Mark D Clements

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:

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:

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.

US Patent:

6874214, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/584032

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Meritor Suspension Systems Company - Ontario

International Classification:

B23P025/00

US Classification:

29 907, 29458, 295272, 72 53, 427180

Abstract:

A sacrificial metal coating to resist corrosion is deposited onto a vehicle component during a shot peening operation. Since the deposition occurs during the shot peening operation, a separate coating step is not necessary. Preferably, the component is a vehicle suspension component.