Patents by Inventor Bradon Zeitler

Bradon Zeitler 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).

  • Patent number: 12179599
    Abstract: A military vehicle including an engine coupled to the chassis for providing mechanical power to the military vehicle, a motor/generator coupled to the engine, and an energy storage system including a battery electrically coupled to the motor/generator. The military vehicle is operable in a silent mobility mode with the engine inactive and the energy storage system providing power to the motor/generator to operate the military vehicle. The motor/generator and the battery are sized such that electrical power generation through engine drive of the motor/generator is greater than the power depletion through operation of the military vehicle in the silent mobility mode. The motor/generator can charge the energy storage system while the military vehicle is driving or stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 12179598
    Abstract: A driveline including a motor/generator configured to receive power from an engine and output power to a tractive element, an accessory drive configured to receive power from the engine and output power to an accessory, and an energy storage system including a battery, the energy storage system electrically coupled to the motor/generator and the accessory drive. The driveline is operable in a charge mode with the motor/generator and the accessory drive providing electrical power to the energy storage system. The driveline is operable in a silent mobility mode with the energy storage system providing electrical power to the motor/generator and the accessory drive to operate the military vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 12130122
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes a passenger capsule including a floor and sidewalls, a door mounted to the passenger capsule, and an battery armor assembly coupled to an exterior of the passenger capsule or an exterior of the door, wherein the battery armor assembly includes a battery unit having a battery that is removably coupled to the exterior of the passenger capsule or the exterior of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Nader Nasr, Rachell Harsh, Mike J. Bolton, Bradon Zeitler, Ryan Crabtree, Micah Richmond, Jacob Leeman
  • Patent number: 12090856
    Abstract: An energy storage system for a military vehicle includes a battery housing defining a lower end and an upper end, a battery disposed within the battery housing, a bracket coupled to the battery housing at or proximate the upper end thereof, a lower support supporting the lower end of the battery housing, and an upper connector extending from the bracket. The upper connector is configured to engage a rear wall of a cab of the military vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Rachell Harsh, Shawn Naglik, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein
  • Patent number: 12083995
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and defining a rear wall, an engine mounted to the chassis, an electric machine coupled to the engine and generating electrical power when driven by the engine, an energy storage system receiving and storing electrical power from the generator, and power conversion hardware positioned between the energy storage system and the rear wall of the cab, the power conversion hardware including a DC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Nader Nasr, Rachell Harsh, Mike J. Bolton, Bradon Zeitler, Ryan Crabtree
  • Patent number: 12060053
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes a frame, axle assemblies coupled with the frame that are configured to be driven to transport the military vehicle, an internal combustion engine configured to drive the axle assemblies, an electric motor configured to drive the axle assemblies, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to operate the military vehicle according to different modes by generating control signals for the internal combustion engine and the electric motor and providing the control signals to the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The modes include an economy mode, a summon mode, an environmentally reactive control mode, a weaponry status control mode, a boost mode, an escape mode, an optimized idle control mode, a transmission control mode, a supplemental electric vehicle mode, and a convoy mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Nader Nasr, Rachell Harsh, Mike J. Bolton, Bradon Zeitler, Ryan Crabtree, John Beck
  • Patent number: 12030479
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes an engine configured to drive a front-end accessory drive and a tractive element, an energy storage system including a battery and a controller configured to control the flow of electricity to and from the energy storage system, a first motor/generator, and a second motor/generator. The first motor/generator is electrically coupled to the energy storage system and configured to selectively draw power from the energy storage system to drive the front-end accessory drive and be driven by the front-end accessory drive to generate electricity and supply electricity to the energy storage system to charge the battery. The integrated motor/generator is electrically coupled to the energy storage system and configured to selectively draw power from the energy storage system to drive the tractive element and be driven by the engine to generate electricity and supply electricity to the energy storage system to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Nader Nasr, Rachell Harsh, Mike J. Bolton, Bradon Zeitler, Ryan Crabtree
  • Patent number: 12005783
    Abstract: A front end accessory drive (FEAD) for a military vehicle. The FEAD includes a first belt, a second belt, multiple accessories, an electric motor-generator, at least one other accessory, and a sprag clutch. The accessories and the electric motor-generator are coupled with the first belt. The at least one other accessory, the first belt, and the second belt are coupled with the sprag clutch. The second belt is configured to couple with an output shaft of an engine of the military vehicle and be driven by the output shaft of the engine to drive the sprag clutch. The sprag clutch is thereby configured to drive the at least one other accessory and the first belt, and the first belt is thereby configured to drive the plurality of accessories, and the electric motor-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Mitchel Nordahl, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler
  • Patent number: 11993152
    Abstract: A driveline includes a driver configured to be positioned between an engine and a transmission. The driver includes a housing, a motor/generator, and a clutch. The housing includes an engine mount configured to couple to the engine and a backing plate configured to couple to the transmission. The motor/generator is disposed within the housing and configured to couple to an input of the transmission. The clutch is disposed within the housing and coupled to the motor/generator. The clutch is configured to selectively couple an output of the engine to the motor/generator. The clutch is configured to be spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 11987128
    Abstract: A military vehicle include a driveline. The driveline includes a first driver including an engine, an energy storage system, an accessory drive coupled to the engine, a transmission coupled to at least one of the front axle or the rear axle, and a second driver coupled to the engine and the transmission. The accessory drive includes a plurality of accessories and a first motor. The first motor is electrically coupled to the energy storage system. The first motor is positioned to facilitate selectively driving the plurality of accessories. The second driver includes a second motor electrically coupled to the energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 11981340
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes a chassis, a front end accessory drive (FEAD), and circuitry. The chassis includes an engine and an integrated motor generator (IMG). The FEAD includes multiple accessories and an electric motor-generator. The circuitry is configured to operate the military vehicle according to different modes. The circuitry is configured to receive a user input indicating a selected mode of the modes, and operate the chassis and the FEAD of the military vehicle according to the selected mode. The modes include an engine mode and an electric mode. In the engine mode, the engine drives the FEAD and the tractive elements of the military vehicle through the IMG for transportation. In the electric mode, the engine is shut off to reduce a sound output of the military vehicle and the IMG drives the tractive elements of the military vehicle for transportation and the electric motor-generator drives the FEAD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Bradon Zeitler, Jessica Szymanski, Rachell Harsh, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Mitchel Nordahl, Mikel Ullman
  • Patent number: 11958361
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes an engine, an energy storage system, an accessory drive coupled to the engine and including an air compressor and a first motor, a second motor coupled to an axle, and a clutch positioned between the engine and the second motor. The clutch is spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto based on operation of the air compressor. In an engine mode, (i) the clutch does not receive the air supply such that the engine is coupled to the second motor and (ii) the engine drives (a) the accessory drive and (b) the axle through the second motor. In the electric mode, (i) the first motor drives the air compressor to compress air to facilitate supplying the air supply to the clutch to disengage the clutch and decouple the engine from the second motor and (ii) the second motor drives the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 11890940
    Abstract: A driveline includes an engine, a transmission configured to couple to an axle of the electrified military vehicle, a tractive motor coupled to the transmission, an engine clutch positioned between the engine and the tractive motor, and an accessory drive. The accessory drive includes an accessory motor, an accessory clutch including a first portion and a second portion, an accessory coupled to the first portion, a first belt coupling the first portion to the accessory motor, and a second belt coupling the second portion to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 11865921
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes a chassis, a front axle, a rear axle, an energy storage system, an engine, a transmission, and a motor. The chassis includes a passenger capsule, a front module coupled to a front end of the passenger capsule, and a rear module coupled to a rear end of the passenger capsule. The passenger capsule defines a tunnel extending longitudinally along a bottom thereof. The front module includes a front subframe assembly. The rear module includes a rear subframe assembly. The front axle is coupled to the front subframe assembly. The rear axle is coupled to the rear subframe assembly. The engine is supported by the front subframe assembly. The transmission is positioned within the tunnel and coupled to the front axle and/or the rear axle. The motor is at least partially positioned within the tunnel and positioned between the engine and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Publication number: 20230294505
    Abstract: An energy storage system for a military vehicle includes a battery housing defining a lower end and an upper end, a battery disposed within the battery housing, a bracket coupled to the battery housing at or proximate the upper end thereof, a lower support supporting the lower end of the battery housing, and an upper connector extending from the bracket. The upper connector is configured to engage a rear wall of a cab of the military vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Rachell Harsh, Shawn Naglik, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein
  • Patent number: 11697338
    Abstract: An energy storage system for a military vehicle includes a lower support, a battery supported on the lower support, a bracket coupled to the battery, and an upper isolator mount coupled between the bracket and a wall. The upper isolator mount is configured to provide front-to-back vibration isolation of the battery relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Rachell Harsh, Shawn Naglik, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein
  • Publication number: 20230126792
    Abstract: A military vehicle including an engine coupled to the chassis for providing mechanical power to the military vehicle, a motor/generator coupled to the engine, and an energy storage system including a battery electrically coupled to the motor/generator. The military vehicle is operable in a silent mobility mode with the engine inactive and the energy storage system providing power to the motor/generator to operate the military vehicle. The motor/generator and the battery are sized such that electrical power generation through engine drive of the motor/generator is greater than the power depletion through operation of the military vehicle in the silent mobility mode. The motor/generator can charge the energy storage system while the military vehicle is driving or stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 11607946
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes a cab having a rear wall, a bed positioned behind the cab, and an energy storage system. The energy storage system includes a lower support coupled to the bed, a battery supported by the lower support, a bracket coupled to the batter, and an isolator mount coupling the bracket to the rear wall. The isolator mount is configured to provide front-to-back vibration isolation of the battery relative to the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
  • Patent number: 11608050
    Abstract: A control system for operating a military vehicle according to different modes includes processing circuitry that receives a user input indicating a selected mode of the different modes, and operates a driveline and a front end accessory drive (FEAD) of the military vehicle according to the selected mode. The driveline of the military vehicle includes an engine and an integrated motor generator (IMG) and the FEAD includes multiple accessories and an electric motor-generator. The modes include an engine mode and an electric mode. In the engine mode, the engine drives the FEAD and drives tractive elements of the military vehicle through the IMG for transportation. In the electric mode, the engine is shut off to reduce a sound output of the military vehicle and the IMG drives the tractive elements of the military vehicle for transportation and the electric motor-generator drives the FEAD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Rachell Harsh, Mitchel Nordahl, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein
  • Patent number: 11597399
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes a chassis, a front end accessory drive (FEAD), and circuitry. The chassis includes an engine and an integrated motor generator (IMG). The FEAD includes multiple accessories and an electric motor-generator. The circuitry is configured to operate the military vehicle according to different modes. The circuitry is configured to receive a user input indicating a selected mode of the modes, and operate the chassis and the FEAD of the military vehicle according to the selected mode. The modes include an engine mode and an electric mode. In the engine mode, the engine drives the FEAD and the tractive elements of the military vehicle through the IMG for transportation. In the electric mode, the engine is shut off to reduce a sound output of the military vehicle and the IMG drives the tractive elements of the military vehicle for transportation and the electric motor-generator drives the FEAD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Rachell Harsh, Mitchel Nordahl, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein