Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Knaack

Christopher M. Knaack 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: 7577509
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle braking system, for delivering pressurized air to a brake chamber to achieve a desired braking response, includes an air-pressure controlled relay valve for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber. A solenoid receives a variable control input pressure and delivers the control input pressure to the relay valve as a function of a state of the solenoid. An ECU controls the solenoid according to a control model for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber and achieving the desired braking response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Hermann J. Goebels, Christopher M. Knaack
  • Publication number: 20080288151
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle braking system, for delivering pressurized air to a brake chamber to achieve a desired braking response, includes an air-pressure controlled relay valve for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber. A solenoid receives a variable control input pressure and delivers the control input pressure to the relay valve as a function of a state of the solenoid. An ECU controls the solenoid according to a control model for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber and achieving the desired braking response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Hermann J. Goebels, Christopher M. Knaack
  • Patent number: 7415341
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle braking system, for delivering pressurized air to a brake chamber to achieve a desired braking response, includes an air-pressure controlled relay valve for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber. A solenoid receives a variable control input pressure and delivers the control input pressure to the relay valve as a function of a state of the solenoid. An ECU controls the solenoid according to a control model for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber and achieving the desired braking response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Hermann J. Goebels, Christopher M. Knaack
  • Publication number: 20080061928
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising a control member for a valve for controlling a vehicle brake function, and an electrically operable lockout for the control member. An electronic reader associated with the lockout is operable in response to communication with a personal data device to control operation of the lockout. The reader may be used to effect credential verification of a vehicle driver and enable other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Mark A. Bennett, Christopher M. Knaack, Parker Mosman
  • Patent number: 7020551
    Abstract: A roll stability control system for a pneumatically operated vehicle brake system is implemented using simpler ABS hardware rather than more complex EBS hardware. For each brake chamber or channel, two 3/2 solenoid controlled valves are used. An ECU is operative to control the solenoids. The ECU is preferably operative to provide a selected delivery pressure to the brake chamber without measurement of delivery pressure to the brake chamber. Supply air is provided at a known pressure to a first solenoid controlled valve that is associated with the brake chamber; the amount of time of energization and de-energization of the first valve that is needed to provide an output therefrom of a given pressure, is calculated; and the first valve is energized and de-energized for the calculated times, thereby to cause a low-pressure test pulse to be provided to the brake chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Hermann J. Goebels, Richard E. Beyer, Christopher M. Knaack, William P. Amato