Patents by Inventor Santo Padula
Santo Padula 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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Patent number: 11912078Abstract: The innovation presented herein provides among its embodiments, a non-pneumatic structure such as a vehicle tire, consisting of a matrix of shape memory alloy (SMA) elements. The interlocking layering pattern provides geometries which leverage the SMA material properties to accomplish performance characteristics of traditional pneumatic structures across a spectrum of possible desired uses including normal personal use, recreational use, sport use and commercial use. Embodiments include applying structural design and material properties to provide a fixed or a variable set of performance characteristics. Similar to the fruits of other space program initiatives, the innovation leverages material science developed for extra-terrestrial purposes to accomplish advances over conventional items.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: United States Government Administrator of NASAInventors: Colin M. Creager, Santo A. Padula, II, Calvin Young
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Publication number: 20230271468Abstract: A truck or trailer includes a wheel, a stub axle spindle extending through the wheel and having a through bore, a step-up drive ratio unit inboard of said stub-axle spindle, an axle shaft extending through the through bore of the stub-axle spindle, and a power conversion unit operatively connected to the step-up drive ratio unit. The axle shaft is operatively connected to the step-up drive ratio unit, such that, as the axle shaft rotates with the wheel, mechanical energy from rotation of the axle shaft is converted into electrical energy. A special suspension system allows for installation of the stub axle spindle, and such suspension systems are a separate focus herein as well as being usable in combination with the power conversion elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventor: Santo A. Padula
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Publication number: 20230002937Abstract: Yarns incorporating filaments of shape memory materials are described herein that enable the creation of fabrics, garments, and other materials with tunable force absorption or exertion capabilities, as well as creating complex shapes and structures upon actuation. Systems and methods described herein enable selective buckling, recruitment, compression, and other desirable phenomena by actuating fibers in knitted patterns, whether used as isolated filaments or in twisted yarns.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Rachael GRANBERRY, Santo PADULA, II, Bradley HOLSCHUH, Julianna ABEL, Charles WEINBERG, Justin BARRY
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Patent number: 11072211Abstract: A load based tire pressure regulation system for trucks or trailers employing an air spring maintained at a variable pressure PAS depending upon the load on the truck or trailer, includes an air pilot pressure regulator receiving air at pressure PAS and air at the pressure of at least one tire of a truck or trailer, and configured to feed air to and bleed air from the at least one tire of the truck or trailer as a function of the load on the truck or trailer. The pressure regulator is configured to feed air to and bleed air from the at least one tire of the truck or trailer based upon the pressure of the air spring PAS as a function of the load on the air spring (FAS), and further upon the recommended pressure PT of the at least one tire as a function of the load on the tire (FT).Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Inventor: Santo A. Padula
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Patent number: 10449804Abstract: A tire includes a plurality of SMA springs. Each SMA spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA spring is interlaced with at least one other SMA spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Santo A. Padula, II, James Benzing, Vivake M. Asnani
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Patent number: 10427461Abstract: A tire having a plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) radial stiffening elements including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA radial element is secured to the rim of a wheel to form arching elements extending about an entire circumference of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Santo A. Padula, II, James Benzing, Colln M. Creager
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Publication number: 20190105952Abstract: A load based tire pressure regulation system for trucks or trailers employing an air spring maintained at a variable pressure PAS depending upon the load on the truck or trailer, includes an air pilot pressure regulator receiving air at pressure PAS and air at the pressure of at least one tire of a truck or trailer, and configured to feed air to and bleed air from the at least one tire of the truck or trailer as a function of the load on the truck or trailer. The pressure regulator is configured to feed air to and bleed air from the at least one tire of the truck or trailer based upon the pressure of the air spring PAS as a function of the load on the air spring (FAS), and further upon the recommended pressure PT of the at least one tire as a function of the load on the tire (FT).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventor: Santo A. Padula
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Patent number: 9476113Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Santo A. Padula, II
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Patent number: 9434216Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source in fluid communication with multiple tires of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the tires. Means are fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit for enabling selective inflation and deflation of the tires. The means include a first pneumatic circuit for inflation of the tires, and a second pneumatic circuit for deflation of the tires. The second pneumatic circuit is discrete from the first pneumatic circuit and is common to more than one of the tires. The means provides controlled deflation of the tires in the second pneumatic circuit based upon a predetermined condition, preventing deflation of the tires until the vehicle is parked, or limiting the deflation of the tires, which in turn enables the tire inflation system to accommodate a desirable increased pressure in the tires.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Santo Padula
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Patent number: 9273369Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Santo A. Padula, II
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Publication number: 20160031270Abstract: A constant pressure vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source. A first wheel valve is in fluid communication with a first tire of the vehicle, and a second wheel valve is in fluid communication with a second tire of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the wheel valves. At least a portion of the pneumatic conduit remains charged with air from at least one of the supply source and the tires. The system includes means for distributing air flow between the pneumatic conduit and the first and second wheel valves, in which the wheel valves and the means selectively maintain fluid communication between the first and second tires and the pneumatic conduit to provide pneumatic balancing between the tires, and the wheel valves provide emergency protection when a tire experiences significant pressure loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Santo Padula, Jeffrey S. Morris
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Patent number: 9169545Abstract: A material for use as a mechanical component is formed of a superelastic intermetallic material having a low apparent modulus and a high hardness. The superelastic intermetallic material is conditioned to be dimensionally stable, devoid of any shape memory effect and have a stable superelastic response without irrecoverable deformation while exhibiting strains of at least 3%. The method of conditioning the superelastic intermetallic material is described. Another embodiment relates to lightweight materials known as ordered intermetallics that perform well in sliding wear applications using conventional liquid lubricants and are therefore suitable for resilient, high performance mechanical components such as gears and bearings.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Santo Padula, II, Ronald D. Noebe, Malcolm K. Stanford, Christopher DellaCorte
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Patent number: 9132704Abstract: A constant pressure vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source. A first wheel valve is in fluid communication with a first tire of the vehicle, and a second wheel valve is in fluid communication with a second tire of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the wheel valves. At least a portion of the pneumatic conduit remains charged with air from at least one of the supply source and the tires. The system includes means for distributing air flow between the pneumatic conduit and the first and second wheel valves, in which the wheel valves and the means selectively maintain fluid communication between the first and second tires and the pneumatic conduit to provide pneumatic balancing between the tires, and the wheel valves provide emergency protection when a tire experiences significant pressure loss.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Santo Padula, Jeffrey S. Morris
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Publication number: 20150144222Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source in fluid communication with multiple tires of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the tires. Means are fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit for enabling selective inflation and deflation of the tires. The means include a first pneumatic circuit for inflation of the tires, and a second pneumatic circuit for deflation of the tires. The second pneumatic circuit is discrete from the first pneumatic circuit and is common to more than one of the tires. The means provides controlled deflation of the tires in the second pneumatic circuit based upon a predetermined condition, preventing deflation of the tires until the vehicle is parked, or limiting the deflation of the tires, which in turn enables the tire inflation system to accommodate a desirable increased pressure in the tires.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Santo Padula
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Patent number: 8973633Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source in fluid communication with multiple tires of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the tires. Means are fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit for enabling selective inflation and deflation of the tires. The means include a first pneumatic circuit for inflation of the tires, and a second pneumatic circuit for deflation of the tires. The second pneumatic circuit is discrete from the first pneumatic circuit and is common to more than one of the tires. The means provides controlled deflation of the tires in the second pneumatic circuit based upon a predetermined condition, preventing deflation of the tires until the vehicle is parked, or limiting the deflation of the tires, which in turn enables the tire inflation system to accommodate a desirable increased pressure in the tires.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Jesse W. Cervantez, Santo Padula
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Patent number: 8917170Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the articulation angle between a tractor and trailer connected by a kingpin and fifth wheel include a transfer assembly associated with the kingpin and interacting with the fifth wheel such that the transfer assembly is rotationally moved relative to the kingpin by relative rotational movement between the kingpin and the fifth wheel. This rotational movement is read by an articulation sensing mechanism having one of a reader element and output element mounted to the transfer assembly and the other of the reader element and the output element operatively mounted to the trailer such that the reader element and the output element interact to provide a signal corresponding to the articulation angle between the tractor and trailer. This signal can be analyzed by a processor for any beneficial use, for example, outputting to a counter steering mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: Santo A. Padula
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Publication number: 20130343931Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit. The invention also includes a parallel pump that captures air to increase the pressure in the vehicle air supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Phillippi R. Pierce, Matthew J. VanMeter, Santo Padula, Michael J. Keeler
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Patent number: 8528611Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Phillippi R. Pierce, Matthew VanMeter, Santo Padula, Michael J. Keeler
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Patent number: 8505600Abstract: A rotary union is integrated into the interior of a heavy-duty vehicle hub cap. The hub cap includes a cylindrical sidewall, and an outboard wall that is integrally formed with an outboard end of the sidewall, and which extends generally perpendicular to the sidewall. The hub cap also includes a radially-extending flange that is formed on an inboard end of the sidewall, which receives fasteners to mount the hub cap on a wheel hub. The sidewall and the outboard wall form an interior compartment in the hub cap, and a rotary union is mounted to the hub cap in the interior compartment. The rotary union is mounted on the inboard surface of the outboard wall of the hub cap and is in general axial alignment with an axial centerline of a wheel end assembly, providing fluid communication from a tire inflation system to the tires of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Santo Padula, Jesse W. Cervantez, Roger W. Loar
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Publication number: 20130082453Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the articulation angle between a tractor and trailer connected by a kingpin and fifth wheel include a transfer assembly associated with the kingpin and interacting with the fifth wheel such that the transfer assembly is rotationally moved relative to the kingpin by relative rotational movement between the kingpin and the fifth wheel. This rotational movement is read by an articulation sensing mechanism having one of a reader element and output element mounted to the transfer assembly and the other of the reader element and the output element operatively mounted to the trailer such that the reader element and the output element interact to provide a signal corresponding to the articulation angle between the tractor and trailer. This signal can be analyzed by a processor for any beneficial use, for example, outputting to a counter steering mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventor: Santo A. Padula