Patents by Inventor Christopher P. Lewark

Christopher P. Lewark 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: 11872851
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 11541702
    Abstract: A method of determining the health of a tire on a vehicle includes determining a total number of tire inflation events that have occurred due to a loss of tire pressure. A rate in which the tire inflation events have occurred is determined based on the total number of tire inflation events over a predetermined period of time. The health of a tire is determined by comparing the rate in which tire inflation events have occurred to a threshold rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Publication number: 20220176753
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth KONA, Christopher P. LEWARK
  • Patent number: 11298987
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 11198335
    Abstract: An assembly (8) for a central tire inflation system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing defines a fluid conduit disposed through the first and second ends. The assembly also includes one or more sensors (205, 210) having a portion disposed in the fluid conduit. Further, a power source (245) is in electrical communication with the sensor. The assembly additionally includes a kinetic energy device (220) in electrical communication with the power source. The kinetic energy device may comprise a magnet (255) sliding on a guide (265). As an alternative, the kinetic energy device may comprise a turbine (275).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders, Douglas D. Turner
  • Patent number: 11034194
    Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a tire inflation system includes a sealing ring disposed on an axle housing. The sealing ring includes a conduit formed therethrough in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a hub. The hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing adjacent the sealing ring. An inner rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. An outer rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The hub conduit is in fluid communication with the sealing ring conduit via an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The bearing seal is disposed outboard of the outer rotary seal. The inner rotary seal, the outer rotary seal, and the bearing seal are each in sealing contact with the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Shad J. Falls, William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders
  • Publication number: 20200324585
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth KONA, Christopher P. LEWARK
  • Publication number: 20200247195
    Abstract: A method of determining the health of a tire on a vehicle includes determining a total number of tire inflation events that have occurred due to a loss of tire pressure. A rate in which the tire inflation events have occurred is determined based on the total number of tire inflation events over a predetermined period of time. The health of a tire is determined by comparing the rate in which tire inflation events have occurred to a threshold rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 10562357
    Abstract: An assembly for a tire inflation system including a spindle having a fluid conduit. The spindle is coupled with a rotary joint spindle, and the rotary joint spindle includes a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the spindle fluid conduit. A fluid collector ring is located about the rotary joint spindle such that the fluid collector ring may rotate. The fluid collector ring is also in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas C. Burke, William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 10556469
    Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a spindle having a passage formed therein. The wheel end assembly also includes a hub cap assembly. The hub cap assembly has an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing and outer housing are in fluid communication via an air passage. An air spindle has an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The inboard portion is disposed in the spindle and the outboard portion is disposed in the inner housing. Also, the air spindle has a fluid passage. The fluid passage is in fluid communication with the passage formed in the spindle and the air passage formed in the hub cap assembly. A rotary air seal is disposed around the air spindle. A rotary oil seal is disposed around the air spindle and is spaced apart from the rotary air seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark, Douglas C. Burke
  • Patent number: 10442260
    Abstract: A tire inflation system including a wheel rim having an aperture through the radially exterior and interior surfaces thereof. A wheel valve assembly including a mounting portion coupled with the wheel rim interior surface. The mounting portion having an opening in fluid communication with the wheel rim aperture. A cap portion coupled with the mounting portion, defining a fluid inlet and a perforation in fluid communication. A valve at least partially disposed within the cap portion, and disposed parallel with the longitudinal axis of the wheel rim. A base portion coupled with the cap portion, and at least partially surrounding the valve. A fluid outlet defined by the base portion, and in selective fluid communication with the fluid inlet via the valve. A biasing member disposed at least partially around the valve, whereby the biasing member is compressed in the wheel valve assembly closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas C. Burke, Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders
  • Patent number: 10358011
    Abstract: A dynamic weight shift suspension system for shifting the tandem axle loads on a vehicle. The system includes a first airbag connected between the drive axle of a tandem and the vehicle frame, and a second airbag connected between a tag axle of a tandem and the vehicle frame. The system also has a mechatronic control unit comprising at least one port and at least one solenoid. The mechatronic control unit is in direct fluid communication with the airbags and an air supply via fluid communication lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Blessing, Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders
  • Publication number: 20170080760
    Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a spindle having a passage formed therein. The wheel end assembly also includes a hub cap assembly. The hub cap assembly has an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing and outer housing are in fluid communication via an air passage. An air spindle has an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The inboard portion is disposed in the spindle and the outboard portion is disposed in the inner housing. Also, the air spindle has a fluid passage. The fluid passage is in fluid communication with the passage formed in the spindle and the air passage formed in the hub cap assembly. A rotary air seal is disposed around the air spindle. A rotary oil seal is disposed around the air spindle and is spaced apart from the rotary air seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark, Douglas C. Burke
  • Publication number: 20160361957
    Abstract: An assembly for a tire inflation system including a spindle having a fluid conduit. The spindle is coupled with a rotary joint spindle, and the rotary joint spindle includes a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the spindle fluid conduit. A fluid collector ring is located about the rotary joint spindle such that the fluid collector ring may rotate. The fluid collector ring is also in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle fluid conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas C. Burke, William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark