Nathaniel J Mitchell

US Patent:

7178795, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Dec 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/744450

Inventors:

Anand Huprikar - Novi MI, US
Nathaniel Mitchell - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

BASF Corporation - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

F16F 7/00

US Classification:

2671411, 2671403, 26714013, 280147155, 248560

Abstract:

A mounting assembly for a vehicle suspension component comprising a support housing having an aperture. A rod is partially disposed within the aperture and displaceable relative to the support housing along a line of travel. A rigid core is fixedly mounted to the rod and moves with the rod. An insulator is disposed about the rigid core between the support housing and the rigid core. The insulator has a number of portions separable from each other and separately placed about the rigid core. The portions each have interlocking sections cooperating with each other to couple the portions together and encapsulate the rigid core such that the rigid core is isolated from the support housing.

US Patent:

7503264, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Nov 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/560478

Inventors:

Nathaniel L. Mitchell - Ypsilanti MI, US
Anand G. Huprikar - Novi MI, US
Terrence A. Bell - Grove City PA, US

Assignee:

BASF Corporation - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

B61F 3/00
B61F 1/00

US Classification:

1051993, 105453

Abstract:

A side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle includes a cage, a cap coupled to and moveable relative to the cage, and an insulator disposed between the cage and the cap. The railway vehicle includes a bolster extending laterally and a car body disposed on the bolster. The cage is attached to the bolster and the cap supports a portion of the car body such that the side bearing assembly is disposed between the bolster and the car body to dampen lateral pivoting of the car body relative to the bolster. The insulator is formed of microcellular polyurethane for resiliently deforming and storing energy during compressive movement between the car body and the bolster through a range of temperatures between −40 C. and 80 C. Microcellular polyurethane maintains flexibility at this temperature range such that the side bearing assembly maintains its ability to dampen lateral pivoting through this temperature range.

US Patent:

20050012256, Jan 20, 2005

Filed:

Jul 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/619913

Inventors:

Anand Huprikar - Novi MI, US
Nathaniel Mitchell - Riverview MI, US

International Classification:

F16F007/00

US Classification:

267141000

Abstract:

A mounting assembly for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a support structure mounted to the vehicle body. A piston rod, along with a plate, is displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel. An insulator is disposed between the support structure and the plate for coupling the piston rod to the support structure. The insulator has a first portion defining a first resistance for isolating the displacement of the piston rod and the plate during an application of a first force which compresses the first portion only. The insulator also has a second portion defining a second resistance, with the second resistance being greater than the first resistance, for limiting the displacement of the piston rod and the plate during an application of a second force wherein the second force is greater than the first force such that both the first and second portions are compressed.