Patents by Inventor Simon Foucault
Simon Foucault 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).
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Patent number: 10759634Abstract: An electromechanical system operates through physical interaction with an operator, and includes a plurality of joints providing multiple degrees of freedom (DOF), including actuated joints and unactuated joints. The unactuated joints are distal with respect to the actuated joints and are in redundant DOF to the actuated joints. The system includes a plurality of actuators each configured to actuate one or more of the actuated joints, and a plurality of sensors each positioned with respect to a respective one of the actuated and unactuated joints. Each sensor is configured to measure corresponding joint data indicative of a position or angle of the respective actuated or unactuated joints. A controller in communication with the sensors receives the measured joint data as feedback signals, generates control signals using the feedback signals, and transmits the control signals to the actuators to thereby control an actuation state of the actuators.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Université LavalInventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Clement Gosselin, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Pascal Labrecque, James W. Wells, Jerome Landure
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Patent number: 10626963Abstract: An articulated compliance mechanism for use with a support structure includes a carriage and a pair of parallel four-bar linkage arrangements. The arrangements collectively have a first set of links configured to rigidly connect to the support structure, a second set of links rotatably coupled to the carriage a distance from the first set of links, and a third set of links rotatably coupled to and spanning the distance. The compliance mechanism supports and provides the carriage, e.g., a rectangular shaped frame, with a stable equilibrium point using a gravitational restoring force, and provides the carriage with a passive translational degree of freedom along a horizontal axis in response to an input force from an operator. An additional compliance mechanism may be serially connected to provide a passive translational degree of freedom along a vertical axis. A system includes the compliance mechanism and support structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Université LavalInventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Clément Gosselin, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Pascal Labrecque, James W. Wells
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Publication number: 20180079629Abstract: An electromechanical system operates through physical interaction with an operator, and includes a plurality of joints providing multiple degrees of freedom (DOF), including actuated joints and unactuated joints. The unactuated joints are distal with respect to the actuated joints and are in redundant DOF to the actuated joints. The system includes a plurality of actuators each configured to actuate one or more of the actuated joints, and a plurality of sensors each positioned with respect to a respective one of the actuated and unactuated joints. Each sensor is configured to measure corresponding joint data indicative of a position or angle of the respective actuated or unactuated joints. A controller in communication with the sensors receives the measured joint data as feedback signals, generates control signals using the feedback signals, and transmits the control signals to the actuators to thereby control an actuation state of the actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Université LavalInventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Clement Gosselin, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Pascal Labrecque, James W. Wells, Jerome Landure
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Patent number: 9850108Abstract: A movement device is moved along an X axis and a Y axis by providing a sensor configured to measure angle of rotation of at least one of a first and a second kinematic link about a respective axis of rotation. A force is imparted on the first and second kinematic links such that an angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is achieved. The angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is determined. The movement device is moved along the X axis and/or the Y axis in response to the determination of the angle of rotation of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation until first and second kinematic links are vertical.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Universite LavalInventors: Dalong Gao, Alexandre Lecours, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Clement Gosselin, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Roland J. Menassa, Pierre-Luc Belzile
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Publication number: 20170183202Abstract: A movement device is moved along an X axis and a Y axis by providing a sensor configured to measure angle of rotation of at least one of a first and a second kinematic link about a respective axis of rotation. A force is imparted on the first and second kinematic links such that an angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is achieved. The angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is determined. The movement device is moved along the X axis and/or the Y axis in response to the determination of the angle of rotation of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation until first and second kinematic links are vertical.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Univesite LavalInventors: Dalong Gao, Alexandre Lecours, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Clement Gosselin, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Roland J. Menassa, Pierre-Luc Belzile
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Patent number: 9630815Abstract: A movement device is moved along an X axis and a Y axis by providing a sensor configured to measure angle of rotation of at least one of a first and a second kinematic link about a respective axis of rotation. A force is imparted on the first and second kinematic links such that an angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is achieved. The angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is determined. The movement device is moved along the X axis and/or the Y axis in response to the determination of the angle of rotation of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation until first and second kinematic links are vertical.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Universite LavalInventors: Dalong Gao, Alexandre Lecours, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Clement Gosselin, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Roland J. Menassa, Pierre-Luc Belzile
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Publication number: 20170108098Abstract: An articulated compliance mechanism for use with a support structure includes a carriage and a pair of parallel four-bar linkage arrangements. The arrangements collectively have a first set of links configured to rigidly connect to the support structure, a second set of links rotatably coupled to the carriage a distance from the first set of links, and a third set of links rotatably coupled to and spanning the distance. The compliance mechanism supports and provides the carriage, e.g., a rectangular shaped frame, with a stable equilibrium point using a gravitational restoring force, and provides the carriage with a passive translational degree of freedom along a horizontal axis in response to an input force from an operator. An additional compliance mechanism may be serially connected to provide a passive translational degree of freedom along a vertical axis. A system includes the compliance mechanism and support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Université LavalInventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Clément Gosselin, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Pascal Labrecque, James W. Wells
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Patent number: 9266440Abstract: A robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle includes a base plate, a riser coupled with the base plate and extending substantially transverse to the base plate, and a robotic arm. The robotic arm extends from the riser and supports an end effector. The end effector includes a plurality of electrical contacts configured to couple with a receptacle disposed on the electric vehicle. The robotic arm is configured to move the end effector in three degrees of motion.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Universite LavalInventors: Dalong Gao, Neil David McKay, Matthew J Reiland, Simon Foucault, Marc-Antoine LaCasse, Thierry Laliberte, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Alexandre Lecours, Clement Gosselin, David E. Milburn, Linda Y. Harkenrider
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Patent number: 8985354Abstract: A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Univerersite LavalInventors: Alexandre Lecours, Simon Foucault, Thierry Laliberte, Clement Gosselin, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Dalong Gao, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 8644980Abstract: The cable lift system provides assistance to movement of a flexibly suspended payload actuated by operator input into one or more sensing devices attached to the payload. The sensing device is configured to collect information about the typical push-pull and lift-lower motions of an operator moving the payload horizontally and/or vertically, such that the operator's input to the sensor is intuitive and is provided in a manner which is substantially transparent to the operator. The assist mechanisms included in the system are actuated by a controller processing signals received from the one or more sensing devices on the payload. Movement assistance is provided such that the manual effort required by the operator to overcome the inertia of the payload in a starting or stopping event is substantially relieved, thus minimizing the ergonomic impact of the starting and stopping events on the operator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Universite LavalInventors: Dalong Gao, Diana Marie Wegner, Roland J. Menassa, Alexandre Lecours, Clement Gosselin, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Vincent Duchaine
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Publication number: 20130076902Abstract: A robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle includes a base plate, a riser coupled with the base plate and extending substantially transverse to the base plate, and a robotic arm. The robotic arm extends from the riser and supports an end effector. The end effector includes a plurality of electrical contacts configured to couple with a receptacle disposed on the electric vehicle. The robotic arm is configured to move the end effector in three degrees of motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicants: Universite Laval, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dalong Gao, Neil David Mc Kay, Matthew J. Reiland, Simon Foucault, Marc-Antoine Lacasse, Thierry Laliberte, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Alexandre Lecours, Clement Gosselin, David E. Milburn, Linda Y. Harkenrider
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Patent number: 8181799Abstract: An actuation system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and an end effector and is configured for moving a payload. A first actuator is operatively connected to the bridge crane. The bridge crane is configured for moving along an X axis in response to the first actuator being actuated. The trolley extends from the bridge crane. A second actuator is operatively connected to the trolley. The trolley is configured for moving along a Y axis in response to the second actuator being actuated. The end effector extends from the trolley and is configured for supporting a payload. A third actuator is operatively connected to the end effector. The end effector is configured for rotating about the Z axis in response to the third actuator being actuated to rotate the end effector. Each actuator is disposed in spaced relationship to the bridge crane, the trolley, and the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Universite LavalInventors: Thierry Laliberte, Clement Gosselin, Simon Foucault, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Dalong Gao, Robert J. Scheuerman
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Patent number: 7992733Abstract: An assist system is configured for moving a mass vertically, along a Z axis. The assist system includes a vertical actuation system, a cable, a plurality of pulleys, an actuator, and a mass. The pulleys are operatively attached to the support structure and an assist device that is movable attached to the support structure. The cable is routed around each of the pulleys and attached to the support structure. One of the pulleys supports the mass. The mass moves vertically in response to the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thierry Laliberte, Clement Gosselin, Simon Foucault, Dalong Gao, Robert J. Scheuerman
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Publication number: 20110127230Abstract: An assist system is configured for moving a mass vertically, along a Z axis. The assist system includes a vertical actuation system, a cable, a plurality of pulleys, an actuator, and a mass. The pulleys are operatively attached to the support structure and an assist device that is movable attached to the support structure. The cable is routed around each of the pulleys and attached to the support structure. One of the pulleys supports the mass. The mass moves vertically in response to the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., Universite LavalInventors: Thierry Laliberte, Clement Gosselin, Simon Foucault, Dalong Gao, Robert J. Scheuerman
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Publication number: 20110130862Abstract: The cable lift system provides assistance to movement of a flexibly suspended payload actuated by operator input into one or more sensing devices attached to the payload. The sensing device is configured to collect information about the typical push-pull and lift-lower motions of an operator moving the payload horizontally and/or vertically, such that the operator's input to the sensor is intuitive and is provided in a manner which is substantially transparent to the operator. The assist mechanisms included in the system are actuated by a controller processing signals received from the one or more sensing devices on the payload. Movement assistance is provided such that the manual effort required by the operator to overcome the inertia of the payload in a starting or stopping event is substantially relieved, thus minimizing the ergonomic impact of the starting and stopping events on the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., Universite LavalInventors: Dalong Gao, Diana Marie Wegner, Roland J. Menassa, Alexandre Lecours, Clement Gosselin, Thierry Laliberte, Simon Foucault, Vincent Duchaine
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Publication number: 20110127229Abstract: An actuation system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and an end effector and is configured for moving a payload. A first actuator is operatively connected to the bridge crane. The bridge crane is configured for moving along an X axis in response to the first actuator being actuated. The trolley extends from the bridge crane. A second actuator is operatively connected to the trolley. The trolley is configured for moving along a Y axis in response to the second actuator being actuated. The end effector extends from the trolley and is configured for supporting a payload. A third actuator is operatively connected to the end effector. The end effector is configured for rotating about the Z axis in response to the third actuator being actuated to rotate the end effector. Each actuator is disposed in spaced relationship to the bridge crane, the trolley, and the end effector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Thierry Laliberte, Clement Gosselin, Simon Foucault, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Dalong Gao, Robert J. Scheuerman