Patents by Inventor Stefan Deferme
Stefan Deferme 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: 12270451Abstract: A damper with a pressure tube and an outer tube, a piston rod extending between first and second piston rod ends, and a piston mounted to the second piston rod end. The piston is disposed within the pressure tube to define rebound and compression chambers. A reservoir chamber is positioned between the pressure tube and the outer tube and an intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the pressure tube inside the outer tube, defines at least one intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with at least one externally mounted, electro-mechanical control valve. A rebound chamber pressure relief valve, in the form of a poppet positioned inside the piston and piston rod end, releases excess fluid pressure in the rebound chamber. A compression chamber pressure relief valve, in the form of a poppet positioned inside the intake valve assembly, releases excess fluid pressure in the compression chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: DRIV Automotive Inc.Inventors: Dries Heines, Stefan Deferme
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Patent number: 12146548Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the inner tube and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: DRIV Automotive Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Publication number: 20240353020Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coil assembly for an actively controlled damping valve assembly of a vehicle, comprising: a mating surface for mating with an inner surface of a cavity of a valve housing of the damping valve assembly, and a fixation member configured for axially and rotationally locking the coil assembly with said valve housing, wherein the fixation member is adapted with an outer surface of substantially circular geometry comprising two or more protuberances circumferentially spaced apart and defining press-fit interference points with the inner surface of the cavity such that the coil assembly is axially and rotationally lockable to the valve housing irrespective whether the coil assembly is inserted into the valve housing in a first axial rotational orientation or an at least second axial rotational orientation relative the valve housing different from the first axial rotational orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: October 24, 2024Inventors: Stefan DEFERME, Oskar ROMBO, Simon TINGĂ…KER
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Publication number: 20240344582Abstract: A damper including a tube, a piston, and a base line valve. The base line valve arranged in fluid communication with at least one of a first and second working chamber of the tube. The base line valve includes a housing, a plug slidably disposed in the housing along a valve axis between open and closed positions, and a spring. The plug includes a plug nose extending through an opening of the housing. The plug nose includes a first annular surface and a second annular surface. The first annular surface being sealingly engaged with a seat of the housing when the plug is in the closed position. The second annular surface being positioned radially inward of the seat by a first dimension when the plug is in the closed position and by a second dimension greater than the first dimension when the plug is in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventor: Stefan DEFERME
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Patent number: 12085138Abstract: A method for assembling a damper assembly includes securing a damper interface to an external surface of a pressure tube. The method includes securing an accumulator interface to an external surface of an accumulator tube. The method includes, after the damper interface is secured to the pressure tube and the accumulator interface is secured to the accumulator tube, securing the pressure tube to the accumulator tube by press fitting the damper interface to the accumulator interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Publication number: 20240109390Abstract: A damper includes an inner tube elongated along an axis, a piston slidably disposed in the inner tube, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube and outer tube define a fluid chamber therebetween. The damper includes and intake assembly in the fluid chamber. The intake assembly includes a unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers, a support post fixed to and extending along the axis away from the unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers, and a valve ring supported by the support post. The valve ring defines an orifice. A valve disc is supported by the support post between the valve ring and the unitary support ring and pair of fulcrum spacers. The valve disc covers the orifice of the valve ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventors: Stefan Deferme, Bert Louis Jozef Diels, Gert Mangelschots
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Publication number: 20240110609Abstract: A damper comprises an inner tube having a longitudinal axis with a piston slidably disposed in the inner tube. An outer tube surrounds the inner tube and defines a fluid chamber therebetween. A first valve assembly includes a first valve ring and a first valve disc fixed to the first valve ring. The first valve disc covers a first passageway to restrict flow therethrough in a first direction and allow flow in an opposite second direction. A second valve assembly includes a second valve ring and a second valve disc fixed to the second valve ring. The second valve disc covers a second passageway through the second valve ring to restrict flow therethrough in the second direction and allow flow in the first direction. The first valve assembly is axially spaced apart from the second valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Stefan DEFERME, Bert Louis Jozef DIELS, Gert MANGELSCHOTS
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Publication number: 20240068539Abstract: A damper includes an outer tube elongated along an axis, a cylinder elongated along the axis within the outer tube, a piston disposed in the cylinder and movable along the axis, an intermediate tube attached concentrically around the cylinder, a ring press-fitted around an outer diameter of the intermediate tube, and a valve attached to the outer tube. The intermediate tube and the cylinder define an intermediate chamber radially between the cylinder and the intermediate tube. The valve is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber. The intermediate tube includes an intermediate-tube opening extending radially through the intermediate tube. The ring includes a ring opening extending radially through the ring. The ring opening is aligned with the intermediate-tube opening. The valve is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber through the ring opening and the intermediate-tube opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventors: Jon Iriondo, Stefan Deferme, Veronica Diez
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Publication number: 20240060543Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned at an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the inner tube and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventor: Stefan DEFERME
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Patent number: 11906015Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. The intermediate tube extends between first and second intermediate tube ends. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned inside the intermediate channel and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening. The slanted elliptical seal abuts the intermediate tube between the first intermediate tube opening and the first intermediate tube end and between the second intermediate tube opening and the second intermediate tube end.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Publication number: 20240003399Abstract: A damper with a pressure tube and an outer tube, a piston rod extending between first and second piston rod ends, and a piston mounted to the second piston rod end. The piston is disposed within the pressure tube to define rebound and compression chambers. A reservoir chamber is positioned between the pressure tube and the outer tube and an intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the pressure tube inside the outer tube, defines at least one intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with at least one externally mounted, electro-mechanical control valve. A rebound chamber pressure relief valve, in the form of a poppet positioned inside the piston and piston rod end, releases excess fluid pressure in the rebound chamber. A compression chamber pressure relief valve, in the form of a poppet positioned inside the intake valve assembly, releases excess fluid pressure in the compression chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Dries HEINES, Stefan DEFERME
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Patent number: 11761507Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper with a pressure tube and a piston slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A first working chamber is defined on one side of the piston and a second working chamber is defined on an opposite side of the piston such that a volume of the second working chamber decreases during a compression stroke of the piston and the volume of the second working chamber increases during a rebound stroke of the piston. A bellow accumulator assembly is included and in fluid communication with the second working chamber. The bellow accumulator assembly includes a housing, a bellow accumulator disposed within the housing, a pressurized gas chamber defined between the housing and the bellow accumulator and an accumulator chamber defined between the bellow accumulator and the second working chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Patent number: 11719305Abstract: A continuously variable damper is disclosed. The damper includes an elongate outer tube and inner tube with a piston in the inner tube. The piston defines a rebound working chamber and compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is in fluid communication with the rebound working chamber through a rebound down tube, and an active compression valve is in fluid communication with the compression working chamber through a compression down tube. An intake compression valve is in fluid communication with the rebound working chamber through the rebound down tube, and an intake rebound valve is in fluid communication with the compression working chamber through the compression down tube. The opposite position of the intake valves balance the active rebound and compression valves to avoid asymmetric/bending loads on the inner tube in the damper.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventors: Stefan Deferme, Daniel Keil
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Publication number: 20230220903Abstract: A damper with inner and outer tubes, a piston rod extending between first and second piston rod ends, and a piston mounted to the second piston rod end. The piston is disposed within the pressure tube to define rebound and compression chambers. A fluid transport chamber is positioned between the inner and outer tubes and an intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the pressure tube inside the outer tube, and defines at least one intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with at least one externally mounted, electro-mechanical control valve. A rebound chamber pressure relief valve, mounted inside the piston and piston rod end, releases excess fluid pressure in the rebound chamber. A compression chamber pressure relief valve, mounted inside the intake valve assembly, releases excess fluid pressure in the compression chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventor: Stefan DEFERME
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Publication number: 20230213080Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. The intermediate tube extends between first and second intermediate tube ends. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned inside the intermediate channel and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening. The slanted elliptical seal abuts the intermediate tube between the first intermediate tube opening and the first intermediate tube end and between the second intermediate tube opening and the second intermediate tube end.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventor: Stefan DEFERME
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Patent number: 11635122Abstract: A damper with inner and outer tubes and a piston disposed within the inner tube to define first and second working chambers. A fluid transport chamber is positioned between the inner and outer tubes. A collector chamber is positioned outside the outer tube. An intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the inner tube, is positioned inside the outer tube to define a first intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with the collector chamber. The intake valve assembly includes a central passage that is arranged in fluid communication with the second working chamber and one or more intake valves that control fluid flow through the intake valve assembly between the first intermediate chamber and the central passage and between the first intermediate chamber and the fluid transport chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Publication number: 20230063491Abstract: A method for assembling a damper assembly includes securing a damper interface to an external surface of a pressure tube. The method includes securing an accumulator interface to an external surface of an accumulator tube. The method includes, after the damper interface is secured to the pressure tube and the accumulator interface is secured to the accumulator tube, securing the pressure tube to the accumulator tube by press fitting the damper interface to the accumulator interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Patent number: 11454292Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper, an accumulator, and a tube mount. The damper includes a tube having an outer surface. The tube defines a central axis and a first cavity in the outer surface. The accumulator has an end defining a second cavity. The accumulator defines a longitudinal axis. The tube mount is attached to the outer surface of the tube around the first cavity. The tube includes a damper fluid. The end of the accumulator is supported by the tube mount to allow the damper fluid to flow from the tube through the first cavity and into the accumulator through the second cavity. The longitudinal axis of the accumulator is transverse to the central axis of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Patent number: 11454291Abstract: A damper includes an inner tube. The damper includes a piston slidably disposed within the inner tube. The piston defines a first working chamber and a second working chamber within the inner tube. The damper also includes an outer tube disposed around the inner tube. The outer tube defines an outer chamber between the inner tube and the outer tube. The damper further includes a cover member mounted on an outer surface of the outer tube. The cover member defines a collector chamber between the outer tube and the cover member. The damper includes a first control valve mounted on the cover member. The damper also includes a second control valve mounted on the cover member and spaced apart from the first control valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme
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Patent number: 11441633Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed in the outer tube defining a fluid space therebetween. The inner tube defines an inner volume. A piston is slidably disposed in the inner tube and divides the inner volume into a rebound working chamber and a compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is fluidly connected to the rebound working chamber and the fluid chamber, and an active compression valve is fluidly connected to the reserve chamber and the compression working chamber. An intake assembly is positioned in the fluid chamber to control the fluid flow through the active rebound valve and into the compression working chamber during a rebound stroke and to control fluid flow from the compression working chamber through the active compression valve and into the rebound working chamber during a compression stroke.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.Inventor: Stefan Deferme