Steven E Hunter

US Patent:

6561307, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Dec 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/034744

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Brill - Westerville OH
Malcolm Green - Granville OH
Steven E. Hunter - Lancaster OH
Duy Lam - Baltimore OH
Ragnar H. Ledesma - Sterling Heights MI
Michael E. Schuster - Rochester Hills MI
Tomaz Dopico Varela - Gahanna OH

Assignee:

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 500

US Classification:

180444, 180443, 180447, 180402

Abstract:

A steering system is provided for a vehicle including a frame. Upper and lower control arms have first end portions that are pivotally supported on the frame at first spaced apart connections. The control arms also each include second end portions that are pivotally connected to an intermediate support member at second spaced apart connections. A steer knuckle is pivotally supported by the intermediate support member at third spaced apart connections that define a king pin axis. A drive motor is mounted on the intermediate support member and is coupled to the steering knuckle to rotate the steering knuckle about the king pin axis relative to the intermediate support member. A gear set may also be used in conjunction with the drive motor and steering knuckle. The intermediate support member is constrained against forward and aft movement, but is permitted to move upward and downward with the control arms.

US Patent:

6568697, May 27, 2003

Filed:

Dec 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/023261

Inventors:

Lawrence Brill - Westerville OH
Malcolm Green - Granville OH
Steven E. Hunter - Lancaster OH
Duy Lam - Baltimore OH
Ragnar Ledesma - Sterling Heights MI
Mike Schuster - Rochester Hills MI
Tomaz Dopico Varela - Gahanna OH

Assignee:

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 799

US Classification:

280 93512, 280124134

Abstract:

A steering system for a vehicle is provided that includes a steering knuckle which is rotatable about an axis. The steering knuckle includes an upper attachment point and a lower attachment point. The attachment points define the steer axis. A rotational drive unit is connected to the steering knuckle for rotating the steering knuckle about the steer axis. A control module receives a steering input corresponding to the desired Ackerman angle and commands the rotational drive unit to rotate the steering knuckle about the axis to the desired Ackerman angle. Rotational drive units for each side of the vehicle ensure that the wheels are turned to the appropriate Ackerman angle for each wheel. The rotational drive unit may include an electric motor, or a pneumatic or hydraulic pump. In one preferred embodiment, the rotational drive unit includes a fluid housing and the shaft connected to the steering knuckle. The shaft includes a vane extending therefrom and into the housing.

US Patent:

6676228, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Aug 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/216500

Inventors:

Tomaz Dopico Varela - Gahanna OH
Steven E. Hunter - Lancaster OH

Assignee:

ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60B 3516

US Classification:

301137, 301 61, 3011241

Abstract:

A wheel end assembly includes an output shaft mounted to a wheel hub for driving a vehicle wheel. The output shaft is driven by a gear assembly mounted within a gear housing and operably coupled to an input shaft. The gear assembly includes an input gear driven by the input shaft, intermediate gears in meshing engagement with the input gear, and an output gear in meshing engagement with the intermediate gears. A tube has one end press-fit into the gear housing with an opposite end extending into a wheel hub cavity. Bearings are mounted directly between the tube and the wheel hub to support the wheel hub for rotation relative to the tube. The output shaft is received within the tube with an inboard end in direct driving engagement with the output gear and with an outboard end directly mounted to the wheel hub.

US Patent:

6886655, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Aug 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/216097

Inventors:

Tomaz Dopico Varela - Gahanna OH, US
Fabio Maineri - Milan, IT
Corrado A. Conti - Novara, IT
Steven E. Hunter - Lancaster OH, US

Assignee:

ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60K017/04
F16H001/20

US Classification:

180343, 180356, 180372

Abstract:

A wheel end assembly for a mass transit vehicle includes an output shaft mounted to a wheel hub for driving a vehicle wheel. The output shaft is driven by a gear assembly mounted within a gear housing and operably coupled to an input shaft. The gear assembly includes an input gear driven by the input shaft, a first reduction gear in meshing engagement with the input gear, a second reduction gear operably coupled to the first reduction gear for rotation therewith, and an output gear in meshing engagement with the second reduction gear. The first and second reduction gears are supported on a common shaft that is positioned between the input and output shafts. The input gear and first reduction gear are positioned outboard from the output gear and associated bearings. This double reduction configuration allows vehicle aisle width to be maintained while providing a deeper drop allowing the vehicle floor to be lowered to a position closer to the ground.

US Patent:

7364528, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

May 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/555421

Inventors:

Lawrence D. Brill - Westerville OH, US
Corrado A. Conti - Novara, IT
Brian D. Hayes - Newark OH, US
Steven E. Hunter - Lancaster OH, US
Fabio Maineri - Milan, IT
Tomaz Dopico Varela - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16H 37/06
B60K 17/24

US Classification:

475332, 180378, 180905

Abstract:

An axle system includes an axle shaft offset located within an axle center beam housing. The axle shaft is located in a recess in a top wall of the axle center beam shaped with slopes to maximize clearance to the bottom of the vehicle floor panels. The pneumatic brake cylinders define a cylinder axis angled within an angular range from a generally vertical orientation for enhanced packaging.