Patents by Inventor William R. Heign

William R. Heign 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: 5451188
    Abstract: A driver-controlled differential lock control system allows vehicles with automatic, electronic and single range manual transmissions and air pressure actuated differential locking devices to have the vehicle differential thereof locked on only at low speeds. The control system includes a vehicle speed sensor, such as a speedometer transmitter, and a speed switch responsive to the vehicle speed sensor to selectively actuate a normally-closed air solenoid valve disposed in a vehicle air supply line upstream of a manually controlled air valve which supplies the differential lock actuator. The speed switch normally supplies power to the air solenoid valve until the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined limit whereat power is discontinued to the air solenoid valve causing disengagement of the differential lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Kraft, Michael J. Lehman, David A. Schaller, Charles D. Sims, William R. Heign