Patents by Inventor Paul C. Niglas

Paul C. Niglas 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: 11845410
    Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C Niglas, Michael D Tober, Randy J Salvatora
  • Patent number: 11767004
    Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J Kasper, David J Taneyhill, Paul C Niglas, Gerhard Wieder, Arnav Vasudev, Christopher H Hutchins
  • Patent number: 11724676
    Abstract: A trailer control valve for a tractor includes a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports. The supply port is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor. The first and second delivery ports are configured for fluid communication with glad-hand connectors through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer. A pressure sensing solenoid receives fluid signal from each of the first and second deliver ports and selectively passes fluid signal therefrom to a pressure sensor as a function of a brake control signal received by a controller that controls the pressure sensing solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Brian J. Riley
  • Patent number: 11021142
    Abstract: A trailer control valve for a tractor includes a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports. The supply port is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor. The first and second delivery ports are configured for fluid communication with glad-hand connectors through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer for, respectively, releasing a parking brake and applying a service brake. The first delivery port is in fluid communication with the supply port. A relay valve is supported within the body and includes a valve member configured to move between positions preventing and permitting fluid communication between the supply port and the second delivery port. Pressure transducers in the body generate pressure signals indicative of fluid pressure at the delivery ports permitting detection of the presence of a trailer coupled to the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Riley, Paul C. Niglas
  • Publication number: 20210129810
    Abstract: A trailer control valve for a tractor includes a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports. The supply port is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor. The first and second delivery ports are configured for fluid communication with glad-hand connectors through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer. A pressure sensing solenoid receives fluid signal from each of the first and second deliver ports and selectively passes fluid signal therefrom to a pressure sensor as a function of a brake control signal received by a controller that controls the pressure sensing solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Brian J. Riley
  • Publication number: 20210046914
    Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Michael D. Tober, Randy J. Salvatora
  • Publication number: 20210009101
    Abstract: A trailer control valve for a tractor includes a body defining a supply port and first and second delivery ports. The supply port is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source on the tractor. The first and second delivery ports are configured for fluid communication with glad-hand connectors through which fluid is supplied from the tractor to a trailer for, respectively, releasing a parking brake and applying a service brake. The first delivery port is in fluid communication with the supply port. A relay valve is supported within the body and includes a valve member configured to move between positions preventing and permitting fluid communication between the supply port and the second delivery port. Pressure transducers in the body generate pressure signals indicative of fluid pressure at the delivery ports permitting detection of the presence of a trailer coupled to the tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Brian J. Riley, Paul C. Niglas
  • Publication number: 20200398806
    Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Phillip J. Kasper, David J. Taneyhill, Paul C. Niglas, Gerhard Wieder, Arnav Vasudev, Christopher H. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 10850721
    Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C Niglas, Michael D Tober, Randy J Salvatora
  • Patent number: 10780871
    Abstract: A trailer control valve comprises a valve electronic control port adapted to receive an electronic control signal; a valve pneumatic supply port unrestrictedly fluidly communicating with a first supply of a pneumatic fluid; a valve pneumatic control port normally proportionally fluidly communicating with a second supply of the pneumatic fluid based on a pressure representing a driver brake demand, the first supply of the pneumatic fluid being in an independent pneumatic circuit from the second supply of the pneumatic fluid; and a valve delivery port selectively fluidly communicating with at least one of the valve pneumatic supply port and the valve pneumatic control port based on the electronic control signal, the pressure representing the driver brake demand and a pressure of the first supply of the pneumatic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Brian J Riley, Paul C Niglas
  • Patent number: 10780872
    Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J Kasper, David J Taneyhill, Paul C Niglas, Gerhard Wieder
  • Publication number: 20200094805
    Abstract: A trailer control valve comprises a valve electronic control port adapted to receive an electronic control signal; a valve pneumatic supply port unrestrictedly fluidly communicating with a first supply of a pneumatic fluid; a valve pneumatic control port normally proportionally fluidly communicating with a second supply of the pneumatic fluid based on a pressure representing a driver brake demand, the first supply of the pneumatic fluid being in an independent pneumatic circuit from the second supply of the pneumatic fluid; and a valve delivery port selectively fluidly communicating with at least one of the valve pneumatic supply port and the valve pneumatic control port based on the electronic control signal, the pressure representing the driver brake demand and a pressure of the first supply of the pneumatic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Brian J. Riley, Paul C. Niglas
  • Patent number: 10543820
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system for a vehicle combination includes a first brake axle including a first actuatable brake, a second brake axle including a second actuatable brake, a third brake axle including a third actuatable brake, a first valve controlling actuation of the first actuatable brake and actuation of the second actuatable brake, and a second valve controlling actuation of the second actuatable brake and actuation of the third actuatable brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Paul C Niglas, Michael D Tober, David W Howell
  • Patent number: 10543826
    Abstract: A valve system includes an isolation check valve delivering pneumatic fluid as a supply pressure, a double-check valve adapted to deliver a braking demand control signal of the pneumatic fluid based on a higher of a first braking demand in a first pneumatic braking circuit and a second braking demand in a second pneumatic braking circuit, and a control module. The control module is adapted to receive the supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the braking demand control signal, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A park control module selectively transmits the pneumatic fluid at the supply pressure based on a park brake control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Michael D. Tober, Randy J. Salvatora
  • Publication number: 20190315330
    Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Phillip J Kasper, David J Taneyhill, Paul C Niglas, Gerhard Wieder
  • Patent number: 10442418
    Abstract: A valve system includes an isolation check valve delivering pneumatic fluid as a supply pressure, a double-check valve adapted to deliver a braking demand control signal of the pneumatic fluid based on a higher of a first braking demand in a first pneumatic braking circuit and a second braking demand in a second pneumatic braking circuit, and a control module. The control module is adapted to receive the supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the braking demand control signal, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A tractor protection module delivers the pneumatic fluid at the control module delivery pressure based on a trailer park brake pressure of the pneumatic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Michael D. Tober, Randy J. Salvatora
  • Publication number: 20190299952
    Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Paul C Niglas, Michael D Tober, Randy J Salvatora
  • Patent number: 10150457
    Abstract: A valve module is provided for enabling a vehicle to control an autonomous event of the vehicle. The valve module comprises a relay valve, a first solenoid valve, and a second solenoid valve. A first control pressure can be delivered through the first solenoid valve and applied to a control port of the relay valve. In one embodiment, a second control pressure can be delivered through the second solenoid valve and combined with the first control pressure. The combined first and second control pressures are applied to the control port of the relay valve. In another embodiment, a second control pressure can be delivered through the second solenoid valve only when no first control pressure is delivered through the first solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David W Howell, Paul C Niglas, Michael D Tober, Gerhard Wieder
  • Patent number: 10131336
    Abstract: A valve includes at least one of an electrical port adapted to receive an electronic control signal and a pneumatic control port adapted to receive a pneumatic control signal. The valve also includes a pneumatic delivery port. The pneumatic delivery port is adapted to transmit a pneumatic fluid, based on the at least one of the received electronic control signal and the received pneumatic control signal, from a second independent source to control i) a second associated service brake and ii) delivery of the pneumatic fluid from a first independent source to control a first associated service brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Michael D. Tober, David W. Howell, Gerhard Wieder, Adnan Mustapha, Friedbert Roether
  • Publication number: 20180273004
    Abstract: A valve system includes a control module on a tractor portion of a vehicle adapted to receive a supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A park control module selectively transmits the pneumatic fluid at the supply pressure based on a park brake control signal. A supply glad-hand fluidly communicates the selectively transmitted supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid to supply a brake on an associated trailer portion of the vehicle. A control glad-hand fluidly communicates the control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid to control the brake on the associated trailer portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Paul C. Niglas, Michael D. Tober, Randy J. Salvatora