Patents by Inventor Ragnar Ledesma
Ragnar Ledesma 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).
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Publication number: 20060170175Abstract: A suspension for a steering axle includes two links extending from the axle laterally inwardly to be attached to a lateral shackle plate. The lateral shackle plate is pivotally attached to the vehicle frame. The links may be two separate members, or may be a single V-shaped member. The links operate to transfer lateral loads between the two sides of a vehicle receiving the suspension.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: David Platner, Tomaz Varela, Benjamin Reineck, Xinyu Wen, Kenneth Hooper, Kou Yang, Tjong Lie, Richard Clisch, James Trotter, Jonathan Rose, Edward Eshelman, Ragnar Ledesma, Rajesh Somnay, Nancy Saxon, Felipe Susin
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Publication number: 20060001311Abstract: An air suspension system for a non-drive steering axle includes a set of air springs supported on an axle beam extending between a pair of rotating wheels. The axle beam defines a lateral axis about which the wheels rotate. A lateral stiffener assembly cooperates with the axle beam, which provides torsional stiffness, to provide high lateral stiffness in the air suspension system. The lateral stiffener assembly includes a first arm that extends from the axle beam transverse to the lateral axis and is positioned on one lateral side of the vehicle. A second arm extends from the axle beam transverse to the lateral axis and is positioned on an opposite lateral side of the vehicle. Each of the first and second arms has one arm end supported by the axle beam and an opposite arm end mounted to a vehicle frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2004Publication date: January 5, 2006Inventors: David Platner, Benjamin Reineck, James Trotter, Tjong Lie, Jonathan Rose, Richard Clisch, James Brichta, Rajesh Somnay, Gregory Pavuk, Xinyu Wen, Edward Eshelman, Ragnar Ledesma, Kenneth Hooper, Leonard Jenaway, Michael Nelson, Kou Yang, Felipe Susin, Robert Baroni
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Patent number: 6893046Abstract: An independent suspension undercarriage module includes a first subframe segment and a second subframe segment. The subframe is manufactured of a composite material to provide a truss-like structural unibody which is mounted as a unit to the underside of a low floor vehicle through a plurality of resilient dampers. Passengers are thereby provided with a secondary vibration isolation structure separate from the suspension systems which filter out high frequency content generated by the suspension systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLCInventors: Ragnar Ledesma, Lawrence Brill, Steven E. Hunter, Malcolm Green, Duy Lam, Mike Schuster, Tomaz Dopico Varela
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Patent number: 6886669Abstract: A method and device for suspending a wheel axle from a vehicle includes a unitary flexible member coupled between the vehicle and the wheel axle and to an electronic control unit. The flexible member is formed of a material that changes shape in the presence of electrical signals having a varying signal strength. The electronic control unit, upon receiving various suspension related inputs, transmits the electrical signals having the varying signal strength to the unitary flexible member to change the shape thereof in order to vary the stiffness of the flexible member and thus control the suspension of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLCInventors: David K. Platner, Kurt A. Burmeister, Ragnar Ledesma, Steven R. Miller, Mark P. Reynolds, Monte G. Williams, Thomas Hughes
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Publication number: 20050087946Abstract: A vehicle suspension is provided that includes a frame supporting a pair of laterally spaced apart suspension members pivotally supported on the frame and movable in a vertical direction. Each of a pair of wheel ends is supported respectively on one of the suspension members. A stabilizer bar is supported on the frame laterally between the suspension members. The stabilizer bar includes opposing ends each respectively proximate one of the suspension members. Each of a pair of resilient stabilizer bar links respectively interconnects one of the ends and one of the suspension members and transmits torsional force to the stabilizer bar in response to movement of the suspension members in the vertical direction during roll conditions. The links have first and second deflection rates during the roll condition with the first rate being less than the second deflection rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: Robert Carlstedt, James Chamberlin, Ragnar Ledesma, Nancy Saxon, Dennis Kramer, Doyle Downey, Joseph Cubalchini, Monte Williams
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Patent number: 6866276Abstract: A vehicle suspension is provided that includes a frame supporting a pair of laterally spaced apart suspension members pivotally supported on the frame and movable in a vertical direction. A pair of wheel ends is each supported respectively on one of the suspension members. A stabilizer bar is supported on the frame laterally between the suspension members. The stabilizer bar includes opposing ends each respectively proximate to one of the suspension members. A pair of resilient stabilizer bar links each respectively interconnect one of the ends and one of the suspension members and transmit torsional force to the stabilizer bar in response to movement of the suspension members in the vertical direction during roll conditions. The links have first and second deflection rates during the roll condition with the first rate being less than the second deflection rate.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLCInventors: Robert P. Carlstedt, James B. Chamberlin, Ragnar Ledesma, Nancy L. Saxon, Dennis A. Kramer, Doyle R. Downey, Joseph Cubalchini, Jr., Monte G. Williams
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Publication number: 20030209870Abstract: A vehicle suspension is provided that includes a frame supporting a pair of laterally spaced apart suspension members pivotally supported on the frame and movable in a vertical direction. A pair of wheel ends is each supported respectively on one of the suspension members. A stabilizer bar is supported on the frame laterally between the suspension members. The stabilizer bar includes opposing ends each respectively proximate to one of the suspension members. A pair of resilient stabilizer bar links each respectively interconnect one of the ends and one of the suspension members and transmit torsional force to the stabilizer bar in response to movement of the suspension members in the vertical direction during roll conditions. The links have first and second deflection rates during the roll condition with the first rate being less than the second deflection rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Robert P. Carlstedt, James B. Chamberlin, Ragnar Ledesma, Nancy L. Saxon, Dennis A. Kramer, Doyle R. Downey, Joseph Cubalchini, Monte G. Williams
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Publication number: 20030111834Abstract: An independent suspension undercarriage module includes a first subframe segment and a second subframe segment. The subframe is manufactured of a composite material to provide a truss-like structural unibody which is mounted as a unit to the underside of a low floor vehicle through a plurality of resilient dampers. Passengers are thereby provided with a secondary vibration isolation structure separate from the suspension systems which filter out high frequency content generated by the suspension systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Ragnar Ledesma, Lawrence Brill, Steven E. Hunter, Malcolm Green, Duy Lam, Michael Edward Schuster, Tomaz Dopico Varela
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Publication number: 20030111812Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes a frame supporting upper and lower control arms in spaced relation to one another that are pivotally connected to the frame. A steering knuckle is supported between the control arms and supports a wheel. The orientation of the knuckle defines the wheel attitude, which includes caster, camber, toe, and track. The knuckle is rotated about its axis in response to mechanical inputs from a steering wheel. First and second actuators may be supported on one of the control arms and connected to a portion of the knuckle. A third actuator may be supported on the other control arm and connected to another portion of the knuckle. At least one sensor detects vehicle ride conditions such as braking, vehicle yaw, and steering position. A controller is connected to the sensors and the actuators to command the actuators to adjust at least one of the caster, camber, toe, and track in response to the vehicle ride conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Robert P. Carlstedt, James B. Chamberlin, Ragnar Ledesma, Nancy L. Saxon, Dennis A. Kramer, Doyle R. Downey, Joseph Cubalchini, Monte G. Williams
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Publication number: 20030111289Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle is provided that includes a steering knuckle which is rotatable about an axis. The steering knuckle includes an upper attachment point and a lower attachment point. The attachment points define the steer axis. A rotational drive unit is connected to the steering knuckle for rotating the steering knuckle about the steer axis. A control module receives a steering input corresponding to the desired Ackerman angle and commands the rotational drive unit to rotate the steering knuckle about the axis to the desired Ackerman angle. Rotational drive units for each side of the vehicle ensure that the wheels are turned to the appropriate Ackerman angle for each wheel. The rotational drive unit may include an electric motor, or a pneumatic or hydraulic pump. In one preferred embodiment, the rotational drive unit includes a fluid housing and the shaft connected to the steering knuckle. The shaft includes a vane extending therefrom and into the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Lawrence Brill, Malcolm Green, Steven E. Hunter, Duy Lam, Ragnar Ledesma, Mike Schuster, Tomaz Dopico Varela
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Patent number: 6568697Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle is provided that includes a steering knuckle which is rotatable about an axis. The steering knuckle includes an upper attachment point and a lower attachment point. The attachment points define the steer axis. A rotational drive unit is connected to the steering knuckle for rotating the steering knuckle about the steer axis. A control module receives a steering input corresponding to the desired Ackerman angle and commands the rotational drive unit to rotate the steering knuckle about the axis to the desired Ackerman angle. Rotational drive units for each side of the vehicle ensure that the wheels are turned to the appropriate Ackerman angle for each wheel. The rotational drive unit may include an electric motor, or a pneumatic or hydraulic pump. In one preferred embodiment, the rotational drive unit includes a fluid housing and the shaft connected to the steering knuckle. The shaft includes a vane extending therefrom and into the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLCInventors: Lawrence Brill, Malcolm Green, Steven E. Hunter, Duy Lam, Ragnar Ledesma, Mike Schuster, Tomaz Dopico Varela
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Patent number: 6234492Abstract: A method and system for providing variable load control and isolation in a vehicle suspension includes a variably flexible suspension element coupled between the frame of the vehicle and the wheel. The variably flexible suspension element comprises an electrically responsive material disposed therein that varies stiffness in response to electrical control signals applied thereto. The electrical control signals are generated by an electronic control unit and are representative of road conditions traveled by the vehicle as sensed by at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLCInventors: David K. Platner, Kurt A. Burmeister, Ragnar Ledesma, Steven R. Miller, Mark P. Reynolds, Monte G. Williams
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Patent number: 6186257Abstract: A method and system for floating an upper vehicle part from a lower vehicle frame includes a primary floating device, coupled to either the upper vehicle part or the lower vehicle frame, floats the upper vehicle part freely separate from the lower vehicle frame. A plurality of sensors sense appropriate road inputs. An electronic control unit, coupled to the primary floating device and the plurality of sensors, receives the road inputs and generates control signals for controlling the primary floating device in order to minimize movement of the upper vehicle part with respect to the lower vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, Inc.Inventors: David K. Platner, Kurt A. Burmeister, Ragnar Ledesma, Steven R. Miller, Mark P. Reynolds, Monte G. Williams, Thomas Hughes