Patents by Inventor Troy P. Rodecker
Troy P. Rodecker 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: 11585260Abstract: An isolator for supporting an exhaust component from a portion of a vehicle via a hanger includes elastomeric isolator element having at least one aperture adapted to receive the hanger and an isolator or bracket for receiving and supporting the elastomeric isolator element. The isolator bracket includes a mounting structure including a first aperture and a second aperture. The isolator bracket is adapted to be fixed to the vehicle by a single fastener extending through the first aperture. The second aperture extends through the isolator bracket and includes an internal wall shaped as a polygon. A target orientation of the isolator bracket relative to the vehicle is obtained when the internal wall of the second aperture is angularly oriented and coaxially aligned with a corresponding aperture in the portion of the vehicle having an internal surface with the same polygon shape as the second aperture.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Publication number: 20220349333Abstract: An isolator for supporting an exhaust component from a portion of a vehicle via a hanger includes elastomeric isolator element having at least one aperture adapted to receive the hanger and an isolator or bracket for receiving and supporting the elastomeric isolator element. The isolator bracket includes a mounting structure including a first aperture and a second aperture. The isolator bracket is adapted to be fixed to the vehicle by a single fastener extending through the first aperture. The second aperture extends through the isolator bracket and includes an internal wall shaped as a polygon. A target orientation of the isolator bracket relative to the vehicle is obtained when the internal wall of the second aperture is angularly oriented and coaxially aligned with a corresponding aperture in the portion of the vehicle having an internal surface with the same polygon shape as the second aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventor: Troy P. RODECKER
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Patent number: 10718253Abstract: An isolator mount for supporting an exhaust component on a vehicle body via a hanger. The isolator mount includes an isolator element, isolator bracket, and clevis bracket. The isolator element has an aperture for receiving a portion of the hanger and dampens vibrations. The isolator bracket extends at least partially about and supports the isolator element and further includes a neck portion. The clevis bracket has a first half and a second half that are secured to the neck portion of the isolator bracket with a fastener that extends along a longitudinal axis. The first half of the clevis bracket and the neck portion of the isolator bracket include an anti-rotation feature in the form of a key-way slot and a key that is received in the key-way slot to prevent rotation of the isolator bracket relative to the clevis bracket about the longitudinal axis of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Publication number: 20200056531Abstract: An isolator mount for supporting an exhaust component on a vehicle body via a hanger. The isolator mount includes an isolator element, isolator bracket, and clevis bracket. The isolator element has an aperture for receiving a portion of the hanger and dampens vibrations. The isolator bracket extends at least partially about and supports the isolator element and further includes a neck portion. The clevis bracket has a first half and a second half that are secured to the neck portion of the isolator bracket with a fastener that extends along a longitudinal axis. The first half of the clevis bracket and the neck portion of the isolator bracket include an anti-rotation feature in the form of a key-way slot and a key that is received in the key-way slot to prevent rotation of the isolator bracket relative to the clevis bracket about the longitudinal axis of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventor: Troy P. RODECKER
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Patent number: 10378418Abstract: An isolator assembly has a housing with a bore. A resilient bushing is positioned within the bore of the housing. The bushing has a lower isolator spring element, a central region and an upper isolator spring element, wherein the central region has a smaller cross sectional area than each of the lower and upper isolator spring elements. The bushing has a bore extending at least partially axially therethrough. The lower and upper isolator spring elements are supported within axially spaced apart portions of the housing. A vertical hanger pin is secured within the bore of the bushing and projects outwardly therefrom to facilitate mounting the isolator assembly to an exhaust system component.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: THE PULLMAN COMPANYInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Patent number: 10030569Abstract: An isolator mounting apparatus for supporting an exhaust component from a body portion of a vehicle via a hanger comprises an elastomeric isolator element having at least one aperture for receiving a portion of the hanger. An isolator bracket for receiving and supporting the isolator element includes a neck portion extending therefrom. A mounting element includes a pair of flanges. The flanges are secured to the isolator bracket with a fastener extending along longitudinal axis. The flanges engage the neck portion and prevent rotation of the isolator bracket about the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Patent number: 9845720Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an isolator assembly for supporting an exhaust component from a structural portion of a vehicle. The isolator assembly has a mounting bracket having a pair of spaced apart rings defining a mounting bore. An elastomer shear hub component is disposed within the mounting bracket and has an outer diameter (OD) shear hub extending between the pair of spaced apart rings, and an inner diameter (ID) shear hub disposed within the OD shear hub. The ID shear hub defines a central mounting bore adapted to receive an external hanger component.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Publication number: 20170211458Abstract: An isolator mounting apparatus for supporting an exhaust component from a body portion of a vehicle via a hanger comprises an elastomeric isolator element having at least one aperture for receiving a portion of the hanger. An isolator bracket for receiving and supporting the isolator element includes a neck portion extending therefrom. A mounting element includes a pair of flanges. The flanges are secured to the isolator bracket with a fastener extending along longitudinal axis. The flanges engage the neck portion and prevent rotation of the isolator bracket about the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventor: Troy P. RODECKER
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Patent number: 9650939Abstract: An isolator mounting apparatus is disclosed for supporting an exhaust component from a body portion of a vehicle. The apparatus has an elastomeric isolator element having at least one hole for receiving a first external hanger. An isolator bracket has a portion which is used for receiving and supporting the isolator element, and a neck portion extending therefrom. A mounting element is configured to engage with at least a portion of the neck portion of the isolator bracket. The mounting element is adapted to be secured to the isolator bracket. The mounting element is further adapted to be fixedly secured to the exhaust component.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Publication number: 20170044966Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an isolator assembly for supporting an exhaust component from a structural portion of a vehicle. The isolator assembly has a mounting bracket having a pair of spaced apart rings defining a mounting bore. An elastomer shear hub component is disposed within the mounting bracket and has an outer diameter (OD) shear hub extending between the pair of spaced apart rings, and an inner diameter (ID) shear hub disposed within the OD shear hub. The ID shear hub defines a central mounting bore adapted to receive an external hanger component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventor: Troy P. RODECKER
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Publication number: 20160369684Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an isolator assembly. The assembly has a housing with a bore. A resilient bushing is positioned within the bore of the housing. The bushing has a lower isolator spring element, a central region and an upper isolator spring element, wherein the central region has a smaller cross sectional area than each of the lower and upper isolator spring elements. The bushing has a bore extending at least partially axially therethrough. The lower and upper isolator spring elements are supported within axially spaced apart portions of the housing. A vertical hanger pin is secured within the bore of the bushing and projects outwardly therefrom to facilitate mounting the isolator assembly to an exhaust system component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventor: Troy P. RODECKER
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Publication number: 20160069247Abstract: An isolator mounting apparatus is disclosed for supporting an exhaust component from a body portion of a vehicle. The apparatus has an elastomeric isolator element having at least one hole for receiving a first external hanger. An isolator bracket has a portion which is used for receiving and supporting the isolator element, and a neck portion extending therefrom. A mounting element is configured to engage with at least a portion of the neck portion of the isolator bracket. The mounting element is adapted to be secured to the isolator bracket. The mounting element is further adapted to be fixedly secured to the exhaust component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Applicant: THE PULLMAN COMPANYInventor: Troy P. RODECKER
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Patent number: 9068620Abstract: A body mount supports and couples components of a vehicle. An inner support member and an outer support member of the body mount may have a circular cross-section. The inner support member may be disposed within the outer support member. The elastomeric member of the body mount may include an intermediate body and a ring portion. The intermediate body may be fixedly coupled to and between the inner support member and the outer support member. The ring portion extends from the intermediate body via a plurality of columns. A plurality of windows are formed between the plurality of columns. The plurality of columns are compressible, such that when the plurality of columns are compressed, the intermediate body and the ring portion are in contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Publication number: 20140284154Abstract: A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system. In another embodiment a coulomb damper includes an outer member press fit over an inner member. A chamber is defined between the inner and outer member. In one embodiment, the inner member and the outer member are coaxial and the chamber is an annular chamber having a constant radial width. In another embodiment, the chamber is eccentric in relation to the inner member and has a variable radial width.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Publication number: 20140239659Abstract: A body mount supports and couples components of a vehicle. An inner support member and an outer support member of the body mount may have a circular cross-section. The inner support member may be disposed within the outer support member. The elastomeric member of the body mount may include an intermediate body and a ring portion. The intermediate body may be fixedly coupled to and between the inner support member and the outer support member. The ring portion extends from the intermediate body via a plurality of columns. A plurality of windows are formed between the plurality of columns. The plurality of columns are compressible, such that when the plurality of columns are compressed, the intermediate body and the ring portion are in contact with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Patent number: 8794586Abstract: A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system. In another embodiment a coulomb damper includes an outer member press fit over an inner member. A chamber is defined between the inner and outer member. In one embodiment, the inner member and the outer member are coaxial and the chamber is an annular chamber having a constant radial width. In another embodiment, the chamber is eccentric in relation to the inner member and has a variable radial width.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Patent number: 8794585Abstract: A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Patent number: 8690115Abstract: A system for mounting a catalytic converter of an exhaust system to an internal combustion engine includes a bracket adapted to fix the catalytic converter to the engine. A strap is adapted to circumferentially extend about a portion of the catalytic converter and clamp the catalytic converter to the bracket. The bracket includes a seat, a mounting pad and a compliant portion interconnecting the seat and the mounting pad. The seat supports a portion of the catalytic converter opposite the strap. The compliant portion includes a slot extending adjacent to the seat to reduce the stiffness of the bracket and allow the bracket to deflect during thermal expansion of the catalytic converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Troy P. Rodecker, Jason R. Porter
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Patent number: 8646761Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges defined by the inner and outer structural members that undergo shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The inner and outer structural members are designed to provide a travel stop for the elastomeric isolator in order to avoid compression of the shear hub during high loads. The elastomeric bushing can also include an optional integral elastomeric heat shield which protects the shear hub.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker
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Patent number: 8608117Abstract: An elastomeric assembly is disposed within an aperture defined by a supporting structure of a vehicle. The elastomeric assembly is movable between a first position where the elastomeric assembly can move axial within the aperture and a second position where the elastomeric assembly is prohibited from moving axially within the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: The Pullman CompanyInventor: Troy P. Rodecker