Mark A Clements

US Patent:

6357771, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

May 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/578647

Inventors:

Mark Clements - Lapeer MI
Joe Fader - Brighton MI
Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Steve Yollick - Troy MI
Jim Hawkins - Madison AL

Assignee:

Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 399

US Classification:

28012413, 280124137, 280124167, 280124149

Abstract:

A suspension system includes a torsion bar attached to a vehicle frame member by an adjuster assembly including a spring biasing anchor arm. The biasing member provides an elastic resistance to torsion bar rotation for suspension system vibrations below a predetermined torsional force. However, when the predetermined torsional force is exceeded, the elastic resistance of the biasing member is overcome and the anchor arm rotates into contact with the stop. Further suspension system vibrations are absorbable by the torsion bar with stiffer resistance to provide a stiffer suspension response. The stiffer suspension is thus provided when required, such as when cornering, while allowing a smooth ride when not required, such as during normal straight travelling.

US Patent:

6361664, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Aug 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/643805

Inventors:

Joe Fader - Brighton MI
Jim Hawkins - Madison AL
Steve Yollick - Troy MI
Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Mark Clements - Lapeer MI

Assignee:

Meritor Suspension Systems Company

International Classification:

C23F 1300

US Classification:

20419611, 20419626, 280 55, 280 552, 340500, 340501, 267195, 267196, 267198, 267201, 267202, 267214, 267216

Abstract:

A vehicle system component is provided with an electrical charge to resist corrosion. Preferably, the electrical charge is generated by movement of components adjacent to the suspension component. Friction surfaces may be placed in contact with each other such that and heat is generated upon movement of the vehicle system components. The heat is transferred into electrical energy. In another embodiment, an electrical coil receives a magnetic member which moves within the coil to generate the current. The charge may be stored in a capacitor and periodically dispatched onto said component. The invention thus provides a low cost and simplistic way of resisting corrosion to vehicle components, and in particular to vehicle suspension components.

US Patent:

6420052, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

May 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/566370

Inventors:

Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Mark Clements - Lapeer MI
Jim Hawkins - Cookeville TN
Steve Yollick - Troy MI
Joe Fader - Brighton MI

Assignee:

Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B21D 2900

US Classification:

428621, 428615, 428935, 4283215

Abstract:

A coating for an article includes coating encapsulated micro-spheres which maintain the coating in a fluid state. The coating encapsulated micro-spheres are retained in the coating to form a matrix of hardened coating and coating encapsulated micro-spheres. Damage to the coating form a fissure which breaks open the coating encapsulated micro-spheres adjacent the fissure. The broken coating encapsulated micro-spheres release the fluid coating material contained therein. Because the coating encapsulated micro-spheres release the encapsulated coating material in the fluid state the coating material flows into the fissure to coat the exposed substrate. This provides a âself-healingâ ability to the coating which protects the substrate even after the coating is damaged.

US Patent:

6425594, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

May 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/578225

Inventors:

Joe Fader - Brighton MI
Mark Clements - Lapeer MI
Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Steve Yollick - Troy MI
Jim Hawkins - Madison AL

Assignee:

Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 700

US Classification:

280124137, 280124166, 267277

Abstract:

A suspension system includes a torsion bar having at least one adjuster arm. The adjuster arms extend radially from the torsion bar to contact respective stop members when the torsion bar is subjected to a predetermined torsion. When an adjuster arm contacts a stop, a portion of the torsion bar is rotationally fixed and the effective length of the torsion bar is reduced. By reducing the effective length of the torsion bar, the effective spring, rate of the torsion bar is increased. The present invention therefore provides a suspension system for a vehicle which can enhance riding comfort and handling by modifying the effective length of the torsion bar to achieve multiple spring constants with a single constant diameter torsion bar.

US Patent:

6481702, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Sep 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/665426

Inventors:

Joe Fader - Brighton MI
Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Jim Hawkins - Madison AL
Mark Clements - Lapeer MI
Steve Yollick - Troy MI

Assignee:

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 1300

US Classification:

267220, 267166, 2989691, 2989693

Abstract:

A method of making the load height of a suspension coil spring more consistent uses different sized isolators to make a combined spring and isolator height more consistent. The isolator or isolators may be attached to the top or the bottom, or to both the top and bottom of a spring. The load height of a spring is measured. Isolators of varying heights are attached to the springs to achieve more consistency in the overall load height.

US Patent:

6481732, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

May 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/578253

Inventors:

Jim Hawkins - Cookeville TN
Mark Clements - Lapeer MI
Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Joe Fader - Brighton MI
Steve Yollick - Troy MI

Assignee:

Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 2105

US Classification:

280124106, 280 55

Abstract:

A suspension system includes a stabilizer bar having a first and a second segment attached to respective vehicle suspension members. The first and a second segments are selectively coupled by a decoupler assembly to provide coordinated or uncoordinated movement of the first and second suspension members. The decoupler assembly is preferably in communication with a controller and sensors located adjacent the vehicle wheel assemblies. The controller interprets the signals from the sensors and determines whether the decoupler assembly should be activated. In some embodiments, a limited slip can be achieved between said first and second stabilizer bar segments.

US Patent:

6491291, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

May 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/566361

Inventors:

Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Steve Yollick - Troy MI
Mark Clements - Lapeer MI
Joe Fader - Brighton MI
Jim Hawkins - Madison AL

Assignee:

Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 2104

US Classification:

267190, 267 6416, 188276

Abstract:

A suspension system includes a SMA suspension component, an actuator and a controller. Altering the mechanical characteristic of the SMA suspension component alters the kinematic properties of the vehicle wheel relative to the vehicle body and the suspension characteristics of the vehicle. In one disclosed embodiment a SMA suspension spring is height adjustable to alter the vehicle handling characteristics. In another disclosed embodiment a SMA suspension component stabilizer bar is shape adjustable. The SMA stabilizer bar is maintained in a first shape to provide a first handling characteristic. To provide a second handling characteristic the SMA stabilizer bar is moved into contact with a fixed vehicle component such as a vehicle frame component. The flexibility of the stabilizer bar is thereby reduced and the vehicle handling characteristics are optimized for a second condition.

US Patent:

6530586, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Mar 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/804743

Inventors:

Joe Fader - Brighton MI
Steve Yollick - Troy MI
Mark Clements - Columbiaville MI
Chris Keeney - Troy MI
Jim Hawkins - Madison AL

Assignee:

Meritor Light Vehicle Systems LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60G 21055

US Classification:

280124106, 280124107, 280124137, 280124149, 280124152, 280124166

Abstract:

A suspension system includes a damper assembly to provide an anti-roll capability to a vehicle torsion bar suspension system. The damper assembly is attached to each torsion bar. To selectively couple and decouple the rotational motion of the torsion bars. In one embodiment the damper assembly selectively links rotational motion of the torsion bar anchor arms to transfer an anti-roll force from one suspension link to the opposite suspension link.