Patents by Inventor Dominique Despres

Dominique Despres 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: 6502680
    Abstract: A motor vehicle friction clutch, including a reaction plate, a friction disc with friction liners at its outer periphery, a pressure plate, a cover plate, axial clutch engaging mechanism controlled by declutching and acting between the cover plate and the pressure plate through respective primary and secondary abutments, the pressure plate being fixed to the cover plate that is axially displaceable for rotation with the latter, also includes a wear compensating device. One of the abutments when the clutch is engaged is displaceable axially and the compensating device is brought into operation to effect the displacement. The actuating device is controlled by a displacement in association with a detection responsive to wear in the liners and acting on at least one of the elements consisting of the actuating, compensating and displacement means. Adjustment of the nominal position of the clutch when engaged defined by the axial distance between the primary and secondary abutments when the clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Olivier Doremus, Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 6357570
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clutch friction, comprising a reaction plate (202) designed to be locked in rotation on an input shaft a friction disk (200), bearing at its external periphery at least one friction lining (201), designed to be locked in rotation on an output shaft, a pressure plate (1), a cover (2) fixed on the reaction plate (202), clutch means with axial action (3) controlled by releasing means and which operate between the cover (2) and the pressure plate (1) via support means (14), the pressure plate (1) being interlocked in rotation with the cover (2) while being capable of moving axially relative thereto and subjected to the action of elastic return means returning the pressure plate (1) axially towards the cover (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Olivier Doremus, Jean-Luc Travers
  • Publication number: 20010009215
    Abstract: A motor vehicle friction clutch, comprising a reaction plate, a friction disc with friction liners at its outer periphery, a pressure plate, a cover plate fixed on the reaction plate, axial clutch engaging means controlled by declutching means and acting between the cover plate and the pressure plate through respective primary and secondary abutments, with the pressure plate being fixed to the cover plate for rotation with the latter while being axially displaceable with respect to it, also includes a wear compensating device. One of the abutments of the clutch engaging means is displaceable axially and the compensating device includes a compensating means brought into operation by an actuating means which is arranged to effect this displacement. The actuating means is controlled by a displacement means in association with a detection means responsive to wear in the liners and acting on at least one of the elements consisting of the actuating, compensating and displacement means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Olivier Doremus, Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 6193039
    Abstract: The invention concerns a friction clutch in particular for motor vehicle, comprising a reaction plate (202), a friction disk (200), bearing friction linings (201), a pressure plate (1), a cover (2), clutch means (3) controlled by disengaging means and operating between the cover (2) and the pressure plate (1) through support means (14), a wear take-up device, one of the intermediate support means being capable of being axially offset and the wear take-up device comprising compensating means, actuated by actuating means, to produce said offsetting, controlled by triggering means combined with detecting means, sensitive to wear, operating on one at least of the actuating means, compensating means and triggering means: the wear take-up device also comprises means, called disconnecting means, making it inoperative before the linings are completely worn, adapted to act on the compensating means or the actuating means or the triggering means or the detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Oliver Doremus, Dominique Despres, Jean-Luc Travers
  • Patent number: 5823516
    Abstract: A torsion damper is of the kind in which the springs bear against thrust inserts or spring seats. The anterior part of each spring seat has a circular perimeter, the diameter of which is smaller than the internal diameter of the outermost spring of the associated group of springs, while the posterior part of the spring seat includes a barrel element which projects from the back of the anterior part of the spring seat. This barrel element also extends radially beyond the perimeter of the anterior part, at each end of the barrel element, so that the outermost spring of the associated group bears on the projecting portions of the barrel element in end thrust engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 5803442
    Abstract: A torsion damping device, in particular for inclusion in a clutch friction wheel of a motor vehicle clutch, includes springs which are in end thrust engagement on thrust inserts or spring seats which are mounted for pivoting movement in the friction wheel. The anterior part of each of these spring seats, on which the springs are in end thrust and/or centring engagement, is made at least partly of synthetic material, while the posterior part of the spring seat, by which the latter is pivotally mounted in the friction wheel, is made at least partly of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Olivier Bouchez
  • Patent number: 5366057
    Abstract: A clutch friction wheel of the kind which is in three parts, especially applicable to industrial vehicles, comprises a friction disc fixed to a damper plate, and guide rings fixed to a support ring which is arranged between the damper plate and the hub. Firstly, the friction disc, damper plate, guide rings, support ring and damping device constitute a first sub-assembly in which the guide rings are secured directly to the support ring on their inner perimeter; secondly, a predamper device acting between the support ring and hub constitutes with the latter a second sub-assembly, in which the predamper device is arranged outside the guide rings on one side of the latter, while a retaining abutment element is disposed axially on the hub on the other side; and thirdly, a mating coupling is arranged between the predamper device and the support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Thomas Grabis
  • Patent number: 4983142
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a double damped flywheel of the kind having springs (40), at least one damper plate (30) and guide rings (17, 18). The double flywheel is characterized by a phasing device having thrust pads each of which is interposed circumferentially between two consecutive ones of the resilient springs, the phasing device being mounted for free rotation with respect to the guide rings. The damper plate is centered directly or indirectly by one of the guide rings or by the damper plate in such a way as to divide each of the resilient springs into two operative elements. The double damped flywheel further comprises inserts mounting the resilient springs pivotally on the thrust pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Jacky Naudin, Jacques Paquin
  • Patent number: 4928486
    Abstract: In a damping flywheel which is associated with a fluid coupling device, the casing of the fluid coupling device is mounted in series with the damping flywheel, preferably through a resilient elment which forms part of an arrangement which allows variation to take place in the clamping torque exerted by friction means which form part of a torque limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4904226
    Abstract: Torsion-damping device, particularly in an inertia flywheel forms the reaction plate of a clutch. The damping device comprises two coaxial parts capable of limited rotation relative to each other against the action of springs mounted between pivoted pedestals. Elements of damping material are disposed near engagement zones between the pedestals and each of the coaxial parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Gustave Chasseguet, John Willyard, Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4820239
    Abstract: A torsional damper device suitable for use in an inertia flywheel also serving as the reaction plate of a clutch is provided with arrangements to reduce operating noise. The device comprises coaxial first and second parts which rotate relative to each other to a limited degree. There are two substantially parallel annular flanges on the first part and at least one plate on the second part disposed axially between these flanges. Springs are disposed substantially circumferentially between base members on one of the parts. First engagement devices on the base members cooperate with complementary engagement devices on one of the parts. Second engagement devices on the base members cooperate with complementary engagement devices on the other part. The complementary engagement devices on the one part and/or the other part comprise attached separate members made from an elastomer or synthetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Jacques Paquin
  • Patent number: 4648499
    Abstract: In a clutch release bearing there is provided a groove for the coupling ring ensuring its coupling to the coupling member provided to this end on the side of the clutch release device to be operated opposite that facing the clutch release bearing. The flank of this groove disposed on the side of the clutch release bearing forms part of a decoupling member mounted to slide axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Philippe Lassiaz
  • Patent number: 4613025
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism is provided with an improved travel limiting device. This device comprises a plurality of retaining members (38) on the perimeter of the pressure plate (14). Each of these members (38) hooks onto a retractable member (34) forming part of the cover (10) and limiting the axial travel of the plate (14) relative to the cover (10). The mounting of the combination of the plate (14), diaphragm spring (11) and cover (10) is particularly simple in that it is effected without any relative rotational movement.The retaining members are each adapted for hooking engagement with a limiting member following elastic movement beyond the limiting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4611700
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing suitable for automotive vehicles adapted to operate in traction on a clutch release device to be operated has radial arms for the corresponding clutch release yoke to operate on. With each arm there is associated an axial surface to prevent it rotating on the clutch release yoke. The axial surface thus associated with each radial arm is extended beyond the radial arm by means of a plate. The edge of the plate nearest the radial arm is formed with a chamfer in order to facilitate engagement of the clutch release yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4601373
    Abstract: In a clutch comprising at least one pressure plate with axially bored radial lugs at its periphery, a travel limiter is disposed in at least one of the axial bores. It comprises a rigid peg movable axially between two bearing surfaces in axial face-to-face relationship of the cover-reaction plate assembly. The peg is mounted with friction in a friction bush which is pressed against the peg by clamping members. The bush comprises axial retaining members for retaining it in position through the axial bore. The clamping members are adjusted so that the peg can slide in the bush when acted on by engagement means of the clutch, but not when acted on by disengagement means specific to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dominique Despres, Jacques Feigler
  • Patent number: 4574932
    Abstract: A torsion damping assembly comprises two coaxial parts mounted for relative angular rotation preferably including a hub web and a pair of annular guide members. Coil springs are chordally interposed between the coaxial parts. A friction washer is in axial contact with an axial load bearing component formed by one of the guide members or the hub web. An axially acting spring washer bears against the bearing component on the side of the bearing component remote from the friction washer and urges the friction washer toward the bearing component. The spring washer is axially interconnected with and detented to the retaining washer located on the other side of the bearing component. Preferably the retaining washer has resiliently deformable axial tabs which deflect for interconnecting the spring washer with the retaining washer. The retaining washer may be formed as a one-piece molded plastic part with the axial tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4558771
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly comprises at least three components including a cover, a pressure plate and a diaphragm spring. At least one peg is provided to limit movement of the pressure plate. The peg comprises at least one snap-fastener adapted to immobilize it in the axial direction on a first of the components. It further comprises a head incorporating a barrel and a retaining shoulder, the barrel being radially spaced from a retaining edge adjacent an abutment surface on a second of the components. In normal operation of the assembly, this provides for relative sliding of the edge and the barrel whereas, in the storage position of the assembly, the shoulder is in abutting relationship with the abutment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4531622
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism, particularly for a motor vehicle, is fitted with stop means to check the axial travel of the pressure plate after a predetermined distance of axial travel thereof with respect to the cover. The stop means include at least one radial lug which, independently of the cover, is fixed thereto using fixing means connecting to the cover the leaf-springs which provide the rotational connection between the pressure plate and the cover. The lug or lugs act on the outer circumferential edge of the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Bacher, Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4410075
    Abstract: A torsional damper comprising two coaxial parts with respective disks mounted for relative rotation, at least one guide ring and springs interposed circumferentially between the coaxial parts. The springs are divided into groups of at least two springs, with each spring individually housed in windows in the disks and guide rings. The springs are all engaged without circumferential play in the windows in the guide rings and each is engaged with circumferential play in the corresponding window in the disk of at least one of the coaxial parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Valeo SA
    Inventors: Andre Caray, Dominique Despres