Patents by Inventor Venkata Ramakanth Kona

Venkata Ramakanth Kona 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: 11872851
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 11541702
    Abstract: A method of determining the health of a tire on a vehicle includes determining a total number of tire inflation events that have occurred due to a loss of tire pressure. A rate in which the tire inflation events have occurred is determined based on the total number of tire inflation events over a predetermined period of time. The health of a tire is determined by comparing the rate in which tire inflation events have occurred to a threshold rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 11445625
    Abstract: A method and system of preventing or reducing water ingress into a tire inflation system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt P. Gillen, Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Philip M. Molloy
  • Publication number: 20220176753
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth KONA, Christopher P. LEWARK
  • Patent number: 11298987
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 10828940
    Abstract: A method of decreasing tire pressure includes opening a wheel valve (22) to allow pressurized air from a tire (10) to be directed to a first valve assembly (14) and to atmosphere. A target pressure is selected for a fluid control conduit (28). The fluid conduit (28) is in fluid communication with the first valve assembly (14) and a second or control valve assembly (30). The pressure in the fluid conduit (28) is measured. If the measured pressure is greater than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is de-energized. If the measured pressure is less than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is energized. A valve (42) prone to leak under very low temperatures may be subjected to repeated cycles of pressure application and pressure release in order to form a fluid-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt P. Gillen, Venkata Ramakanth Kona
  • Patent number: 10807419
    Abstract: A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit having a first pressure transducer. The control unit is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir via an air supply circuit. A second pressure transducer is disposed at least partially within the fluid reservoir. The method also includes measuring a pressure of air in the air supply circuit utilizing the first pressure transducer and measuring a pressure of air in the reservoir utilizing the second pressure transducer. The method additionally includes determining a difference in the measurements of the first pressure transducer and the second pressure transducer and calibrating the second pressure transducer pressure measurement to agree with the first pressure transducer pressure measurement where the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value. The method further includes measuring a pressure in one or more tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Venkata Ramakanth Kona
  • Publication number: 20200324585
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth KONA, Christopher P. LEWARK
  • Publication number: 20200260600
    Abstract: A method and system of preventing or reducing water ingress into a tire inflation system is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Kurt P. GILLEN, Venkata Ramakanth KONA, Philip M. MOLLOY
  • Publication number: 20200247195
    Abstract: A method of determining the health of a tire on a vehicle includes determining a total number of tire inflation events that have occurred due to a loss of tire pressure. A rate in which the tire inflation events have occurred is determined based on the total number of tire inflation events over a predetermined period of time. The health of a tire is determined by comparing the rate in which tire inflation events have occurred to a threshold rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Publication number: 20180304701
    Abstract: A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit having a first pressure transducer. The control unit is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir via an air supply circuit. A second pressure transducer is disposed at least partially within the fluid reservoir. The method also includes measuring a pressure of air in the air supply circuit utilizing the first pressure transducer and measuring a pressure of air in the reservoir utilizing the second pressure transducer. The method additionally includes determining a difference in the measurements of the first pressure transducer and the second pressure transducer and calibrating the second pressure transducer pressure measurement to agree with the first pressure transducer pressure measurement where the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value. The method further includes measuring a pressure in one or more tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Venkata Ramakanth Kona
  • Publication number: 20180141393
    Abstract: A method of decreasing tire pressure includes opening a wheel valve (22) to allow pressurized air from a tire (10) to be directed to a first valve assembly (14) and to atmosphere. A target pressure is selected for a fluid control conduit (28). The fluid conduit (28) is in fluid communication with the first valve assembly (14) and a second or control valve assembly (30). The pressure in the fluid conduit (28) is measured. If the measured pressure is greater than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is de-energized. If the measured pressure is less than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is energized. A valve (42) prone to leak under very low temperatures may be subjected to repeated cycles of pressure application and pressure release in order to form a fluid-tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: KURT P. GILLEN, VENKATA RAMAKANTH KONA
  • Patent number: 9694630
    Abstract: A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit which comprises a pressure sensor. The control unit is in fluid communication with a wheel valve via a fluid control circuit. A pressure of air in the fluid control circuit is measured utilizing the pressure sensor. The method also includes determining whether a leak is present in a fluid control circuit and providing a leakage compensation pressure. The tire pressure is calculated by adding the pressure of the air in the fluid control circuit and the leakage compensation pressure together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Venkata Ramakanth Kona
  • Publication number: 20160375730
    Abstract: A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit which comprises a pressure sensor. The control unit is in fluid communication with a wheel valve via a fluid control circuit. A pressure of air in the fluid control circuit is measured utilizing the pressure sensor. The method also includes determining whether a leak is present in a fluid control circuit and providing a leakage compensation pressure. The tire pressure is calculated by adding the pressure of the air in the fluid control circuit and the leakage compensation pressure together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: VENKATA RAMAKANTH KONA
  • Patent number: 9403410
    Abstract: A method for decreasing tire pressure includes providing a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position and includes an area having a first flow capacity. A variable area valve assembly is provided and is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The variable area valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity. A target tire pressure is selected. If a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is greater than the target tire pressure, then the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Melvin B. Mozingo, Lloyd G. Racine, Jason M. Sidders, Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Kurt P. Gillen, Brian V. Knapke
  • Publication number: 20160167456
    Abstract: A method for decreasing tire pressure includes providing a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position and includes an area having a first flow capacity. A variable area valve assembly is provided and is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The variable area valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity. A target tire pressure is selected. If a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is greater than the target tire pressure, then the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Melvin B. Mozingo, Lloyd G. Racine, Jason M. Sidders, Venkata Ramakanth Kona, Kurt P. Gillen, Brian V. Knapke