Patents by Inventor David R. Blankenship

David R. Blankenship 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: 10000104
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a damper system for a vehicle. The damper system may have an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber including a rod guide assembly, a pressure tube, a reserve tube and an electromechanical valve. The electromechanical valve may be disposed in a valve cavity within the shock absorber. An integrated electronic system may be included which has a power drive electronics. The power drive electronics is electrically coupled to the electromechanical valve. The integrated electronic system is disposed along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pressure tube, and at a location radially outwardly of the pressure tube adjacent the rod guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Scott S. Dunaway, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Matthew L. Roessle, Matthew R. Schelosky
  • Publication number: 20180141401
    Abstract: A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Scott S. DUNAWAY, David R. BLANKENSHIP, Karl C. KAZMIRSKI, Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN, Jeffrey T. GARDNER
  • Patent number: 9925842
    Abstract: A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. Dunaway, David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9884533
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle comprises an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber and a damper control module. The damper control module is disposed with and coupled to with the shock absorber. The damper control module determines a target damping state of the shock absorber based on data received from a plurality of sensors. Furthermore, the damper control module controls the shock absorber, such that the shock absorber operates at the target damping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Blankenship, Scott S. Dunaway, Karl C. Kazmirski, Mayur Rathan
  • Publication number: 20160332499
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a damper system for a vehicle. The damper system may have an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber including a rod guide assembly, a pressure tube, a reserve tube and an electromechanical valve. The electromechanical valve may be disposed in a valve cavity within the shock absorber. An integrated electronic system may be included which has a power drive electronics. The power drive electronics is electrically coupled to the electromechanical valve. The integrated electronic system is disposed along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pressure tube, and at a location radially outwardly of the pressure tube adjacent the rod guide assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: David R. BLANKENSHIP, Karl C. KAZMIRSKI, Scott S. DUNAWAY, Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN, Matthew L. ROESSLE, Matthew R. SCHELOSKY
  • Patent number: 9404551
    Abstract: A shock absorber may include a piston rod, a first rod guide member, a second rod guide member, and an electronically controlled valve assembly. The first rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod, and the second rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and is adjacent the first rod guide member. The electronically controlled valve assembly may include a coil assembly and a valve guide assembly. The valve guide assembly may be disposed adjacent to the coil assembly and may be concentrically disposed about the second rod guide member. The valve guide assembly includes a spool and defines a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a chamber. The spool is disposed within the chamber and controls the flow of fluid between the valve inlet and the valve outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Scott S. Dunaway, David R. Blankenship, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9399383
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle comprises an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber and a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly includes power drive electronics, and is electrically coupled to the shock absorber. The printed circuit board assembly is disposed with the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Scott S. Dunaway, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Matthew L. Roessle, Matthew R. Schelosky
  • Publication number: 20160082803
    Abstract: A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Scott S. DUNAWAY, David R. BLANKENSHIP, Karl C. KAZMIRSKI, Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN, Jeffrey T. GARDNER
  • Patent number: 9217483
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. Dunaway, David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9163691
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a housing with a piston rod assembly disposed therein. A first rod guide member is secured within a first portion of the housing so as to be concentrically disposed about at least a portion of the piston rod assembly. A second rod guide member is secured within the housing adjacent the first rod guide member so as to be concentrically disposed about at least another portion of the piston rod assembly. An electronically controlled valve assembly is disposed within the second rod guide member and is in communication with the first rod guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Karl C. Kazmirski, Thomas P. Mallin, John McGahey, Timothy Bombrys, David R. Blankenship, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen
  • Publication number: 20140262648
    Abstract: A shock absorber may include a piston rod, a first rod guide member, a second rod guide member, and an electronically controlled valve assembly. The first rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod, and the second rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and is adjacent the first rod guide member. The electronically controlled valve assembly may include a coil assembly and a valve guide assembly. The valve guide assembly may be disposed adjacent to the coil assembly and may be concentrically disposed about the second rod guide member. The valve guide assembly includes a spool and defines a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a chamber. The spool is disposed within the chamber and controls the flow of fluid between the valve inlet and the valve outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. ROESSLE, Scott S. DUNAWAY, David R. BLANKENSHIP, Jeffrey T. GARDNER
  • Publication number: 20140262652
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a housing with a piston rod assembly disposed therein. A first rod guide member is secured within a first portion of the housing so as to be concentrically disposed about at least a portion of the piston rod assembly. A second rod guide member is secured within the housing adjacent the first rod guide member so as to be concentrically disposed about at least another portion of the piston rod assembly. An electronically controlled valve assembly is disposed within the second rod guide member and is in communication with the first rod guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Matthew L. ROESSLE, Karl C. KAZMIRSKI, Thomas P. MALLIN, John MCGAHEY, Timothy BOMBRYS, David R. BLANKENSHIP, Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN
  • Publication number: 20140239602
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle comprises an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber and a damper control module. The damper control module is disposed with and coupled to with the shock absorber. The damper control module determines a target damping state of the shock absorber based on data received from a plurality of sensors. Furthermore, the damper control module controls the shock absorber, such that the shock absorber operates at the target damping state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David R. BLANKENSHIP, Scott S. DUNAWAY, Karl C. KAZMIRSKI, Mayur RATHAN
  • Publication number: 20140244112
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. DUNAWAY, David R. BLANKENSHIP, Karl C. KAZMIRSKI, Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN, Jeffrey T. GARDNER
  • Publication number: 20140238797
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle comprises an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber and a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly includes power drive electronics, and is electrically coupled to the shock absorber. The printed circuit board assembly is disposed with the shock absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David R. BLANKENSHIP, Karl C. KAZMIRSKI, Scott S. DUNAWAY, Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN, Matthew L. ROESSLE, Matthew R. SCHELOSKY
  • Patent number: 4890858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling shock absorbers as disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first valve member disposed within the pressure chamber of the shock absorber for establishing a first plurality of flow passages. The apparatus further comprises a second valve member also disposed within the pressure cylinder of the shock absorber for establishing a second plurality of flow passages. In additon, the apparatus comprises an actuator for providing an accelerating and decelerating force to the second valve member. Control means for controlling the displacement of the second valve member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Monroe Auto Equipment Company
    Inventor: David R. Blankenship