David R Blankenship

US Patent:

48908584, Jan 2, 1990

Filed:

Feb 16, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/156533

Inventors:

David R. Blankenship - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Monroe Auto Equipment Company - Monroe MI

International Classification:

B60G 1700

US Classification:

280707

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling shock absorbers as disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first valve member disposed within the pressure chamber of the shock absorber for establishing a first plurality of flow passages. The apparatus further comprises a second valve member also disposed within the pressure cylinder of the shock absorber for establishing a second plurality of flow passages. In additon, the apparatus comprises an actuator for providing an accelerating and decelerating force to the second valve member. Control means for controlling the displacement of the second valve member is also provided.

US Patent:

20180141401, May 24, 2018

Filed:

Jan 16, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/872451

Inventors:

- Lake Forest IL, US
David R. BLANKENSHIP - Canton MI, US
Karl C. KAZMIRSKI - Temperance MI, US
Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeffrey T. GARDNER - Woodland Park CO, US

International Classification:

B60G 17/08
F16F 9/46
B60G 13/00
F16F 9/32
B60G 17/015
B60G 17/019

Abstract:

A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.

US Patent:

20160082803, Mar 24, 2016

Filed:

Nov 20, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/947222

Inventors:

- Lake Forest IL, US
David R. BLANKENSHIP - Canton MI, US
Karl C. KAZMIRSKI - Temperance MI, US
Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeffrey T. GARDNER - Woodland Park CO, US

International Classification:

B60G 17/08
B60G 17/015

Abstract:

A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.

US Patent:

20140306409, Oct 16, 2014

Filed:

Apr 10, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/249461

Inventors:

- Lake Forest IL, US
Rudi Schurmans - Nieuwerkerken, BE
David Blankenship - Canton MI, US
Scott Dunaway - Carleton MI, US
Zoren Gaspar - Huron OH, US

Assignee:

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B60G 17/015

US Classification:

280 615

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension assembly including a first end, a second end, and a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is movable between a retracted position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a first overall length, and an extended position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a second overall length greater than the first overall length. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to raise a vehicle when moved from the first overall length to the second overall length by the hydraulic actuator. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to lower the vehicle when moved from the second overall length to the first overall length by the hydraulic actuator.

US Patent:

20140262648, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/211318

Inventors:

- Lake Forest IL, US
Scott S. DUNAWAY - Carleton MI, US
David R. BLANKENSHIP - Canton MI, US
Jeffrey T. GARDNER - Woodland Park CO, US

Assignee:

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

F16F 9/516
F16F 9/34

US Classification:

1882822

Abstract:

A shock absorber may include a piston rod, a first rod guide member, a second rod guide member, and an electronically controlled valve assembly. The first rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod, and the second rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and is adjacent the first rod guide member. The electronically controlled valve assembly may include a coil assembly and a valve guide assembly. The valve guide assembly may be disposed adjacent to the coil assembly and may be concentrically disposed about the second rod guide member. The valve guide assembly includes a spool and defines a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a chamber. The spool is disposed within the chamber and controls the flow of fluid between the valve inlet and the valve outlet.

US Patent:

20140262652, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Jul 22, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/947169

Inventors:

- Lake Forest IL, US
Karl C. KAZMIRSKI - Temperance MI, US
Thomas P. MALLIN - Temperance MI, US
John MCGAHEY - Trenton MI, US
Timothy BOMBRYS - Bowling Green OH, US
David R. BLANKENSHIP - Canton MI, US
Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN - Ypsilanti MI, US

Assignee:

TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC. - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

F16F 9/50
F16F 9/34
B60G 17/08
F16F 9/18

US Classification:

188313

Abstract:

A shock absorber has a housing with a piston rod assembly disposed therein. A first rod guide member is secured within a first portion of the housing so as to be concentrically disposed about at least a portion of the piston rod assembly. A second rod guide member is secured within the housing adjacent the first rod guide member so as to be concentrically disposed about at least another portion of the piston rod assembly. An electronically controlled valve assembly is disposed within the second rod guide member and is in communication with the first rod guide member.

US Patent:

20140244112, Aug 28, 2014

Filed:

Feb 27, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/191885

Inventors:

- Lake Forest IL, US
David R. BLANKENSHIP - Canton MI, US
Karl C. KAZMIRSKI - Temperance MI, US
Jeroen K. PAENHUYSEN - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeffrey T. GARDNER - Woodland Park CO, US

Assignee:

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B60G 17/08
B60G 17/015

US Classification:

701 37

Abstract:

A damper system for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.