Patents by Inventor Pierre-Alain Magne

Pierre-Alain Magne 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: 10065635
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine and electric motors each coupled to a wheel of a rear axle by a coupling device, and an electronic control unit connected to sensors, to a mechanism selecting a propulsion mode and also to the internal combustion engine and to the electric motors. The method includes: depending on running conditions of the vehicle and depending on the selected propulsion mode, controlling the coupling devices, controlling operation of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors, and controlling torque of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Ahmed Ketfi-Cherif, Hoang-Giang Nguyen, Christophe Dang-Van-Nhan, Jean Van-Frank, Jean-Louis Linda, Pierre Alain Magne
  • Publication number: 20170043763
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine and electric motors each coupled to a wheel of a rear axle by a coupling device, and an electronic control unit connected to sensors, to a mechanism selecting a propulsion mode and also to the internal combustion engine and to the electric motors. The method includes: depending on running conditions of the vehicle and depending on the selected propulsion mode, controlling the coupling devices, controlling operation of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors, and controlling torque of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Ahmed KETFI-CHERIF, Hoang-Giang NGUYEN, Christophe DANG-VAN-NHAN, Jean VAN-FRANK, Jean-Louis LINDA, Pierre Alain MAGNE
  • Patent number: 9461454
    Abstract: A connection device 3 for connecting a battery 2 to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one input 3a capable of being connected to a terminal of the battery and an output 3b capable of being connected to a first terminal of an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The device 3 also comprises an electrical-circuit cutoff device 8 mounted in series between the input 3a and the output 3b of the connection device 3. The cutoff device 8 comprises a pyrotechnic igniter connected to control terminals, the electrical opening of the cutoff device 8 being controlled by an electrical control signal applied to the said control terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ESTABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Auguet, Pierre-Alain Magne
  • Publication number: 20150307086
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine and electric motors each coupled to a wheel of a rear axle by a coupling device, and an electronic control unit connected to sensors, to a mechanism selecting a propulsion mode and also to the internal combustion engine and to the electric motors. The method includes: depending on running conditions of the vehicle and depending on the selected propulsion mode, controlling the coupling devices, controlling operation of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors, and controlling torque of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Ahmed KETFI-CHERIF, Hoang-Giang NGUYEN, Christophe DANG-VAN-NHAN, Jean VAN-FRANK, Jean-Louis LINDA, Pierre Alain MAGNE
  • Patent number: 9132734
    Abstract: A device for connection 3 of a battery 2 to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one input 3a capable of being connected to a first terminal 2a of the battery and at least one output 3b capable of being connected to a first terminal of an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The device 3 also comprises: a device for measuring the voltage 7 between the first terminal 2a of the battery and a reference potential 15, and a control unit 14 capable of receiving the voltage values measured by the voltage-measuring device 7, capable of determining an insulation resistance between the first terminal 2a of the battery and the reference potential 15, and capable of connecting or keeping connected the first terminal 2a of the battery and the first terminal of the electrical circuit if said insulation resistance is greater than a determined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Auguet, Pierre-Alain Magne, Olivier Joye
  • Publication number: 20140361612
    Abstract: An inverter, which drives an electric motor installed in a road vehicle, includes sensors, a storage apparatus, a power calculator, a difference calculator, and a torque corrector. The sensors measure a voltage and a current within the inverter. The storage apparatus records values measured during a mechanical revolution of the electric motor. Following an electric revolution, the power calculator calculates instantaneous electric powers and a mean electric power based on the recorded values. The difference calculator calculates a mean value of a difference based on the instantaneous electric powers and the mean electric power. The torque corrector corrects a torque ripple in a case in which the mean value of the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Pierre Alain Magne, Jean-Louis Linda
  • Patent number: 8907612
    Abstract: A driving inverter for a multi-phase electric motor includes an alternating current (AC) generator, at least one AC sensor, a power supply line, a current sensor, an input, and a controller. The AC delivers current to a terminal block that is connectable to the phases of the electric motor. The at least one AC sensor is arranged on a certain phase or certain phases powering the electric motor. The current sensor is arranged on the power supply line and senses a current thereon. The input receives information that includes a torque demand setpoint and at least one limit current value of a power source. The controller drives phase currents of the electric motor according to the torque demand setpoint and by keeping the current of the power supply line at an acceptable value according to the at least one limit current value of the power source. With the arrangement of the driving inverter, a maximum current can always be imposed on the power source with no risk of degrading it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Linda, Pierre Alain Magne, Cédric Savio
  • Publication number: 20140346985
    Abstract: An inverter, which drives an electric motor installed in a road vehicle, includes sensors, a storage apparatus, a power calculator, a torque calculator, a deviation calculator, and a torque corrector. The sensors measure at least one voltage and at least one current within the inverter. The storage apparatus records values measured during an electric revolution of the motor. Following the electric revolution, the power calculator calculates a mean electric power based on the recorded values. From the mean electric power and a rotational speed of the motor during the electric revolution, the torque calculator calculates a torque produced on an output shaft of the motor, The deviation calculator determines a deviation between the torque produced on the output shaft and a setpoint torque of the inverter. When an absolute value of the deviation is greater than a predetermined threshold, the torque corrector makes a torque correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Pierre Alain Magne, Jean-Louis Linda
  • Publication number: 20140252997
    Abstract: A device is provided for controlling and supplying power to a multi-phase electric motor powered by a main battery. The device includes an electronic power module, a drive module, and a monitoring unit. The electronic power module supplies power from the main battery to phases of the motor. The drive module supplies electric drive signals to transistors of the electronic power module. The monitoring unit supplies drive instructions, which define chopping ratios of the transistors of the electronic power module, to the drive module. The drive module is electrically powered by a connector that includes a relay capable of instantaneously interrupting supply of power to the drive module, in order to stop the motor, without interrupting supply of power to the monitoring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Patrice Cavin, Ruben André Nunes Espirito Santo, Pierre-Alain Magne
  • Publication number: 20130307327
    Abstract: A connection device 3 for connecting a battery 2 to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one input 3a capable of being connected to a terminal of the battery and an output 3b capable of being connected to a first terminal of an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The device 3 also comprises an electrical-circuit cutoff device 8 mounted in series between the input 3a and the output 3b of the connection device 3. The cutoff device 8 comprises a pyrotechnic igniter connected to control terminals, the electrical opening of the cutoff device 8 being controlled by an electrical control signal applied to the said control terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Thierry Auguet, Pierre-Alain Magne
  • Publication number: 20130229742
    Abstract: A device for connection 3 of a battery 2 to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one input 3a capable of being connected to a first terminal 2a of the battery and at least one output 3b capable of being connected to a first terminal of an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The device 3 also comprises: a device for measuring the voltage 7 between the first terminal 2a of the battery and a reference potential 15, and a control unit 14 capable of receiving the voltage values measured by the voltage-measuring device 7, capable of determining an insulation resistance between the first terminal 2a of the battery and the reference potential 15, and capable of connecting or keeping connected the first terminal 2a of the battery and the first terminal of the electrical circuit if said insulation resistance is greater than a determined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Thierry Auguet, Pierre-Alain Magne, Olivier Joye
  • Publication number: 20120249044
    Abstract: A driving inverter for a multi-phase electric motor includes an alternating current (AC) generator, at least one AC sensor, a power supply line, a current sensor, an input, and a controller. The AC delivers current to a terminal block that is connectable to the phases of the electric motor. The at least one AC sensor is arranged on a certain phase or certain phases powering the electric motor. The current sensor is arranged on the power supply line and senses a current thereon. The input receives information that includes a torque demand setpoint and at least one limit current value of a power source. The controller drives phase currents of the electric motor according to the torque demand setpoint and by keeping the current of the power supply line at an acceptable value according to the at least one limit current value of the power source. With the arrangement of the driving inverter, a maximum current can always be imposed on the power source with no risk of degrading it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Linda, Pierre Alain Magne, Cédric Savio
  • Patent number: 7169077
    Abstract: A vehicle has at least two driving wheels, each driven by an electric motor M via a gear change mechanism having at least two reduction gears. A sensor senses the rotation speed of the driving wheels. The gear change on the two driving wheels is carried out in an initial phase by: (a) releasing the current gear on a driving wheel referred to as the “operated” wheel, and stopping it in the neutral position, (b) changing the revolution speed of the motor so as to synchronize it as a function of the reduction of the gear to be engaged on the operated wheel, using as an estimate of the speed to-be-reached a speed information item obtained from another driving wheel, referred to as the “sensor” wheel, and (c) engaging the intended gear on the “operated” wheel. Then, in a successive phase, the gear on the other driving wheel is changed in the same manner by reversing the roles of the sensor wheel and the operated wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Conception et Developpment Michelin S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Laurent, Pierre Varenne, Pierre Alain Magne
  • Patent number: 7165640
    Abstract: Traction chain for an automobile vehicle including a wheel support (K) which supports a rotating hub designed to receive a drive wheel (W), and a rotating toothed wheel having the same rotation axis as that of the drive wheel, the toothed wheel meshing directly with the hub. At least two gear-wheels are permanently engaged with the toothed wheel and are rotated by an input shaft that is driven by an electric motor. A gear ratio change shifter mechanism is shiftable between first and second driving positions and a neutral non-driving position. In the first driving position the shifter mechanism directly connects the input shaft with one of the gear-wheels. In the second driving position the shifter mechanism indirectly connects the input shaft with the other gear-wheel through a transmission path which establishes a gear reduction ratio different from the gear ratio established by the direct connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Conception et Developpement Michelin
    Inventors: Daniel Laurent, David Olsommer, Pierre Varenne, Pierre-Alain Magne
  • Patent number: 6708094
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension device for controlling the vertical deflection between a suspended mass and a non-suspended mass, including an elastic link mounted between the suspended mass and the non-suspended mass, the said elastic link embodying a spring, a reversible electric actuator acting in parallel with the spring for controlling the relative-deflection movements between suspended mass and non-suspended mass, Zcr being the distance between the suspended mass and the non-suspended mass, and means for controlling the electric actuator, from an observed variation of the distance Zcr between the suspended mass and the non-suspended mass due to a deflection of the elastic link, in order that the electric actuator develops a force F having a mass compensation component F1=Ca·Mr·Acr oriented like the acceleration Acr of the deflection of the non-suspended mass with respect to the suspended mass, with Mr being the non-suspended mass and Ca a coefficient, and having a damping component F2=&
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Charaudeau, Pierre Alain Magne
  • Publication number: 20040007406
    Abstract: Traction chain for an automobile vehicle, comprising a wheel support (K) which supports a rotating hub designed to receive a drive wheel (W) and which realizes a rotation axis for the said drive wheel, a rotating toothed wheel (3) having the same rotation axis as that of the said drive wheel, the toothed wheel meshing directly with the hub, an arrangement comprising at least two gear-wheels permanently engaged with the said toothed wheel, comprising an electric motor (M), and comprising a gear ratio change mechanism with a neutral position between ratios, controlled by a fork which is itself controlled by a motorized reduction unit 12. The mechanism comprises a direct mesh between the input shaft and one of the gear wheels, and comprises at least one other mechanical transmission path with a different reduction ratio from the direct mesh between the input shaft and the other gear-wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Laurent, David Olsommer, Pierre Varenne, Pierre-Alain Magne
  • Publication number: 20020084599
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension device for controlling the vertical deflection between a suspended mass and a non-suspended mass, including an elastic link mounted between the suspended mass and the non-suspended mass, the said elastic link embodying a spring, a reversible electric actuator acting in parallel with the spring for controlling the relative-deflection movements between suspended mass and non-suspended mass, Zcr being the distance between the suspended mass and the non-suspended mass, and means for controlling the electric actuator, from an observed variation of the distance Zcr between the suspended mass and the non-suspended mass due to a deflection of the elastic link, in order that the electric actuator develops a force F having a mass compensation component F1=Ca·Mr·Acr oriented like the acceleration Acr of the deflection of the non-suspended mass with respect to the suspended mass, with Mr being the non-suspended mass and Ca a coefficient, and having a damping component F2=&
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Charaudeau, Pierre Alain Magne