Patents by Inventor Dean A. Opperman

Dean A. Opperman 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: 10632842
    Abstract: A 6×2 tandem axle drive has an auxiliary 6×4 drive that is automatically engaged and disengaged. A forward rear drive axle has an input shaft with a clutch selectively driving a simple transfer shaft. A rearward rear drive axle is driven by an inter-axle transfer drive shaft that receives power from the simple transfer shaft. At least one wheel disconnect clutch is operable to selectively connect and disconnect at least one wheel of the rearward rear drive axle from the differential of the axle. A control module is configured to selectively place the vehicle in 6×2 mode by disengaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and disengaging the wheel disconnect clutch, and in a 6×4 mode by engaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and engaging the wheel disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Grzegorz Siuchta, Dean Opperman
  • Publication number: 20190232783
    Abstract: A 6×2 tandem axle drive has an auxiliary 6×4 drive that is automatically engaged and disengaged. A forward rear drive axle has an input shaft with a clutch selectively driving a simple transfer shaft. A rearward rear drive axle is driven by an inter-axle transfer drive shaft that receives power from the simple transfer shaft. At least one wheel disconnect clutch is operable to selectively connect and disconnect at least one wheel of the rearward rear drive axle from the differential of the axle. A control module is configured to selectively place the vehicle in 6×2 mode by disengaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and disengaging the wheel disconnect clutch, and in a 6×4 mode by engaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and engaging the wheel disconnect clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Grzegorz Siuchta, Dean Opperman
  • Patent number: 10166841
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system has a control strategy which controls temperature of an evaporator in a refrigeration circuit to achieve a target temperature/relative humidity within a comfort zone which is defined by upper and lower temperature boundaries and upper and lower relative humidity boundaries. Several system embodiments are disclosed, including an all-electric system. All systems operate with improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald L. Larson, Dean A. Opperman
  • Publication number: 20170096048
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system has a control strategy which controls temperature of an evaporator in a refrigeration circuit to achieve a target temperature/relative humidity within a comfort zone which is defined by upper and lower temperature boundaries and upper and lower relative humidity boundaries. Several system embodiments are disclosed, including an all-electric system. All systems operate with improved efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald L. Larson, Dean A. Opperman