Thomas V Valvano

US Patent:

7331430, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

Jan 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/325705

Inventors:

Thomas V. Valvano - Saginaw MI, US
Marshall D. Snyder - Birch Run MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D 55/36

US Classification:

188 715, 188 731, 188 711

Abstract:

The invention provides a multi-disc brake for a vehicle having a knuckle for supporting a wheel of a vehicle and a hub mounted for rotation on the knuckle about a rotation axis. The multi-disc brake also includes a pair of discs mounted for rotation with and sliding movement on the hub along the rotation axis. Each disc includes inboard and outboard engaging surfaces. The multi-disc brake also includes a plurality of brake pad assemblies disposed in alternating arrangement between the discs. The multi-disc brake also includes a caliper disposed for sliding movement relative to the knuckle and having an inboard wall and a bridge portion extending from the inboard wall around the discs and the brake pad assemblies to an outboard wall adjacent to the outboard brake pad assembly. An actuator is disposed between the inboard wall of the caliper and the inboard brake pad assembly for urging the inboard brake pad assembly and the inboard wall apart to urge the brake pad assemblies and the discs together to slow rotation of the hub. The multi-disc brake also includes a guide fixed relative to the knuckle for guiding sliding movement of the inboard brake pad assembly and the outboard brake pad assembly wherein the center brake pad assembly being fixed to the guide for limiting taper of the brake pad assemblies.

US Patent:

7543691, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Jul 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/485605

Inventors:

Eunjoo C. Hopkins - Farmington Hills MI, US
Patrick N. Hopkins - Farmington Hills MI, US
Thomas V. Valvano - Saginaw MI, US
Jerome A. Limpach - Tipp City OH, US
Eric W Jesme - Swartz Creek MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D 65/12

US Classification:

188218XL

Abstract:

A brake rotor assembly for a dual brake disc braking system includes an annular ring having a plurality of teeth. The teeth are disposed radially about a central axis of the annular ring, and extend inward toward the central axis. The teeth are for slideably engaging a hub (wheel end) having a plurality of channels. The annular ring includes a plurality of pins extending outwardly from the annular ring. A friction disc is disposed radially about the annular ring, and is in interlocking engagement with the plurality of pins. The annular ring and the plurality of teeth are integrally cast from a high strength corrosion resistant material having a tensile strength greater than 260 megapascals to resist fracture during high stress braking conditions and high thermal loads. The friction disc is cast around the annular ring from a grey cast iron.

US Patent:

7793765, Sep 14, 2010

Filed:

Jan 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/327850

Inventors:

Thomas V. Valvano - Saginaw MI, US
Marshall D. Snyder - Birch Run MI, US
Patrick N. Hopkins - Farmington Hills MI, US
Martin J. Reder - Essexville MI, US

International Classification:

F16D 65/00
F16D 65/827

US Classification:

188 731, 188 7331, 188 7337, 188 715

Abstract:

The invention provides a multi-disc brake for a vehicle. A knuckle supports a wheel of a vehicle. A hub is mounted for rotation on the knuckle about a rotation axis. A pair of discs are mounted for rotation with the hub and for sliding movement on the hub along the rotation axis. Each of the discs includes respective inboard and outboard engaging surfaces. Brake pad assemblies are disposed about the discs to engage the engaging surfaces. The brake pad assemblies slide along the rotation axis relative to the hub. A brake fist having a bridge portion extends outboard from the knuckle around the discs and the brake pad assemblies to an outboard wall supporting the outboard brake pad assembly against outboard movement along the rotation axis. An actuator urges the discs and the brake pad assemblies together against the outboard wall to slow rotation of the hub. A first bolt extends along a first bolt axis and a second bolt extends along a second bolt axis spaced from the first bolt axis across the outboard wall for connecting the brake fist to the knuckle.

US Patent:

7958978, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

Aug 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/891103

Inventors:

Marshall D. Snyder - Birch Run MI, US
Eunjoo C. Hopkins - Farmington Hills MI, US
Thomas V. Valvano - Saginaw MI, US

Assignee:

BWI Company Limited S.A. - Luxembourg

International Classification:

F16D 65/12

US Classification:

188218XL, 188 18 A, 267161

Abstract:

A brake hub assembly including a hub defining a central axis, a plurality of guide pins, each of the plurality of guide pins extending from the hub and being generally aligned with the central axis, and a disc having at least two friction surfaces, the disc defining a plurality of guide pin receiving bores, wherein each of the plurality of guide pin receiving bores are positioned to receive an associated one of the plurality of guide pins therethrough such that the disc is moveable relative to the hub along the central axis.

US Patent:

8317170, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

May 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/106185

Inventors:

Marshall D. Snyder - Birch Run MI, US
Eunjoo C. Hopkins - Farmington Hills MI, US
Thomas V. Valvano - Saginaw MI, US

Assignee:

BWI Company Limited S.A. - Luxembourg

International Classification:

F16F 1/34

US Classification:

267161, 267163

Abstract:

A spring for applying a biasing force to a disc of a brake hub assembly including a hub having a circumferential groove, at least one disc, and a plurality of guide pins for rotatably coupling the hub and the disc wherein the spring comprises a band for circumferentially engaging the hub. The spring is characterized by a plurality of axial position retention tabs circumferentially spaced and extending radially inwardly from the band for engaging the circumferential groove of the hub and for preventing axial movement between the spring and the hub. The spring is further characterized by a plurality of circumferential position tabs circumferentially spaced and extending radially outwardly from the band and being generally U-shaped and defining a guide pin opening for at least partially engaging one of the guide pins for rotatably coupling the spring and the hub.

US Patent:

20020129998, Sep 19, 2002

Filed:

Mar 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/808759

Inventors:

Kevin Weber - Montrose MI, US
Thomas Valvano - Saginaw MI, US
Martin Reder - Essexville MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

International Classification:

F16D065/12

US Classification:

188/01800A, 188/2180XL

Abstract:

A disc brake rotor is retained on a bearing hub assembly during handling, shipping and installation of the wheel by a retaining clip. The clip is snapped into a machined groove on the bearing pilot hub after the disc brake rotor is assembled to the bearing and gauged for optimal runout. The retaining clip acts as a physical block thereby keeping the rotor positioned on the bearing hub and eliminates the need for specific orientation of a retention device or removal of material from the disc rotor or wheel as in prior systems.

US Patent:

20070151814, Jul 5, 2007

Filed:

Dec 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/643720

Inventors:

Xavier Delayre - Courbevoie, FR
Jacques Loche - Asnieres, FR
Thomas Valvano - Saginaw MI, US
Marshall Snyder - Birch Run MI, US

International Classification:

F16D 55/36

US Classification:

188071500

Abstract:

The invention provides a multi-disc brake for a vehicle having a knuckle for supporting a wheel of a vehicle and a hub mounted for rotation on the knuckle about a rotation axis. The multi-disc brake also includes a pair of discs mounted for rotation with and sliding movement on the hub along the rotation axis. Each disc includes inboard and outboard engaging surfaces. The multi-disc brake also includes a plurality of brake pad assemblies disposed in alternating arrangement between the discs. The multi-disc brake also includes a caliper () disposed for sliding movement relative to the knuckle and having an inboard wall () and a bridge portion () extending from the inboard wall () around the discs and the brake pad assemblies to an outboard wall () adjacent to the outboard brake pad assembly. An actuator () is disposed between the inboard wall () of the caliper () and the inboard brake pad assembly for urging the inboard brake pad assembly and the inboard wall () apart to urge the brake pad assemblies and the discs together to slow rotation of the hub. The multi-disc brake also includes a guide () fixed relative to the knuckle for guiding sliding movement of the inboard brake pad assembly and the outboard brake pad assembly wherein the center brake pad assembly being fixed to the guide () for limiting taper of the brake pad assemblies.