Patents by Inventor François Messier

François Messier 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).

  • Publication number: 20230341035
    Abstract: A drivetrain for connection between the output of a prime mover and a load is described herein. The drivetrain comprising a CVT including an input connected to the output of the prime mover and an output; a forward-reverse clutch assembly including first and second inputs and an output connectable to the load; the first input of the forward-reverse clutch assembly being connected to the output of the CVT through a CVT clutch. The drivetrain also includes an IVT gear assembly having a first input connected to the output of the prime mover, a second input connected to the output of the CVT and an output connected to the second input of the forward reverse clutch assembly through an IVT clutch; and an idler gear assembly interconnecting the first and second inputs of the forward-reverse clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: François MESSIER, Jean-Robert DESMEULES, Jean-François DIONNE
  • Patent number: 11739802
    Abstract: Clutch temperature management in a slip control method and arrangement for a drivetrain including a continuously variable transmission is described herein. The drivetrain includes a clutch that is so controlled as to slip when a torque higher than the usable torque attempts to pass through. The temperature data from the clutch is used to determine the usable torque. Accordingly, the clutch prevents the prime mover from stalling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Guérin, Jean-François Dionne, Daniel Girard, François Messier
  • Publication number: 20220221013
    Abstract: Clutch temperature management in a slip control method and arrangement for a drivetrain including a continuously variable transmission is described herein. The drivetrain includes a clutch that is so controlled as to slip when a torque higher than the usable torque attempts to pass through. The temperature data from the clutch is used to determine the usable torque. Accordingly, the clutch prevents the prime mover from stalling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: TRANSMISSION CVTCORP INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Guérin, Jean-François Dionne, Daniel Girard, François Messier
  • Patent number: 11035459
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement to cool the rollers of a toroidal CVT is described herein. The cooling arrangement includes nozzles so configured and sized as to project cooling fluid onto the edge and onto the opposite top and bottom surfaces of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Huston, Mathieu Guertin, François Messier, Rémi Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20180347685
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement to cool the rollers of a toroidal CVT is described herein. The cooling arrangement includes nozzles so configured and sized as to project cooling fluid onto the edge and onto the opposite top and bottom surfaces of the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Transmission CVTCORP Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Huston, Mathieu Guertin, François Messier, Rémi Tremblay
  • Patent number: 10012304
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided with an integrated gerotor pump that also acts as a rotation blocker is described herein. In one illustrated embodiment, the gerotor pump is used to pump lubrication and cooling fluid through a radiator and into the hollow shaft of the CVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TRANSMISSION CVTCORP INC.
    Inventor: Francois Messier
  • Patent number: 10006543
    Abstract: A method where the spin factor is looked up in a table; the slip factor is measured and the clamping pressure is adjusted to achieve a slip/spin ratio provided in a desired range is described herein. According to another aspect, an active mechanical clamping mechanism using a longitudinally movable contact point is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Transmission CVTCORP Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Beaudoin, Paul Okulov, Alexandre Blouin, Christian McMahon, David Gauthier Roy, Francois Messier, Jean-Robert Desmeules, Kenneth Huston, Mathieu Guertin, Patrick Cyr Gagné, Patrick Raymond
  • Publication number: 20140334958
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided with an integrated gerotor pump that also acts as a rotation blocker is described herein. In one illustrated embodiment, the gerotor pump is used to pump lubrication and cooling fluid through a radiator and into the hollow shaft of the CVT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: TRANSMISSION CVT CORP INC.
    Inventor: Francois MESSIER
  • Publication number: 20140257655
    Abstract: A method where the spin factor is looked up in a table; the slip factor is measured and the clamping pressure is adjusted to achieve a slip/spin ratio provided in a desired range is described herein. According to another aspect, an active mechanical clamping mechanism using a longitudinally movable contact point is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: TRANSMISSION CVTCORP INC
    Inventors: Samuel Beaudoin, Paul Okulov, Alexandre Blouin, Christian McMahon, David Gauthier Roy, Francois Messier, Jean-Robert Desmeules, Kenneth Huston, Mathieu Guertin, Patrick Cyr Gagné, Patrick Raymond
  • Publication number: 20140243147
    Abstract: A toroidal Continuously Variable Transmission provided with co-axial input/output arrangement where a drum assembly is used to transfer torque from a central driven disk of the CVT to the input or output shaft thereof. The drum assembly includes features to reduce the friction between the rotating drum and lubrication fluid present in the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TRANSMISSION CVTCORP INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Huston, Mathieu Guertin, Rémi Tremblay, François Messier
  • Publication number: 20140155220
    Abstract: A drivetrain provided with a CVT that can be used in both CVT and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) configurations and that includes a high-low gear selection assembly and a power mixer is described herein. The drivetrain includes a high-low gear selection mechanism that provides, in combination with the CVT, high and low ranges of gear ratios. The drivetrain further includes a power-mixer that allows the IVT configuration for transitions between high and low configurations that are seamless to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Transmission CVTCORP Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Messier, Jean-Francois Dionne, Samuel Beaudoin
  • Publication number: 20140045637
    Abstract: A compact drivetrain provided with a CVT that can be used in CVT low and high configurations and in a reverse configuration is described herein. In addition to the CVT, the drivetrain includes first and second planetary gear trains compactly mounted in series so as to selectively cooperate with the CVT and a configuration selection system coupled to both first and second planetary gear trains and to the output disk of the CVT for selectively associating the output shaft of the drivetrain to the outputs of the first and second planetary gear trains or to the output disk of the CVT for allowing the three modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TRANSMISSION CVTCORP INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Dionne, Jean-Robert Desmeules, Francois Messier
  • Patent number: 8643233
    Abstract: A multi-path liquid cooling arrangement for electric machines includes a heat storing element provided with channels having a generally C-shaped cross-section and cooling tubes so configured and sized as to be insertable in the channels is described herein. The cooling tubes, once inserted in the channels, are deformed to conform thereto, whereby heat stored in the heat storing element is extracted by circulating cooling fluid inside the cooling tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Bruno Carpentier, George Bursuc, Steve Fleming, Mathieu Guertin, François Messier
  • Publication number: 20120208661
    Abstract: A gearbox allowing the interconnection of two electric motors to an output shaft is described herein. The gearbox includes a tensioning assembly moving the output shaft away from input shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jean-François Lavigne, François Messier
  • Publication number: 20110278968
    Abstract: A multi-path liquid cooling arrangement for electric machines comprising a heat storing element provided with channels having a generally C-shaped cross-section and cooling tubes so configured and sized as to be insertable in the channels is described herein. The cooling tubes, once inserted in the channels are deformed to conform thereto, whereby heat stored in the heat storing element is extracted by circulating cooling fluid inside the cooling tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Bruno Carpentier, George Bursuc, Steve Fleming, Mathieu Guertin, François Messier
  • Patent number: 7423507
    Abstract: The present invention is generally concerned with an inductance assembly that is so configured and sized as to be inserted inside the cooling assembly of an electric machine to thereby decrease the overall volume of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Jean-Marc Cyr, Jianhong Xu, Ruisheng Shi, Jane Roundell, George Bursuc, François Messier, Gabriel Rakotonirina
  • Publication number: 20080117013
    Abstract: The present invention is generally concerned with an inductance assembly that is so configured and sized as to be inserted inside the cooling assembly of an electric machine to thereby decrease the overall volume of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Jean-Marc Cyr, Jianhong Xu, Ruisheng Shi, Jane Roundell, George Bursuc, Francois Messier, Gabriel Rakotonirina
  • Patent number: 6960851
    Abstract: A cooling device for an internal stator of an electric machine. The stator includes a substantially cylindrical cavity having a substantially cylindrical internal surface. The cooling device includes a body defining an external substantially cylindrical contact surface. The cooling device further includes a biasing element connected to the body. The biasing element is so configured and sized as to bias the contact surface of the body against the internal surface of the rotor when the cooling device is positioned inside the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Stéphane Poulin, Martin Houle, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, François Messier
  • Publication number: 20050116553
    Abstract: A cooling device for an internal stator of an electric machine. The stator includes a substantially cylindrical cavity having a substantially cylindrical internal surface. The cooling device includes a body defining an external substantially cylindrical contact surface. The cooling device further includes a biasing element connected to the body. The biasing element is so configured and sized as to bias the contact surface of the body against the internal surface of the rotor when the cooling device is positioned inside the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Stephane Poulin, Martin Houle, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, Francois Messier