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).

  • Publication number: 20170097076
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a torque input element (11) intended to be coupled to a crankshaft (1), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (11) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft (2), clutch means (10) movable between an engaged position wherein the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through damping means (23, 27), and a disengaged position wherein the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through the impeller wheel (3), the turbine wheel and the damping means (23, 27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Publication number: 20170097078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a torque input element (11) intended to be coupled to a crankshaft (1), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (11) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft (2), clutch means (10) able to rotationally couple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in an engaged position, through damping means (18, 22) and able to rotationally uncouple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in a disengaged position
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Patent number: 9599206
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque coupling device with lockup clutch is provided that includes an impeller, an axially displaceable turbine-piston, and a stop feature. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell and a turbine-piston flange. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the impeller to move an engagement surface region of the turbine-piston towards and away from an engagement surface region of the impeller for positioning the torque converter respectively into and out of a lockup mode. When the turbine-piston is out of the lockup mode, a fluid passageway connecting a torus chamber to a damper chamber extends between the engagement surface regions and between flow restriction surface regions of the turbine-piston and impeller. At a maximum axial displacement position out of lockup mode, a gap between the engagement surface regions is greater than a gap between the flow restriction surface regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 9593755
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and a biasing device. The turbine-piston is hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller and includes a turbine-piston shell having a second engagement surface facing the first engagement surface. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the impeller between a hydrodynamic transmission mode and a lockup mode. The biasing device is configured to exert an axial load against the turbine-piston to urge the turbine-piston axially away from the lockup mode and towards the hydrodynamic transmission mode. The axial load exerted by the biasing device decreases as the turbine-piston moves axially towards the lockup mode and increases as the turbine-piston moves axially away from the lockup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, David Werthman
  • Patent number: 9562598
    Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, a stator, and an annular lockup resistance member. The impeller includes an impeller shell. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell. The turbine-piston shell includes a turbine-piston flange having a first flange surface facing an engagement surface of the impeller shell. The turbine-piston is movable axially toward and away from the engagement surface to position the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston flange is mechanically locked to the impeller shell. The annular lockup resistance member is in the form of an annular elastomeric sandwich washer coaxially aligned with the rotational axis and including turbine-side and stator-side members, and an elastomeric inner member sandwiched between the turbine-side and stator-side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, David Werthman
  • Patent number: 9562597
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for coupling together a driving shaft and a driven shaft. The torque coupling device includes a casing rotatable about a rotational axis and having a casing cover shell and an impeller shell, an impeller coaxial aligned with the rotational axis and including the impeller shell, a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and drivable by the impeller, a stator situated between the impeller and the turbine-piston, an output member including an output bevel gear, a torsional vibration damper operatively connecting the turbine-piston and the output hub, a rotatable input bevel gear drivenly connected to the torsional vibration damper, a carrier configured to connect to a stationary stator shaft, and a bevel pinion supported by and rotatable relative to the carrier. The bevel pinion meshes with gear teeth of the input bevel gear and gear teeth of the output bevel gear of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Eugene Kozak
  • Publication number: 20170023117
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for coupling together a driving shaft and a driven shaft features a casing including a casing shell and an impeller casing shell, an impeller including the impeller shell, a turbine-piston including a turbine-piston shell, and an elastic element slidably engaging the turbine-piston and being connected to the casing. The elastic element is configured to bias the turbine-piston toward the impeller. The casing is rotatable about a rotational axis so that the impeller shell is disposed axially opposite to and fixedly connected to the casing shell. The turbine-piston is coaxially aligned with and hydro-dynamically drivable by the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Patent number: 9541181
    Abstract: A torque converter features an impeller including an impeller shell and impeller blades, a turbine-piston including a turbine-piston shell and turbine blades, and a restrictor. The turbine-piston shell is axially displaceable relative to the impeller shell to position the torque converter (or a hydrokinetic torque coupling device containing the torque converter) into and out of lockup mode. The restrictor positioned radially outward of the impeller blades and the turbine blades at an opening of a fluid passage connecting the torus chamber to an environment outside the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 9528586
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features an impeller including an impeller shell, a casing shell connected to the impeller shell to establish a casing with a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston including an axially movable turbine-piston shell, and an annular intermediate clutch component affixed to the turbine-piston shell and including a lockup portion. The lockup portion has a second engagement surface that is movable axially toward and away from the first engagement surface to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into and out of a lockup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Sungchul Lee
  • Patent number: 9523420
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller, an axially displaceable turbine piston, and impeller and turbine-piston lockup clutch core plates. The impeller lockup clutch core plate is situated between the impeller shell and the turbine-piston shell, is connected to an impeller core ring, and has a first surface. The turbine-piston lockup clutch core plate is situated between the impeller shell and the turbine-piston shell, is connected to a turbine-piston core ring, and is axially displaceable with the turbine-piston to move a second surface of the turbine-piston lockup clutch core plate axially towards and away from the first surface for positioning the torque converter respectively into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically interlocked to the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Publication number: 20160327141
    Abstract: A stator of a hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a stator hub having an axis, a stator belt coaxial to the axis and a plurality of stator blades extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt. Each of the stator blades has radially inner and outer mounting pins. The stator hub has hub slots, and the stator belt has belt slots. The radially inner mounting pin of one of the stator blades is disposed in one of the hub slots of the stator hub and the radially outer mounting pin of one of the stator blades is disposed in one of the belt slots of the stator belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Publication number: 20160305523
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises an impeller rotatable about a rotational axis and a coaxial turbine. The impeller includes an impeller shell, a core ring and a plurality of impeller blades disposed between the impeller shell and the impeller core ring. The turbine includes a turbine shell, a core ring and a plurality of turbine blades disposed between the turbine shell and the turbine core ring. Each of the turbine blades or impeller blades has a rear crimped portion fixedly securing each of the turbine blades or impeller blades to the core ring of the corresponding turbine or impeller by the rear crimped portion. Method for assembling a hydrokinetic torque converter comprising the steps of crimping a rear portion of the impeller blade or turbine blade so as to fixedly securing the impeller blade or turbine blade to corresponding one of the impeller and turbine core rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Publication number: 20160305525
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes a casing shell having a first engagement surface, a torque converter including an impeller and a turbine that is hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller and includes a turbine shell, an output hub, a damper-piston assembly including torsional vibration damping members and a piston retainer plate having a second engagement surface facing the first engagement surface, and a transmission component through which the torsional vibration damping members are interconnected to the output hub. The piston retainer plate engages the first ends of the damping members and the transmission component engages the second ends of the torsional vibration damping members. The damper-piston assembly is axially displaceable between a lockup mode and a hydrodynamic transmission mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Patent number: 9441718
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features a casing including an impeller shell, a casing shell, and an intermediate casing component connecting the impeller and casing shells. The intermediate casing component includes a casing wall portion and a piston engagement portion extending inward from and being non-rotatable relative to the casing wall portion. The device further features an impeller including the impeller shell. The turbine-piston is coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and 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 portion to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device respectively into and out of a lockup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Michel Bacher
  • Publication number: 20160160975
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided that includes an impeller having an impeller shell with a first surface, an axially displaceable turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller and including a turbine-piston shell and a turbine-piston flange with a second surface, and a clutch plate interposed between and axially displaceable relative to at least one of the first and second surfaces. The turbine-piston is axially movable relative to the impeller to move the second surface of the turbine-piston flange towards and away from the first surface for positioning the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the first and second surfaces and the clutch plate surfaces frictionally interlock with one another so that the impeller is mechanically locked to and non-rotatable relative to the turbine-piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Alexandre DEPRAETE, Zane Yang
  • Publication number: 20160160974
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and a bearing device. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable into and out of a lockup mode. The bearing device includes a non-axially oriented spring and a substantially incompressible rolling member urged by the spring against an oblique contact surface associated with the turbine-piston to thereby exert a variable axial force against the turbine-piston shell for biasing the turbine-piston out of the lockup mode. The variable axial force exerted by the bearing device against the turbine-piston shell decreases as the turbine-piston is axially displaced towards the lockup mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Alexandre DEPRAETE, Zane Yang
  • Publication number: 20160160972
    Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, a stator, and an annular lockup resistance member. The impeller includes an impeller shell. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell. The turbine-piston shell includes a turbine-piston flange having a first flange surface facing an engagement surface of the impeller shell. The turbine-piston is movable axially toward and away from the engagement surface to position the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston flange is mechanically locked to the impeller shell. The annular lockup resistance member is in the form of an annular elastomeric sandwich washer coaxially aligned with the rotational axis and including turbine-side and stator-side members, and an elastomeric inner member sandwiched between the turbine-side and stator-side members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Alexandre DEPRAETE, David WERTHMAN
  • Publication number: 20160160973
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and a biasing device. The turbine-piston is hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller and includes a turbine-piston shell having a second engagement surface facing the first engagement surface. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the impeller between a hydrodynamic transmission mode and a lockup mode. The biasing device is configured to exert an axial load against the turbine-piston to urge the turbine-piston axially away from the lockup mode and towards the hydrodynamic transmission mode. The axial load exerted by the biasing device decreases as the turbine-piston moves axially towards the lockup mode and increases as the turbine-piston moves axially away from the lockup mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Alexandre DEPRAETE, David WERTHMAN
  • Publication number: 20160160977
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller, an axially displaceable turbine piston, and impeller and turbine-piston lockup clutch core plates. The impeller lockup clutch core plate is situated between the impeller shell and the turbine-piston shell, is connected to an impeller core ring, and has a first surface. The turbine-piston lockup clutch core plate is situated between the impeller shell and the turbine-piston shell, is connected to a turbine-piston core ring, and is axially displaceable with the turbine-piston to move a second surface of the turbine-piston lockup clutch core plate axially towards and away from the first surface for positioning the torque converter respectively into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically interlocked to the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Alexandre DEPRAETE
  • Publication number: 20160160971
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features an impeller including an impeller shell and impeller blades, and a turbine-piston including a turbine-piston shell and turbine blades. The turbine-piston is movable axially toward and away from the impeller shell to position the torque converter (or a hydrokinetic torque coupling device containing the torque converter) into and out of lockup mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Alexandre DEPRAETE, Sungchul LEE