Patents by Inventor Jean Michel Kromwel

Jean Michel Kromwel 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: 6189670
    Abstract: Device for operating a clutch of the type comprising a thrust ball bearing 16, equipped with a non-rotating race 17 and with a rotating race 18, capable of acting on a diaphragm of a clutch mechanism 21, an operating element 11 comprising a tubular portion 13 and a radial flange 14, which can move axially along a guide tube 6, and an elastic self-alignment member arranged radially between the thrust ball bearing 16 and the tubular portion 13 of the operating element 11. The elastic self-alignment member comprises an annular scraping lip 28 which rubs against the guide tube 6 to form a scraping seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: SKF France, Valeo
    Inventors: Frederic Ponson, Jean Michel Kromwel
  • Patent number: 5992598
    Abstract: Clutch-release device comprising a centrally holed diaphragm 1 which has a central part cut, by means of slits 5 into fingers 4 that point radially inwards, a thrust rolling bearing 13 and an operating element 14 mounted on a part which is distinct from the one supporting the diaphragm and in at least axial contact with the rolling bearing 13. The latter comprises a rotating race 16, a radial portion 25 of which bears against the internal end of the fingers 4 of the diaphragm 1, a non-rotating race 17, a radial portion 21 of which is in contact with the operating element, and a row of rolling bodies 18. The rotating race 16, made of pressed sheet metal, on its radial portion 25 in contact with the diaphragm 1 comprises at least one axial deformation 26 which is obtained without removing material, and the edges of which are capable of interacting with the flanks of one finger 4 of the diaphragm 1, the deformation 26 being smaller in size than the thickness of a finger 4 of the diaphragm 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignees: SKF France, Valeo
    Inventors: Frederic Ponson, Jean Michel Kromwel
  • Patent number: 5785164
    Abstract: A clutch release device comprises a clutch release bearing which slides axially along a tubular guide member fixed to a fixed structure and defining an axis, and a declutching fork pivoted on the fixed structure about pivot arrangement which define at least one pivot point spaced away from the axis. The fork acts on the clutch release bearing through a thrust zone of a manoeuvring element of the latter, so as to displace the release bearing axially along the guide member. The declutching fork acts on the thrust zone in a line of contact which intersects the axis regardless of the angular position of the declutching fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Laurent Hanique, Jean-Michel Kromwel, Eric Marie
  • Patent number: 5782564
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing with a control member made of synthetic material and having a thin bearing plate (30) secured to the thrust surface (7) thereof opposite a fixed raceway (11) of a ball bearing (3), by means of tabs (32) which are provided at the outer periphery of the plate and are flexible enough to be able to bend and lockingly engage the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Kromwel, Laurent Dequesnes