Patents by Inventor Alain MISTRAL

Alain MISTRAL 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: 9969509
    Abstract: A structure comprises at least two unfurling panels and a spacing and knock prevention device intended to prevent the panels from knocking together when they are furled against one another. The knock prevention device comprises a holder fixed to the first panel, a cap forming a buffer against which the second panel bears in a bearing direction, and a damper disposed in a space formed between the holder and the cap. The cap and the holder form two elements. A first of the two elements comprises at least one lug. The second of the two elements comprises at least one housing intended to receive the lug. The cap is configured such that the lug passes into the housing by elastic deformation of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Alain Mistral, Silvain Legrand, Gael Blons
  • Patent number: 9206872
    Abstract: A structure comprises at least two unfurling panels and a knock prevention device intended to prevent the panels from knocking together when they are furled against one another. The knock prevention device comprises a one-piece element comprising two plates and arms connecting the two plates. A first of the two plates is fixed to the first panel. A second of the two plates forms a buffer against which the second panel comes to rest. The arms form an elastic element between the two plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Alain Mistral, Silvain Legrand, Gael Blons
  • Publication number: 20150260214
    Abstract: A washer, intended to be used in a screwed assembly, comprises two opposing faces, the washer being intended to be compressed between its two faces in the assembly. The washer comprises two materials both extending from one face to the other. A first of the two materials has a lower stiffness than a second of the two materials. The stiffnesses of the two materials are defined in such a way as to allow the first material to deform in its elastic domain and the second material to deform in its plastic domain. A method of assembling mechanical components using the washer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Alain MISTRAL, Silvain LEGRAND, Yves ALABREBIS
  • Publication number: 20150166199
    Abstract: A structure comprises at least two unfurling panels and a spacing and knock prevention device intended to prevent the panels from knocking together when they are furled against one another. The knock prevention device comprises a holder fixed to the first panel, a cap forming a buffer against which the second panel bears in a bearing direction, and a damper disposed in a space formed between the holder and the cap. The cap and the holder form two elements. A first of the two elements comprises at least one lug. The second of the two elements comprises at least one housing intended to receive the lug. The cap is configured such that the lug passes into the housing by elastic deformation of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Alain MISTRAL, Silvain LEGRAND, Gael BLONS
  • Patent number: 8920593
    Abstract: The method and device provided herein relates to the field of screwed joints for panels and, in particular, for sandwich panels used in aerospace applications. It relates to a method for attaching a headless rivet nut to a wall of such a panel. The method comprises: injecting a predetermined quantity of adhesive into a blind hole made in the wall of the panel; fitting the headless rivet nut onto a rivet nut setting tool, the rivet nut setting tool comprising a pierced anvil and a mandrel passing through the anvil, the mandrel being screwed into the rivet nut so as to press the rivet nut onto the anvil; positioning the headless rivet nut in the blind hole, the anvil coming to press against the wall of the panel; setting the rivet nut so as to squeeze the wall of the panel between the anvil and a flange formed by deformation of the rivet nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Silvain Legrand, Alain Mistral, Damien Legloire
  • Publication number: 20140175720
    Abstract: A structure comprises at least two unfurling panels and a knock prevention device intended to prevent the panels from knocking together when they are furled against one another. The knock prevention device comprises a one-piece element comprising two plates and arms connecting the two plates. A first of the two plates is fixed to the first panel. A second of the two plates forms a buffer against which the second panel comes to rest. The arms form an elastic element between the two plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Alain MISTRAL, Silvain LEGRAND, Gael BLONS
  • Publication number: 20130284343
    Abstract: The method and device provided herein relates to the field of screwed joints for panels and, in particular, for sandwich panels used in aerospace applications. It relates to a method for attaching a headless rivet nut to a wall of such a panel. The method comprises: injecting a predetermined quantity of adhesive into a blind hole made in the wall of the panel; fitting the headless rivet nut onto a rivet nut setting tool, the rivet nut setting tool comprising a pierced anvil and a mandrel passing through the anvil, the mandrel being screwed into the rivet nut so as to press the rivet nut onto the anvil; positioning the headless rivet nut in the blind hole, the anvil coming to press against the wall of the panel; setting the rivet nut so as to squeeze the wall of the panel between the anvil and a flange formed by deformation of the rivet nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Silvain LEGRAND, Alain MISTRAL, Damien LEGLOIRE