Patents by Inventor Alexandre Depraete

Alexandre Depraete 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: 11448279
    Abstract: Damper apparatus for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed damper assembly for a vehicle torque converter includes a first portion operatively coupled to a clutch of the vehicle torque converter and configured to receive an engine torque from the clutch based on a state of the clutch. The damper assembly also includes a second portion and a hub rotatably coupled to a turbine of the vehicle torque converter. The damper assembly also includes a gear train including a ring gear coupled to the first portion, a planet gear rotatably coupled to the second portion, and a sun gear coupled to the hub. The damper assembly also includes a primary damping element positioned in a cavity formed by the second portion. Rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion compresses and decompresses the primary damping element to dampen a torsional vibration associated with the engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuexian Yin, Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 11339861
    Abstract: A method of making a turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter includes providing a first turbine component including a polymeric first turbine shell element and first turbine blades connected to the first turbine shell element, providing a second turbine component including a second turbine shell element and second turbine blades connected to the second turbine shell element, and connecting the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element to collectively provide a turbine shell of the turbine assembly and fixedly secure the first and second turbine components to one another in a coaxial relationship about the rotational axis. The connecting involves welding and/or adhesive bonding the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element. A turbine assembly, a hydrokinetic torque converter, and a method of making a hydrokinetic torque converter are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Gyubong Jeon, Xuexian Yin, Subramanian Jeyabalan
  • Patent number: 11105405
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for coupling together driving and driven shafts, comprises a casing, impeller and turbine wheels, a torsional vibration damper, a turbine hub non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel, and first and second vibration absorbers. Each of the first and second vibration absorbers is one of a dynamic absorber and a pendulum oscillator. The turbine hub is non-rotatably coupled to a driven member of the torsional vibration damper. The first vibration absorber is mounted to the turbine hub and the second vibration absorber is mounted to one of the turbine hub and the casing. The first vibration absorber and the second vibration absorber are tuned to address different orders of vibrations. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member and a connecting plate coupled to the inertial member. The pendulum oscillator includes a support member and flyweights configured to oscillate relative to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Publication number: 20210148444
    Abstract: A method of making a turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter includes providing a first turbine component including a polymeric first turbine shell element and first turbine blades connected to the first turbine shell element, providing a second turbine component including a second turbine shell element and second turbine blades connected to the second turbine shell element, and connecting the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element to collectively provide a turbine shell of the turbine assembly and fixedly secure the first and second turbine components to one another in a coaxial relationship about the rotational axis. The connecting involves welding and/or adhesive bonding the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element. A turbine assembly, a hydrokinetic torque converter, and a method of making a hydrokinetic torque converter are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Alexandre DEPRAETE, Gyubong JEON, Xuexian YIN, Subramanian JEYABALAN
  • Patent number: 10865864
    Abstract: A method of making a turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter includes providing a first turbine component including a polymeric first turbine shell element and first turbine blades connected to the first turbine shell element, providing a second turbine component including a second turbine shell element and second turbine blades connected to the second turbine shell element, and connecting the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element to collectively provide a turbine shell of the turbine assembly and fixedly secure the first and second turbine components to one another in a coaxial relationship about the rotational axis. The connecting involves welding and/or adhesive bonding the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element. A turbine assembly, a hydrokinetic torque converter, and a method of making a hydrokinetic torque converter are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Gyubong Jeon, Xuexian Yin, Subramanian Jeyabalan
  • Publication number: 20200378487
    Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a substantially annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis, and a plurality of turbine blade members axially extending from the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel is a single-piece component such that the turbine blade members are unitarily formed with the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel (22) is made by an additive manufacturing process from a polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Subramanian JEYABALAN, Alexandre DEPRAETE, Jean-François BISSON, David SALVADORI, Adrien PEDUZZI
  • Patent number: 10774909
    Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a substantially annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis, and a plurality of turbine blade members axially extending from the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel is a single-piece component such that the turbine blade members are unitarily formed with the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel (22) is made by an additive manufacturing process from a polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Kapec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Subramanian Jeyabalan, Alexandre Depraete, Jean-François Bisson, David Salvadori, Adrien Peduzzi
  • Publication number: 20200141465
    Abstract: Damper apparatus for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed damper assembly for a vehicle torque converter includes a first portion operatively coupled to a clutch of the vehicle torque converter and configured to receive an engine torque from the clutch based on a state of the clutch. The damper assembly also includes a second portion and a hub rotatably coupled to a turbine of the vehicle torque converter. The damper assembly also includes a gear train including a ring gear coupled to the first portion, a planet gear rotatably coupled to the second portion, and a sun gear coupled to the hub. The damper assembly also includes a primary damping element positioned in a cavity formed by the second portion. Rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion compresses and decompresses the primary damping element to dampen a torsional vibration associated with the engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: VALEO KAPEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuexian Yin, Alexandre Depraete
  • Publication number: 20190390753
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for coupling together driving and driven shafts, comprises a casing, impeller and turbine wheels, a torsional vibration damper, a turbine hub non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel, and first and second vibration absorbers. Each of the first and second vibration absorbers is one of a dynamic absorber and a pendulum oscillator. The turbine hub is non-rotatably coupled to a driven member of the torsional vibration damper. The first vibration absorber is mounted to the turbine hub and the second vibration absorber is mounted to one of the turbine hub and the casing. The first vibration absorber and the second vibration absorber are tuned to address different orders of vibrations. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member and a connecting plate coupled to the inertial member. The pendulum oscillator includes a support member and flyweights configured to oscillate relative to the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Publication number: 20190301578
    Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a substantially annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis, and a plurality of turbine blade members axially extending from the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel is a single-piece component such that the turbine blade members are unitarily formed with the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel (22) is made by an additive manufacturing process from a polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Subramanian JEYABALAN, Alexandre DEPRAETE, Jean-François BISSON, David SALVADORI, Adrien PEDUZZI
  • Publication number: 20190301579
    Abstract: An impeller assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The impeller assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular impeller wheel coaxial with the rotational axis, and an annular impeller hub made of metallic material and non-rotatably coupled to the impeller wheel. The impeller wheel is made of polymeric material as a single-piece component including an annular impeller shell member and a plurality of turbine blade members axially inwardly extending from the impeller shell member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Xuexian YIN, Alexandre DEPRAETE, Patrick DURHAM
  • Patent number: 10428924
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a first turbine component coaxial with the rotational axis, a second turbine component formed separately from and non-moveably secured to the first turbine component coaxially therewith, and a plurality of grommets. The first turbine component has a plurality of first turbine blade members integrally formed therewith. One of the first and second turbine components has a substantially annular mounting portion provided with a plurality of mounting holes. Each of the grommets is mounted in one of the mounting holes through the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Xuexian Yin, Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 10393248
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes a casing having opposite sidewalls and an outer wall extending between and connecting the opposite sidewalls, an impeller coaxial aligned with the rotational axis, a piston engagement member extending substantially radially inward from and non-moveable relative to the outer wall of the casing, and a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell having a turbine-piston flange with an engagement surface that is movable axially toward and away from an engagement surface of the piston engagement member to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically locked to and non-rotatable relative to the piston engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Michel Bacher, Gyubong Jeon, Zane Yang
  • Patent number: 10393247
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for coupling together driving and driven shafts, comprises a casing, impeller and turbine wheels, a torsional vibration damper, a turbine hub non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel, and first and second vibration absorbers. Each of the first and second vibration absorbers is one of a dynamic absorber and a pendulum oscillator. The turbine hub is non-rotatably coupled to a driven member of the torsional vibration damper. The first vibration absorber is mounted to the turbine hub and the second vibration absorber is mounted to one of the turbine hub and the casing. The first vibration absorber and the second vibration absorber are tuned to address different orders of vibrations. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member and a connecting plate coupled to the inertial member. The pendulum oscillator includes a support member and flyweights configured to oscillate relative to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 10281020
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a casing having a locking surface, impeller and turbine wheels, a one-way turbine clutch, and a torsional vibration damper. The one-way turbine clutch includes an outer ring non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell, an inner and engagement components permitting rotational movement of the outer ring relative to the inner ring in one circumferential direction only. The turbine wheel is non-rotatably coupled to the outer ring of the one-way turbine clutch. The torsional vibration damper comprises an input member, a plurality of circumferentially acting elastic members and an output member elastically coupled to the input member trough the elastic members. The output member of the torsional vibration damper is non-rotatably attached to the turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Subramanian Jeyabalan
  • Patent number: 10274066
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a stator assembly and a turbine assembly rotatable about a rotational axis. The stator assembly comprises a stator comprising an annular stator hub coaxial to the rotational axis, an annular turbine core ring coaxial to the rotational axis, and a plurality of stator blades integral with and interconnecting the stator hub and the turbine core ring. The turbine assembly comprises a first turbine component coaxial with the rotational axis, and a second turbine component non-moveably secured to the turbine component coaxially therewith. The first turbine component is formed separately from the second turbine component. The first turbine component has a plurality of first turbine blade members integrally formed therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Subramanian Jeyabalan, Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 10274081
    Abstract: A stator assembly of a hydrokinetic torque converter includes a stator rotatable about an axis and having a radially outer stator belt, an annular stator hub disposed radially within the radially outer stator belt, at least one fixed post extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt and fixed thereto so as to non-moveably secure the stator belt to the stator hub, and a plurality of pivotable stator blades extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt and configured to pivot relative to both the stator hub and the stator belt in the direction orthogonal to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 10274041
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement (1), comprising an impeller (6) linkable to a drive shaft, a turbine (7) linkable to a driven shaft via a hub (11) and able to hydrodynamically coupled with the impeller (6), a lockup clutch (20) able to short-circuited the hydrodynamically coupling between the impeller (6) and the turbine (7), a torsional vibration damper arrangement (13;14,15) located between the lockup clutch (20) and the hub (11), said torsional vibration damper arrangement comprising an input element (16;17,47,24), an output element (17; 25,33,32) and a plurality of elastic elements (22;26) disposed between the input element and the output element, the output element of the torsional vibration damper arrangement forms a part of the hub, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises an absorber device (29) being linked in rotation to the hub, said absorber device comprising a unique resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Xuexian Yin
  • Patent number: 10267397
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis and hydrokinetic torque converter and comprises a first turbine component coaxial with the rotational axis, and a second turbine component non-moveably secured to the turbine component coaxially therewith. The first turbine component is formed separately from the second turbine component. The first turbine component has a plurality of first turbine blade members integrally formed therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 10234007
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device comprising an impeller wheel (2) able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (3) into rotation, with the impeller wheel (2) being rotationally coupled to a cover (5), with the turbine wheel (3) being able to be axially moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein it comprises an elastically deformable stress overtaking member (25) axially inserted between the turbine wheel (3) and a part (12) of the cover (5), with the stress overtaking member (25) being able to limit the axial displacement of the turbine wheel (3) towards the above-mentioned part (12) of the cover (5), opposite the turbine wheel (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete