Patents by Inventor Michael B. Merkler

Michael B. Merkler 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: 6729442
    Abstract: A wheel hub magnetic filter fits within a wheel hub mounted for rotation on an end of the axle. The lubricating oil filter is positioned in a lubricating oil path upstream from the wheel hub bearings and is mounted with the wheel hub for rotation. The lubricating oil filter comprising a circular ring section which fits into an annular plenum in the wheel hub and includes flow directing barriers positioned radially inwardly from an outer edge of the circular ring section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael B. Merkler, Vincent O. Valenzuela, Daniel A. Grohnke, Richard L. Overman
  • Publication number: 20040000451
    Abstract: A wheel hub magnetic filter fits within a wheel hub mounted for rotation on an end of the axle. The lubricating oil filter is positioned in a lubricating oil path upstream from the wheel hub bearings and is mounted with the wheel hub for rotation. The lubricating oil filter comprising a circular ring section which fits into an annular plenum in the wheel hub and includes flow directing barriers positioned radially inwardly from an outer edge of the circular ring section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael B. Merkler, Vincent O. Valenzuela, Daniel A. Grohnke, Richard L. Overman
  • Patent number: 6092813
    Abstract: A sealing ring for a drive axle for a mobile vehicle such as a medium or heavy duty truck. The sealing ring is for the interface between the shaft end flange of the axle and the outer hub mounting face of the wheel hub which allows for metal to metal contact between shaft end flange and the wheel hub mounting faces. The sealing ring has a shaft side which is compressed upon installation into a recess in the shaft end flange of the axle and the sealing ring has a hub side which fits adjacent to an inner radial wall of the wheel hub to seal lubricant in the cavity of the wheel hub. The sealing ring is resistant to tearing during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp
    Inventors: Michael B. Merkler, Chester D. Smith, Allen P. Scott, Daniel R. Daley
  • Patent number: 6082750
    Abstract: The closed joint leaf spring mounting assembly for a mobile vehicle with a body and at least two axles may have a suspension bracket configured to be permanently fixed upon an axle housing for enclosing one of the axles and to include a plurality of vertical throughbores therein, a leaf spring having conformed surface to be congruous with areas of the suspension bracket including the throughbores, and including vertical throughbores therein which align with and form a continuation of the throughbores in the bracket, and a plurality of connectors, such as cap screws, for engagement within the aligned throughbores of the spring end and bracket for securing the structures together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp
    Inventors: Michael B. Merkler, Mark N. Sanders, Vish N. Gurudutt, David C. Merriman
  • Patent number: 6058805
    Abstract: An assembly that removes air from the housing of an axle assembly in combination with the axle assembly for use with a vhicle. The assembly is vomprised of a modified differential housing having an air flow channel therein extending from an inner chamber of the housing to a face of the differentiao housing which abuts ayoke of a drive shaft, the channel emptying into an area over which an seal protector is engaged for protecting a seal provided between the yoke and the differential, the seal protector having an edge port in a circumferential edge thereof which aligns with a cooperating cored hole in a corresponding circumferential area of the housing intermittently, the seal protector being engaged to the drive shaft yode and rotating therewith. The intermittent alignment of the edge port and the cored hole allows venting of the inner chamber of the differential housing to the outside atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp
    Inventor: Michael B. Merkler
  • Patent number: 4841807
    Abstract: An automotive differential is provided with pinion gears which are rotatably mounted in the differential housing. The differential housing is further provided with radially extending lubricant passages intersecting the pinion gear bores. Grooves or recesses on the rotating pinion bearing surfaces remove oil from the lubricant passages to provide lubrication of the bearing surfaces of the pinion gears. A conical thrust bearing is provided between the pinion and the differential housing to maintain stability of the pinion gear. Preferably, the lubricant passages extend from the interior cavity of the differential to the exterior to provide better recirculation of the oil through the interior cavity to provide improved cooling of the differential and prevent the lubricant from reaching excessive temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: Michael B. Merkler