Patents by Inventor Christian Pankowiak

Christian Pankowiak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5135090
    Abstract: An actuator, especially for a motor vehicle clutch, is of the kind that has a casing carrying a reversible electric motor which has a drive spindle, a driving element for coupling the actuator to an actuating member of the clutch, a coupling mechanism which couples the motor drive spindle to the driving element and which includes a toothed sector plate coupled in rotation to the driving element. The coupling mechanism also includes an actuating force reducing mechanism having a compensating spring. The actuating force reducing mechansim includes a compensating lever which is articulated on the toothed sector plate and on an intermediate pivoting lever, which is itself articulated to the casing, the intermediate pivoting lever being coupled to the compensating spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Patrice Bertin, Frank Chazot, Christian Pankowiak
  • Patent number: 5065850
    Abstract: An actuator comprising, in a casing, a mechanism which is controlled by a motor and which is adapted to control an output member. The mechanism including in particular a moveable thrust unit which is arranged generally for to and fro movement. The casing is liquid-tight, and incorporates a sump for containing a liquid lubricant. A pump is associated with this sump, the pump being arranged to be actuated by the moveable thrust unit. The suction port is in communication with the lower part or sump of the casing, while its delivery port is in communication with the mechanism in at least one region of the latter that is to be lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Patrice Bertin, Christian Pankowiak
  • Patent number: 5029683
    Abstract: The invention proposes a detection device including a selector linkage with a gear change lever, with which are associated a force threshold detector, a first analog position detector connected to gear shift means, and a circuit for firstly activating an automatic clutch actuating system and secondly processing information received by the threshold detecting means and the first detector. A second analog position detector is connected to line selector and is responsive to information applied to the gear change lever, the second detector being connected to the processing and control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Pierre Grunberg, Christian Pankowiak, Alain Taquoy
  • Patent number: 4828093
    Abstract: Motorized control device, suitable for a motor vehicle clutch, comprises a motor which activates a shaft and a lever by means of a connection mechanism associated with a force moderator arrangement incorporating a spring; according to the invention, this spring is mounted under compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Patrice Bertin, Yvon Sevennec, Christian Pankowiak
  • Patent number: 4723642
    Abstract: A device detects forces in a gearbox operating linkage in order to control an automatic clutch operating system for the purpose of changing the gear ratio. The linkage comprises a shaft in the gearbox adapted to rotate between two limiting positions corresponding to selection of respective different gear ratios. It also comprises a deformable linkage element in the force detecting device adapted to move between two limiting positions corresponding to the limiting positions of the shaft. This deformable linkage element comprises two portions coupled together elastically by an elastic return device. The force detecting device comprises a speed parity detector adapted to assume a parity state representing the position of the shaft and varying according to which of its limiting positions the shaft is in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: VALEO
    Inventors: Pierre Grunberg, Christian Pankowiak