Patents by Inventor Denis Alff
Denis Alff 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).
-
Publication number: 20230041164Abstract: A method for obtaining the distance travelled by a tire comprises fixing a sensor, to the right of the crown with a radial position Rc, capable of generating a signal proportional to the acceleration experienced; rolling the tire at a rotation speed W, subject to a load Z; acquiring, after a time T, a first signal Sigi comprising the acceleration amplitude in the direction normal to the crown, wherein the values below a threshold N represent less than 40 percent of the length of the first signal; identifying a reference value Vireference, being the square root of the average value of the first signal Sigi; and determining the distance travelled D during the time T from the following formula: D=A*T*Vireference, where A is proportional to the square root of the rolling radius of the tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventor: DENIS ALFF
-
Publication number: 20220080790Abstract: A method for obtaining the deformation of a tire casing subjected to a load, rotating at a rotational speed W, comprising: Phase 1—Delimiting the first signal over a whole number of wheel revolutions to construct a first wheel revolution signal; and Determining a reference acceleration; and Phase 2—Delimiting the signal over a whole number of wheel revolutions to construct a second wheel revolution signal; Defining at least a first energy density S which is a function of the second wheel revolution signal, and of the reference acceleration, and which is denoted S+ when the wheel revolution signal is above a threshold value A, or is denoted S? when the wheel revolution signal is below or equal to said threshold value A; and Identifying the deformation as a function of the reference acceleration and of the first energy density S.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventor: DENIS ALFF
-
Publication number: 20220080789Abstract: A method for obtaining the deformation of a tire casing subjected to a load, rotating at a rotational speed W, comprises the following steps: acquiring a signal comprising the amplitude of the acceleration in the direction normal to the crown when running at the rotational speed W; delimiting the signal over a number of wheel revolutions, so as to construct a wheel revolution signal; determining a reference acceleration; defining a first energy density S which is a function of the wheel revolution signal, and of the reference acceleration, and which is denoted S+ when the wheel revolution signal is above a threshold value A, or is denoted S? when the wheel revolution signal is below or equal to said threshold value A; and identifying the deformation generated by the load as a function of the reference acceleration and of the first energy density S.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventor: DENIS ALFF
-
Patent number: 9114671Abstract: A tire is disclosed that includes at least one annular bead wire forming a body of revolution about a reference axis. A carcass ply of generally toroidal shape about the same axis as the bead wire has a portion that is folded around the wire. A materials interface is defined at least in part by the junction between a rubber first mass and a second mass that includes an electronic member. By way of example, the electronic member is a passive radiofrequency identification transponder. The interface extends from a free edge of the folded portion of the carcass ply radially away from the reference axis to a circumferential junction line between the interface and the carcass ply.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: John David Adamson, Christopher B. Barton, Charles E. Kelly, Cameron Earl Smith, Denis Alff, Mickaël Lion, Mathieu Tupinier, Pierre Wiel
-
Publication number: 20080289736Abstract: A tire is disclosed that includes at least one annular bead wire forming a body of revolution about a reference axis. A carcass ply of generally toroidal shape about the same axis as the bead wire has a portion that is folded around the wire. A materials interface is defined at least in part by the junction between a rubber first mass and a second mass that includes an electronic member. By way of example, the electronic member is a passive radiofrequency identification transponder. The interface extends from a free edge of the folded portion of the carcass ply radially away from the reference axis to a circumferential junction line between the interface and the carcass ply.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: John David Adamson, Christopher B. Barton, Charles E. Kelly, Cameron Earl Smith, Denis Alff, Mickael Lion, Mathieu Tupinier, Pierre Wiel
-
Patent number: 7434455Abstract: The pressure of a vehicle tire fitted on a vehicle wheel is measured and regulated, utilizing a source of compressed air, a check valve leading to an interior of the tire, and an air feed circuit connecting the air source to the check valve. Compressed air is fed from the air source into the circuit and against the check valve to tend to open the check valve. A pressure drop is imposed at a point in the circuit, wherein a resulting pressure drop in the circuit downstream of such point and upstream of the check valve is less than 10% of the pressure drop at the point. A measurement is made of the pressure in the circuit at a location downstream of the point, or in the tire itself. The evolution of the pressure measured in step D is analyzed as a function of time, to determine whether the check valve has been opened.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Denis Alff
-
Publication number: 20070187015Abstract: Assembly (10) including a wheel (12) and a tire (14), wherein the assembly comprises passive deflation means (20) for the tire (14). These means may be a porous zone of the tire or of the wheel, and may also comprise a deflation valve which is inactive below a predetermined pressure threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Denis Alff
-
Patent number: 7104611Abstract: Wheel disc, comprising a radially outer circular assembling part, a radially inner fixing and centering part with a bearing region comprising a given number of fixing apertures and ending radially inwardly with a centering vent, and arms connecting the inner and outer parts, each arm being disposed substantially opposite to one of the fixing apertures and the radially inner free edges of the radially outer circular part defining with the lateral free edges of the arms perforations, in which, in order to reinforce each arm mechanically, a pocket is housed, set back axially inwards relative to the outer face of the disc and in which a yoke connects each arm to the centering vent.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Denis Alff, Wolfgang Kruchten
-
Publication number: 20060174943Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring and regulating the pressure of at least one tire fitted on a vehicle wheel, comprising a source of compressed air, an air feed circuit connecting the said source to the tire, and pressure measurement means in the circuit or in the tire. The circuit also comprises means interposed therein, designed to produce an enforced pressure drop.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.Inventor: Denis Alff
-
Patent number: 7018000Abstract: Wheel disc, including a radially outer circular mounting part, a radially inner fixing and centering part with a bearing region comprising a specified number of fixing apertures and ending radially inwardly with a centering aperture, and spokes connecting the inner and outer parts. Each spoke is disposed substantially circumferentially between two adjacent fixing apertures and the radially inner free edges of the radially outer circular part defining perforations with the free lateral edges of the spokes. In order to mechanically reinforce each spoke, the central region of each spoke is deformed in order to house a swelling receding axially outwardly relative to the lateral regions of the spokes, including a yoke opening into the centering aperture.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Denis Alff, Wolfgang Kruchten
-
Patent number: 7014274Abstract: A motor vehicle sheet-steel wheel rim (30, 50), including axially, from the inner side to the outer side, an inner hook (4), an inner seat (5), a connecting zone (7), a mounting groove (9), a hump (11), an outer seat (5) and an outer hook (13), the rim being intended to be joined to a wheel disc (2) under the mounting groove (9), wherein with the rim having a given thickness E in mm at the mounting groove (9), the connecting zone (7) includes a zone (Z5, Z?4) of thickness E1 in mm such that: E/3+0.5 mm?E124 E/3 mm; and E1?0.7 mm.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Bruno Guimard, Denis Alff
-
Patent number: 6935704Abstract: Wheel for an automobile, in which assembly between the sheet metal disc and the wheel rim is effected under the outer seat of the rim by cylindrical fitting. The profile of the rim may be obtained by a flow spinning process.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Bruno Guimard, Denis Alff
-
Publication number: 20050017570Abstract: Wheel disc, comprising a radially outer circular assembling part, a radially inner fixing and centering part with a bearing region comprising a given number of fixing apertures and ending radially inwardly with a centering vent, and arms connecting the inner and outer parts, each arm being disposed substantially opposite to one of the fixing apertures and the radially inner free edges of the radially outer circular part defining with the lateral free edges of the arms perforations, in which, in order to reinforce each arm mechanically, a pocket is housed, set back axially inwards relative to the outer face of the disc and in which a yoke connects each arm to the centering vent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.Inventors: Denis Alff, Wolgang Kruchten
-
Publication number: 20050006945Abstract: Wheel disc, comprising a radially outer circular mounting part, a radially inner fixing and centering part with a bearing region comprising a specified number of fixing apertures and ending radially inwardly with a centering vent, and arms connecting the inner and outer parts, each arm being disposed substantially circumferentially between two adjacent fixing apertures and the radially inner free edges of the radially outer circular part defining perforations with the free lateral edges of the arms, wherein in order to mechanically reinforce each arm the central region of each arm is deformed in order to house a swelling receding axially outwardly relative to the lateral regions of the disc arms, including a yoke opening into the centering vent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.Inventors: Denis Alff, Wolfgang Kruchten
-
Publication number: 20040124695Abstract: A motor vehicle sheet-steel wheel rim (30, 50), including axially, from the inner side to the outer side, an inner hook (4), an inner seat (5), a connecting zone (7), a mounting groove (9), a hump (11), an outer seat (5) and an outer hook (13), the rim being intended to be joined to a wheel disc (2) under the mounting groove (9), wherein with the rim having a given thickness E in mm at the mounting groove (9), the connecting zone (7) includes a zone (Z5, Z′4) of thickness E1 in mm such that:Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Bruno Guimard, Denis Alff
-
Patent number: 6726291Abstract: A vehicle wheel comprises a rim and a disk, the disk presenting a generally flat center zone of attachment of the disk to the vehicle, a zone of connection of the disk and the rim and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone of the disk includes a given angular sector, or two diametrically opposite angular sectors, stiffened against axial bending relative to any other angular sector of the same central angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Alain Vaxelaire, Denis Alff, Etienne Renard
-
Publication number: 20030141754Abstract: Wheel for an automobile, in which assembly between the sheet metal disc and the wheel rim is effected under the outer seat of the rim by cylindrical fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Bruno Guimard, Denis Alff
-
Publication number: 20030037853Abstract: A wheel, having first and second bead seats which are inclined towards the outside and a cylindrical wall intended for supporting a support ring, constituted by the assembly of:Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Thomas Emberger, Denis Alff
-
Publication number: 20020063468Abstract: A vehicle wheel comprises a rim and a disk, the disk presenting a generally flat center zone of attachment of the disk to the vehicle, a zone of connection of the disk and the rim and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone of the disk includes a given angular sector, or two diametrically opposite angular sectors, stiffened against axial bending relative to any other angular sector of the same central angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: Alain Vaxelaire, Denis Alff, Etienne Renard
-
Patent number: 5640087Abstract: A device for detection of the speed of rotation of a rolling bearing which has an encoder element mounted on the rotating part of the bearing and a sensor unit consisting of a sensor holder attached to a support mounted in contact with a nonrotating part of the bearing. The sensor unit is mounted on an elastic member for positioning with respect to the encoder element and may be adjusted with respect to a removable immobilization component of the sensor unit in contact with the support.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: The Torrington CompanyInventor: Denis Alff