Patents by Inventor Jean-Claude Lacombe

Jean-Claude Lacombe 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: 11124285
    Abstract: An aerodynamic profile including a skin defining the outer surface of the aerodynamic profile, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a central portion representing at least 50% of the chord of the profile. The profile includes a hollow core of composite material reinforced with a textile having unidirectional fibers. The hollow core has, in cross section, an oblong shape that is rounded, in particular at each of its ends. The skin bears against the hollow core over the length of the central portion of the aerodynamic profile, both on the pressure side and on the suction side of the profile. The reinforcement with a textile having unidirectional fibers permits an ideal orientation of reinforcing fibers in order to optimize mechanical properties in certain directions. The shape of the hollow core, elongate along the chord of the profile and rounded, lends it great resistance to deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.), Airbus (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Rodolphe Trouve, Jean-Claude Lacombe, Julien Rodes, Thomas Schutz
  • Publication number: 20190023372
    Abstract: An aerodynamic profile including a skin defining the outer surface of the aerodynamic profile, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a central portion representing at least 50% of the chord of the profile. The profile includes a hollow core of composite material reinforced with a textile having unidirectional fibers. The hollow core has, in cross section, an oblong shape that is rounded, in particular at each of its ends. The skin bears against the hollow core over the length of the central portion of the aerodynamic profile, both on the pressure side and on the suction side of the profile. The reinforcement with a textile having unidirectional fibers permits an ideal orientation of reinforcing fibers in order to optimize mechanical properties in certain directions. The shape of the hollow core, elongate along the chord of the profile and rounded, lends it great resistance to deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Rodolphe Trouve, Jean-Claude Lacombe, Julien Rodes, Thomas Schutz
  • Patent number: 10150553
    Abstract: A device and method for assembling two aircraft fuselage sections each comprising a skin and longitudinal stiffeners, the device comprising fishplates fishing couples of mutually aligned longitudinal stiffeners belonging respectively to said sections, each fishplate comprising two fishplate pieces each comprising at least one longitudinal sole plate intended to be fixed to a longitudinal stiffener, and a transverse support head, and at least one demountable connecting member able to mutually clamp the respective support heads of said fishplate pieces to allow a transmission of longitudinal forces between these fishplate pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (Societe par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventors: Bruno Cacciaguerra, Alain Depeige, Jean-Claude Lacombe, Hélène Cazeneuve, Marc-Antoine Castanet
  • Patent number: 9126671
    Abstract: A stiffened panel includes a panel at least one of whose surfaces is equipped with stiffeners each of which includes a base that is pressed against the surface of panel, as well as a core that is oriented orthogonally relative to the base and whose first longitudinal edge is integral to the latter. At least one of the stiffeners includes a multitude of notches that cross over a second longitudinal edge of the core opposite the first edge, so that they extend towards the outside of the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jéôme Dubost, Jean Claude Lacombe
  • Patent number: 8967540
    Abstract: A frame of an aircraft fuselage structure made from composite material, which includes a skin and several stringers fixed on the skin. The frame includes a profile elongated in a longitudinal direction which is hollow over at least a portion of its length. The profile is mounted on two legs. Each leg, intended to be fixed on the skin, includes a first portion extending continuously over the whole length of the profile and a second portion extending from this continuous portion so as to form several openings spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the profile, in each of which a stringer passes. The presence of the hollow profile in the frame and the structure of the legs makes it possible to dispense with clips and cleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Lacombe, Laurent Giuseppin
  • Patent number: 8801885
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments offer a solution for controlling the thickness of a finished structural composite part when precise tolerances must be complied with for the quality of the assembly and in order to ease the assembly operations of this part. In order to implement the method according to the disclosed embodiments, an additional layer of plies made out of a non-structural composite material, called calibrating plies, is applied onto the structural plies of the structural part, at least in an area where the thickness must be maintained within close tolerances and, after the composite material has been cured, the calibrating plies are machined in order to obtain the thickness required for the finished part. The thickness of the calibrating plies applied is determined according to the possible thicknesses of structural plies, taking into account the manufacturing spreads so that the machining operation for the calibrating plies does not affect the structural plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Mathieu Normand, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20130181092
    Abstract: Device for assembling two aircraft fuselage sections each comprising a skin and longitudinal stiffeners, the device comprising fishplates fishing couples of mutually aligned longitudinal stiffeners belonging respectively to said sections, each fishplate comprising two fishplate pieces each comprising at least one longitudinal sole plate intended to be fixed to a longitudinal stiffener, and a transverse support head, and at least one demountable connecting member able to mutually clamp the respective support heads of said fishplate pieces to allow a transmission of longitudinal forces between these fishplate pieces. Set of fuselage sections assembled by means of a device of the type described above. Method of assembling two fuselage sections by means of a device of the type described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (Societe par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventors: Bruno Cacciaguerra, Alain Depeige, Jean-Claude Lacombe, Helene Cazeneuve, Marc-Antoine Castanet
  • Patent number: 8484848
    Abstract: A method for assembling two structural elements, at least one of the two structural elements being tube-shaped and including a skin made of a fiber-reinforced composite material. The ability of the element to adapt to the shape and perimeter of a junction interface is improved by providing longitudinal grooves distributed on the circumference of the junction interface. The grooves are of a sufficient length to provide the junction interface with the flexibility to accommodate, through relative radial movement of each portion located between two grooves, differences in shape and perimeter among the junction interfaces of the two structural elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Guillaume Gallant, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Patent number: 8395497
    Abstract: A radiofrequency circuit embedded onboard a satellite, data being transmitted on several channels by radiofrequency signals, includes a channel corresponding to a frequency band, and a succession of gains being able to be associated with a channel so as to generate the radiofrequency signal to be transmitted on the latter. The succession includes at least one variable-gain amplifier, the radiofrequency signals thus generated being multiplexed by a multiplexer composed of bandpass filters. The successions of gains comprise a power load arranged so as to dissipate the power of signals which is reflected by the filters of the multiplexer, said load including means for generating an alarm signal representative of the power level of the reflected signals, the alarm signal being used to control the gain of the variable-gain amplifier. The subject of the invention is also a power load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Emile Tonello, Damien Pacaud, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20130026292
    Abstract: A stiffened panel includes a panel at least one of whose surfaces is equipped with stiffeners each of which includes a base that is pressed against the surface of panel, as well as a core that is oriented orthogonally relative to the base and whose first longitudinal edge is integral to the latter. At least one of the stiffeners includes a multitude of notches that cross over a second longitudinal edge of the core opposite the first edge, so that they extend towards the outside of the stiffener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jérôme Dubost, Jean Claude Lacombe
  • Patent number: 8340594
    Abstract: A microwave channel multiplexing device comprises several elementary filters connected in parallel with a common output port by way of a transverse waveguide, each filter comprising a lower end fixed to a support common to all the filters and an upper end away from the support, an external peripheral wall, at least one internal cavity defining an internal channel, a signal input connected to the internal cavity and a signal output connected to the transverse waveguide. The multiplexing device furthermore comprises a conducto-radiative device coupled mechanically and thermally to at least two filters, the conducto-radiative device comprising at least one thermally conducting plate, and linked to the external peripheral walls of each of said at least two filters, the plate being fixed at the level of the upper end of the filters. The invention applies to the field of satellite telecommunications and more particularly to signals repetition devices aboard satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Joël Lagorsse, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Patent number: 8286915
    Abstract: An aircraft having a fuselage of composite type and more particularly to that of aircraft fuselage panels bearing cabin windows. The invention thus concerns a fuselage panel bearing a window comprising a composite structure cast in one piece, the structure comprising a main portion and at least one opening to accommodate a window, the structure having, on a zone surrounding the opening, a thickness more or less constant and greater than the thickness of the main portion of the structure. The invention also concerns an aircraft comprising a composite fuselage, the latter comprising such a panel or a similar panel made of metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Alain Depeige, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Patent number: 8215584
    Abstract: An aircraft structure including stiffened panels assembled at the junction, without continuity of the stiffeners. Multiple panels are used to form the fuselage, tail units and wings of an aircraft. These panels include stiffeners which are interrupted at each panel junction. However, the stresses experienced by the stiffeners must be transmitted despite these interruptions. Known solutions require the use of at least one additional part per stiffener and per interruption. In order to solve this problem, the disclosed embodiments include a doubler necessitating at most one additional part per panel junction area for all of the interrupted stiffeners in this area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Helene Cazeneuve, Bruno Cacciaguerra, Jean-Claude Lacombe, David Andissac
  • Publication number: 20120056740
    Abstract: A radiofrequency circuit embedded onboard a satellite, data being transmitted on several channels by radiofrequency signals, includes a channel corresponding to a frequency band, and a succession of gains being able to be associated with a channel so as to generate the radiofrequency signal to be transmitted on the latter. The succession includes at least one variable-gain amplifier, the radiofrequency signals thus generated being multiplexed by a multiplexer composed of bandpass filters. The successions of gains comprise a power load arranged so as to dissipate the power of signals which is reflected by the filters of the multiplexer, said load including means for generating an alarm signal representative of the power level of the reflected signals, the alarm signal being used to control the gain of the variable-gain amplifier. The subject of the invention is also a power load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Emile Tonello, Damien Pacaud, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20110185555
    Abstract: A method for assembling two structural elements, at least one of the two structural elements being tube-shaped and including a skin made of a fiber-reinforced composite material. The ability of the element to adapt to the shape and perimeter of a junction interface is improved by providing longitudinal grooves distributed on the circumference of the junction interface. The grooves are of a sufficient length to provide the junction interface with the flexibility to accommodate, through relative radial movement of each portion located between two grooves, differences in shape and perimeter among the junction interfaces of the two structural elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (inc as a Societe par Act Simpl)
    Inventors: Guillaume Gallant, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20110058809
    Abstract: A microwave channel multiplexing device comprises several elementary filters connected in parallel with a common output port by way of a transverse waveguide, each filter comprising a lower end fixed to a support common to all the filters and an upper end away from the support, an external peripheral wall, at least one internal cavity defining an internal channel, a signal input connected to the internal cavity and a signal output connected to the transverse waveguide. The multiplexing device furthermore comprises a conducto-radiative device coupled mechanically and thermally to at least two filters, the conducto-radiative device comprising at least one thermally conducting plate, and linked to the external peripheral walls of each of said at least two filters, the plate being fixed at the level of the upper end of the filters. The invention applies to the field of satellite telecommunications and more particularly to signals repetition devices aboard satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Joël Lagorsse, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20100264272
    Abstract: An aircraft structure including stiffened panels assembled at the junction, without continuity of the stiffeners. Multiple panels are used to form the fuselage, tail units and wings of an aircraft. These panels include stiffeners which are interrupted at each panel junction. However, the stresses experienced by the stiffeners must be transmitted despite these interruptions. Known solutions require the use of at least one additional part per stiffener and per interruption. In order to solve this problem, the disclosed embodiments include a doubler necessitating at most one additional part per panel junction area for all of the interrupted stiffeners in this area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Helene Cazeneuve, Bruno Cacciaguerra, Jean-Claude Lacombe, David Andissac
  • Patent number: 7814729
    Abstract: A stiff panel (1) comprises a skin (2) and at least one stiffener (3) of composite material on said skin. Free surface (311) of web (31) of stiffener (3) on the stiff panel according to the invention comprises a deformable core (33) and a covering (34) which covers core (33) and joins said core with structural part (35) of web (31). The width of core (33) is equal to or greater than the width of structural part (35) of web (31) of stiffener (3), depending on the shock energy against which panel (1) must be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Mathieu Normand, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20100136309
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments offer a solution for controlling the thickness of a finished structural composite part when precise tolerances must be complied with for the quality of the assembly and in order to ease the assembly operations of this part. In order to implement the method according to the disclosed embodiments, an additional layer of plies made out of a non-structural composite material, called calibrating plies, is applied onto the structural plies of the structural part, at least in an area where the thickness must be maintained within close tolerances and, after the composite material has been cured, the calibrating plies are machined in order to obtain the thickness required for the finished part. The thickness of the calibrating plies applied is determined according to the possible thicknesses of structural plies, taking into account the manufacturing spreads so that the machining operation for the calibrating plies does not affect the structural plies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventors: Mathieu Normand, Jean-Claude Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20090230246
    Abstract: This invention relates to the design of aircraft (100) having a fuselage (104, 106, 110) of composite type and more particularly to that of aircraft fuselage panels (110) bearing cabin windows (206, 306). The invention thus concerns a fuselage panel (110) bearing a window (206) comprising a composite structure cast in one piece (200, 212), the said structure comprising a main portion (200) and at least one opening (204) to accommodate a window (206), the said structure having, on a zone (213, 214, 216)) surrounding the said opening (204), a thickness more or less constant and greater than the thickness of the main portion (200) of the said structure. The invention also concerns an aircraft (100) comprising a composite fuselage (104, 106, 110), the latter comprising such a panel or a similar panel made of metal material (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Airbus France
    Inventors: Alain Depeige, Jean-Claude Lacombe