Patents by Inventor Etienne De Fontenay

Etienne De Fontenay 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: 7540478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydroelastic joint that is used to assemble two pieces. The inventive joint comprises an external reinforcement (1) and an internal reinforcement (3), each having a longitudinal axis, and one of which is disposed around the other. Moreover, said joint comprises a first assembly (5) forming a hydroelasctic spring which is disposed between said reinforcements. The aforementioned first assembly comprises a first elastically-deformable element (6) which is shaped in such a way as to define, between the reinforcements, at least one sealed volume (9) that contains a damping fluid (8). A second elastically-deformable element (24) is disposed between the first assembly and the first of said external and internal reinforcements. The invention is characterized in that the second elastically-deformable element (24) is provided with a longitudinal dimension which is smaller than the corresponding longitudinal dimension of the first elastically-deformable element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: WOCO AVS SAS
    Inventors: Etienne de Fontenay, Philippe Souyri
  • Publication number: 20050035506
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydroelastic joint that is used to assemble two pieces. The inventive joint comprises an external reinforcement (1) and an internal reinforcement (3), each having a longitudinal axis, and one of which is disposed around the other. Moreover, said joint comprises a first assembly (5) forming a hydroelasctic spring which is disposed between said reinforcements. The aforementioned first assembly comprises a first elastically-deformable element (6) which is shaped in such a way as to define, between the reinforcements, at least one sealed volume (9) that contains a damping fluid (8). A second elastically-deformable element (24) is disposed between the first assembly and the first of said external and internal reinforcements. The invention is characterised in that the second elastically-deformable element (24) is provided with a longitudinal dimension which is smaller than the corresponding longitudinal dimension of the first elastically-deformable element (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Etienne de Fontenay, Philippe Souyri
  • Publication number: 20050035507
    Abstract: Hydroelastic joint comprising an outer shell (1) and an inner shell (2) arranged one around the other and an elastically deformable element (6) arranged between the shells and shaped so that it defines at least two chambers (17a, 17b) opposite one another along a predefined damping direction (b), the chambers being able to communicate via at least one overpressure channel (25a, 25b) having at least one portion with variable cross-section, characterized in that it comprises force return means (24) to produce, from a force (F) tending to displace the shells relative to one another, a tightening force (P) at the level of the portion with variable cross-section of the overpressure channel, to oppose the circulation of damping liquid through the overpressure channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Etienne de Fontenay, Philippe Souyri
  • Publication number: 20030086750
    Abstract: A hydroelastic joint 1 comprises parallel hydraulic circuits 5, 5′, 6, 6′ that provide a different hydraulic function in different loading directions. The number and configuration of the hydraulic circuits is a function of the load profile and the behavior intended for the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Etienne De Fontenay
  • Patent number: 6412762
    Abstract: An element forming a suspension joint and torsion spring, characterized in that it comprises an outer tubular sub-frame, an inner tubular sub-frame and an intermediate connecting sleeve made from an elastomer material which is joined without any possible slippage of the outer and inner sub-frames; said elastomer sleeve comprises at least two cell structures extending along the circumference thereof, whereby the radial rigidity of the joint is reduced in a significant manner in at least a number of directions without significantly reducing the torsional rigidity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Micheline & Cie
    Inventor: Etienne de Fontenay
  • Patent number: 6412798
    Abstract: Disclosed in a coupling attachment for a MacPherson suspension shock strut having an elastic articulation for filtering and uncoupling on a path transmitting the shock absorber rod effects to the body, and a separate elastic block on a path transmitting the spring efforts to the body, wherein the device improves compactness without adversely affecting comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Etienne De Fontenay, Antoine Ducloux
  • Patent number: 6375205
    Abstract: An articulating between two linking parts, said articulation comprising a hinge yoke provided with two non-parallel shafts each defining an axis of rotation and carried by each of the two linking parts respectively, with elastic hinge rings inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the axis of rotation of the associated shaft. The invention is characterized in that the hinge yoke is provided with at least one bore for passage of a first shaft with at least an elastic hinge ring inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the first shaft axis of rotation (the “first axis of rotation”), such that the relative allowable angular displacement between the linking parts about the first axis of rotation results from the sum of the allowable angular displacement of the linking part relative to the first shaft and the allowable angular displacement of the first shaft relative to the hinge yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Michelin AVS
    Inventors: Etienne De Fontenay, Philippe Jean
  • Publication number: 20010017437
    Abstract: An element forming a suspension joint and torsion spring, characterized in that it comprises an outer tubular sub-frame, an inner tubular sub-frame and an intermediate connecting sleeve made from an elastomer material which is joined without any possible slippage of the outer and inner sub-frames; said elastomer sleeve comprises at least two cell structures extending along the circumference thereof, whereby the radial rigidity of the joint is reduced in a significant manner in at least a number of directions without significantly reducing the torsional rigidity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Etienne de Fontenay
  • Publication number: 20010015537
    Abstract: Disclosed in a coupling attachment for a MacPherson suspension shock strut having an elastic articulation for filtering and uncoupling on a path transmitting the shock absorber rod effects to the body, and a separate elastic block on a path transmitting the spring efforts to the body, wherein the device improves compactness without adversely affecting comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Etienne De Fontenay, Anthoine Ducloux
  • Patent number: 6247688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel suspension device comprising a shock absorber and a helical spring mounted between a lower spring retainer integral with the shock absorber cylinder, and an upper spring retainer integral with the shock absorber rod. The upper spring retainer is integral with a laminated elastomer assembly secured to a part to be fixed on the vehicle body. The part to be fixed to the vehicle body is angularly adjustable relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Michelin AVS
    Inventors: Etienne De Fontenay, Philippe Jean
  • Patent number: 5595374
    Abstract: A variable elastic coupling assembly interconnecting a rod of a vehicle shock absorber and a structure to be damped in order to filter vibrations, comprises two rigid annular armatures, one of which is fastened to the rod, and the other to the structure. The armatures are bonded together through at least two elastomeric annular elements which delimit between them a closed space which is totally sealed with respect to the external environment, and which contains a gas phase and at least one liquid phase. The volume of the closed space is modified by the deformation under strain of the elastomeric annular elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques
    Inventors: Christian Charette, Etienne de Fontenay
  • Patent number: 5259600
    Abstract: A controllable elastic connection device for providing antivibration filtering having two different rigidities in a vehicle suspension system includes a piezo-rigid tubular chamber embedded in an elastomer compound block that is elastically connected between two fastening armatures, whereby the piezo-rigid tubular chamber is expandable under the action of a hydraulic pressure to increase the rigidity of the connection and thereby block the transverse deformability by a ratio of at least three.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques
    Inventors: Etienne de Fontenay, Patrick Parisot
  • Patent number: 5232209
    Abstract: A MacPherson Strut assembly, or the like, with a hydroelastic suspension attachment in which the attachment is formed by two thick membranes of elastomeric composition which enclose a liquid. This unit forms a hydroelastic cartridge in which a sliding flap, provided with sealing joints, can move within a rigid confinement cup. The flap itself is encircled by a liquid passage having a large cross section clearance which causes a high level damping of vibrations which result from the resonant movement between masses between which the suspension attachment is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques S.A.
    Inventor: Etienne de Fontenay
  • Patent number: 5080331
    Abstract: Elastic bushing with hydraulic damping of radial elasticity by circulation of liquid between two chambers opposite one another connected by a very long annular passage located in the round exterior fastening armature. A rigidity decoupling, over a short stroke, is provided by the deformation of a thin wall in each chamber. One side of the thin wall has air thereagainst and the other side has a damping liquid thereagainst. On the air side of the thin wall, movement is limited by an internal fastening ring, and on the liquid damping side by contact with a comb integrated in said internal fastening ring. Application of the bushing is in the fields of mountings for an automobile engine and similar uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques, S.A.
    Inventor: Etienne de Fontenay
  • Patent number: 5028038
    Abstract: Elastic anti-vibration isolation apparatus with integrated hydraulic damping, consisting of a thick conical membrane of elastomer compound bonded to internal and external rigid frames, and crimped in a casing containing a damping liquid, characterized by the fact that the rigid partition which separates the variable volume chamber from the expansion space has a passage for the damping liquid realized in one or two parts, the dimensions of which can be adjusted by grinding or lathe-working at least one of the components, base or cover, of the rigid partition, or by the insertion of shims between the constituent parts, thereby making it possible, using a set of similar components, to realize a range of elastic mountings with damping characteristics adapted to desired utilization frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques
    Inventor: Etienne de Fontenay
  • Patent number: 4909490
    Abstract: Elastic anti-vibration isolation apparatus with integrated hydraulic damping, consisting of a thick conical membrane of elastomer compound bonded to internal and external rigid frames, and crimped in a casing containing a damping liquid, characterized by the fact that the rigid partition which separates the variable volume chamber from the expansion space has a passage for the damping liquid realized in one or two parts, the dimensions of which can be adjusted by grinding or lathe-working at least one of the components, base or cover, of the rigid partition, or by the insertion of shims between the constituent parts, thereby making it possible, using a set of similar components, to realize a range of elastic mountings with damping characteristics adapted to desired utilization frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques
    Inventor: Etienne de Fontenay
  • Patent number: 4893799
    Abstract: Antivibration isolation device with hydraulic damping of radial elasticity, consisting of four concentric tubes bonded two by two to the elastic lateral walls, which by simultaneous fitting form two chambers connected by a long laminar passage for an inertial damping fluid, shunted by limited deformation of a thin membrane, to modulate the apparent dynamic rigidity as a function of the frequency. Process for the realization of such a device. The object of the invention is to provide antivibration isolation for machines or motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Kleber Industrie
    Inventor: Etienne de Fontenay
  • Patent number: 4834350
    Abstract: Antivibration isolation device with integrated hydraulic damping, comprising an elastic support consisting of a thick conical elastomer membrane bonded to rigid internal and external framework, and crimped in a rigid casing enclosing a damping liquid acting by the inertia of a very long column, characterized by the fact that an assembly constituted by progressive stops to limit deflections which are rigidly connected to a support washer is enclosed in the chamber thus constituted, and that the space intended for the expansion of the damping liquid is moved to the exterior of the rigid casing, which is the boundary of the elastic support. Application to the suspension of power units of vehicles or truck cabins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Kleber Industrie
    Inventor: Etienne de fontenay