Michael Brett Pruden

US Patent:

20130297154, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

Jan 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/979716

Inventors:

Chad L. Burchett - Browns Summit NC, US
Arthur N. Fowler - Winston-Salem NC, US
Michael B. Pruden - Colfax NC, US

Assignee:

VOLVO GROUP NORTH AMERICA, LLC - Greensboro NC

International Classification:

B60D 1/42

US Classification:

701 49, 2804381

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an adjustable towing system and a method for adjusting a length of a longitudinally extending gap between a cab of a truck tractor and a trailer. The truck tractor is provided with at least one front axle, at least one rear axle, and a fifth wheel. The trailer provided with at least one axle and a kingpin. At least two of the fifth wheel, the kingpin, and the at least one axle are repositionable along the truck tractor or the trailer as the truck tractor tows the trailer, whereby the length of the gap is determined according to the position of the fifth wheel and the kingpin.

US Patent:

20130285348, Oct 31, 2013

Filed:

Jan 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/979873

Inventors:

Paul Schmitt - Boonsboro PA, US
Michael B. Pruden - Colfax NC, US

Assignee:

VOLVO TECHNOLOGY OF AMERICA, INC. - Greensboro NC

International Classification:

B62D 53/08

US Classification:

2804381

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an adjustable towing system and method for a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. A towing anchor is located on the towing vehicle. A towed anchor is located on the towed vehicle and connected to the towing anchor, whereby the towing vehicle tows the towed vehicle. A gap is defined between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. The gap is provided with a length. At least one locking device selectively locks and unlocks the position of the towing anchor or the towed anchor, whereby as the towing vehicle and towed vehicle travel, relative speed differentials between the towing vehicle and towed vehicle produce repositioning of at least one of the towing anchor or the towed anchor in order to adjust the length of the gap.

US Patent:

20210384743, Dec 9, 2021

Filed:

Feb 22, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/971717

Inventors:

- Göteborg, SE
Michael Pruden - Colfax NC, US
Hans Westerlind - Nol, SE

International Classification:

H02J 7/00
B60R 16/033
H01M 10/44

Abstract:

A charging apparatus includes at least one housing including a compartment, an access door connected to the housing and covering the compartment, the access door being movable from an open position to a closed position, a releasable latching mechanism configured to latch the access door in the closed position, a charging terminal in the compartment, a voltage sensing terminal, and a door release circuit coupled to the voltage sensing terminal and to the releasable latching mechanisms and configured to sense a charging voltage applied to the voltage sensing terminal. The door release circuit is configured to selectively unlatch the releasable latching mechanism in response to a voltage within a predetermined voltage range being applied to the voltage sensing terminal.