Patents by Inventor Christian Flandrinck

Christian Flandrinck 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: 10953863
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow to and from a clutch includes a motor, a pump, and a valve assembly, which includes a housing defining an interior and a first orifice operably coupled to the pump, a second orifice operably coupled to the clutch, and a third orifice fluidly coupled to one of said first and second orifices. A piston is operably coupled to the motor, is disposed within the interior, is movable between a first position for allowing a fluid flow between the first and second orifices, a second position for obstructing the fluid flow between the first and second orifices, and a third position for limiting the fluid flow between the first and second orifices. A biasing member is coupled to the piston, and biases the piston toward the first position when the motor is off. When the pump is activated and a pressure proximate the first orifice is equal to a pressure proximate the second orifice, the motor is energized and moves the piston to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20200398809
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow to and from a clutch includes a motor, a pump, and a valve assembly, which includes a housing defining an interior and a first orifice operably coupled to the pump, a second orifice operably coupled to the clutch, and a third orifice fluidly coupled to one of said first and second orifices. A piston is operably coupled to the motor, is disposed within the interior, is movable between a first position for allowing a fluid flow between the first and second orifices, a second position for obstructing the fluid flow between the first and second orifices, and a third position for limiting the fluid flow between the first and second orifices. A biasing member is coupled to the piston, and biases the piston toward the first position when the motor is off. When the pump is activated and a pressure proximate the first orifice is equal to a pressure proximate the second orifice, the motor is energized and moves the piston to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Patent number: 10793133
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow to and from a clutch includes a motor, a pump, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a housing defining an interior. The housing defines a first orifice operably coupled to the pump and a second orifice operably coupled to the clutch. The valve assembly also includes a piston operably coupled to the motor and disposed within the interior of said housing. The piston is movable between a first position for allowing the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, a second position for obstructing the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, and a third position for limiting the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice. The valve assembly additionally includes a biasing member coupled to the piston. The biasing member biases the piston toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20180001883
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow to and from a clutch includes a motor, a pump, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a housing defining an interior. The housing defines a first orifice operably coupled to the pump and a second orifice operably coupled to the clutch. The valve assembly also includes a piston operably coupled to the motor and disposed within the interior of said housing. The piston is movable between a first position for allowing the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, a second position for obstructing the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, and a third position for limiting the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice. The valve assembly additionally includes a biasing member coupled to the piston. The biasing member biases the piston toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Patent number: 8720240
    Abstract: A rotary output member that is a motor vehicle door catch and a rotary input member of a mechanism that is a motor vehicle door lock is disclosed. The arrangement includes a movement transmitting device that is inserted between the two rotary members, the transmission shaft of the two ends of which, together with the rotary output and input members, form articulated universal joints allowing some degree of axial misalignment. Each end of the shaft is ball shaped, collaborating with a complementary rotary member part. The ball at the door catch end of the transmission shaft is a faceted ball, the number of facets of which is defined according to the angle between the door catch and the door lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Christian Flandrinck, Anthony Guerin
  • Patent number: 8347677
    Abstract: A releasable latch, for a motor vehicle lock mechanism, includes a fixed stator having at least two semicylindrical portions, a rotor rotatably mounted in the fixed stator and includes a plurality of tumblers configured to be moved radially under an action of a key that is designed to be inserted axially into the rotor, and an intermediate tubular socket configured to rotate about an axis thereof in the fixed stator and to move axially relative to the fixed stator. The rotor is directly coupled with a control lever that acts as a cam when the key is suitable, and uncoupled from the control lever in a released position. The rotor is fixed axially in the intermediate socket, and the rotor and the intermediate socket are prevented from rotating relative to one another by the plurality of tumblers when the key is not suitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Patent number: 8011215
    Abstract: A disengageable cylinder for a motor vehicle lock mechanism includes a fixed stator, a sleeve, a rotor, a driver, and an indexer. The sleeve is mounted in rotation about its axis in the stator, and is fixed axially with respect to the stator. The rotor is mounted in rotation in the sleeve and is fixed axially in the sleeve. Further, the rotor includes tumblers which can move radially under the action of a key intended to be inserted axially into the rotor. The driver provides a coupling between the rotor and a cam actuator, when the key is appropriate. The indexer can move axially between rest and disengagement positions and is under the effect of a rotation of the sleeve with respect to the stator subsequent to the rotor being rotated by means of an inappropriate key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Patent number: 7997108
    Abstract: A disengageable cylinder for a motor vehicle lock mechanism includes a fixed stator, a sleeve, a rotor, a driver, and an indexer. The sleeve is mounted in rotation about its axis in the stator, and is fixed axially with respect to the stator. The rotor is mounted in rotation in the sleeve and is fixed axially in the sleeve. The driver is connected in translation on the rotor. The indexer, which can move axially between rest and disengagement positions, is connected in translation on the stator. When an appropriate key is inserted in the rotor, the driver couples the rotor and a cam actuator in rotation, releasing the lock. When an inappropriate key is inserted, the rotor and sleeve rotate, causing the indexer to move toward the cam actuator. Because the indexer is rotationally immovable as a result of its connection with the stator, the cam actuator cannot rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Patent number: 7997109
    Abstract: A disengageable lock for a motor vehicle locking system includes a fixed stator, a sleeve, a rotor, a driver, and an indexer. The sleeve is mounted rotatably in the stator and is fixed axially relative to the stator. The rotor is mounted rotatably in the sleeve and is fixed axially in the sleeve. The driver is connected in disengageable rotation on the rotor. The indexer, which is axially mobile between rest and disengagement positions, is connected in translation in the stator by ribs surrounding the sleeve. When an appropriate key is inserted in the rotor, the driver couples the rotor and a cam actuator in rotation, releasing the lock. When an inappropriate key is inserted, the rotor and the sleeve rotate, causing the indexer to move toward the cam actuator. Because the indexer is rotationally immovable as a result of its connection with the stator, the cam actuator cannot rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20100132420
    Abstract: The invention concerns a releasable lock (10), in particular for a motor vehicle locking system, comprising a fixed stator (14), an intermediate tubular sleeve (16) which is mounted rotating about its axis in the stator and which is axially fixed in the sleeve and which comprises springs (32) radially mobile under the action of a key designed to be axially introduced into the rotor, the rotor (12) and the intermediate sleeve (16) being locked in rotation relative to each other by the springs when the key is not compatible, a driving element (26) coupling the rotor (12) and a control lever (24), called flat latch, when the key is compatible and an indexer (28) which is axially mobile between a rest position and a releasing position, under the effect of a rotation of the socket (16) relative to the stator (14) resulting from the rotation of the rotor with a non-compatible key, to move axially the driving element towards a released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Patent number: 7673483
    Abstract: This anti-theft device includes a stator (12), a rotor (14) mounted to rotate in the stator (12) between a first extreme angular position known as the “off” position and at least one second angular position, and a member (22) for interrupting the return travel of the rotor (14) from the second position to the “off” position in a position known as the “non-return” position interpolated angularly between the second position and “off” position, the interrupting member (22) being electrically deactivatable. The anti-theft device further includes a mechanical member (32) for deactivating the interrupting member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20090277238
    Abstract: A rotary output member that is a motor vehicle door catch and a rotary input member of a mechanism that is a motor vehicle door lock is disclosed. The arrangement includes a movement transmitting device that is inserted between the two rotary members, the transmission shaft of the two ends of which, together with the rotary output and input members, form articulated universal joints allowing some degree of axial misalignment. Each end of the shaft is ball shaped, collaborating with a complementary rotary member part. The ball at the door catch end of the transmission shaft is a faceted ball, the number of facets of which is defined according to the angle between the door catch and the door lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Christian Flandrinck, Anthony Guerin
  • Publication number: 20080216532
    Abstract: A releasable latch, for a motor vehicle lock mechanism, includes a fixed stator having at least two semicylindrical portions, a rotor rotatably mounted in the fixed stator and includes a plurality of tumblers configured to be moved radially under an action of a key that is designed to be inserted axially into the rotor, and an intermediate tubular socket configured to rotate about an axis thereof in the fixed stator and to move axially relative to the fixed stator. The rotor is directly coupled with a control lever that acts as a earn when the key is suitable, and uncoupled from the control lever in a released position. The rotor is fixed axially in the intermediate socket, and the rotor and the intermediate socket are prevented from rotating relative to one another by the plurality of tumblers when the key is not suitable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20080190154
    Abstract: The invention concerns a releasable lock (10), in particular for a motor vehicle locking system, comprising a fixed stator (14), an intermediate tubular sleeve (16) which is mounted rotating about its axis in the stator and which is axially fixed relative to the stator, a rotor (12) which is mounted rotating inside the sleeve, which is axially fixed relative to the sleeve and which comprises springs (32) radially mobile under the action of a key designed to be axially introduced into the rotor, the rotor (12) and the intermediate sleeve (16) being locked in rotation relative to each other by the springs when the key is not compatible, a driving element (26) coupling the rotor and a control lever (24), called flat latch, when the key is compatible and an indexer (28) which is axially mobile between a rest position and a releasing position, under the effect of a rotation of the sleeve relative to the stator following the rotation of the rotator by means of a non-compatible key, to move the driving element axial
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20080168810
    Abstract: The invention concerns a disengageable lock (10), in particular for motor vehicle locking system, comprising a fixed stator (14), an intermediate tubular sleeve (16) which is mounted rotatably about its axis in the stator and which is axially stationary relative to the stator, a rotor (12) which is mounted rotatably in the sleeve, which is axially stationary in the sleeve and which comprises springs (32) radially mobile under the action of a key designed to be introduced axially into the rotor, the rotor (12) and the intermediate sleeve (16) being locked in rotation relative to each other by the springs when the key is not compatible, a driving member (26) coupling the rotor and a control lever (24), called locking-interlocking lever, when the key is compatible and an indexer (28) which is axially mobile between a rest position and a disengaged position, under the effect of a rotation of the sleeve relative to the stator following the rotation of the rotor of a non-compatible key, to move axially the driving
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20060164216
    Abstract: This anti-theft device comprises a stator (12), a rotor (14) mounted to rotate in the stator (12) between a first extreme angular position known as the “off” position and at least one second angular position, and means (22) for interrupting the return travel of the rotor (14) from the second position to the “off” position in a position known as the “non-return” position interpolated angularly between the second position and “off” position, these interrupt means (22) being electrically deactivatable. The anti-theft device comprises mechanical means (32) for deactivating the means (22) for interrupting the return travel of the rotor (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck