Patents by Inventor Matthew G. Markstaller

Matthew G. Markstaller 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: 20110210529
    Abstract: A fifth wheel is movable in fore and aft directions toward and away from the rear wall of a vehicle cab to change the gap between the rear wall and the front wall of a towed trailer. A fifth wheel drive moves the fifth wheel in the respective fore and aft directions including while the vehicle is moving. A fifth wheel controller is operable to control the fifth wheel drive to cause the movement of the fifth wheel in the respective fore and aft directions. The fifth wheel controller can operate in anticipation of the vehicle reaching an upcoming road section to cause the movement of the fifth wheel toward or to a maximum gap position if the gap is not already at the maximum gap position in response to received inputs indicating that additional maneuverability will be required for the vehicle when the vehicle reaches the upcoming road section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew G. Markstaller
  • Patent number: 7513146
    Abstract: A vehicle supporting platform can be supported at plural locations (e.g., four locations) from below such that the platform can pivot fore to aft and side to side in response to the impact of wind on a vehicle on the platform. In a desirable form, the platform is suspended by four suspension rods or cables that loosely support the respective corners of a platform supporting structure. The platform supporting structure can be positioned in a bay beneath the floor level. Although a different number of sensors can be used, in one approach there is one aft motion sensor coupled to the front of the floor supporting frame and a wall portion of the bay and two side sensors, one adjacent to the front of the platform and the other adjacent to the rear of the platform. Both of the side sensors can be on the same side of the platform. A double ball joint can be used to couple the sensor to the structure in one embodiment to eliminate off axis loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. Smith, Bruno Banceu, Matthew G. Markstaller
  • Patent number: 7107831
    Abstract: A wind tunnel for measuring the aerodynamics of a vehicle may comprise a test section. Air moving through the test section may be collected in a plurality of individual ducts, each with a fan for moving the air through the test section and ducts. The vehicle of vehicle wheels may be supported at an incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Freightliner LLC
    Inventors: Matthew G. Markstaller, Michael von Mayenburg
  • Patent number: 6820477
    Abstract: A wind tunnel for measuring the aerodynamics of a vehicle may comprise a test section. Air moving through the test section may be collected in a plurality of individual ducts, each with a fan for moving the air through the test section and ducts. The vehicle or vehicle wheels may be supported at an incine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Freightliner LLC
    Inventors: Matthew G. Markstaller, Michael von Mayenburg
  • Publication number: 20030089167
    Abstract: A wind tunnel for measuring the aerodynamics of a vehicle may comprise a test section. Air moving through the test section may be collected in a plurality of individual ducts, each with a fan for moving the air through the test section and ducts. The vehicle or vehicle wheels may be supported at an incine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Freightliner LLC
    Inventors: Matthew G. Markstaller, Michael von Mayenburg
  • Patent number: 5873348
    Abstract: A fuel system having a fuel tank for storing a supply of fuel for an internal combustion engine is provided with a fuel recirculation system. Fuel is supplied from the fuel tank to the engine through a supply line and excess fuel is returned from the engine to the tank through a return line. The fuel in the return line is typically warmed as it passes through or in proximity to the engine. A valve is positioned within the fuel tank to sense the temperature of the fuel supplied to the engine and, when the temperature is colder than desired, divert a portion of the warmed return fuel back to the supply line. The diverted fuel helps warm the fuel supplied to the engine and prevent waxing in the fuel system. When the fuel supplied to the engine is not colder than desired, the valve is closed and the warmed fuel is returned to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Freightliner Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Fuchs, Matthew G. Markstaller