Patents by Inventor William Charles Kruckemeyer

William Charles Kruckemeyer 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: 5749596
    Abstract: A roll control system with a latchable stabilizer bar actuator includes an anti-roll bar that is mounted to a vehicle's body and includes a pair of ends with one end rigidly connected to the vehicle's chassis and the second end connected to the vehicle's chassis through a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator includes a single cylindrical tube slidably carrying a piston. The piston separates the tube into first and second chambers. The piston carries a solenoid operated valve that effects latching and de-latching of the actuator for selectively effecting operation of the anti-roll bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Lee Jensen, William Charles Kruckemeyer, John David Fehring
  • Patent number: 5715680
    Abstract: A hydraulic power booster for a brake apply system includes a mechanically actuated hydraulic booster of compact design that can be integrated in line with a conventional type master cylinder. Additionally, a combination of twin mechanically actuated check valves is arranged to provide a structure with essentially no leakage when the hydraulic booster is at rest and when the hydraulic booster is at poise. A mechanically actuated check valve is normally held open and is positioned in a passageway between the power piston and a fluid reservoir. This check valve is substantially, immediately closed upon the application of force to the brake pedal. Another mechanically actuated check valve is provided in a passageway between the hydraulic power supply and the power piston. This check valve is mechanically opened to supply a selected amount of pressurized fluid to the power piston which generates a selected amount of vehicle braking in response to actuation of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William Charles Kruckemeyer, Michael Leslie Oliver, James William Zehnder, II, Gary Lee Johnston
  • Patent number: 5706919
    Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through two alternate flow paths as determined by the control valve. Damping through the first flow path is relatively soft and is determined according to the deflective characteristics of a single bi-directional annular disc valve. Damping through the second flow path is relatively firm and is determined by the first bi-directional single annular disc and a second bi-directional single annular disc in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William Charles Kruckemeyer, Richard Edward Longhouse, Patrick Neil Hopkins, Michael Leslie Oliver, Michael Anthony Dimatteo
  • Patent number: 5690195
    Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through two alternate flow paths as determined by the control valve. Damping through the first flow path is relatively soft and is determined according to the deflective characteristics of first and second single bi-directional annular disc valves in parallel. Damping through the second flow path is relatively firm and is determined solely by the second bi-directional single annular disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William Charles Kruckemeyer, Patrick Neil Hopkins, Richard Edward Longhouse, Michael Anthony Dimatteo, Michael Leslie Oliver
  • Patent number: 5690319
    Abstract: A turnable pneumatic suspension system is provided wherein proper air flow to the diaphragm is ensured through a charging route that is maintained in a securely sealed condition and which includes a nonrotatable point of attachment to a remote pressurization device. The pneumatic suspension system includes an air spring and a damper in combination, mounted to rotate relative to a vehicle with a dynamic seal provided between a nonrotatable seal ring and mating components of the air spring facilitating rotation of the suspension module while the entrance to the air charging route of the suspension module remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Robinson, James William Zehnder, II, William Charles Kruckemeyer, Herbert Stanley Summers, III, Jay Michael Shores, Stephen Carey Hagwood
  • Patent number: 5690396
    Abstract: A proportional fluid pressure regulation system is provided using a combination of a proportional valve and a shuttle valve for fluid flow control. A system of fluid pressure regulation is achieved where the desired pressure output is provided by one of two pressure input sources. The two pressure input sources are alternately selected by operation of a pilot operated shuttle valve and a solenoid operated proportional valve. The two pressure sources may comprise a manually actuated vehicle braking system's master cylinder and a power operated fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Lee Johnston, James William Zehnder, II, William Charles Kruckemeyer, Richard Edward Longhouse, Michael Leslie Oliver
  • Patent number: 5678810
    Abstract: A pneumatic suspension system including an air spring in combination with a damper provides a way of mounting to a vehicle with a dual path mount. The air spring includes a canister in combination with a flexible element defining a variable pressure chamber. A mounting plate is captured about the canister by a nut. The nut has an air passageway for inflating and relieving the air spring and for providing a selectively open communicative path between the air spring and a remote volume that extends through the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert Stanley Summers, III, Jay Michael Shores, Stephen Carey Hagwood, Frank Robinson, William Charles Kruckemeyer
  • Patent number: 5647461
    Abstract: An adjustable damper is provided with a variable electrically controlled damping rate being effected through the use of a sliding spool control valve carried on the piston in cooperation with a passive damping valve also carried on the piston to provide a compact and unitized assembly. Damping fluid flow through the piston passes through both the control valve and the passive damping valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Lee Jensen, William Charles Kruckemeyer