Patents by Inventor Tommy Van

Tommy Van 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: 12000438
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a lubricant flow rate in a wet clutch. The method comprising: determining a clutch state as an open state, a closed state or a slipping state; determining a clutch temperature and a sump lubricant temperature; based at least on the clutch state, the clutch temperature and the sump lubricant temperature, selecting one out of a plurality of maps, wherein each map maps one or more operating parameters of the clutch on a target lubricant flow rate; determining a target lubricant flow rate based on the one or more operating parameters according to the selected map; and controlling a lubricant flow control device based on the determined target lubricant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: DANA BELGIUM N.V.
    Inventors: Tommy Van Acker, Joachim Van Dingenen
  • Patent number: 11885413
    Abstract: A torque convertor and direct drive unit arrangement and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, a prime mover may be configured to be coupled to a transmission via one of a torque convertor and a direct drive unit, the direct drive unit including a higher range clutch and a lower range clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: DANA BELGIUM N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker
  • Patent number: 11802596
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for wet clutch pressure control to reduce drag and degradation of rotary seals in a transmission. In one example, a method may include determining an upper threshold pressure based on a rotational speed of a shaft of the transmission, determining a lower threshold pressure based on the rotational speed of the shaft, and adjusting a pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch to be between the upper threshold pressure and the lower threshold pressure. In this way, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch may be maintained at a level that allows full torque transfer by the wet clutch while reducing drag on the rotary seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: DANA BELGIUM N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker
  • Patent number: 11788607
    Abstract: A transmission, such as a transmission for a vehicle, a driveline including the transmission, and a method of performing a gear shift using the transmission. The transmission comprises a first transmission shaft, a first gear disposed on the first transmission shaft, a first wet clutch, and a first synchronizer. The first wet clutch and the first synchronizer are configured to selectively drivingly engage the first gear with the first transmission shaft and are connectable in series between the first gear and the first transmission shaft, such that the first gear is drivingly engaged with the first transmission shaft only when both the first wet clutch and the first synchronizer are engaged, and such that the first gear is drivingly disengaged from the first transmission shaft when either one or both of the first wet clutch and the first synchronizer is/are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Van Dingenen, Bert Hannon, Kurt Cattoor, Tommy Van Acker
  • Patent number: 11773914
    Abstract: A clutch assembly may have an axially slidable first plate, an axially fixed second plate disposed opposite the first plate, and a clutch pack arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The clutch pack may have a number of axially slidable consecutively arranged friction plates and separator plates. The assembly may also have an actuator axially movable between a first position and a second position, where, in the first position, the clutch pack is opened and, in the second position, the clutch pack is closed and the friction plates are frictionally engaged. The assembly may also have a return spring configured to bias the actuator in a direction away from the clutch pack towards the first position. The assembly may also have an engagement spring element configured to exert an elastic force on the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker, Marc Van Tomme, Filip Schacht, Kurt D M Cattoor
  • Publication number: 20230250873
    Abstract: A torque convertor and direct drive unit arrangement and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, a prime mover may be configured to be coupled to a transmission via one of a torque convertor and a direct drive unit, the direct drive unit including a higher range clutch and a lower range clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Kurt CATTOOR, Filip D. SCHACHT, Joachim VAN DINGENEN, Tommy VAN ACKER
  • Patent number: 11649893
    Abstract: A torque convertor and direct drive unit arrangement and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, a prime mover may be configured to be coupled to a transmission via one of a torque convertor and a direct drive unit, the direct drive unit including a higher range clutch and a lower range clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker
  • Patent number: 11560942
    Abstract: Torque converter arrangements and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, the torque converter includes a first attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a prime mover and a second attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a transmission. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch with an engagement spring embedded in an actuation piston, a plurality of separator plates supported by one or more guiding pins that extend through the plurality of separator plates and into a casing, and a plurality of friction plates interleaved with the plurality of separator plates, where the plurality of separator plates and friction plates are axially captured between the actuation piston and an end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Tommy Van Acker, Joachim Van Dingenen
  • Publication number: 20220373070
    Abstract: Torque converter arrangements and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, the torque converter includes a first attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a prime mover and a second attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a transmission. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch with an engagement spring embedded in an actuation piston, a plurality of separator plates supported by one or more guiding pins that extend through the plurality of separator plates and into a casing, and a plurality of friction plates interleaved with the plurality of separator plates, where the plurality of separator plates and friction plates are axially captured between the actuation piston and an end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kurt CATTOOR, Filip D. SCHACHT, Tommy VAN ACKER, Joachim VAN DINGENEN
  • Publication number: 20220196082
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a lubricant flow rate in a wet clutch. The method comprising: determining a clutch state as an open state, a closed state or a slipping state; determining a clutch temperature and a sump lubricant temperature; based at least on the clutch state, the clutch temperature and the sump lubricant temperature, selecting one out of a plurality of maps, wherein each map maps one or more operating parameters of the clutch on a target lubricant flow rate; determining a target lubricant flow rate based on the one or more operating parameters according to the selected map; and controlling a lubricant flow control device based on the determined target lubricant flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Tommy VAN ACKER, Joachim VAN DINGENEN
  • Publication number: 20220186788
    Abstract: A clutch assembly may have an axially slidable first plate, an axially fixed second plate disposed opposite the first plate, and a clutch pack arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The clutch pack may have a number of axially slidable consecutively arranged friction plates and separator plates. The assembly may also have an actuator axially movable between a first position and a second position, where, in the first position, the clutch pack is opened and, in the second position, the clutch pack is closed and the friction plates are frictionally engaged. The assembly may also have a return spring configured to bias the actuator in a direction away from the clutch pack towards the first position. The assembly may also have an engagement spring element configured to exert an elastic force on the clutch pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Joachim VAN DINGENEN, Tommy VAN ACKER, Marc VAN TOMME, Filip SCHACHT, Kurt DM CATTOOR
  • Publication number: 20220163074
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for wet clutch pressure control to reduce drag and degradation of rotary seals in a transmission. In one example, a method may include determining an upper threshold pressure based on a rotational speed of a shaft of the transmission, determining a lower threshold pressure based on the rotational speed of the shaft, and adjusting a pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch to be between the upper threshold pressure and the lower threshold pressure. In this way, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch may be maintained at a level that allows full torque transfer by the wet clutch while reducing drag on the rotary seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Kurt CATTOOR, Filip D. SCHACHT, Joachim VAN DINGENEN, Tommy VAN ACKER
  • Publication number: 20220065331
    Abstract: A transmission, such as a transmission for a vehicle, a driveline including the transmission, and a method of performing a gear shift using the transmission. The transmission comprises a first transmission shaft, a first gear disposed on the first transmission shaft, a first wet clutch, and a first synchronizer. The first wet clutch and the first synchronizer are configured to selectively drivingly engage the first gear with the first transmission shaft and are connectable in series between the first gear and the first transmission shaft, such that the first gear is drivingly engaged with the first transmission shaft only when both the first wet clutch and the first synchronizer are engaged, and such that the first gear is drivingly disengaged from the first transmission shaft when either one or both of the first wet clutch and the first synchronizer is/are disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Joachim VAN DINGENEN, Bert HANNON, Kurt CATTOOR, Tommy VAN ACKER
  • Publication number: 20060266529
    Abstract: Bridge plug and setting assembly may be used in a well with a tubular therein to control flow through the tubular. A plurality of fluid powered units 16, 24 are suspended in a well from a work string 14 for exerting a driving force. A plug member 50 is suspended below the plurality of fluid powered units. The plug member 50 is axially movable relative to an expansion sleeve 40 in response to the driving force to radially expand the sleeve 40 into sealing engagement with both the plug member 50 and the tubular 12. A release mechanism 68 is provided for releasing the one or more fluid powered units from the plug member and the expansion sleeve once set in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Tommy Van, Britt Braddick
  • Publication number: 20050269829
    Abstract: A liner for the underside of a vehicle hood is provided including a sound reducing structure and an energy absorbing structure. The sound reducing structure may reduce noise generated by the engine and any auxiliary under-hood components. The energy absorbing structure may absorb at least a portion of the energy of a pedestrian striking the hood of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Oivind Nilsrud, Tommy van den Berg
  • Patent number: 6335829
    Abstract: A multi-screen display for rear projection applications includes a supporting structure and a screen comprising a plurality of screen panels which are positioned and attached to one another and to attachment plates by joining wires. The seams between the screen panels are minimal, specifically less than half of a millmetre wide, even in the event of relatively inaccurate installation of the projection screen, in spite of manufacturing tolerances and under changing climatological conditions, such as temperature and relative atmospheric humidity, owing to the fact that the attachment plates to which the screen panels are fixed using the joining wires are deformable and/or movably joined to the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Barco N.V.
    Inventor: Tommy Van De Voorde
  • Patent number: D779080
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Tommy Van Nguyen
  • Patent number: D779732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Tommy Van Nguyen
  • Patent number: D779733
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Tommy Van Nguyen