Patents by Inventor Paul S. Osterman

Paul S. Osterman 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: 6480107
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a brake monitor upon a brake actuator, wherein the brake monitor includes an annular push rod sleeve having a first sensor element, preferably a magnet, and a second sensor element fixed relative to the brake actuator housing. The installation apparatus includes a push rod sleeve adjustment member which supports the push rod sleeve and movable by a servomotor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), preferably including an analog card, operably connected to the second sensor element including a power supply having a predetermined voltage. The PLC controls the servomotor to adjust the axial position of the push rod sleeve on the push rod until the second sensor element senses a predetermined voltage, and the apparatus then fixes the push rod sleeve on the push rod. The installation apparatus also locates an annular sensor sleeve within the brake actuator housing and disposes the push rod through the sensor sleeve and aligns the components of the housing, push rod, return spring, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Indian Head Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry L. Stonehocker, R. Ryan Moore, Paul S. Osterman, Walter E. Heron
  • Patent number: 6417768
    Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor for a brake actuator including a housing, a reciprocal push rod extending through an opening in the housing and a stone shield mounted in the housing opening. An annular sleeve surrounds the push rod which is integrally formed of plastic including opposed sleeve portions which are generally semicircular in cross-section and a longitudinal integral flexible hinge portion interconnecting the adjacent sides of the sleeve portions, such that the annular sleeve may be received on the push rod, and an adjustable connector element interconnecting the opposed sides of the sleeve portions. The sleeve includes an elongated magnet, preferably a ceramic magnet having face portions which are magnetized with adjacent north and south poles and the stone shield includes a Hall-effect sensor which senses the location of the sleeve as the push rod reciprocates through the stone shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Indian Head Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Osterman, Walter E. Heron
  • Publication number: 20020075147
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a brake monitor upon a brake actuator, wherein the brake monitor includes an annular push rod sleeve having a first sensor element, preferably a magnet, and a second sensor element fixed relative to the brake actuator housing. The installation apparatus includes a push rod sleeve adjustment member which supports the push rod sleeve and movable by a servomotor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), preferably including an analog card, operably connected to the second sensor element including a power supply having a predetermined voltage. The PLC controls the servomotor to adjust the axial position of the push rod sleeve on the push rod until the second sensor element senses a predetermined voltage, and the apparatus then fixes the push rod sleeve on the push rod. The installation apparatus also locates an annular sensor sleeve within the brake actuator housing and disposes the push rod through the sensor sleeve and aligns the components of the housing, push rod, return spring, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Terry L. Stonehocker, R. Ryan Moore, Paul S. Osterman, Walter E. Heron
  • Publication number: 20010035820
    Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor for a brake actuator including a housing, a reciprocal push rod extending through an opening in the housing and a stone shield mounted in the housing opening. An annular sleeve surrounds the push rod which is integrally formed of plastic including opposed sleeve portions which are generally semicircular in cross-section and a longitudinal integral flexible hinge portion interconnecting the adjacent sides of the sleeve portions, such that the annular sleeve may be received on the push rod, and an adjustable connector element interconnecting the opposed sides of the sleeve portions. The sleeve includes an elongated magnet, preferably a ceramic magnet having face portions which are magnetized with adjacent north and south poles and the stone shield includes a Hall-effect sensor which senses the location of the sleeve as the push rod reciprocates through the stone shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Paul S. Osterman, Walter E. Heron
  • Publication number: 20010030602
    Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor for a brake actuator including a housing, a reciprocal push rod extending through an opening in the housing and a stone shield mounted in the housing opening. An annular sleeve surrounds the push rod which is integrally formed of plastic including opposed sleeve portions which are generally semicircular in cross-section and a longitudinal integral flexible hinge portion interconnecting the adjacent sides of the sleeve portions, such that the annular sleeve may be received on the push rod, and an adjustable connector element interconnecting the opposed sides of the sleeve portions. The sleeve includes an elongated magnet, preferably a ceramic magnet having face portions which are magnetized with adjacent north and south poles and the stone shield includes a Hall-effect sensor which senses the location of the sleeve as the push rod reciprocates through the stone shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Paul S. Osterman, Walter E. Heron
  • Patent number: 6255941
    Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor for a brake actuator including a housing, a reciprocal push rod extending through an opening in the housing and a stone shield mounted in the housing opening. An annular sleeve surrounds the push rod which is integrally formed of plastic including opposed sleeve portions which are generally semicircular in cross-section and a longitudinal integral flexible hinge portion interconnecting the adjacent sides of the sleeve portions, such that the annular sleeve may be received on the push rod, and an adjustable connector element interconnecting the opposed sides of the sleeve portions. The sleeve includes an elongated magnet, preferably a ceramic magnet having face portions which are magnetized with adjacent north and south poles and the stone shield includes a Hall-effect sensor which senses the location of the sleeve as the push rod reciprocates through the stone shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Indian Head Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Osterman, Walter E. Heron