Patents by Inventor Gert Vanhees

Gert Vanhees 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).

  • Shock absorber having a continuously variable valve with base line valving
    Patent number: 8511444
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
  • SHOCK ABSORBER HAVING A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE WITH BASE LINE VALVING
    Publication number: 20120228072
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
  • Shock absorber having a continuously variable valve with base line valving
    Patent number: 8256586
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
  • SHOCK ABSORBER HAVING A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE WITH BASE LINE VALVING
    Publication number: 20110139557
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
  • Shock absorber having a continuously variable valve with base line valving
    Patent number: 7926632
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
  • Shock absorber dirt shield
    Patent number: 7896142
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a dynamic vibration absorber which is designed to suppress the vibrations of the piston rod of the shock absorber. The dynamic vibration absorber includes a damping mass which is formed as a dirt shield to protect the shock absorber from contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Vanhees
  • Shock absorber having a continuously variable semi-active valve
    Patent number: 7743896
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls the movement of a plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Vanhees, Koen Reybrouck
  • Shock absorber having a continuously variable valve with base line valving
    Publication number: 20080251331
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external control valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external control valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls a fluid valve assembly. A soft fluid valve assembly is disposed in series with the fluid valve assembly to allow for the tuning of the damping forces at low current levels provided to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nail Oukhedou
  • Shock absorber dirt shield
    Publication number: 20080224437
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a dynamic vibration absorber which is designed to suppress the vibrations of the piston rod of the shock absorber. The dynamic vibration absorber includes a damping mass which is formed as a dirt shield to protect the shock absorber from contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Vanhees
  • Shock absorber having a continuously variable semi-active valve
    Publication number: 20080087512
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an external valve which controls the damping characteristics of the shock absorber. The external valve controls the flow of fluid between the lower working chamber of the shock absorber and the reservoir chamber and between the upper working chamber of the shock absorber. The damping characteristics are dependent on the amount of current being applied to a solenoid valve which controls the movement of a plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Vanhees, Koen Reybrouck