Patents by Inventor Denis Burdet

Denis Burdet 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: 7376053
    Abstract: The present invention proposes improving the yield of a microgenerator (1) used for operating a timepiece. Such a microgenerator operates on the basis of the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, it is thus desirable to limit as far as possible the presence of magnetic masses in proximity to said generator. Research undertaken has shown that the electrically conductive paths (9), and even their single protective layer, arranged in proximity to the microgenerator brake it, when they are formed of a magnetic material, and in particular a ferromagnetic material. Thus, the selection of exclusively non-magnetic materials is proposed for manufacturing the conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventors: Frédéric Leuba, Denis Burdet
  • Publication number: 20040042349
    Abstract: The present invention proposes to improve the yield of a micro-generator (1) used for operating a timepiece. This micro-generator operates on the basis of the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction; it is thus desirable to limit the presence of magnetic masses in proximity to said generator as much as possible. Research carried out has shown that the finish coating covering the movement-blank parts (11, 12) arranged in proximity to the micro-generator brakes the latter when it is made of a magnetic material, and in particular a ferromagnetic material. Thus, the exclusive selection of non-magnetic materials for manufacturing the movement-blank and its coating is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Frederic Leuba, Denis Burdet
  • Patent number: 6678218
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a time base (13), a generator (1) formed in particular of a rotor (2) with permanent magnets and at least one coil (3), a barrel (6) with a mainspring coupled to said generator in order to drive it, analogue time indicating means (7) also driven by said barrel. These time indicating means operate substantially synchronously relative to said time base as long as the torque CB provided by said barrel is greater than or equal to a minimum synchronisation torque CSYNC. The timepiece also includes means (12, 16) for braking said generator, magnetised means (18) having with the rotor, when the generator is stopped, a static positioning torque CP allowing said rotor to be kept in a substantially stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: ETA Sa Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventors: Florian Serex, Frédéric Leuba, Denis Burdet
  • Patent number: 6587401
    Abstract: The transmission device disclosed is inserted between a rotating oscillating weight and an electric micro-generator in order to drive the generator rotor from the oscillating weight by multiplying the rotational speed. Its intermediate wheel and pinion includes a barrel (27) whose central shaft (24) is coupled to the drum (41) of the barrel by a spiral spring (30). The inner end of the spring has a bent portion (34) which engages via resilience in any one of a number of hollows (51) in the shaft and can be released by sliding over a slanting side (52) when the shaft exerts too great a torque in the given rotational direction. This arrangement prevents damage resulting from shocks, in particular in the case of a watch, without using a friction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: ETA SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Rebeaud, Denis Burdet
  • Publication number: 20020136151
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a time base (13), a generator (1) formed in particular of a rotor (2) with permanent magnets and at least one coil (3), a barrel (6) with a mainspring coupled to said generator in order to drive it, analogue time indicating means (7) also driven by said barrel. These time indicating means operate substantially synchronously relative to said time base as long as the torque CB provided by said barrel is greater than or equal to a minimum synchronisation torque CSYNC. The timepiece also includes means (12, 16) for braking said generator, magnetised means (18) having with the rotor, when the generator is stopped, a static positioning torque CP allowing said rotor to be kept in a substantially stationary position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: ETA SA FABRIQUES D' EBAUCHES
    Inventors: Florian Serex, Frederic Leuba, Denis Burdet
  • Publication number: 20020118607
    Abstract: The present invention proposes improving the yield of a microgenerator (1) used for operating a timepiece. Such a microgenerator operates on the basis of the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, it is thus desirable to limit as far as possible the presence of magnetic masses in proximity to said generator. Research undertaken has shown that the electrically conductive paths (9), and even their single protective layer, arranged in proximity to the microgenerator brake it, when they are formed of a magnetic material, and in particular a ferromagnetic material. Thus, the selection of exclusively non-magnetic materials is proposed for manufacturing the conductive paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Frederic Leuba, Denis Burdet
  • Publication number: 20020071348
    Abstract: The transmission device disclosed is inserted between a rotating oscillating weight and an electric micro-generator in order to drive the generator rotor from the oscillating weight by multiplying the rotational speed. Its intermediate wheel and pinion includes a barrel (27) whose central shaft (24) is coupled to the drum (41) of the barrel by a spiral spring (30). The inner end of the spring has a bent portion (34) which engages via resilience in any one of a number of hollows (51) in the shaft and can be released by sliding over a slanting side (52) when the shaft exerts too great a torque in the given rotational direction. This arrangement prevents damage resulting from shocks, in particular in the case of a watch, without using a friction system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: ETA SA FABRIQUES D'EBAUCHES
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Rebeaud, Denis Burdet