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).
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Patent number: 11872851Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
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Patent number: 11541702Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
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Publication number: 20220176753Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth KONA, Christopher P. LEWARK
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Patent number: 11298987Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
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Patent number: 11198335Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders, Douglas D. Turner
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Patent number: 11034194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Shad J. Falls, William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders
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Publication number: 20200324585Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth KONA, Christopher P. LEWARK
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Publication number: 20200247195Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
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Patent number: 10562357Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Douglas C. Burke, William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark
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Patent number: 10556469Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark, Douglas C. Burke
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Patent number: 10442260Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Douglas C. Burke, Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders
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Patent number: 10358011Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Christopher D. Blessing, Christopher P. Lewark, Jason M. Sidders
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Publication number: 20170080760Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark, Douglas C. Burke
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Publication number: 20160361957Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Douglas C. Burke, William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark