhaust from an exhaust passage. A first exhaust treatment component is located within the bypass passage, and a valve is located proximate the bypass passage that is configured to control the amount of the exhaust that enters the inlet of the bypass passage. A second exhaust treatment component is located in the exhaust passage downstream from the inlet of the bypass passage, wherein an outlet of the bypass passage communicates the exhaust treated by the first exhaust treatment component back to the exhaust passage at a location that is downstream from the second exhaust treatment component such that the exhaust treated by the first exhaust treatment component does not interact with the second exhaust treatment component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Harris
  • Patent number: 10618002
    Abstract: A system for treating ambient air is provided. The system includes a flow control structure disposed on a vehicle. The flow control structure is adapted to control flow of ambient air received during movement of the vehicle. The system further includes an actuator operatively coupled to the flow control structure. The actuator is adapted to movably adjust the flow control structure. The system further includes a controller disposed on the vehicle and communicably coupled to the actuator. The controller is configured to control the actuator based on at least a quality of ambient air. The system further includes an air treatment component for selectively receiving ambient air from the flow control structure. The air treatment component is adapted to treat at least one pollutant present in ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Fingland, Michael C. Bradford
  • Patent number: 10596898
    Abstract: An exhaust assembly includes first and second exhaust devices, and first, second, and third mufflers that are disposed at first, second, third, fourth, and fifth heights, respectively. The first and second heights are greater than the third, fourth, and fifth heights. The first muffler includes a first housing, first and second inlets, and first and second outlets. The first inlet receives exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices. The second inlet receives exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices. The first and second inlets and first and second outlets all fluidly connected. The second muffler includes a second housing, a third inlet that receives exhaust gas from the first outlet, and a third outlet. The third muffler includes a third housing, a fourth inlet that receives exhaust gas from the second outlet, and a fourth outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Herwat, Keith Bartu, Gabriel Ostromecki
  • Patent number: 10598059
    Abstract: A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. The valve assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit that is partially received in the first conduit. A valve flap is disposed within the first conduit for controlling exhaust flow. A shaft supports the valve flap in the first conduit for rotation between open and closed positions. The first conduit has first and second slots, each extending from an open slot end to a closed slot end. First and second bushings supporting the shaft are disposed within the slots between the second conduit and the closed slot ends. A pad made of wire mesh is attached to the valve flap. The pad includes an end portion that contacts the first conduit in the closed position to dampen vibration and reduce valve flap flutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Geer, Erwin Peters, Stephen M. Thomas, William E. Hill
  • Patent number: 10589591
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes a damper and actuator. The damper extends longitudinally along a damper axis between first and second damper ends. The actuator is separate and spaced apart from the damper. The actuator extends longitudinally along an actuator axis between first and second actuator ends. The damper and the actuator are arranged next to one another where the actuator axis is spaced from and substantially parallel to the damper axis. The damper and the actuator are positioned within a cylindrical packaging envelope that has a diameter of 300 millimeters or less. The cylindrical packaging envelope is an imaginary cylinder, which may be defined by one or more components of a vehicle's suspension system such as a coil spring or an upper suspension arm. The damper and the actuator are completely contained within the cylindrical packaging envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Monzer Al Sakka, Miguel Dhaens, Christophe Lauwerys
  • Patent number: 10590823
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes a pump configured to circulate a reagent, an injector configured to deliver the reagent into an exhaust stream, a sensor configured to (i) measure an operating parameter of the aftertreatment system and (ii) output a signal that indicates a value of the measured operating parameter, and a control module configured to control the injector based on the signal outputted by the sensor. The control module includes a correction coefficient determination module configured to generate a correction coefficient based on the signal outputted by the sensor. The control module further includes an injector control module configured to receive an injector flow control signal, determine a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on at least the injector flow control signal, and generate an injector control signal that controls actuation of the injector based on at least the correction coefficient and the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Perry Paielli
  • Patent number: 10588233
    Abstract: An electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber includes a piston positioned within a tube that divides a fluid chamber into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. A piston rod is attached to the piston and projects. An electronically-controlled valve is positioned within a rod guide. A circuit board is in communication with the electronically-controlled valve. A carrier includes an inner wall and an outer wall interconnected by a bottom wall thereby defining a pocket. A circuit board is positioned within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. Dunaway, Matthew L. Roessle, Robert C. Harris, Michael J. Lepkowski, Corey L. Stewart, Michael S. Weaver, Gary Butzke
  • Patent number: 10584626
    Abstract: A muffler assembly includes first, second, and third mufflers. The first muffler includes a first housing and an X-pipe that is at least partially disposed within the first housing. The X-pipe has first and second inlets and first and second outlets that are all fluidly connected to one another. The first and second inlets receive exhaust gas from the engine. The second muffler includes a second housing and a first Y-pipe that is at least partially disposed therein. The first Y-pipe has a third inlet that receives exhaust gas from the first outlet, and third and fourth outlets. The third muffler includes a third housing and a second Y-pipe that is at least partially disposed therein. The second Y-pipe has a fourth inlet that receives exhaust gas from the second outlet, and fifth and sixth outlets. The first, second, and third housings are spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Herwat, Keith Bartu, Gabriel Ostromecki
  • Patent number: 10577018
    Abstract: A stabilizer comprises a damper having a housing and a piston rod. An inner adapter is associated with the damper for securing a first end of the damper to one of a first component or a second component. An outer adapter assembly is coupled to a distal end of the piston rod for coupling to the other of the first and second component. A one-piece spring seat is coupled to the housing of the damper so as to be held axially stationary relative to the housing. A coil spring is supported by the one-piece spring seat and the outer adapter assembly. The one-piece spring seat enables the coil spring to return the stabilizer to a neutral position regardless of whether the coil spring is under tension or compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Katie Urbanski, Anthony J. Morr, Michael Golin
  • Patent number: 10569613
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method for determining whether a vehicle suspension system has degraded by positioning the electronic device in a vehicle includes activating a camera to initiate data capture within the electronic device. The camera is positioned to capture a change in a field of view during vehicle operation. The method includes calculating a vehicle suspension operating characteristic based on information captured by the camera and determining whether the calculated vehicle suspension operating characteristic exceeds a threshold. A signal indicative of suspension degradation is output when the threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Hadi, Michael Golin
  • Patent number: 10570983
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes a pressure tube and a piston assembly separating the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. A frequency dependent damper assembly, coupled to a piston rod at a position below the piston assembly, includes a plunger sleeve that is longitudinally moveable to transmit an adaptive force to a first valve assembly mounted to the piston assembly. The frequency dependent damper assembly includes first and second accumulation chambers that are separated by a floating piston. A second valve assembly, carried on the floating piston, controls fluid flow between the second accumulation chamber and the second working chamber. A bleed channel in the floating piston allows fluid flow between the first and second accumulation chambers, which reduces the adaptive force the plunger sleeve applies to the first valve assembly during high frequency, low velocity rebound inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Patel, Koenraad Reybrouck, Justin Hendrix
  • Patent number: 10561989
    Abstract: A system includes an engine and an exhaust conduit in communication with the engine. A water separation device has exhaust gas passageways in communication with the exhaust conduit. The water separation device has a substrate and a membrane on the substrate. The substrate has inner walls surrounding the exhaust gas passageways with at least one of the inner walls being common to at least two of the exhaust gas passageways. The membrane is between the exhaust gas passageways and the substrate and has capillary condensation pores extending from the exhaust gas passageways to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Bradford, Melanie Moses DeBusk, Brian L. Bischoff
  • Patent number: 10539203
    Abstract: A replacement indicator for a shock absorber includes a pressure sensor which monitors pressure of operating fluid inside the shock absorber. The replacement indicator includes an indicative mechanism operatively coupled with the pressure sensor. The indicative mechanism includes an indicator component coupled to the shock absorber. The indicator component gets displaced relative to an outer surface of the shock absorber when the pressure of the operating fluid drops below a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kunkel