Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Weed
Thomas J. Weed 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: 11661041Abstract: A parking brake controller comprises at least one input for receiving a signal indicative of at least one vehicle factor, a control input for receiving a request to unpark the vehicle, an output for transmitting a control signal to a parking brake valve and control logic. The control logic determines the at least one vehicle factor indicates the vehicle can be unparked, determines an unpark request has been received, and transmits a control signal to the parking brake valve only in response to the unpark request being received while the at least one vehicle factor is being met.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Inventors: Girish Barade, Christopher H Hutchins, Meviltan Mendis, Thomas J Weed
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Patent number: 11390260Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a power unit having air brake parking components and to which a towed unit having air brake parking components can be connected. The parking brake apparatus comprises a controller arranged to monitor a pressure signal indicative of a delivery air pressure applied to the air brake parking components of the towed unit when the towed unit is connected to the power unit. The controller is also arranged to provide a status signal indicative of whether or not a towed unit is connected to the power unit based upon the pressure signal. The controller further enables the status signal to be processed to control application or release of any combination of air brake parking components of the power unit and the towed unit to park or unpark the power unit as well as the towed unit, if connected to the power unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Girish Barade, Christopher H Hutchins, Thomas J Weed, Andrew L Kennedy
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Publication number: 20220048490Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a power unit having air brake parking components and to which a towed unit having air brake parking components can be connected. The parking brake apparatus comprises a controller arranged to monitor a pressure signal indicative of a delivery air pressure applied to the air brake parking components of the towed unit when the towed unit is connected to the power unit. The controller is also arranged to provide a status signal indicative of whether or not a towed unit is connected to the power unit based upon the pressure signal. The controller further enables the status signal to be processed to control application or release of any combination of air brake parking components of the power unit and the towed unit to park or unpark the power unit as well as the towed unit, if connected to the power unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Girish Barade, Christopher H. Hutchins, Thomas J. Weed, Andrew L. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20220032887Abstract: A parking brake controller comprises at least one input for receiving a signal indicative of at least one vehicle factor, a control input for receiving a request to unpark the vehicle, an output for transmitting a control signal to a parking brake valve and control logic. The control logic determines the at least one vehicle factor indicates the vehicle can be unparked, determines an unpark request has been received, and transmits a control signal to the parking brake valve only in response to the unpark request being received while the at least one vehicle factor is being met.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Girish Barade, Christopher H. Hutchins, Meviltan Mendis, Thomas J. Weed
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Patent number: 11203333Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a trailer parking brake status indicator in a tractor is provided that allow an operator to deactivate the indicator when the tractor is operating without a trailer using a pre-existing operator interface. The apparatus includes means for determining whether a trailer is coupled to the tractor and a controller configured to execute, when a determination whether the trailer is coupled to the tractor cannot be made, a process for controlling activation and deactivation of the indicator. The process includes determining whether a speed of the tractor meets a predetermined condition relative to a predetermined speed. The process further includes monitoring, after determining that the speed of the tractor meets the predetermined condition relative to the predetermined speed, for an activation command to activate a parking brake on the trailer. The process further includes deactivating the trailer parking brake status indicator responsive to the activation command.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Andrew L. Kennedy, Christopher H. Hutchins, Daniel P. Zula, Girish Barade, Thomas J. Weed, Linda J. Burns, Rebecca J. Carter
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Patent number: 11110906Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and a number of devices providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes based upon a predefined sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: David J Taneyhill, Phillip J Kasper, Girish Barade, Christopher H Hutchins, Thomas J Weed
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Publication number: 20200180586Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and a number of devices providing a plurality of output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors. The parking brake apparatus comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor the output signals indicative of a plurality of vehicle factors, and (ii) provide one or more control signals to be applied to components of the parking brake system to apply parking brakes based upon a predefined sequence of the plurality of vehicle factors having been met.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: David J Taneyhill, Phillip J Kasper, Girish Barade, Christopher H Hutchins, Thomas J Weed
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Publication number: 20200114896Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a trailer parking brake status indicator in a tractor is provided that allow an operator to deactivate the indicator when the tractor is operating without a trailer using a pre-existing operator interface. The apparatus includes means for determining whether a trailer is coupled to the tractor and a controller configured to execute, when a determination whether the trailer is coupled to the tractor cannot be made, a process for controlling activation and deactivation of the indicator. The process includes determining whether a speed of the tractor meets a predetermined condition relative to a predetermined speed. The process further includes monitoring, after determining that the speed of the tractor meets the predetermined condition relative to the predetermined speed, for an activation command to activate a parking brake on the trailer. The process further includes deactivating the trailer parking brake status indicator responsive to the activation command.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Andrew L. Kennedy, Christopher H. Hutchins, Daniel P. Zula, Girish Barade, Thomas J. Weed, Linda J. Burns, Rebecca J. Carter
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Patent number: 10084511Abstract: An electronic controller includes a first electrical input, receiving electrical power of a first voltage for powering the electronic controller, and a second electrical input, receiving an electrical power line communication signal at a second voltage. The second voltage is different than the first voltage. The power line communication signal is received from a second electronic controller that is powered by electrical power of the second voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Weed, Daniel P Zula, Timothy J Frashure, Michael D Tober
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Publication number: 20170106757Abstract: An electronic controller includes a first electrical input, receiving electrical power of a first voltage for powering the electronic controller, and a second electrical input, receiving an electrical power line communication signal at a second voltage. The second voltage is different than the first voltage. The power line communication signal is received from a second electronic controller that is powered by electrical power of the second voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Weed, Daniel P. Zula, Timothy J. Frashure, Michael D. Tober
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Patent number: 9069030Abstract: Various embodiments for determining a voltage rating of a solenoid in an electropneumatic valve are disclosed. A braking system controller comprises a power switch electrically connected to an associated first solenoid. The power switch provides a low current regulated voltage to the associated first solenoid. The current through the solenoid is converted to a voltage. The voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage range to determine the voltage rating of the associated first solenoid. In another embodiment, the control logic is capable of determining the voltage rating of multiple solenoids in each of the electropneumatic valves connected to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Daniel P. Zula, Kirit A. Thakkar, Thomas J. Weed, Julie A. Miller
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Publication number: 20150134216Abstract: Various embodiments for determining a voltage rating of a solenoid in an electropneumatic valve are disclosed. A braking system controller comprises a power switch electrically connected to an associated first solenoid. The power switch provides a low current regulated voltage to the associated first solenoid. The current through the solenoid is converted to a voltage. The voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage range to determine the voltage rating of the associated first solenoid. In another embodiment, the control logic is capable of determining the voltage rating of multiple solenoids in each of the electropneumatic valves connected to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Daniel P. Zula, Kirit A. Thakkar, Thomas J. Weed, Julie A. Miller
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Patent number: 8818673Abstract: When detecting unacceptably large airgaps between wheel speed sensors and their exciter rings on wheel ends of a vehicle, wheel speed sensor output is filtered and monitored to detect signal amplitudes that correspond to the airgaps. When signal peak amplitude below a predetermined threshold is detected, the airgap is too large. Wheel ends having unacceptably large air gaps are indicated to the driver or technician via blink sequences (e.g., on an electronic stability program (ESP) indicator light or other suitable indicator), wherein each wheel end is associated with a unique blink sequence.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Timothy J. Frashure, Thomas J. Weed, Craig S. Haehn, Kirit A. Thakkar, Julie A. Miller, Daniel P. Zula
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Patent number: 7251549Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar, Majed M. Hamdan
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Patent number: 6909956Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar
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Publication number: 20040111207Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar, Majed M. Hamdan
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Publication number: 20040034462Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Thomas J. Weed, Kenneth A. Grolle, Joseph M. Macnamara, Kirit A. Thakkar