Patents by Inventor Christophe Houdayer

Christophe Houdayer 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: 8851762
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device for a motor vehicle comprises a rolling bearing (22) forming a thrust and provided with an upper ring, a lower ring, and at least one row of rolling elements placed between the rings, a bearing cap (18) in contact with the upper ring, and a supporting cap (20) in contact with the lower ring and forming a bearing means for a suspension spring (12). At least one of the said caps comprises a body formed of at least a first synthetic material and an insert (34) at least partly covered by the said body. The said insert is formed of at least a second synthetic material different from the first synthetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 8851227
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is for a mechanism including a housing and a rotatable shaft disposed within the housing. The bearing assembly includes a sleeve disposable within the housing and having an inner circumferential surface defining a bore and a radial surface extending radially inwardly from the inner surface. A bearing is disposed within the bore and includes inner and outer races and rolling elements disposed between the races, the inner race being coupleable with the shaft such that the shaft and the inner race rotate as a single unit. Further, a biasing member biases the outer race generally against the sleeve radial surface or a housing radial surface to prevent axial displacement of the outer race during shaft rotation. Preferably, a retainer couples the biasing member with the outer race to retain the bearing and the biasing member within the bore when the assembly is separate from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Christophe Houdayer, Jacques Charpentier, Benoit Arnault, Yves Liverato, Sylvain Bussit, Carole Girardin
  • Patent number: 8740472
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device for a motor vehicle comprises a rolling bearing forming a thrust bearing and provided with an upper ring, with a lower ring and with at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings, a bearing cap in contact with the upper ring, and a support cap in contact with the lower ring and forming a bearing means for a suspension spring. At least one of the caps comprises a body made of synthetic material and an insert covered at least in part by the body. The insert comprises stiffening ribs in order to reinforce the mechanical strength of the cap with respect to the axial loads resulting from the forces exerted by the suspension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Bruno Montboeuf, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 8596878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rolling bearing 1 comprising a lower ring 3 mounted inside a lower annular cup 6, an upper ring 2 mounted inside an upper annular cup 7, and at least one row of rolling elements 4 positioned between raceways defined by lower and upper rings. One of the annular cups has at least one annular skirt 6d partly inserted within at least one annular groove 7m provided in the other annular cup, thus forming a sinuous chamber 8, and the sinuous chamber is at least partly filled with at least one waterproof grease material 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Christophe Houdayer, Sylvain Bussit, Richard Corbett, Samuel Viault, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Publication number: 20130313766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a suspension bearing device, comprising at least one rolling bearing, a bottom cup and a top cup made of plastic, each in contact with the rolling bearing, and at least one seal suitable for protecting the rolling bearing from ingress of water or of polluting particles. The method is characterized in that it comprises at least one step of positioning a seal made of thermosetting elastomer on a supporting element made of plastic between the bottom cup and the top cup and, for the or each seal made of thermosetting elastomer, a step of curing this seal on its supporting element. The invention also relates to a suspension bearing device and a strut of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Sylvain Bussit, Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Bruno Montboeuf, Adrien Nerriere, Samuel Viault, Desire Vidot
  • Publication number: 20130277161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension bearing device, comprising a rolling bearing forming an axial stop along a main axis and at least one seal adapted for protecting the rolling bearing from ingress of water or of polluting particles. The device is characterized in that it also comprises a bottom cup and a top cup made of plastic, in contact with the rolling bearing, the bottom cup forming a bearing means for a suspension spring, and in that the or each seal is made of thermoplastic overmoulded onto a first element between the cups and comprises a base of substantially annular shape from which extends at least one sealing lip in contact with the second element between the cups. The invention also relates to a strut of a motor vehicle, comprising a damper and a suspension bearing device as mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Sylvain Bussit, Christophe Houdayer, Bruno Montboeuf, Adrien Nerriere, Jean-Marc Soudee, Desire Vidot
  • Publication number: 20130195393
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device for a motor vehicle comprises a rolling bearing 22 forming a thrust bearing and provided with an upper ring, with a lower ring and with at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings, a bearing cap 18 in contact with the upper ring, and a support cap 20 in contact with the lower ring and forming a bearing means for a suspension spring 12. At least one of the said caps comprises a body made of synthetic material and an insert 34 covered at least in part by the said body. The insert 34 comprises stiffening ribs 44 in order to reinforce the mechanical strength of the said cap with respect to the axial loads resulting from the forces exerted by the suspension spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Bruno Montboeuf, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 8496235
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device comprises a rolling bearing 44 forming an axial stop and a support element 42 for the rolling bearing forming bearing means for a spring, the rolling bearing comprising a bottom ring 48 in contact with the support element, a top ring 46 and a plurality of rolling elements 50 positioned between the rings. The support element 42 comprises a body 60 and a stiffening insert 66 at least partly covered by the body. The body is formed of a rigid material 62 for the transmission of axial forces between the spring and the rolling bearing and a flexible material 64 to provide at least one dynamic seal 84b, 86b inside the device. At least a part of the rigid material is situated radially between the flexible material and the stiffening insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Christophe Houdayer, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Publication number: 20120321238
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device for a motor vehicle comprises a rolling bearing (22) forming a thrust and provided with an upper ring, a lower ring, and at least one row of rolling elements placed between the rings, a bearing cap (18) in contact with the upper ring, and a supporting cap (20) in contact with the lower ring and forming a bearing means for a suspension spring (12). At least one of the said caps comprises a body formed of at least a first synthetic material and an insert (34) at least partly covered by the said body. The said insert is formed of at least a second synthetic material different from the first synthetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 8226301
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing, a lower support cap of the rolling bearing that is provided with a body made of synthetic material, and a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap. The filtering element includes at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Thierry Poulle, Christophe Houdayer, Jean-Sylvain Migliore
  • Publication number: 20120024618
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is for a mechanism including a housing and a rotatable shaft disposed within the housing. The bearing assembly includes a sleeve disposable within the housing and having an inner circumferential surface defining a bore and a radial surface extending radially inwardly from the inner surface. A bearing is disposed within the bore and includes inner and outer races and rolling elements disposed between the races, the inner race being coupleable with the shaft such that the shaft and the inner race rotate as a single unit. Further, a biasing member biases the outer race generally against the sleeve radial surface or a housing radial surface to prevent axial displacement of the outer race during shaft rotation. Preferably, a retainer couples the biasing member with the outer race to retain the bearing and the biasing member within the bore when the assembly is separate from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Christophe Houdayer, Jacques Charpentier, Benoit Arnault, Yves Liverato, Sylvain Bussit, Carole Girardin
  • Publication number: 20120020606
    Abstract: A cage (10) for holding rolling elements (9) of a roller bearing (6) comprises a frame part (15) holding the rolling elements (9) on a bearing circumference (17), and at least one circumferential sealing lip (16c, 16d) extending from the frame (15), made of a more pliable material than the material of the frame. The frame (15) has parts comprising concave surfaces (38). The material of the circumferential lip at least partly fills the concavities (25) defined by these concave surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Bruno Montboeuf, Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Samuel Viault, Jéröme Dubus
  • Publication number: 20110311177
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device includes a lower cap, an upper cap having a surface portion, and a bearing disposed between the two caps. The bearing includes a lower race mounted on the lower cap, an upper race mounted on the upper cap, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the two races, and a cage for retaining the rolling elements. The cage has a holding part for the rolling elements and a sealing lip extending from the holding part towards a periphery of the bearing, the lip including first and second integral legs extending in opposing directions. In certain embodiments, the first leg cooperates with the upper cap surface portion and the second leg cooperates with the lower race to form a seal. In other embodiments, the first leg cooperates with the lower race and the second leg cooperates with the upper cap surface portion to form a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Desire Vidot, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Publication number: 20110293214
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rolling bearing 1 comprising a lower ring 3 mounted inside a lower annular cup 6, an upper ring 2 mounted inside an upper annular cup 7, and at least one row of rolling elements 4 positioned between raceways defined by lower and upper rings. One of the annular cups has at least one annular skirt 6d partly inserted within at least one annular groove 7m provided in the other annular cup, thus forming a sinuous chamber 8, and the sinuous chamber is at least partly filled with at least one waterproof grease material 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Christophe Houdayer, Sylvain Bussit, Richard Corbett, Samuel Viault, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Publication number: 20110274384
    Abstract: An axial thrust bearing system comprises a rolling bearing (6) which comprises an upper race (7) secured to an upper cover (4), a lower race (8) secured to a bearing seat (5), rolling elements (9) between the two races, and a cage (10) for retaining these rolling elements. At least one of the races consists of a part separate from the upper cover or from the bearing seat. The cage comprises a framework portion(15) keeping the rolling elements (9) on a rolling circumference, a first lip (16a, 16d) and a second lip (16b, 16c) each extending radially from a periphery of the framework respectively towards the outside and towards the inside of the rolling circumference (17). The first and the second lips (16a-16b, or 16d-16c) are both in sealed contact, on either side of the separate part, with a substantially radial surface portion of the upper cover (4a) or of the bearing seat (5a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Bruno Montboeurf, Richard Corbett, Christophe Houdayer, Samuel Viault, Jérôme Dubus
  • Publication number: 20110101584
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device comprises a rolling bearing 44 forming an axial stop and a support element 42 for the rolling bearing forming bearing means for a spring, the rolling bearing comprising a bottom ring 48 in contact with the support element, a top ring 46 and a plurality of rolling elements 50 positioned between the rings. The support element 42 comprises a body 60 and a stiffening insert 66 at least partly covered by the body is formed of a rigid material 62 for the transmission of axial forces between the spring and the rolling bearing and a flexible material 64 to provide at least one dynamic seal 84b, 86b inside the device. At least a part of the rigid material is situated radially between the flexible material and the stiffening insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Christophe Houdayer, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Patent number: 7811005
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle thrust bearing comprising a rolling bearing forming a stop element (8), a support spring retainer (11), and an elastic support block (2), the rolling bearing including an upper race (12) arranged in an annular upper cap (16) forming a contact surface between said upper race (12) and the elastic block (2), a lower race (13). The device comprises an annular lower cap (17) forming a contact surface between the lower race (13) and the support spring retainer (11). The caps (16, 17) comprise each a thick portion (18, 22) and a thin portion (19, 23), the thin portion (19, 23) being located axially opposite the thick portion (22, 18) of the other cap, the lower (13) and upper (12) races being urged to be pressed on the thick portions (22, 18) of the lower (17) and upper (16) caps forming a rolling bearing with oblique contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Eric Beghini, Raphaël Gorette, Christophe Houdayer
  • Publication number: 20090123106
    Abstract: Thrust bearing device 1 comprising a first ring 4, a second ring 5, a row of rolling elements 6 arranged between the rings, a cage 7 for retaining the rolling elements 6 and a sleeve 8 for retaining the said rings, the retaining cage 7 and sleeve 8 being produced from deep-drawn sheet metal, the sleeve comprising a retaining portion 8b extending radially outwards, the retaining portion 8b being inscribed within a circle having a diameter substantially equal to the bore of the said cage 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Jerome Boussaguet, Romuald Lescorail, Samuel Viault, Christophe Houdayer
  • Publication number: 20080031562
    Abstract: The suspension thrust bearing device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing, a lower support cap of the rolling bearing that is provided with a body made of synthetic material, and a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap. The filtering element includes at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Thierry Poulle, Christophe Houdayer, Jean-Sylvain Migliore
  • Publication number: 20050008276
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle bump stop comprising a rolling bearing forming a stop element (8), a support spring retainer (11), and an elastic support block (2), the rolling bearing including an upper race (12) arranged in an annular upper cap (16) forming a contact surface between said upper race (12) and the elastic block (2), a lower race (13). The device comprises an annular lower cap (17) forming a contact surface between the lower race (13) and the support spring retainer (11). The caps (16, 17) comprise each a thick portion (18, 22) and a thin portion (19, 23), the thin portion (19, 23) being located axially opposite the thick portion (22, 18) of the other cap, the lower (13) and upper (12) races being urged to be pressed on the thick portions (22, 18) of the lower (17) and upper (16) caps forming a rolling bearing with oblique contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Beghini, Raphael Gorette, Christophe Houdayer