Patents by Inventor Eric Bouffard

Eric Bouffard 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: 10315510
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least one ground engaging member, an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger fluidly connected to an air intake port of the engine, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT has a CVT housing defining at least one CVT inlet for fluidly communicating an interior of the CVT housing with an atmosphere, a primary pulley housed in the CVT housing and operatively connected to the engine, a secondary pulley housed in the CVT housing and operatively connected to at least one of the at least one ground engaging member, a belt looped around the primary and secondary pulleys, and a CVT outlet conduit having an outlet portion. The outlet portion is oriented to generate a cooling air flow cooling at least one of: at least a portion of the turbocharger; and at least a portion of a component of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Pascal Toupin, Alexandre Leclair, Dave Proulx, Mathieu Duquette, Eric Bouffard
  • Publication number: 20180222311
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least one ground engaging member, an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger fluidly connected to an air intake port of the engine, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT has a CVT housing defining at least one CVT inlet for fluidly communicating an interior of the CVT housing with an atmosphere, a primary pulley housed in the CVT housing and operatively connected to the engine, a secondary pulley housed in the CVT housing and operatively connected to at least one of the at least one ground engaging member, a belt looped around the primary and secondary pulleys, and a CVT outlet conduit having an outlet portion. The outlet portion is oriented to generate a cooling air flow cooling at least one of: at least a portion of the turbocharger; and at least a portion of a component of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Pascal TOUPIN, Alexandre LECLAIR, Dave PROULX, Mathieu DUQUETTE, Eric BOUFFARD
  • Patent number: 9057432
    Abstract: A drive pulley for a continuously variable transmission has a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, and a biasing member. At least one arm is pivotally connected about a first axis to one of the movable sheave and a portion of the drive pulley axially and rotationally fixed to the fixed sheave. The arm has a ramp surface. At least one slider is pivotally connected about a second axis to the other one of the movable sheave and the portion of the drive pulley. The at least one slider has at least three slider surfaces. At least one of the at least three slider surfaces is adapted to contact the ramp surface of the at least one arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Eric Bouffard, Sylvain Matte
  • Patent number: 6892842
    Abstract: An all terrain or straddle type vehicle is provided with an air intake system having an air intake pipe with reduced length thereby avoiding unnecessary vibration which may adversely affect the fuel-to-air ratio of the engine, thereby improving engine performance. Also an inlet end of the air intake pipe is positioned so that the vehicle's capability for traversing water of a predetermined depth is improved. The height of the inlet end of the intake pipe is greater than the predetermined depth of the water to protect against water entering the air intake pipe due to encountering a water wave created in front of the vehicle that has a depth greater than the predetermined depth of the water. Additionally, openings in rear fenders of the vehicle channel intake air to both a radiator/fan assembly and the air intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Bouffard, Mario Fortier, Ghislain Caron
  • Publication number: 20040003799
    Abstract: A carburetor heater is provided to improve the operation of a carburetor, especially in cold and/or humid conditions, by minimizing moisture freezing therein. The carburetor heater is designed to accommodate a heating element within a conductive body that is shaped to complement the outer surface of the carburetor. The heater is fastened to the carburetor and attached to other elements of the engine or vehicle so as to be isolated from engine vibrations. The heating element can be a passage coupled to a cooling system of an all-terrain vehicle, and/or a resistive element coupled to an electrical system of the all-terrain vehicle, which is representative of the variety of vehicles with which the carburetor heater may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Bouffard, Jean-Marc Fortier
  • Publication number: 20020088666
    Abstract: A muffler is described with a housing having an input and an output. At least one plate is disposed within the housing to divide it into at least a first and a second internal expansion chamber. At least one tube is disposed through the plate, the tube having first and second ends with a bend therebetween, the bend altering an orientation of the second end of the tube so that the second end faces an interior surface of the housing. The housing, the plate and the tube establish a path for the exhaust between the input and the output. In addition, the first and second internal expansion chambers cooperate to attenuate sound, and the tube assists in sound attenuation and/or affects the path of the exhaust to arrest the discharge of sparks from the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Eric Bouffard
  • Publication number: 20020023792
    Abstract: An all terrain or straddle type vehicle is provided with an air intake system having an air intake pipe with reduced length thereby avoiding unnecessary vibration which may adversely affect the fuel-to-air ratio of the engine, thereby improving engine performance. Also an inlet end of the air intake pipe is positioned so that the vehicle's capability for traversing water of a predetermined depth is improved. The height of the inlet end of the intake pipe is greater than the predetermined depth of the water to protect against water entering the air intake pipe due to encountering a water wave created in front of the vehicle that has a depth greater than the predetermined depth of the water. Additionally, openings in rear fenders of the vehicle channel intake air to both a radiator/fan assembly and the air intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Bouffard, Mario Fortier, Ghislain Caron