Patents by Inventor Robert Graniero

Robert Graniero 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: 8132657
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly with a torsional damping system and a torque limiter. The torsional damping system has a torsion spring that facilitates transfer of rotary power into a hub. The torque limiter is wrapped about the torsion spring and radially expands with the torsion spring as a magnitude of the rotary power transmitted through the torsion spring increases. Contact between the torque limiter and another structure in the decoupler assembly halts radial expansion of the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Mark Kaiponen, Robert Graniero
  • Patent number: 7975821
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly is provided for allowing an alternator to be rotatably driven by a serpentine belt in an engine of an automotive vehicle and for allowing the speed of the belt to oscillate relative to the alternator. A hub is fixedly carried by a drive shaft from the alternator for rotation therewith. A pulley is rotatably journaled to the hub by a ball bearing assembly. A bare, helical clutch spring is operatively coupled between the hub and pulley for transferring rotational movement from the pulley to the hub during acceleration of the pulley relative to the hub by the serpentine belt and for allowing the hub to overrun the pulley during deceleration of the pulley relative to the hub. A torque limiter, preferably a spring or sleeve, is wrapped about the torsion spring limiting outward expansion of the torsion spring and isolating the torsion spring from torques above a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Mark Kaiponen, Robert Graniero
  • Publication number: 20110162938
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly with a torsional damping system and a torque limiter. The torsional damping system has a torsion spring that facilitates transfer of rotary power into a hub. The torque limiter is wrapped about the torsion spring and radially expands with the torsion spring as a magnitude of the rotary power transmitted through the torsion spring increases. Contact between the torque limiter and another structure in the decoupler assembly halts radial expansion of the torsion spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Mark Kaiponen, Robert Graniero
  • Publication number: 20100252387
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly is provided for allowing an alternator to be rotatably driven by a serpentine belt in an engine of an automotive vehicle and for allowing the speed of the belt to oscillate relative to the alternator. A hub is fixedly carried by a drive shaft from the alternator for rotation therewith. A pulley is rotatably journaled to the hub by a ball bearing assembly. A bare, helical clutch spring is operatively coupled between the hub and pulley for transferring rotational movement from the pulley to the hub during acceleration of the pulley relative to the hub by the serpentine belt and for allowing the hub to overrun the pulley during deceleration of the pulley relative to the hub. A torque limiter, preferably a spring or sleeve, is wrapped about the torsion limiting outward expansion of the torsion isolating the torsion spring from torques above a predetermined limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: John R. ANTCHAK, Mark Kaiponen, Robert Graniero
  • Patent number: 7766774
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly is provided for allowing an alternator to be rotatably driven by a serpentine belt in an engine of an automotive vehicle and for allowing the speed of the belt to oscillate relative to the alternator. A hub is fixedly carried by a drive shaft from the alternator for rotation therewith. A pulley is rotatably journaled to the hub by a ball bearing assembly. A bare, helical clutch spring is operatively coupled between the hub and pulley for transferring rotational movement from the pulley to the hub during acceleration of the pulley relative to the hub by the serpentine belt and for allowing the hub to overrun the pulley during deceleration of the pulley relative to the hub. A torque limiter, preferably a spring or sleeve, is wrapped about the torsion limiting outward expansion of the torsion isolating the torsion spring from torques above a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Mark Kaiponen, Robert Graniero
  • Publication number: 20080194339
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly is provided for allowing an alternator to be rotatably driven by a serpentine belt in an engine of an automotive vehicle and for allowing the speed of the belt to oscillate relative to the alternator. A hub is fixedly carried by a drive shaft from the alternator for rotation therewith. A pulley is rotatably journaled to the hub by a ball bearing assembly. A bare, helical clutch spring is operatively coupled between the hub and pulley for transferring rotational movement from the pulley to the hub during acceleration of the pulley relative to the hub by the serpentine belt and for allowing the hub to overrun the pulley during deceleration of the pulley relative to the hub. A torque limiter, preferably a spring or sleeve, is wrapped about the torsion limiting outward expansion of the torsion isolating the torsion spring from torques above a predetermined limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Mark Kaiponen, Robert Graniero