Patents by Inventor Kent Davison
Kent Davison 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: 20070222169Abstract: The present invention relates to an air spring lift kit that has a trailing arm with a first end portion that is pivotally connected to a hanger bracket. A horizontally oriented air bag is connected at one end to the hanger bracket and connected at another end to a pivoting lever arm. A link has one end pivotally connected to the lever arm and another end pivotally connected to a flange member that is secured to the trailing arm. A vertically oriented air bag is located between a second end portion of the trailing arm and a frame member of a vehicle, for example, a dump truck or a trailer in a tractor-trailer combination.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Aaron Smith, Melvin Peacock, Kent Davison
-
Publication number: 20060290200Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, monitoring movement of one or more components of a vehicle wheel/tire assembly is disclosed. The desired monitoring functions are performed by one or more acceleration-sensing devices, preferably, by one or more accelerometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Kent Davison, Gerard McCann
-
Publication number: 20060230822Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel sensor apparatus and a method that determine if a vehicle wheel sensor is active or passive, while efficiently providing the necessary connectivity, power, and communication between the sensor and a controller, without requiring a change in controller hardware. For an active sensor, the apparatus provides power and receives speed signals, high frequency vibration or acceleration signals, or other analog signals. For a passive sensor, the apparatus receives speed signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: James Beverly, Kent Davison, Gerard McCann, Thomas Simma
-
Publication number: 20060207705Abstract: A combined tire inflation system and a wheel speed sensor for a vehicle steer axle has a steerable spindle with a substantially hollow interior portion. A shaft, located in the hollow interior portion, connects a rotatable hub cap adjacent the spindle and a sensor at least partially within the spindle. A magnet is secured to the shaft and rotates with the shaft. A sensor is mounted adjacent the magnet for sensing the rotation of the magnet. The shaft has a hollow interior that connects an air source with a tire associated with the hub cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventors: Kent Davison, David Moses, Daryl Stacer
-
Publication number: 20060181047Abstract: A trailing arm has a first side portion with an axle recess and a second side portion with an axle recess. An upper portion of the trailing arm is defined at least partially by overlapping portions of the first side portion and the second side portion. The overlapping portions define a weld aperture in the upper portion and a suspension aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: August 17, 2006Inventors: Michael Chamberlin, C. Smith, Allen Peacock, Andrew Power, Kent Davison
-
Patent number: 7090309Abstract: An axle assembly is provided having a varying wall thickness resulting in an axle assembly that is lightweight yet has sufficient strength and stiffness. The axle assembly includes a tube disposed about a longitudinal axis and having first and second end portions and a center portion. The first and second end portions have a uniform wall thickness and the center portion has a wall thickness that is uniform at first and second axially spaced segments and a non-uniform wall thickness both between the axially spaced segments and between each of the axially spaced segments and the end portions.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Martin Blessing, Kent Davison
-
Publication number: 20050110336Abstract: An axle assembly comprising a tube disposed about a longitudinal axis and having first and second end portions and a center portion wherein the first and second end portions have a uniform wall thickness and the center portion has a wall thickness that is uniform at first and second axially spaced segments and a non-uniform wall thickness both between the axially spaced segments and between each of the axially spaced segments and the end portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2003Publication date: May 26, 2005Inventors: Martin Blessing, Kent Davison
-
Patent number: 6808189Abstract: A steer axle assembly is provided having an axle beam disposed about a longitudinal axis and an inverted knuckle yoke. The yoke includes a body portion that is affixed to an external surface of the axle beam by welding. The yoke further includes first and second arms extending from the body portion. Body the body portion and arms are disposed one side of the axis extending through the axle beam. The drop of the axle is varied by varying the length of the body portion of the knuckle yoke.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Kraig Schlosser, Kent Davison
-
Patent number: 6749209Abstract: A suspension and axle assembly is provided having two identical stampings, each of which form a portion of an axle and a portion of first and second suspension control arms that extend from the axle. The two stampings are coupled to one another along a continuous weld path. The assembly eliminates the connection points between the axle and control arms. The assembly also defines a pair of bores in which springs may be disposed at varying heights to lower the vehicle floor and reduce loads on the control arms, bushings, and other joints.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Kent Davison, Kraig Schlosser
-
Publication number: 20030205879Abstract: A suspension and axle assembly is provided having two identical stampings, each of which form a portion of an axle and a portion of first and second suspension control arms that extend from the axle. The two stampings are coupled to one another along a continuous weld path. The assembly eliminates the connection points between the axle and control arms. The assembly also defines a pair of bores in which springs may be disposed at varying heights to lower the vehicle floor and reduce loads on the control arms, bushings, and other joints.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Kent Davison, Kraig Schlosser
-
Patent number: 6641150Abstract: The inventive fabricated steer axle assembly includes an axle beam, a kingpin housing, and, a fabrication connecting the axle beam and kingpin housing. The kingpin housing comprises an open-ended cylindrical tube having a groove disposed proximate each end of the tube. The fabrication includes a first end and a second end and is bent around the kingpin housing so that the first and second ends may be attached to the axle beam. A continuous weld may be used to couple the ends of the fabrication to the axle beam and secure the ends of the fabrication together along a seam extending between the kingpin housing and the beam formed after bending the fabrication around the kingpin housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Kraig Schlosser, Kent Davison, Cortland Ratliff
-
Patent number: 6557875Abstract: A vehicle suspension and a control arm therefor are provided. The control arm includes first and second members each defining a recess corresponding to a portion of the outer surface of a vehicle axle. The members are welded or otherwise coupled together to surround at least a majority of the axle thereby enabling installation of the control arm without sliding the arm onto the axle. Each of the members includes a pair of sidewalls and a lateral wall joining, and integral with, the sidewalls. The sidewalls are angled relative to an axis of the axle to provide sufficient clearance for a spring assembly mounted to the control arm and centering of spring loads. The two sidewalls of one member may further include aligned apertures configured to receive a tube on which a shock absorber may be mounted. The tube enables strong and accurate mounting of the shock absorber.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Kraig Schlosser, Martin Blessing, Kent Davison
-
Publication number: 20020135151Abstract: A vehicle suspension and a control arm therefor are provided. The control arm includes first and second members each defining a recess corresponding to a portion of the outer surface of a vehicle axle. The members are welded or otherwise coupled together to surround at least a majority of the axle thereby enabling installation of the control arm without sliding the arm onto the axle. Each of the members includes a pair of sidewalls and a lateral wall joining, and integral with, the sidewalls. The sidewalls are angled relative to an axis of the axle to provide sufficient clearance for a spring assembly mounted to the control arm and centering of spring loads. The two sidewalls of one member may further include aligned apertures configured to receive a tube on which a shock absorber may be mounted. The tube enables strong and accurate mounting of the shock absorber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Kraig Schlosser, Martin Blessing, Kent Davison
-
Patent number: 6325463Abstract: A vent system for a wheel hub comprising a first filtered vent at the wheel end cavity and a second vent formed by a one-way, pressure relief valve venting the axle tube to atmosphere. The vent system defines a vent path from the wheel end cavity through a first, preferably filtered, vent into the axle tube then through a second check valve connecting the axle tube to atmosphere. A porous material is positioned to cover the vent passage at the wheel end cavity for allowing a flow of gases to enter and exit the vent passage while preventing liquids and other contaminants from traveling therethrough. The porous material is held in place over the vent by a snap ring or other suitable retention system disposed within the vented plug member.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Don Sitter, Kent Davison, Martin G. Blessing
-
Patent number: 6279695Abstract: An integrated axle spindle and brake spider assembly for axles of heavy duty vehicles such as trucks, and trailer axles. The assembly is a one-piece member comprising a cylindrical hollow axle spindle and a brake spider extending radially outwardly from the axle spindle. The brake spider includes an actuator support plate provided with a support opening for a brake actuator cam shaft, and a pivoting end support plate provided with a pair of pivot pin bores receiving brake shoe supporting pivot pins. The integrated axle spindle and brake spider assembly is manufactured from a single steel alloy billet as a one-piece forging. The one-piece assembly reduces the overall weight of the component, cost of manufacturing, and improves positioning accuracy of brake components and structural integrity.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Dana Corp.Inventor: Kent Davison
-
Patent number: 6148968Abstract: An integrated axle spindle and brake spider assembly for axles of heavy duty vehicles such as trucks, and trailer axles. The assembly is a one-piece member comprising a cylindrical hollow axle spindle and a brake spider extending radially outwardly from the axle spindle. The brake spider includes an actuator support plate provided with a support opening for a brake actuator cam shaft, and a pivoting end support plate provided with a pair of pivot pin bores receiving brake shoe supporting pivot pins. The integrated axle spindle and brake spider assembly is manufactured from a single steel alloy billet as a one-piece forging. The one-piece assembly reduces the overall weight of the component, cost of manufacturing, and improves positioning accuracy of brake components and structural integrity.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Dana CorporationInventor: Kent Davison