Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Hartman

Patrick A. Hartman 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: 20250012337
    Abstract: A damping apparatus (10) can be self-centering and include one or more precompressed and preloaded mechanical springs (16). A solar tracking apparatus (100) can include a solar panel (102) mounted on a rotating shaft (104), and a self-centering damping apparatus (50) operatively connected to the rotating shaft (104) to compensate for torque created when the solar panel (102) is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus (50) operatively connected to the steering levers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: STABILUS GMBH
    Inventors: James T. Kull, Patrick A. Hartman, Rodney Armstrong, Edward William Twist
  • Patent number: 12135067
    Abstract: A damping apparatus can be self-centering and include one or more pre-compressed and preloaded mechanical springs. A solar tracking apparatus can include a solar panel mounted on a rotating shaft, and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft to compensate for torque created when the solar panel is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the steering levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: James T. Kull, Patrick A. Hartman, Rodney Armstrong, Edward William Twist
  • Publication number: 20240084827
    Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: JAMES T. KULL, PATRICK A. HARTMAN
  • Patent number: 11859644
    Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: James T. Kull, Patrick A. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20230137900
    Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: JAMES T. KULL, PATRICK A. HARTMAN
  • Publication number: 20210277973
    Abstract: A damping apparatus can be self-centering and include one or more pre-compressed and preloaded mechanical springs. A solar tracking apparatus can include a solar panel mounted on a rotating shaft, and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft to compensate for torque created when the solar panel is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the steering levers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: James T. Kull, Patrick A. Hartman, Rodney Armstrong, Edward William Twist
  • Patent number: 9707967
    Abstract: A method of traction control for a vehicle. Lateral and longitudinal accelerations are measured for a vehicle. A maximum supportable drive torque for a first wheel of the vehicle is calculated as a function of the lateral and longitudinal accelerations. A commanded vectoring brake torque is applied to the first wheel using a brake device. The commanded vectoring brake torque is an amount by which a driveline torque delivered to the first wheel exceeds the maximum supportable drive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Patrick A. Hartman, Greg Timm, Jeff Breitner, Craig B. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20170001644
    Abstract: A method of traction control for a vehicle. Lateral and longitudinal accelerations are measured for a vehicle. A maximum supportable drive torque for a first wheel of the vehicle is calculated as a function of the lateral and longitudinal accelerations. A commanded vectoring brake torque is applied to the first wheel using a brake device. The commanded vectoring brake torque is an amount by which a driveline torque delivered to the first wheel exceeds the maximum supportable drive torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: KELSEY-HAYES COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick A. Hartman, Greg Timm, Jeff Breitner, Craig B. Mitchell