Patents by Inventor Francois DE LEMPS

Francois DE LEMPS 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: 20230026198
    Abstract: A device includes a bottom support cover, a top bracing cover, an annular passage being defined between the covers, at least one bearing disposed between the covers, and at least one annular seal. The seal provides a fixing portion secured by mechanical link to a first cover out of the bottom support cover and the top bracing cover and at least one sealing lip extending towards the second cover in such a way that a free end of the lip comes to bear via a sliding-contact portion with a sealing surface of the second cover. The second cover is provided with an annular protection rim protruding from the sealing surface, the protection rim being offset towards the annular passage facing the portion of contact of the free end of the sealing lip with the sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Lepine, Desire Vidot, Bruno Montboeuf, Francois De Lemps
  • Publication number: 20220297492
    Abstract: A suspension thrust assembly, the suspension thrust assembly including a damping component and a rigid component, the damping component being overmolded and formed to the rigid component; the damping component including a damping radial portion; the rigid component including a rigid radial portion; where a ring-shaped damping component protrusion is provided on the damping radial portion, a ring-shaped rigid component groove is provided on the rigid radial portion, and the damping component protrusion is fitted in the rigid component groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Hui Zhou, Qing Xie, Christophe Houdayer, Francois De Lemps
  • Patent number: 11345206
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle includes a bearing having an upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member configured for relative rotation. The lower annular bearing member has a radial surface and a resilient damper overmolded to the radial surface, which damper has a lower support surface configured to axially support an end coil of the suspension spring. The lower support surface has at least one high portion and at least one low portion that form a waveform, such as a square wave or a sinusoidal wave, in a peripheral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Charles Chambonneau, Francois De Lemps, Christophe Houdayer, Desire Vidot
  • Patent number: 11186133
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a suspension thrust bearing device, for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device comprises a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation, and a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. The damping element comprising at least one deflecting flange for reducing any ingress of water and other pollutants between the upper and lower annular bearing members. The damping element is provided with an annular groove open axially towards the suspension spring, said annular groove radially defining a spring support surface on inner side, and the said deflecting flange on outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: SKF KOREA LTD.
    Inventors: Francois De Lemps, Tommy Jullien, Bruno Montboeuf, Heedong Oh
  • Publication number: 20210010538
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle includes a bearing having an upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member configured for relative rotation. The lower annular bearing member includes a radial body and a damper having a radial portion made of resilient material overmolded to a lower side of the radial body. The damper radial portion has a lower support surface configured to axially support an end coil of the suspension spring, and the damper radial portion has a material hardness of 50 to 85 Shore A and an axial thickness of 2 to 10 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Charles Chambonneau, Francois De Lemps, Christophe Houdayer, Desire Vidot
  • Patent number: 10889156
    Abstract: A suspension bearing unit for a motor vehicle, comprising an upper cup, a lower cup and a bearing interposed between the upper cup and the lower cup in rotation in relation to each other about a principal axis. The suspension bearing unit also comprises at least one seal in a hollow housing provided on one face of a first element from among the lower cup and the upper cup. The hollow housing comprises a plurality of protruding ribs spaced apart circumferentially, the ribs protruding into the base of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Bruno Montboeuf, Charles Bedeau, Francois De Lemps
  • Publication number: 20200384821
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle includes a bearing having an upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member configured for relative rotation. The lower annular bearing member has a radial surface and a resilient damper overmolded to the radial surface, which damper has a lower support surface configured to axially support an end coil of the suspension spring. The lower support surface has at least one high portion and at least one low portion that form a waveform, such as a square wave or a sinusoidal wave, in a peripheral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Charles Chambonneau, Francois De Lemps, Christophe Houdayer, Desire Vidot
  • Patent number: 10753389
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation to each other, and having upper and lower bearing surfaces, respectively, disposed in confronting alignment with each other. The lower bearing surface has a contour shaped to axially receive an upper end of the suspension spring. The upper bearing surface is shaped to be axially received by a support block attached to a body of the vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing includes an upper isolator made of resilient material and fixed to the upper bearing surface such that the upper isolator fits between the upper annular bearing member and support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Xavier Blanchard, Francois De Lemps, Julien Maffucci, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Patent number: 10723194
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing unit for use in an automotive suspension assembly having a lower annular cap rotatable with respect to an upper annular cap and delimiting together an annular chamber that houses a rolling bearing. The lower annular cap provides a subassembly for damping vibrations and distributing stress being provided with a lower support surface that axially supports an upper end of a suspension spring. The subassembly includes an annular stiffening cup made from a metal material and mounted to the lower cap, and an annular damping device made from a resilient material and mounted to the stiffening cup. The stiffening cup having at least one protruding portion formed by stamping and that extends towards the damping device, the damping device being locally deformed by the protruding portion and forming a recess to receive the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventors: Bruno Montboeuf, Francois De Lemps, Julien Maffucci
  • Publication number: 20200189344
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a suspension thrust bearing device, for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device comprises a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation, and a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. The damping element comprising at least one deflecting flange for reducing any ingress of water and other pollutants between the upper and lower annular bearing members. The damping element is provided with an annular groove open axially towards the suspension spring, said annular groove radially defining a spring support surface on inner side, and the said deflecting flange on outer side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Francois De Lemps, Tommy Jullien, Bruno Montboeuf, Heedong Oh
  • Publication number: 20200116196
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation to each other, and having upper and lower bearing surfaces, respectively, disposed in confronting alignment with each other. The lower bearing surface has a contour shaped to axially receive an upper end of the suspension spring. The upper bearing surface is shaped to be axially received by a support block attached to a body of the vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing includes an upper isolator made of resilient material and fixed to the upper bearing surface such that the upper isolator fits between the upper annular bearing member and support block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Xavier Blanchard, Francois De Lemps, Julien Maffucci, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Publication number: 20190308479
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing unit for use in an automotive suspension assembly having a lower annular cap rotatable with respect to an upper annular cap and delimiting together an annular chamber that houses a rolling bearing. The lower annular cap provides a subassembly for damping vibrations and distributing stress being provided with a lower support surface that axially supports an upper end of a suspension spring. The subassembly includes an annular stiffening cup made from a metal material and mounted to the lower cap, and an annular damping device made from a resilient material and mounted to the stiffening cup. The stiffening cup having at least one protruding portion formed by stamping and that extends towards the damping device, the damping device being locally deformed by the protruding portion and forming a recess to receive the protruding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Bruno Montboeuf, Francois De Lemps, Julien Maffucci
  • Publication number: 20190184781
    Abstract: A suspension bearing unit for a motor vehicle, comprising an upper cup, a lower cup and a bearing interposed between the upper cup and the lower cup in rotation in relation to each other about a principal axis. The suspension bearing unit also comprises at least one seal in a hollow housing provided on one face of a first element from among the lower cup and the upper cup. The hollow housing comprises a plurality of protruding ribs spaced apart circumferentially, the ribs protruding into the base of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Bruno Montboeuf, Charles Bedeau, Francois De Lemps
  • Patent number: 9950582
    Abstract: A suspension stop device provides an upper contact cap, a lower support cap and at least one bearing arranged between the caps. The upper contact cap provides a centering portion for a damper pad, inside which the pad, which is external to the device, is intended to be mounted. The centering portion extends axially inside a bore in the lower support cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Charles Bedeau, Sylvain Bussit, Francois De Lemps, Daniel Jansen, Bruno Montboeuf, Jean-Marc Soudee
  • Patent number: 9545830
    Abstract: A suspension bearing device, comprising: a bearing, a lower cup and an upper cup centered on a central axis. The lower cup having a body including a tubular axial portion and an annular outward radial portion. The lower cup is provided with a damper pad including: an inner portion disposed against the annular outward radial portion of the body; an outer portion for bearing a suspension spring; and an annular recess for receiving a creep of material of the damper pad when the outer portion is constrained by the suspension spring. The suspension bearing device can be integrated into a motor vehicle. A method for manufacturing such a suspension bearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Charles Bedeau, Sylvain Bussit, Francois De Lemps, Christophe Houdayer, Thomas Lepine, Jean-Marc Soudee, Desire Vidot
  • Publication number: 20160280027
    Abstract: A suspension stop device provides an upper contact cap, a lower support cap and at least one bearing arranged between the caps. The upper contact cap provides a centering portion for a damper pad, inside which the pad, which is external to the device, is intended to be mounted. The centering portion extends axially inside a bore in the lower support cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Charles Bedeau, Sylvain Bussit, Francois De Lemps, Daniel Jansen, Bruno Montboeuf, Jean-Marc Soudee
  • Publication number: 20160089946
    Abstract: A suspension bearing device, comprising: a bearing, a lower cup and an upper cup centered on a central axis. The lower cup having a body including a tubular axial portion and an annular outward radial portion. The lower cup is provided with a damper pad including: an inner portion disposed against the annular outward radial portion of the body; an outer portion for bearing a suspension spring; and an annular recess for receiving a creep of material of the damper pad when the outer portion is constrained by the suspension spring. The suspension bearing device can be integrated into a motor vehicle. A method for manufacturing such a suspension bearing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Charles BEDEAU, Sylvain BUSSIT, Francois DE LEMPS, Christophe HOUDAYER, Thomas LEPINE, Jean-Marc SOUDEE, Desire VIDOT
  • Publication number: 20160089947
    Abstract: A suspension bearing device, comprising a bearing, a lower cup and an upper cup centered on a central axis. The lower cup includes a body having a tubular axial portion and an annular outward radial portion. The lower cup is provided with at least one seal disposed in sealing contact with the upper cup, The lower cup is provided with a damper pad having a cambered shape delimited by: an inner portion which is connected to the seal through the radial portion of the body; and a convex outer portion for bearing a suspension spring. The invention also concerns a motor vehicle equipped with such a suspension bearing device and a method for manufacturing such a suspension bearing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Charles BEDEAU, Sylvain BUSSIT, Francois DE LEMPS, Christophe HOUDAYER, Thomas LEPINE, Jean-Marc SOUDEE, Desire VIDOT
  • Publication number: 20160059659
    Abstract: A strut bearing unit, comprising a bearing, a lower cup and an upper cup, the lower cup comprising a tubular axial portion and an annular outward radial portion, wherein the lower cup includes two stiffening inserts which are distinct from each other, with a first insert comprising at least an axial portion located within the axial portion of the lower cup, and a second insert comprising at least a radial portion located within the outward radial portion of the lower cup. A motor vehicle can be equipped with the strut bearing unit. A method for manufacturing the strut bearing unit is described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Sylvain BUSSIT, Francois DE LEMPS, Jean-Marc SOUDEE, Desire VIDOT