Larry B Hester

US Patent:

7585031, Sep 8, 2009

Filed:

Jul 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/828546

Inventors:

Jay D. White - Massillon OH, US
Larry B. Hester - Dayton OH, US
Kenneth D. Mutzner - Logan OH, US
Michael W. Wilcheck - Kettering OH, US

Assignee:

Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. - Itasca IL

International Classification:

B60B 27/00

US Classification:

3011051, 3011084, 384544

Abstract:

A non-drive axle depends from a heavy-duty vehicle. Each one of a pair of wheel end assemblies is mounted on a respective one of the ends of the non-drive axle. Each wheel end assembly includes a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle of the axle, and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings. A cavity is formed in the wheel end assembly between the bearings. A port is formed in the wheel hub and extends generally parallel to a central axis of the wheel hub, and communicates with the outboard surface of the wheel hub and the cavity. Lubricant for the bearings is introduced into the cavity by means of the port, and the port is tapped to receive a plug to seal it and contain the lubricant in the cavity. The port also receives a bolt that secures a hubcap to the wheel hub.

US Patent:

7980367, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Jan 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/022698

Inventors:

Larry B. Hester - Dayton OH, US

Assignee:

Walther Engineering And Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Franklin OH

International Classification:

F16D 65/10

US Classification:

188218XL, 188 18 A, 3011051

Abstract:

A disc brake assembly including a rotor defining a rotational axis and including a barrel portion and a disc portion extending generally radially outward from the barrel portion, the barrel portion defining an inner surface and the inner surface defining a groove, a biasing element received in the groove, and a tone ring having an outer surface and including a step formed on the outer surface, the tone ring being positioned in the barrel portion such that the step is aligned for engagement with the biasing element.

US Patent:

8584815, Nov 19, 2013

Filed:

Jul 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/175035

Inventors:

Larry B. Hester - Dayton OH, US

Assignee:

Walther Engineering And Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Franklin OH

International Classification:

F16D 65/10

US Classification:

188218XL, 188 18 A, 3011051

Abstract:

A disc brake assembly having a rotor defining a rotational axis and including a barrel portion and a disc portion extending generally radially outward from said barrel portion, the barrel portion including a tone ring receiving portion with a generally cylindrical inner surface having a tone ring receiving surface and a groove with an axially outer wall, an axially inner wall and a radially outer bottom surface; a generally annular tone ring positioned concentrically within said cylindrical inner surface of said tone ring receiving portion and having a generally radially facing outer surface; a resilient biasing element received in the groove and having a generally annular shape including a plurality of substantially linear segments and corners, the resilient biasing element may be shaped such that it is flexed when seated within the groove so that the corners are urged against the radially facing outer surface, and the substantially linear segments are urged against the axially outer wall and the radially facing outer surface of the tone ring to prevent separation of the tone ring from the rotor during use. In one aspect, the biasing element is formed in the shape of a regular polygon, such as a dodecahedron.

US Patent:

62796992, Aug 28, 2001

Filed:

Nov 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/444614

Inventors:

Larry B. Hester - Dayton OH
Jay K. Julow - Novi MI
Robert A. DeRegnaucourt - Centerville OH
John C. Hall - Kettering OH

Assignee:

Meritor Automotive, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B23C 334

US Classification:

188218R

Abstract:

An improved method for final balancing a brake drum determines the location and length of a first constant depth cut and a second constant depth cut along the squealer band which are necessary to correct the imbalance, and using a cutting machine, makes the first and second constant depth cuts at the predetermined location and for the predetermined length along the squealer band to produce a final balanced brake drum. Preferably, the cutting machine is a milling machine which produces a plunge type entrance/exit cut. It is a further feature of the invention to provide a feather type entrance/exit cut to reduce the stress concentrations, and produce a cosmetically more appealing final balanced brake drum.

US Patent:

53523059, Oct 4, 1994

Filed:

Oct 16, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/778438

Inventors:

Larry B. Hester - Dayton OH

Assignee:

Dayton Walther Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B21D 5334

US Classification:

148581

Abstract:

Uniformly distributed compressive stresses are induced in the machined surfaces of brake drums and brake rotors. The compressive stresses cancel residual tensile stresses induced in the surfaces by machining operations during fabrication. Cancellation of the surface tensile stresses delays formation of cracks during brake service use and extends the service life of the brake drum or rotor. Shot peening is an applicable prestressing process which also imparts a surface roughness that reduces the time required to burnish bake pads to match the shape of the drum or rotor surface. The reduction of burnishing time reduces the amount of surface cracking caused by surface heating by brake pad high spots as the high spots are ground down.

US Patent:

56646488, Sep 9, 1997

Filed:

Oct 4, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/317789

Inventors:

Larry Bennett Hester - Dayton OH

Assignee:

Dayton Walther Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B21D 5334
F16D 6510

US Classification:

188218R

Abstract:

Uniformly distributed compressive stresses are induced in the machined surfaces of brake drums and brake rotors. The compressive stresses cancel residual tensile stresses induced in the surfaces by machining operations during fabrication. Cancellation of the surface tensile stresses delays formation of cracks during service brake use and extends the service life of the brake drum or rotor. Shot peening is an applicable prestressing process which also imparts a surface roughness that reduces the time required to burnish brake pads to match the shape of the drum or rotor surface. The reduction of burnishing time reduces the amount of surface cracking caused by surface heating by brake pad high spots as the high spots are ground down.

US Patent:

63218860, Nov 27, 2001

Filed:

May 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

9/849200

Inventors:

Larry B. Hester - Dayton OH
Jay K. Julow - Novi MI
Robert A. DeRegnaucourt - Centerville OH
John C. Hall - Kettering OH

Assignee:

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC

International Classification:

F16D 6510
B23C 334

US Classification:

188218R

Abstract:

An improved method for final balancing a brake drum determines the location and length of a first constant depth cut and a second constant depth cut along the squealer band which are necessary to correct the imbalance, and using a cutting machine, makes the first and second constant depth cuts at the predetermined location and for the predetermined length along the squealer band to produce a final balanced brake drum. Preferably, the cutting machine is a milling machine which produces a plunge type entrance/exit cut. It is a further feature of the invention to provide a feather type entrance/exit cut to reduce the stress concentrations, and produce a cosmetically more appealing final balanced brake drum.

US Patent:

58266844, Oct 27, 1998

Filed:

Dec 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/762104

Inventors:

Larry B. Hester - Dayton OH

Assignee:

Dayton Walther Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

F16D 6510

US Classification:

188218R

Abstract:

An improved structure for a brake drum adapted for use in a drum brake assembly includes a generally closed outer end, a generally axially extending cylindrical main body, and an open inner end. The closed outer end of the brake drum includes a centrally located wheel spindle opening formed therein, and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes spaced circumferentially around the wheel spindle opening. The cylindrical main body of the brake drum includes a plurality of generally axially extending raised ribs provided on an outer surface thereof. Preferably, the ribs define at least three distinct strengthened areas on the brake drum.