Patents by Inventor Michel Graton

Michel Graton 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: 8690688
    Abstract: A double damping flywheel comprises primary and secondary coaxial members. The members are rotatable relative to one another and coupled by first and second damping elements arranged in series by a connecting web. The first damping element includes at least one curved elastic member running circumferentially between two first seatings. The second damping element includes at least two groups of elastic members, each including at least two straight elastic members arranged in series by an intermediate bearing element. Each of the groups of straight elastic members runs circumferentially between two second seatings. An annular member for phasing the straight elastic members, separate from the connecting web, carries the intermediate bearing element of each group. The difference between the maximum angular displacement between the primary member and the connecting web, and the maximum angular displacement between the secondary member and the connecting web, is less than 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Embratages
    Inventors: Olivier Fafet, Daniel Fenioux, Michel Graton, Lionel Renier
  • Patent number: 8635931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible flywheel (2), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least two stacked flexible discs (9, 10, 11). The inner peripheries (12) of the flexible discs are secured to a drive shaft, and the outer peripheries (30) of are secured to an inertia mass (31). Each flexible disc (9, 10, 11) includes at least two parallel flat parts (15, 16, 17), which are offset axially (D1, D2) and connected to one another by a curved part (18, 19). The curved parts (18, 19) of the discs (9, 10, 11) are substantially nested one inside the other, characterized in that, in at least one region adjacent to a curved part, the discs (9, 10, 11) are spaced one from the other so as to form a space (23, 27, 29) which facilitates the axial deformation of the discs (9, 10, 11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Olivier Fafet, Daniel Fenioux, Michel Graton, Lionel Renier
  • Publication number: 20120048057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a double damping flywheel for a clutch, comprising primary and secondary coaxial members. The members are mobile in rotation in relation to one another and coupled by first and second damping elements arranged in series by a connecting web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Olivier Fafet, Daniel Fenioux, Michel Graton, Lionel Renier
  • Publication number: 20120031225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible flywheel (2), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least two stacked flexible discs (9, 10, 11). The inner peripheries (12) of the flexible discs are secured to a drive shaft, and the outer peripheries (30) of are secured to an inertia mass (31). Each flexible disc (9, 10, 11) includes at least two parallel flat parts (15, 16, 17), which are offset axially (D1, D2) and connected to one another by a curved part (18, 19). The curved parts (18, 19) of the discs (9, 10, 11) are substantially nested one inside the other, characterised in that, in at least one region adjacent to a curved part, the discs (9, 10, 11) are spaced one from the other so as to form a space (23, 27, 29) which facilitates the axial deformation of the discs (9, 10, 11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Olivier Fafet, Daniel Fenioux, Michel Graton, Lionel Renier
  • Patent number: 7318403
    Abstract: A fiction clutch device comprising a flywheel with a front end designed to be fixed to a vehicle crankshaft (11) and a rear end in the form of a hollow-shaped reaction plate (4) with a central recess (39) externally defined by a friction surface (37) and a friction disc (20), including at its external periphery at least a friction lining (16) to be in contact with the reaction plate (4) friction surface (37). The friction lining (16) is integral with a support (21) elastically coupled via a torque damper (20a) to a central hub (15) designed to be interlocked in rotation with a driven shaft. The torque damper (20a) penetrates into the reaction plate (4) central recess (39) and the flywheel (13) bearing between its front and rear ends the rotor (6) of a rotating electric machine (2) comprising a fixed stator (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: David Huart, Michel Graton, Cédric Plasse, Roger Abadia, Fabrice Tauvron, Pierre Faverolle, Dokou Antoine Akemakou, Gilles Lebas
  • Patent number: 6561336
    Abstract: The invention concerns a friction clutch comprising a flywheel (3) with a front end designed to be fixed to a motor vehicle crankshaft (11) and a rear end in the form of a reaction plate (4) with a central recess (39) externally defined by a friction surface and a friction disc coupled with a central hub designed to be interlocked in rotation with the input shaft of a movement gear box comprising a clutch housing, the flywheel (13) bearing between its front and rear ends the rotor (6) of a rotating electric machine (2) comprising a fixed stator borne internally by a strut designed to be interlocked with at least one of the vehicle engine-clutch housing (14) block (62). The invention is applicable to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: David Huart, Michel Graton, Cédric Plasse, Roger Abadia, Fabrice Tauvron, Pierre Faverolle, Dokou Antoine Akemakou, Gilles Lebas
  • Patent number: 6460675
    Abstract: A slip clutch comprising a reaction plate, a friction disk (100), a pressure plate (11), a cover (12) fixed to the reaction plate, engaging member (13) acting between the cover (12) and the pressure plate (11), a linear wear take-up device comprising devices (14) that are provided with ramps and are adapted to cooperate with members that are provided with counter-ramps (15), teeth (19) that cooperate with an endless screw (23), members provided with ramps that are rotationally fixed to the teeth (19), rotational drive device (20) for the endless screw consisting of a ratchet wheel (20) that is rotationally fixed to the endless screw (23) and controlled by the tongue (36) of an elastic member (32), whereby the endless screw (23) and the ratchet wheel (20) are borne by a support (22), and the support (22) and the elastic member (32) are joined to the cover (12), whereby the support (22) is U-shaped with a web (24) and two wings (25) that are used to bear a shaft (27) on which the endless crew (23) and the ratch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Michel Graton
  • Patent number: 6354419
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clutch mechanism, in particular for motor vehicle, comprising a cover (2), a pressure plate (1), support means (3) borne by the pressure plate (1), clutching means (4, 41), and a wear take-up device (30, 200) comprising a box (30) mounted in a housing (20) of the cover (2). The invention is characterised in that the cover bears at least one pre-balancing or balancing rivet (201) to compensate the imbalance caused by the wear take-up device box (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: André Dalbiez, Michel Graton
  • Patent number: 6334520
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clutch mechanism comprising a wear take-up mechanism cassette whereof the U-shaped support (62) is characterized in that at least one of the support (62) side wings (65, 65′) carries a bearing (3, 3′) centrally bored (361, 361′) receiving one end (69, 69′) of the shaft (67, 67′) of the adjusting rotating element (60, 63) and which is located in a blind hole (61, 61′) in the wing wherein it is threaded and then locked, particularly by crimping (462, 462′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Blard, Michel Graton
  • Patent number: 6296098
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wear take-up mechanism comprising a housing (10) borne by the cover (52) and ramp means (54) set between the means (14) supporting the clutch shifting means and a pressure plate (51). The cassette has two side wings (65, 66) each provided with a hole (61), said holes (61) being axially offset mutually for mounting a rotating endless screw (63) capable of driving in rotation the ramp means (54) and extended by a pin (67). The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Graton, Michel Blard, André Dalbiez
  • Patent number: 6269926
    Abstract: The friction clutch has on the one hand a clutch engagement device comprising a diaphragm (3) and on the other hand a linkage (80), an actuator (50, 60, 70, 90, 91) for controlling the said linkage, and an adjustment device (10), for compensating for the wear on the friction linings (7) the actuator has an electric motor (50), a mechanical transmission (60) with an input element (51) and an elastic assistance device (70) bearing on a fixed part (91, 66) and on a movable part (61) forming a nut for cooperating with the output shaft (51) of the electric motor, the movable part (61) forms the output element of the mechanical transmission (60) while being able to act on the linkage (80) while the device for taking up wear (10) is mounted inside the declutching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Benoit Lemoine, Gilles Lebas, Jacques Boclet, Michel Graton, Vévé R. Randriazanamparany, André Tobiasz
  • Patent number: 6253897
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clutch mechanism comprising a cover (52) including a housing (218) receiving support (62) shaped like an upside down U of the adjustment cassette containing an upper web (64) fixed to a peripheral edge (152) of the cover (52) by riveted plate bracket (68). The invention is characterised in that the support comprises a stabilising bracket (171) vertically supported against an upper edge (158) pertaining to an aperture formed in a vertical transverse wall of the housing (218).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Blard, Michel Graton
  • Patent number: 6186897
    Abstract: A torsion damper for a motor vehicle clutch comprising, between an entrance component (11) and an exit component (12), a pre-damper (C), an intermediate damper (B) and a main damper (A). The axially operating elastic means (26B) included in the intermediate damper (B) are radially arranged between the elastic members with said intermediate damper (B) circumferentially operating elastic members (23B) and those of pre-damper (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Graton, Fabrice Tauvron
  • Patent number: 6179715
    Abstract: A torsion damper for a motor vehicle clutch comprising, between an entrance component (11) and an exit component (12), a pre-damper (C), an intermediate damper (B) and a main damper (A). The intermediate damper (B) guide washer (20B), axially furthest from the main damper (A) disk (22A) has axial pins (33) to block it rotation on said disk (22A) passing right through said disk (22A), and which, shaped like hooks (35) capable of elastic deformation beyond said disk (22A), can be engaged on the latter to constitute a subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Graton, Fabrice Tauvron
  • Patent number: 6079538
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a cover (8) with a base (80), a clutch thrust plate (3) with front friction surface (30) co-operating with a clutch friction (2), and, set between the clutch thrust plate (3) rear surface (36) and the cover (8) base (80), resilient clutch means with axial action (4, 6) axially stressing the clutch thrust plate (3) in a direction opposite to the cover (8) base (80) and a declutching device (7) to counter at will the action of said resilient clutch means (4, 6): the resilient clutch means (4, 6) comprise two Belleville washers (4, 6) series-mounted between the clutch thrust plate (3) and the cover (8), and one (4) of the Belleville washers (4, 6) is in contact at its outer periphery with the clutch thrust plate (3), while the other (6) rests at its outer periphery on the cover (8), said washers (4, 6) sloping inversely, means for transmitting the force (5) carried by the declutching device (7) being incorporated between the inner peripheral zones
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Jacques Thirion de Briel, Michel Graton, Andre Dalbiez
  • Patent number: 5855267
    Abstract: A clutch module (100) includes a cover plate (12), a diaphragm (14), a pressure plate (16), a friction disc (18) and a reaction plate (20) mounted on a support plate (22) and fixed to the cover plate (12), the cover plate (12) includes a set of fastening lugs (66) which extend axially from a peripheral edge (58) of the cover plate (12, 56), and each of which passes axially through a corresponding axially orientated passage (68, 168) formed at the periphery (70) of one of the support plate (22) and the reaction plate (20), so as to extend axially beyond (90) the radial face (72, 172) of the element and so as to be retained axially with respect to the reaction plate (20) or support plate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: VALEO
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Giroire, Paolo Viola, Michel Graton, Alain Lemaire
  • Patent number: 5820466
    Abstract: A torsion damper, especially for a motor vehicle friction clutch, includes a friction unit, or unitary friction assembly, that comprises a guide ring, at least one drive ring, and axially acting resilient members in biassing relationship on the drive ring. The drive ring and these resilient members are mounted in a cavity which is bounded by the guide ring and by a closure ring which is secured to the guide ring. The closure ring is formed at its inner periphery with at least two axial stop lugs for preventing rotation. The stop lug penetrates into an associated aperture which is formed in the guide ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Graton, Michel Blard
  • Patent number: 5732811
    Abstract: The fluid-pressure ram, for controlling a clutch release bearing for an automobile clutch, has two variable-volume control chambers which follow each other axially and comprise a primary chamber which is fed with pressurized fluid and which is axially delimited sealingly, to the front by a fixed base and to the rear by a movable wall integral with a shell, and a secondary chamber which is axially delimited sealingly, to the front by the movable wall and to the rear by the piston, the movements of the fluidtight movable wall bringing about a decantation of a fluid contained in an intermediate chamber to the secondary chamber, and vice versa, the said shell separating the intermediate chamber from the secondary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Graton, Frederic Rey
  • Patent number: 5722895
    Abstract: The torsion predamper has two metal guide washers (14A) disposed axially on each side of a web (13A) fixed to a hub (12). One of the guide washers (14A) has axially oriented mounting lugs (40) made in one piece with the outer periphery thereof. The said lugs extend beyond the outer periphery of the web (13A) and each passes with clearance through a complementary recess (41) formed on the outer periphery of the other guide washer (14A). The free end of the mounting lugs (40) is suitable for constituting a driving projection with the web (13B) of a second damping device (B), and is deformed radially inwards to form a retaining means (42, 142, 242) suitable for cooperating with the face of the washer (14A) in question turned the opposite way to the web (13A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Graton, Fabrice Tauvron
  • Patent number: 5695034
    Abstract: A torsion damper includes a main damper and a predamper, each of which includes a pair of guide rings and a damper plate between the guide rings. The guide rings and damper plate of the main damper, together with the damper plate of the predamper, are provided with access holes in axial register with each other and defining a common axis extending in the axial direction, so as to form an access passage to enable a fastening tool to be inserted through the axial passage. The torsion damper, constituting (with other components) a clutch module, can thus be secured directly to the crankshaft of a motor vehicle. The guide rings of the predamper are disposed radially outwardly of the common axis of the access holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Michel Graton, Paolo Viola