Patents by Inventor Stephen Dockstader

Stephen Dockstader 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: 10814905
    Abstract: Electric power assisted steering (EPAS) systems for solid axle front suspension vehicles are described. An example EPAS system includes an idler arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the idler arm is coupled to a frame of the vehicle. The example EPAS system further includes an EPAS rack assembly having an input shaft, a rack, an electric motor, and an output link. The rack is coupled to the input shaft and is movable in response to movement of the input shaft. The electric motor is coupled to the rack. The electric motor provides powered assistance to movement of the rack. The output link has a first end and a second end. The first end of the output link is coupled to the rack. The second end of the output link is coupled to the second end of the idler arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jaspal Sohal, Joseph Skynar, Stephen Dockstader, Paul Robert Longworth, Christopher Rolls
  • Publication number: 20190351937
    Abstract: Electric power assisted steering (EPAS) systems for solid axle front suspension vehicles are described. An example EPAS system includes an idler arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the idler arm is coupled to a frame of the vehicle. The example EPAS system further includes an EPAS rack assembly having an input shaft, a rack, an electric motor, and an output link. The rack is coupled to the input shaft and is movable in response to movement of the input shaft. The electric motor is coupled to the rack. The electric motor provides powered assistance to movement of the rack. The output link has a first end and a second end. The first end of the output link is coupled to the rack. The second end of the output link is coupled to the second end of the idler arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Jaspal Sohal, Joseph Skynar, Stephen Dockstader, Paul Robert Longworth, Christopher Rolls
  • Patent number: 10086874
    Abstract: Modular vehicle platforms are disclosed. An example modular platform includes a frame to couple to a body of a vehicle. A first bracket is coupled to the frame. One of a second bracket or a third bracket is coupled to the frame. The first bracket is spaced from the second bracket or the third bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket enable attachment of a first suspension to the frame. The first bracket and the third bracket enable attachment of a second suspension to the frame. The first suspension has a first geometry that is different than a second geometry of the second suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lipa, Steve Scott Allen, Peter Simeon Lazarevski, Scott J Bell, Shane Edward Foley, Stephen Dockstader, Joseph Skynar
  • Publication number: 20180148095
    Abstract: Modular vehicle platforms are disclosed. An example modular platform includes a frame to couple to a body of a vehicle. A first bracket is coupled to the frame. One of a second bracket or a third bracket is coupled to the frame. The first bracket is spaced from the second bracket or the third bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket enable attachment of a first suspension to the frame. The first bracket and the third bracket enable attachment of a second suspension to the frame. The first suspension has a first geometry that is different than a second geometry of the second suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lipa, Steve Scott Allen, Peter Simeon Lazarevski, Scott J Bell, Shane Edward Foley, Stephen Dockstader, Joseph Skynar
  • Patent number: 9238386
    Abstract: A machine axle housing includes a central body having an oil reservoir and a pair of axle legs. The central body includes a ring gear, an oil channel, and oil port for conveying oil through an oil conduit to each leg. Machine brakes within the central body include at least one disc rotatably adapted to centrifugally move oil radially outwardly of the brakes. A second oil channel collects oil from the disc, and a passageway extends from the second oil channel back to the central body to return oil from the legs back to the central body. The ring gear, first oil channel and first oil conduit define a first oil lubrication sub-system for moving oil from the central body to right and left legs, and the disc, second oil channel, and passageway define a second oil lubrication sub-system for moving oil from the legs back to the central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Dockstader, Joshua Jensen, Jason Weber
  • Patent number: 8910758
    Abstract: A brake assembly integrates both an impeller brake and a friction brake into an integrated brake assembly that provides for retarding and/or friction braking in response to a single braking action on a single brake assembly by the operator. In neutral, the impeller brake and the friction brake are disengaged from a brake hub. In a first braking position under a first applied fluid pressure, the brake hub engages the impeller brake for retarding axle rotation. In a second braking position under a second applied fluid pressure, the brake hub frictionally engages the friction brake for frictionally braking axle rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Jensen, Stephen Dockstader
  • Publication number: 20140265541
    Abstract: A machine axle housing includes a central body having an oil reservoir and a pair of axle legs. The central body includes a ring gear, an oil channel, and oil port for conveying oil through an oil conduit to each leg. Machine brakes within the central body include at least one disc rotatably adapted to centrifugally move oil radially outwardly of the brakes. A second oil channel collects oil from the disc, and a passageway extends from the second oil channel back to the central body to return oil from the legs back to the central body. The ring gear, first oil channel and first oil conduit define a first oil lubrication sub-system for moving oil from the central body to right and left legs, and the disc, second oil channel, and passageway define a second oil lubrication sub-system for moving oil from the legs back to the central body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Dockstader, Joshua Jensen, Jason Weber
  • Publication number: 20130240312
    Abstract: A brake assembly integrates both an impeller brake and a friction brake into an integrated brake assembly that provides for retarding and/or friction braking in response to a single braking action on a single brake assembly by the operator. In neutral, the impeller brake and the friction brake are disengaged from a brake hub. In a first braking position under a first applied fluid pressure, the brake hub engages the impeller brake for retarding axle rotation. In a second braking position under a second applied fluid pressure, the brake hub frictionally engages the friction brake for frictionally braking axle rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Jensen, Stephen Dockstader