Kenneth G Lang

US Patent:

6786509, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Nov 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/992496

Inventors:

Kenneth G. Lang - Davison MI
Steven R. Miller - Clarkston MI
James Eckelberry - Canton OH
Richard M. Clisch - Canton MI

Assignee:

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 17005

US Classification:

280754, 280 6151, 280124158, 267 2412, 267122, 267218

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension assembly includes a height holding device that is at least partially supported within an air spring of the suspension assembly. The height holding device includes a hydraulic ram. A moveable portion of the hydraulic ram moves between a first position where a minimum clearance is maintained between suspension components and a second position where a larger clearance is maintained between the suspension components. The height holding device moves into the second position to maintain a desired height of the truck or trailer bed during loading and unloading operations at a loading dock, for example. The height holding device allows for the suspension air springs to be evacuated of air pressure during loading or unloading conditions without a change in deck height.

US Patent:

6820883, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Nov 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/044853

Inventors:

Kenneth G. Lang - Davison MI
James Eckelberry - Canton OH
Steven R. Miller - Clarkston MI
Richard M. Clisch - Canton MI

Assignee:

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 1300

US Classification:

280124157, 280DIG 1, 267 35, 267220

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension includes a dock height holding device. First and second jounce bumper portions preferably each include a surface configuration that faces generally toward the oppositely facing jounce bumper portion. By moving at least one of the jounce bumper portions between first and second alignment positions, the clearance between suspension components is controlled in a manner that controls the height of a truck bed or trailer deck. In one example, each jounce bumper portion includes four projections and four spaced recesses. In the first alignment position the projections on one jounce bumper portion are received within the recesses on the oppositely facing portion during normal driving conditions. In the second alignment position, the projections of the jounce bumper portions engage each other and maintain a larger clearance between the suspension components to ensure an appropriate deck height when the vehicle is parked for loading or unloading.

US Patent:

7229094, Jun 12, 2007

Filed:

May 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/853426

Inventors:

Steven R. Miller - Clarkston MI, US
Mark P. Reynolds - Birmingham MI, US
James Eckelberry - Canton OH, US
Robert P. Carlstedt - Rochester Hills MI, US
Daniel G. Chien - Franklin MI, US
Kenneth G. Lang - Davison MI, US
Martin Peaker - Upton, GB
Nancy L. Saxon - Oakland Township MI, US
Jos Timmermann - Oak Park MI, US
Jeff Lloyd - Auburn Hills MI, US
James Grant - Royal Oak MI, US
Richard M. Clisch - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 5/00

US Classification:

280677, 280124107

Abstract:

A tandem axle suspension assembly includes a pair of walking beams disposed substantially parallel to a vehicle longitudinal axis supporting first and second axles. A link plate is pivotally attached to each of the walking beams and is pivotal about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. A first and a second link include pivotal connections between the link plate and a vehicle frame member. Vertical movement of the walking beams causes a corresponding rotation of the link plate to compensate for longitudinal displacement of the pivotal links with the first and second links and minimize longitudinal displacement of the walking beams.

US Patent:

8528920, Sep 10, 2013

Filed:

Mar 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/037423

Inventors:

Gustavo Vieira Borges - Whitehouse OH, US
Robert J. Brazeau - Kalamazoo MI, US
Christopher J. Wittry - Georgetown KY, US
Michael D. Lynch - Attica MI, US
Michael A. Power - Millbrook AL, US
Gregory Todd Smith - Mason OH, US
Kenneth G. Lang - Davison MI, US
Anthony E. Nicol - Aurora, CA
Gregory D. Pavuk - Berkley MI, US
Edward J. Gebal - Troy MI, US
Thomas S. Mijal - Macomb Township MI, US
Esequiel Berra de Mello - Troy MI, US
Christopher S. Keeney - Troy MI, US
David G. Gonska - Beverly Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Arvinmeritor Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 17/00

US Classification:

280 8675, 280124128, 280124153, 403321

Abstract:

An adjustment assembly includes first and second connection points associated with a component. The second connection point is selectively adjustable to adjust a position of the component. A shield has one end coupled to the first connection point and an opposite end proximate to the second connection point to selectively prevent access to the second connection point. The shield is selectively movable when the first connection point is loosened to allow access to the second connection point. To achieve proper adjustment of the component, the first connection point must be loosened prior to adjusting a position of the second connection point.

US Patent:

20050023792, Feb 3, 2005

Filed:

Aug 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/632546

Inventors:

Steven Miller - Clarkston MI, US
James Grant - Royal Oak MI, US
Gregory Pavuk - Royal Oak MI, US
Kenneth Lang - Davison MI, US
Rod Ehrlich - Monticello IN, US
Francis Smidler - Lafayette IN, US
Andrzej Wylezinski - Lafayette IN, US

International Classification:

B60G001/00

US Classification:

280124163

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension system is provided that includes a frame and pair of laterally spaced apart upper control arms pivotally supported by the frame at pivotal connections. A knuckle is connected to each of the upper control arms. A leaf spring is connected to the lower portion of the knuckles at pivotal connections and serves as the lower control arms. The upper control arms extend away from the knuckles, and air springs are arranged between the upper control arms and the frame. A pressurized air system is connected to the air springs to control the air springs for providing desired ride characteristics.

US Patent:

20050263986, Dec 1, 2005

Filed:

May 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/853956

Inventors:

Steven Miller - Clarkston MI, US
Mark Reynolds - Birmingham MI, US
James Eckelberry - Canton OH, US
Robert Carlstedt - Rochester Hills MI, US
Daniel Chien - Franklin MI, US
Kenneth Lang - Davison MI, US
Martin Peaker - Upton, GB
Nancy Saxon - Oakland Township MI, US
Jos Timmermans - Ortonville MI, US
Jeff Lloyd - Auburn Hills MI, US

International Classification:

B60G005/00

US Classification:

280683000

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension assembly includes a control rod pivotally connected between a vehicle frame and an axle. The control rod controls longitudinal and vertical movement of the axle. A spring member is pivotally connected to the frame and fixed to the axle. Air spring assemblies are mounted between the axle and frame. The rigidly mounted spring member exerts torsion forces on the axle to counter roll forces and the air spring assemblies provide favorable ride characteristics adaptable to various trailer load conditions.

US Patent:

20110077822, Mar 31, 2011

Filed:

Sep 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/568691

Inventors:

Kenneth G. Lang - Davison MI, US
William Larry Burgin - Clarkston MI, US

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
B60G 5/00

US Classification:

701 37

Abstract:

A trailer sliding suspension is remotely controlled to move between locked and unlocked positions. To unlock the sliding suspension, the driver initiates generation of a first signal which is communicated to an electronic control unit of a trailer anti-lock brake system. The electronic control unit then generates an unlocking signal in response to the first signal to unlock the sliding suspension such that a position of the sliding position can be adjusted relative to a trailer supported by the sliding suspension. Once the sliding suspension is in the desired position, the driver generates a second signal which is communicated to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit then generates a locking signal in response to the second signal to lock the sliding suspension to a trailer body rail.

US Patent:

20120304960, Dec 6, 2012

Filed:

Jun 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/151692

Inventors:

Richard A. Weaver - Brighton MI, US
Kenneth K. Lang - Saline MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F02D 41/12

US Classification:

123325

Abstract:

An engine control module includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) module, an actuator control module, and a rolling neutral (RN) module. The DFCO module determines whether to disable provision of fuel to an engine when a vehicle speed is greater than zero and selectively generates a DFCO signal based on the determination. The actuator control module disables the provision of fuel to the engine when the DFCO signal is generated. The RN module selectively generates an RN mode signal in response to a determination that the DFCO module is not generating the DFCO signal. The actuator control module controls the provision of fuel to the engine based on a desired engine speed when the RN mode signal is generated. A transmission control module disengages first and second input clutches of a dual clutch transmission (DCT) to decouple the DCT from the engine when the RN mode signal is generated.