Patents by Inventor Damien Fournigault

Damien Fournigault 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: 10704474
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for reducing the combustion instabilities of a combustion engine, this device including: an intake circuit admitting oxidizing air to the engine, a valve positioned on the engine oxidizing air intake circuit and designed to regulate the flow rate of oxidant gas admitted to the engine, an exhaust gas recirculation circuit connected to the intake circuit upstream of the oxidizing air flow rate regulating valve. The device is arranged in such a way that, at least when an injection of fuel to the engine is cut off, a minimum opening of the valve is assured so as to eliminate recirculated gases from the intake circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Florent David, Frederic Cousin, Damien Fournigault
  • Patent number: 10669957
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a combustion engine, the combustion engine including an inlet circuit and an exhaust circuit, the method including the steps: determining a temperature of the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust circuit of the combustion engine; comparing the determined temperature with a maximum threshold; and if the determined temperature is less than the maximum threshold, controlling the engine by decrementing the richness of operation by a predetermined value and jointly incrementing by a predetermined value a level of exhaust gases recirculated between the exhaust circuit and the inlet circuit of the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Florent David, Frédéric Cousin, Damien Fournigault
  • Patent number: 10640099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driving assistance device for a motor vehicle comprising: a camera (9) capable of generating a first map of the environment of the motor vehicle (8); a transit time sensor (12) capable of generating a second map of the vehicle environment (8); a driving assistance module comprising: a fusion unit capable of generating a precise map of the frontal environment of the vehicle, the precise map being generated by the fusion unit as a function of the first map and the second map; a movement computation unit capable of generating an acceleration setpoint of the vehicle as a function of the precise map of the vehicle environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Vanessa Picron, Benazouz Bradai, Thomas Heitzmann, Damien Fournigault, Didier Taccoen, Pascal Maurel, Frédéric Cousin, Roland Randriazanamparany, Lucian Vatamanu
  • Publication number: 20180362011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driving assistance device for a motor vehicle comprising: a camera (9) capable of generating a first map of the environment of the motor vehicle (8); a transit time sensor (12) capable of generating a second map of the vehicle environment (8); a driving assistance module comprising: a fusion unit capable of generating a precise map of the frontal environment of the vehicle, the precise map being generated by the fusion unit as a function of the first map and the second map; a movement computation unit capable of generating an acceleration setpoint of the vehicle as a function of the precise map of the vehicle environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Vanessa Picron, Benazouz Bradai, Thomas Heitzmann, Damien Fournigault, Didier Taccoen, Pascal Maurel, Frédéric Cousin, Roland Randriazanamparany, Lucian Vatamanu
  • Publication number: 20180355808
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a combustion engine, the combustion engine including an inlet circuit and an exhaust circuit, the method including the steps: determining a temperature of the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust circuit of the combustion engine; comparing the determined temperature with a maximum threshold; and if the determined temperature is less than the maximum threshold, controlling the engine by decrementing the richness of operation by a predetermined value and jointly incrementing by a predetermined value a level of exhaust gases recirculated between the exhaust circuit and the inlet circuit of the combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Florent DAVID, Frédéric COUSIN, Damien FOURNIGAULT
  • Publication number: 20180216546
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for reducing the combustion instabilities of a combustion engine, this device including: an intake circuit admitting oxidizing air to the engine, a valve positioned on the engine oxidizing air intake circuit and designed to regulate the flow rate of oxidant gas admitted to the engine, an exhaust gas recirculation circuit connected to the intake circuit upstream of the oxidizing air flow rate regulating valve. The device is arranged in such a way that, at least when an injection of fuel to the engine is cut off, a minimum opening of the valve is assured so as to eliminate recirculated gases from the intake circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Florent DAVID, Frederic COUSIN, Damien FOURNIGAULT
  • Patent number: 9266524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the power of a hybrid vehicle selectively driven by an electric motor and a heat engine, the electric motor being supplied with power by a power storage unit capable of being recharged by the heat engine, wherein according to the method the level of charge of the power storage unit is monitored so as to select the mode in which the vehicle is driven by the heat engine or that in which the vehicle is driven by the electric motor, said method including the steps of: determining a travelling profile of the vehicle associated with a path of said vehicle; and determining (36), according to said travelling profile, a threshold level of charged (S2), referred to as authorized threshold, below which the mode in which the vehicle is driven by the heat engine is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Philippe Lutz, Damien Fournigault, Dominique Boutrot
  • Patent number: 8844505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing an exhaust gas recirculation circuit of a petrol thermal engine, the engine including at least one combustion chamber connected to an inlet line and an exhaust line between which extends said recirculation circuit, the recirculation circuit including a flow-rate adjustment valve, wherein said method comprises the step of adjusting flow-rate adjustment valve based on a flow-rate setpoint, said method further comprising the steps of: detecting an operation parameter representative of a pressure difference between an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure relative to the flow-rate adjustment valve, and, after comparing the parameter with a threshold corresponding to a minimum pressure difference, adjusting the flow-rate in at least one of the lines in order to increase the pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Nicolas Vitiello, Sebastien Potteau, Frederic Cousin, Loic Violette, Damien Fournigault
  • Patent number: 8720422
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion heat engine, with at least one combustion chamber for intake gases comprising a mixture consisting of a fuel such as petrol and an oxidizer such as air, connected to an intake circuit (A) for the intake of said intake gases into the chamber and an exhaust circuit (B) for the exhaust of the burnt gases outside the chamber, an exhaust gas recirculation circuit (C, D) connecting the exhaust circuit to the intake circuit, and a control system for the exhaust gas recirculation. The control system is arranged so that the exhaust gas recirculation is implemented for at least one operation point defined by an engine speed and a torque output by the engine, for which the output torque is higher than 50% of the maximum engine torque. The invention can be used for operating the engine with optimal stoichiometric mixture and ignition advance without the occurrence of rattling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Valco Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Sebastien Potteau, Philippe Lutz, Damien Fournigault
  • Publication number: 20140129070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the power of a hybrid vehicle selectively driven by an electric motor and a heat engine, the electric motor being supplied with power by a power storage unit capable of being recharged by the heat engine, wherein according to the method the level of charge of the power storage unit is monitored so as to select the mode in which the vehicle is driven by the heat engine or that in which the vehicle is driven by the electric motor, said method including the steps of: determining a travelling profile of the vehicle associated with a path of said vehicle; and determining (36), according to said travelling profile, a threshold level of charged (S2), referred to as authorised threshold, below which the mode in which the vehicle is driven by the heat engine is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Philippe Lutz, Damien Fournigault, Dominique Boutrot
  • Patent number: 8275537
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a valve (13) in a thermal engine (10), the valve having a closed position and an opened position, the method comprising at least one step of opening the valve, said step including at least one phase (I) for bringing the valve into an open position and a phase (II) for maintaining the valve in an intermediate position between the closed position and the opened position. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method and to a method for supplying an engine with an oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Nicolas Gelez, Damien Fournigault, Jean-Guilhem Dalissier, Julien Hobraiche
  • Publication number: 20110226223
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion heat engine, with at least one combustion chamber for intake gases comprising a mixture consisting of a fuel such as petrol and an oxidiser such as air, connected to an intake circuit (A) for the intake of said intake gases into the chamber and an exhaust circuit (B) for the exhaust of the burnt gases outside the chamber, an exhaust gas recirculation circuit (C, D) connecting the exhaust circuit to the intake circuit, and a control system for the exhaust gas recirculation. The control system is arranged so that the exhaust gas recirculation is implemented for at least one operation point defined by an engine speed and a torque output by the engine, for which the output torque is higher than 50% of the maximum engine torque. The invention can be used for operating the engine with optimal stoichiometric mixture and ignition advance without the occurrence of rattling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Sebastien Potteau, Philippe Lutz, Damien Fournigault
  • Publication number: 20110180048
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing an exhaust gas recirculation circuit of a petrol thermal engine, the engine including at least one combustion chamber connected to an inlet line and an exhaust line between which extends said recirculation circuit, the recirculation circuit including a flow-rate adjustment valve, wherein said method comprises the step of adjusting flow-rate adjustment valve based on a flow-rate setpoint, said method further comprising the steps of: detecting an operation parameter representative of a pressure difference between an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure relative to the flow-rate adjustment valve, and, after comparing the parameter with a threshold corresponding to a minimum pressure difference, adjusting the flow-rate in at least one of the lines in order to increase the pressure difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Nicolas Vitiello, Sebastien Potteau, Frederic Cousin, Loic Violette, Damien Fournigault
  • Publication number: 20100204900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a valve (13) in a thermal engine (10), the valve having a closed position and an opened position, the method comprising at least one step of opening the valve, said step including at least one phase (I) for bringing the valve into an open position and a phase (II) for maintaining the valve in an intermediate position between the closed position and the opened position. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method and to a method for supplying an engine with an oxidant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Nicolas Gelez, Jean-Guilhem Dalissier, Damien Fournigault, Julien Hobraiche