Patents by Inventor Ben Schaller

Ben Schaller 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).

  • Low noise valve assembly
    Patent number: 9169890
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Groves, Ben Schaller, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Andrew M. Jacobson, John P. McGahey
  • Jounce bumper nose retaining feature for a shock absorber
    Patent number: 9004470
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an elastomeric jounce bumper which engages a jounce bumper cap during relatively large compression movements of the shock absorber. The jounce bumper cap includes a jounce bumper nose retaining feature which engages the nose of the jounce bumper during the compression movements. The jounce bumper nose retaining feature restricts sliding movement of the elastomeric jounce bumper with respect to the jounce bumper cap to eliminate noises associated with the relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Fleniken, Christopher Conrad, Ben Schaller
  • Nested check high speed valve
    Patent number: 8714320
    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: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    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
  • Nested check high speed valve
    Patent number: 8668061
    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: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    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
  • Nested check high speed valve
    Patent number: 8590678
    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: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    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
  • Nested check high speed valve
    Patent number: 8511446
    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: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    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
  • Damper tube reinforcement sleeve
    Patent number: 8434772
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Keil, Ben Schaller, Christopher Conrad, Laxman Subramaniam, Michal Nowak
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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
    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
    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
  • 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
  • NESTED CHECK HIGH SPEED VALVE
    Publication number: 20090301831
    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: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    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