Patents by Inventor Nicolas Louis Bouchon

Nicolas Louis Bouchon 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: 11161403
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: GE HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Mong Ling Lo, Jacek Gromadzki, Nicolas Louis Bouchon, Martin Alexander Strange, Victor Woo
  • Publication number: 20190126737
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Mong Ling Lo, Jacek Gromadzki, Nicolas Louis Bouchon, Martin Alexander Strange, Victor Woo
  • Patent number: 10202031
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: GE HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Mong Ling Lo, Jacek Gromadzki, Nicolas Louis Bouchon, Martin Alexander Strange, Victor Woo
  • Publication number: 20170096057
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Mong Ling Lo, Jacek Gromadzki, Nicolas Louis Bouchon, Martin Alexander Strange, Victor Woo
  • Patent number: 9561719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: GE HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Mong Ling Lo, Jacek Gromadzki, Nicolas Louis Bouchon, Martin Alexander Strange, Victor Woo
  • Publication number: 20160375891
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an engine in a hybrid vehicle being driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The motor is operably configured to deliver mechanical power through an automatic transmission to at least one vehicle drive wheel to cause an acceleration of the vehicle. The method involves coupling the engine to the motor to cause an inertial load on the motor thus causing the motor to decelerate to a reduced rotational speed to provide a starting torque to the engine for starting the engine, and causing the automatic transmission to change gear ratio to a target gear ratio associated with the reduced rotational speed while causing the motor to decelerate, the motor being operable to deliver increased torque at the reduced rotational speed, thereby generally maintaining the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC.
    Inventor: Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 9403529
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising an engine, a generator driven by the engine and configured to produce an output, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter configured to derive a first DC voltage from the output, and a convert the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage, a wheel, an electric motor configured to receive the second DC voltage, and for driving a wheel of said vehicle drive the wheel based on the second DC voltage, and a processor configured to control the engine to run at an engine speed corresponding to a first operating point in a set of operating points, wherein the first operating point corresponds to a demanded power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 9365132
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing power in a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, and an energy storage element coupled to the motor. The method involves receiving a request to supply operating power to drive the vehicle and responding to the request by selecting an apportionment of operating power between the engine and the motor from among a plurality of apportionments having respective operating costs such that the selected apportionment is associated with a minimum operating cost, the operating cost including at least an engine fuel consumption cost and a storage element lifetime cost. The method further involves causing power to be supplied by at least one of the engine and the motor in accordance with the selected apportionment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Publication number: 20150203101
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising an engine, a generator driven by the engine and configured to produce an output, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter configured to derive a first DC voltage from the output, and a convert the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage, a wheel, an electric motor configured to receive the second DC voltage, and for driving a wheel of said vehicle drive the wheel based on the second DC voltage, and a processor configured to control the engine to run at an engine speed corresponding to a first operating point in a set of operating points, wherein the first operating point corresponds to a demanded power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 9020734
    Abstract: An apparatus for selecting operating conditions of a genset, the apparatus including a processor circuit configured to select a set of operating points from a plurality of operating points of the genset each comprising an engine speed in a generator electrical output value and a plurality of cost values associated with operating the genset at respective operating points such that the sum of the cost values associated with the operating points in said set is minimized and such that the engine speed increases or decreases monotonically with monotonically increasing or decreasing electrical power output values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Publication number: 20150081155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an engine in a hybrid vehicle being driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The motor is operably configured to deliver mechanical power through an automatic transmission to at least one vehicle drive wheel to cause an acceleration of the vehicle. The method involves coupling the engine to the motor to cause an inertial load on the motor thus causing the motor to decelerate to a reduced rotational speed to provide a starting torque to the engine for starting the engine, and causing the automatic transmission to change gear ratio to a target gear ratio associated with the reduced rotational speed while causing the motor to decelerate, the motor being operable to deliver increased torque at the reduced rotational speed, thereby generally maintaining the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Publication number: 20150008057
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus for delivering power to a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a powertrain having a power take-off coupling, the powertrain including an engine and a transmission. The apparatus includes an electric motor operable to generate a torque, the motor being coupled to transmit a starting torque through the power take-off of the powertrain for starting the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan Mong Ling Lo, Jacek Gromadzki, Nicolas Louis Bouchon, Martin Alexander Strange, Victor Woo
  • Patent number: 8903581
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an engine in a hybrid vehicle being driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The motor is operably configured to deliver mechanical power through an automatic transmission to at least one vehicle drive wheel to cause an acceleration of the vehicle. The method involves coupling the engine to the motor to cause an inertial load on the motor thus causing the motor to decelerate to a reduced rotational speed to provide a starting torque to the engine for starting the engine, and causing the automatic transmission to change gear ratio to a target gear ratio associated with the reduced rotational speed while causing the motor to decelerate, the motor being operable to deliver increased torque at the reduced rotational speed, thereby generally maintaining the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 8839754
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A motor is mechanically coupled to the engine, the engine having at least one moveable element mounted in a chamber, the moveable element being operable to cause a changing compression condition within the chamber and being mechanically coupled to a shaft for generating mechanical power. The method involves causing the motor to supply a positioning torque to the engine to move the at least one moveable element into a starting position. The method also involves causing the motor to supply a starting torque to the engine when the at least one moveable element is in the starting position to cause the moveable element to accelerate from the starting position under low compression conditions to generate sufficient momentum to overcome a peak compression condition in the chamber, thereby reducing the starting torque required to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Louis Bouchon, Martin Strange
  • Publication number: 20140257612
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing power in a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, and an energy storage element coupled to the motor. The method involves receiving a request to supply operating power to drive the vehicle and responding to the request by selecting an apportionment of operating power between the engine and the motor from among a plurality of apportionments having respective operating costs such that the selected apportionment is associated with a minimum operating cost, the operating cost including at least an engine fuel consumption cost and a storage element lifetime cost. The method further involves causing power to be supplied by at least one of the engine and the motor in accordance with the selected apportionment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 8738203
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing power in a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, and an energy storage element coupled to the motor. The method involves receiving a request to supply operating power to drive the vehicle and responding to the request by selecting an apportionment of operating power between the engine and the motor from among a plurality of apportionments having respective operating costs such that the selected apportionment is associated with a minimum operating cost, the operating cost including at least an engine fuel consumption cost and a storage element lifetime cost. The method further involves causing power to be supplied by at least one of the engine and the motor in accordance with the selected apportionment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Publication number: 20140121879
    Abstract: An apparatus for selecting operating conditions of a genset, the apparatus including a processor circuit configured to select a set of operating points from a plurality of operating points of the genset each comprising an engine speed in a generator electrical output value and a plurality of cost values associated with operating the genset at respective operating points such that the sum of the cost values associated with the operating points in said set is minimized and such that the engine speed increases or decreases monotonically with monotonically increasing or decreasing electrical power output values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: MOSAID Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 8655570
    Abstract: An apparatus for selecting operating conditions of a genset, the apparatus including a processor circuit configured to select a set of operating points from a plurality of operating points of the genset each comprising an engine speed in a generator electrical output value and a plurality of cost values associated with operating the genset at respective operating points such that the sum of the cost values associated with the operating points in said set is minimized and such that the engine speed increases or decreases monotonically with monotonically increasing or decreasing electrical power output values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 8387730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an engine in a hybrid vehicle being driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The motor is operably configured to deliver mechanical power through an automatic transmission to at least one vehicle drive wheel to cause an acceleration of the vehicle. The method involves coupling the engine to the motor to cause an inertial load on the motor thus causing the motor to decelerate to a reduced rotational speed to provide a starting torque to the engine for starting the engine, and causing the automatic transmission to change gear ratio to a target gear ratio associated with the reduced rotational speed while causing the motor to decelerate, the motor being operable to deliver increased torque at the reduced rotational speed, thereby generally maintaining the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Azure Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Patent number: 8346416
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting optimal operating conditions of a genset is disclosed. The genset includes an engine coupled to an electrical power generator, the genset having a plurality of operating points each including an engine speed value and a generator electrical power output value, and having a plurality of cost values associated with operating the genset at respective operating points. The method involves selecting a set of operating points from the plurality of operating points such that a sum of cost values associated with operating points in the set is minimized and such that the engine speed and generator electrical power output values of the operating points in the set increase or decrease monotonically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Azure Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Nicolas Louis Bouchon