Patents by Inventor Dirk G. Westendorf

Dirk G. Westendorf 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).

  • Publication number: 20190210421
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing energy consumption by an active suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system and method includes determining whether the vehicle is in park or neutral and determining the speed of the vehicle. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the speed is greater than a predetermined speed. A throttle angle is determined if the speed is less than a predetermined speed. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle and to a power saving mode if the throttle angle is less than a predetermined angle for more than a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Dirk G. WESTENDORF, Jason A. SOVERN, Seth A. RITCHIE, Takumi MAKABE
  • Patent number: 10232677
    Abstract: System and method for operating an active suspension system of a vehicle includes actuating a switch on the vehicle, setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a demonstration mode, setting a timer when the active suspension system is set to the demonstration mode, and setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a normal operating mode after the timer reaches a predetermined time. Prior to expiration of the timer, the system and method determines a gear in which the vehicle is placed, determines whether an engine of the vehicle is running if the transmission gear of the vehicle is drive, reverse, or neutral, and determines a throttle angle of the vehicle if the engine is running. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle. An iterative process determines the status of the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brandon E. Ricketts, Dirk G. Westendorf, Jason A. Sovern, Seth A. Ritchie, Takumi Makabe
  • Publication number: 20190054790
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing energy consumption by an active suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system and method includes determining whether the vehicle is in park or neutral and determining the speed of the vehicle. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the speed is greater than a predetermined speed. A throttle angle is determined if the speed is less than a predetermined speed. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle and to a power saving mode if the throttle angle is less than a predetermined angle for more than a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Dirk G. WESTENDORF, Jason A. SOVERN, Seth A. RITCHIE, Takumi MAKABE
  • Publication number: 20190054789
    Abstract: System and method for operating an active suspension system of a vehicle includes actuating a switch on the vehicle, setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a demonstration mode, setting a timer when the active suspension system is set to the demonstration mode, and setting the active suspension system for the vehicle to a normal operating mode after the timer reaches a predetermined time. Prior to expiration of the timer, the system and method determines a gear in which the vehicle is placed, determines whether an engine of the vehicle is running if the transmission gear of the vehicle is drive, reverse, or neutral, and determines a throttle angle of the vehicle if the engine is running. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle. An iterative process determines the status of the timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brandon E. RICKETTS, Dirk G. WESTENDORF, Jason A. SOVERN, Seth A. RITCHIE, Takumi MAKABE
  • Patent number: 5962946
    Abstract: A flat commutator for an electric motor of a vehicle fuel pump. The commutator, is made with a one-piece carbon ring having a flat outer face, a one-piece conductor ring underlying the outer face of and embedded in the carbon ring, and a housing of a plastic insulating material molded on the rear face and the inner and outer edges of the carbon ring and adapted to mount the commutator on a motor armature. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart grooves extend radially and axially completely through both the carbon ring and the conductor ring to provide a plurality of individual sintered carbon segments each with a separate conductor for electrically connecting the segments with armature coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Kobman, Michael L. Mercer, Dirk G. Westendorf, Arthur J. Birchenough, James A. George, Marc B. Ruprecht, J. D. Tuckey, deceased
  • Patent number: 5925962
    Abstract: A flat commutator for an electric motor of a vehicle fuel pump. The commutator, is made with a one-piece carbon ring having a flat outer face, a one-piece conductor ring underlying the outer face of and embedded in the carbon ring, and a housing of a plastic insulating material molded on the rear face and the inner and outer edges of the carbon ring and adapted to mount the commutator on a motor armature. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart grooves extend radially and axially completely through both the carbon ring and the conductor ring to provide a plurality of individual sintered carbon segments each with a separate conductor for electrically connecting the segments with armature coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Kobman, Michael L. Mercer, Dirk G. Westendorf, Arthur J. Birchenough, James A. George, Marc B. Ruprecht, J. D. Tuckey, deceased