Patents by Inventor Patrick Vanmechelen
Patrick Vanmechelen 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).
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Patent number: 8511444Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
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Publication number: 20120228072Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INCInventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
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Patent number: 8256586Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
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Publication number: 20110139557Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
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Patent number: 7926632Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nait Oukhedou
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Publication number: 20080251331Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.Inventors: Gert Mangelschots, David Holiviers, Gert Vanhees, Patrick Vanmechelen, Sjaak Schel, M'hand Nail Oukhedou
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Patent number: 6959796Abstract: A damper includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is disposed inside the outer cylinder and contains a rod and valve to define an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. An adjustable valve portion fluidly communicates the upper working chamber with a reserve chamber. The adjustable valve portion is positioned inside the outer cylinder and coaxially aligned with the axis of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. As a result, the adjustable valve portion does not extend radially from the damper to potentially obstruct other vehicle elements or cause damage to the adjustable valve portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Dirk DeGronckel, Paul Martens, Patrick Vanmechelen
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Patent number: 6913127Abstract: A dual tube shock absorber includes a baffle located in the reservoir chamber to define a non-linear flow path within the reservoir chamber. The baffle extends between the pressure tube and the reservoir tube such that the non-linear flow path is the only flow path between two portions of the reservoir chamber. One embodiment is a T-shaped baffle, and another embodiment has a base section and an upright section with a wire being embedded in the base section.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: David Holiviers, Paul Martens, Jan Hermans, Patrick Vanmechelen
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Patent number: 6899207Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow through a passage defined by a valve body or a piston includes a valve disc which abuts the valve body or the piston. The valve body or the piston defines a first land for supporting the valve disc, a second land for supporting the valve disc located radially inward from the first land and a support surface for the valve disc located between the first and second lands. This valve disc abuts the first and second lands and a clearance is defined between the valve disc and the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Stefan Deferme, Jean-Marie Tuts, Gert Mangelschots, Patrick Vanmechelen
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Patent number: 6896110Abstract: A rod guide assembly for a shock absorber includes a seal assembly which is biased towards a sealing surface on the rod guide by a biasing member which is located between the seal assembly and the bearing which is assembled to the rod guide housing. The biasing of the seal assembly prohibits movement of the seal assembly during operation of the shock absorber. In addition, a wire circlip which radially biases the seal assembly can be included.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Patrick Vanmechelen, David Holiviers, Rudi Schurmans
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Publication number: 20050067242Abstract: A rod guide assembly for a shock absorber includes a seal assembly which is biased towards a sealing surface on the rod guide by a biasing member which is located between the seal assembly and the bearing which is assembled to the rod guide housing. The biasing of the seal assembly prohibits movement of the seal assembly during operation of the shock absorber. In addition, a wire circlip which radially biases the seal assembly can be included.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Patrick Vanmechelen, David Holiviers, Rudi Schurmans
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Publication number: 20050067238Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow through a passage defined by a valve body or a piston includes a valve disc which abuts the valve body or the piston. The valve body or the piston defines a first land for supporting the valve disc, a second land for supporting the valve disc located radially inward from the first land and a support surface for the valve disc located between the first and second lands. This valve disc abuts the first and second lands and a clearance is defined between the valve disc and the support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Stefan Deferme, Jean-Marie Tuts, Gert Mangelschots, Patrick Vanmechelen
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Publication number: 20050067240Abstract: A dual tube shock absorber includes a baffle located in the reservoir chamber to define a non-linear flow path within the reservoir chamber. The baffle extends between the pressure tube and the reservoir tube such that the non-linear flow path is the only flow path between two portions of the reservoir chamber. One embodiment is a T-shaped baffle, and another embodiment has a base section and an upright section with a wire being embedded in the base section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: David Holiviers, Paul Martens, Jan Hermans, Patrick Vanmechelen
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Publication number: 20050061593Abstract: A damper includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is disposed inside the outer cylinder and contains a rod and valve to define an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. An adjustable valve portion fluidly communicates the upper working chamber with a reserve chamber. The adjustable valve portion is positioned inside the outer cylinder and coaxially aligned with the axis of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. As a result, the adjustable valve portion does not extend radially from the damper to potentially obstruct other vehicle elements or cause damage to the adjustable valve portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: Dirk DeGronckel, Paul Martens, Patrick Vanmechelen