Patents by Inventor Franco Cimatti

Franco Cimatti 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: 20130327170
    Abstract: An automatic manual transmission for a car provided with an internal combustion engine, the automatic manual transmission having: a mechanical gearbox provided with at least one primary shaft, at least one secondary shaft, a plurality of pairs of gears and a plurality of locking devices, actuated by first actuators, a variable ratio transmission device, which is arranged upstream of the primary shaft and is adjustable to have two different transmission ratios: a first unitary direct drive transmission ratio and a second multiplying transmission ratio, and a second actuator, which is coupled to the transmission device to vary the transmission ratio of the transmission device itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: 8579354
    Abstract: A road vehicle: provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment, delimited by a windscreen supported by a frame; and a convertible roof, which can be connected to the coachwork for closing, at the top, the interior compartment and is provided with a covering cloth comprising two side beams at respective side ends; and a supporting frame, which can be mechanically connected to the coachwork for supporting the covering cloth; each side beam is provided with: a rigid side panel, which rises in cantilever fashion from a rear end of the side beam and, in the position for closing the interior compartment, is set substantially vertical; and engagement means for connecting the covering cloth to the frame and for connecting the two side panels to a portion of the coachwork that delimits the interior compartment at the rear and at the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: 8499869
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion, the cooling system including a hydraulic circuit, within which a refrigerant flows, with a main branch to cool of a thermal engine, and a secondary branch to cool electrical components and at least one common radiator, which comprises a first portion, that is normally used by the main branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends, and a second portion that is normally used by the secondary branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8490767
    Abstract: An embodiment of a multidisk oil-bath clutch having: a housing mounted to rotate; at least one hub mounted to rotate and housed inside and coaxially with the housing; a number of drive disks housed inside the housing and angularly integral with the housing or the hub; a number of driven disks housed inside the housing, alternating with the drive disks, and angularly integral with the hub or the housing; at least one oil inlet into the housing; and at least one oil outlet from the housing. Each drive disk has a number of first circulation channels extending radially from an inner edge of the drive disk; and each driven disk has a number of second circulation channels extending radially from an inner edge of the driven disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: 8408372
    Abstract: An embodiment of a multidisk oil-bath clutch having: a housing mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of rotation; at least one hub mounted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of rotation and housed inside and coaxially with the housing; a number of drive disks housed inside the housing and angularly integral with the housing or the hub; a number of driven disks housed inside the housing, alternating with the drive disks, and angularly integral with the hub or the housing; at least one oil inlet into the housing; and at least one oil outlet from the housing. Each drive disk has a number of first circulation channels equally spaced about the longitudinal axis of rotation and extending radially from an inner edge of the drive disk to an outer edge of the drive disk; and each driven disk has a number of second circulation channels equally spaced about the longitudinal axis of rotation and extending radially from an inner edge of the driven disk to an outer edge of the driven disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: 8397853
    Abstract: A method for arranging an accumulating device in proximity of a floor of a vehicle forming a bottom wall of a passenger compartment of the vehicle itself; the accumulating device has a heating base wall which is free from heat insulation, and a non-heating base wall which is parallel and opposite to the heating base wall and is provided with a heat-insulating material layer; and the method provides for the steps of arranging the accumulating device in a seating obtained in proximity of the floor; and implementing the accumulating device with a symmetry allowing the reversal of the accumulating device itself within the seating obtained in proximity of the floor in such a way that the heating base wall may be equally either facing upwards and then towards the passenger compartment or facing downwards and then towards the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Stefani, Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8366584
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion thermal engine of a hybrid vehicle having: the thermal engine provided with a drive shaft; at least one pair of driving wheels; a transmission, which transmits the motion from the thermal engine to the driving wheels and has a clutch; and an electric machine, which is mechanically connected to the clutch downstream of the clutch, so that the clutch is interposed between the electric machine and the thermal engine; the starting method includes the steps of: opening the clutch to separate the electric machine from the thermal engine; separating the electric machine from the driving wheels; making the electric machine rotate by operating the electric machine as a motor; and closing the clutch when the electric machine reaches a launch rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Stefani, Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8364360
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with insertable four-wheel drive, including an engine having a crankshaft, a pair of main driving wheels constantly connected to the crankshaft by interposition of a gearbox provided with a first clutch, and a pair of secondary driving wheels, which may be connected to the crankshaft by an insertable transmission system. The insertable transmission system presents a second clutch, which is connected on one end with a fixed transmission ratio to the crankshaft upstream of the gearbox and on the other end with a fixed transmission ratio to the secondary driving wheels. A percentage of motive torque to be transmitted to the secondary driving wheels by the second clutch is determined according to dynamic parameters of the motor vehicle detected by respective sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Rudolf Morawetz
  • Patent number: 8353554
    Abstract: A vehicle provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment surrounded by the coachwork and frontally delimited by a windscreen surrounded by an U-shaped molding; and a detachable convertible top, which can be connected to the coachwork in order to close the interior compartment on the top and comprises, in turn, a covering cloth and a frame which is mechanically connectable to the coachwork and supports the covering cloth; the frame comprises a rear cross member, which can be coupled to a rear portion of the coachwork arranged immediately behind the interior compartment; and an arch, which is hinged to the rear cross member in order to rotate around a first axis, can be frontally coupled to the molding of the windscreen, and determines the locking of the rear cross member to the rear portion of the coachwork due to its rotation around the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: 8353379
    Abstract: An optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle having: an engine having a drive shaft; two main drive wheels; a main power train permanently connecting the drive shaft to the main drive wheels and, in turn, having a transmission and a main differential; two normally driven secondary drive wheels; an optionally connectable secondary power train for also connecting the drive shaft to the secondary drive wheels, a gear drive with at least two different, alternatively selectable velocity ratios, and at least one secondary clutch, which is connected on one side to the drive shaft upstream from the transmission and on the other side to the secondary drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Rudolf Morawetz
  • Publication number: 20120298464
    Abstract: An embodiment of a multidisk oil-bath clutch having: a housing mounted to rotate; at least one hub mounted to rotate and housed inside and coaxially with the housing; a number of drive disks housed inside the housing and angularly integral with the housing or the hub; a number of driven disks housed inside the housing, alternating with the drive disks, and angularly integral with the hub or the housing; at least one oil inlet into the housing; and at least one oil outlet from the housing. Each drive disk has a number of first circulation channels extending radially from an inner edge of the drive disk; and each driven disk has a number of second circulation channels extending radially from an inner edge of the driven disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Franco CIMATTI
  • Patent number: 8297141
    Abstract: Transmission for a road vehicle with hybrid propulsion; the transmission having: a gearbox provided with one primary shaft, one secondary shaft and at least one pump actuated by an activating shaft; at least one clutch connected to the primary shaft and having a part which is normally conductive and can be connected to a drive shaft of a thermal engine; a reversible electric machine having a shaft mechanically connectable to the primary shaft; a first mechanical transmission which transmits the motion from the normally conductive part of the clutch to the activating shaft; and a second mechanical transmission which transmits the motion from the shaft of the electric machine to the activating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8292011
    Abstract: A vehicle with hybrid drive having: a thermal engine provided with a drive shaft and having a block which houses the drive shaft and two heads which house the cylinders and are arranged in a ā€œVā€ configuration; a cooling system provided with a hydraulic circuit in which a cooling fluid flows; a reversible electric machine placed above the block of the thermal engine and between the two heads; an auxiliary device; a mechanical transmission which connects the first electric machine, the auxiliary device and the drive shaft of the thermal engine to one another; and a freewheel interposed between the first mechanical transmission and the drive shaft of the thermal engine; the hydraulic circuit of the cooling system has a main branch which cools the thermal engine, and a secondary branch which is connected as an offtake to the main branch and cools the first electric machine; the secondary branch is connected as an offtake to the main branch by an inlet pipe and by an outlet pipe, which extend downwards from a lowe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8281884
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion; the cooling system is provided with a hydraulic circuit, inside which a cooling fluid flows, and has: a main branch, which carries out the cooling of a heat engine and comprises at least a first pump mechanically operated by the heat engine, and at least one radiator which is hit by air when the vehicle is moving; and a secondary branch, which is connected in parallel to the main branch by means of a starting offtake and an arrival offtake, has no heat exchangers of the water/air type, carries out the cooling of a reversible electric machine which may be mechanically connected to the driving wheels, and of a first electronic power converter which controls the electric machine, and comprises at least a second pump electrically operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8272682
    Abstract: A chassis of a vehicle, the chassis is provided with a pair of door sills arranged longitudinally under the door zone and each having a through hole, and a pair of central pillars, each of which raises perpendicularly and vertically from a door sill, is made of one piece, is inserted in an interlocking way in the through hole of a window sill and is welded to the window sill at the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Studio Torta S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Publication number: 20120061991
    Abstract: A vehicle provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment surrounded by the coachwork and frontally delimited by a windscreen surrounded by an ā€œUā€-shaped molding; and a detachable convertible top, which can be connected to the coachwork in order to close the interior compartment on the top and comprises, in turn, a covering cloth and a frame which is mechanically connectable to the coachwork and supports the covering cloth; the frame comprises a rear cross member, which can be coupled to a rear portion of the coachwork arranged immediately behind the interior compartment; and an arch, which is hinged to the rear cross member in order to rotate around a first axis, can be frontally coupled to the molding of the windscreen, and determines the locking of the rear cross member to the rear portion of the coachwork due to its rotation around the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Publication number: 20120018118
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion, the cooling system including a hydraulic circuit, within which a refrigerant flows, with a main branch to cool of a thermal engine, and a secondary branch to cool electrical components and at least one common radiator, which comprises a first portion, that is normally used by the main branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends, and a second portion that is normally used by the secondary branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8047322
    Abstract: An optionally connectable four-wheel drive vehicle provided with an engine having a drive shaft, two main drive wheels, a main power train permanently connecting the drive shaft to the main drive wheels, and in turn comprising a transmission and a main differential, two normally driven secondary drive wheels, and an optionally connectable secondary power train for also connecting the drive shaft to the secondary drive wheels, and in turn presenting a gear drive, at least one secondary clutch, which is connected on one side to the drive shaft upstream from the transmission, and on the other side to the secondary drive wheels, and a unit for the reversal of the motion, which is controlled to reverse or not to reverse the direction of the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Publication number: 20110221228
    Abstract: A road vehicle: provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment, delimited by a windscreen supported by a frame; and a convertible roof, which can be connected to the coachwork for closing, at the top, the interior compartment and is provided with a covering cloth comprising two side beams at respective side ends; and a supporting frame, which can be mechanically connected to the coachwork for supporting the covering cloth; each side beam is provided with: a rigid side panel, which rises in cantilever fashion from a rear end of the side beam and, in the position for closing the interior compartment, is set substantially vertical; and engagement means for connecting the covering cloth to the frame and for connecting the two side panels to a portion of the coachwork that delimits the interior compartment at the rear and at the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A..
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: D673080
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti