Patents by Inventor Alexandre Picard

Alexandre Picard 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: 11820011
    Abstract: An articulated robot arm comprises a plurality of skeleton links. Motorized joint units forming joints between adjacent ones of the skeleton links such that the skeleton links of the adjacent ones are rotatable relative to one another. One or more skin shells are provided for the skeleton links, the skin shell forming a non-structural skin around the at least one of the skeleton links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Joseph Caron L'Ecuyer, Jonathan Lussier, Mathiew Moineau-Dionne, Alexandre Picard
  • Patent number: 11584022
    Abstract: A mechanical finger for a mechanical hand, has: a proximal phalanx pivotably mountable to a support of the mechanical hand to pivot relative to the support about a finger pivot axis; a distal phalanx pivotably connected to the proximal phalanx via a first living hinge to pivot relative to the proximal phalanx about a first pivot axis; and a skeleton member pivotably connected at one end to the distal phalanx via a second living hinge to pivot relative to the distal phalanx about a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis and at another end operatively connected to an actuator of the mechanical hand to be selectively movable by the actuator to pivot the distal phalanx relative to the proximal phalanx and to pivot the distal phalanx relative to the support when the finger is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Duhamel, Jonathan Lussier, Mathiew Moineau-Dionne, Alexandre Picard
  • Patent number: 11007636
    Abstract: An assembly of links and motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises one or more pairs of links, each said link having a tubular body, at least one end of each of the tubular body being an open end having at least one connector. A motorized joint unit has a first portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a first of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the first of the links, a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion by actuation of the motorized joint unit, the second portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a second of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the second of the links. A protective sleeve has a tubular body rotatably mounted over the at least one connector of each of the first and the second link, the protective sleeve concealing the connectors and a joint between the pair of links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Louis Joseph Caron L'Ecuyer, Philippe Fauteux, Alexandre Picard, Sebastien Messier
  • Publication number: 20200361081
    Abstract: An articulated robot arm comprises a plurality of skeleton links. Motorized joint units forming joints between adjacent ones of the skeleton links such that the skeleton links of the adjacent ones are rotatable relative to one another. One or more skin shells are provided for the skeleton links, the skin shell forming a non-structural skin around the at least one of the skeleton links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Louis-Joseph CARON L'ECUYER, Jonathan LUSSIER, Mathiew MOINEAU-DIONE, Alexandre PICARD
  • Publication number: 20200361096
    Abstract: A mechanical finger for a mechanical hand, has: a proximal phalanx pivotably mountable to a support of the mechanical hand to pivot relative to the support about a finger pivot axis; a distal phalanx pivotably connected to the proximal phalanx via a first living hinge to pivot relative to the proximal phalanx about a first pivot axis; and a skeleton member pivotably connected at one end to the distal phalanx via a second living hinge to pivot relative to the distal phalanx about a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis and at another end operatively connected to an actuator of the mechanical hand to be selectively movable by the actuator to pivot the distal phalanx relative to the proximal phalanx and to pivot the distal phalanx relative to the support when the finger is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe DUHAMEL, Jonathan LUSSIER, Mathiew MOINEAU-DIONE, Alexandre PICARD
  • Publication number: 20200055181
    Abstract: An assembly of links and motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises one or more pairs of links, each said link having a tubular body, at least one end of each of the tubular body being an open end having at least one connector. A motorized joint unit has a first portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a first of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the first of the links, a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion by actuation of the motorized joint unit, the second portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a second of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the second of the links. A protective sleeve has a tubular body rotatably mounted over the at least one connector of each of the first and the second link, the protective sleeve concealing the connectors and a joint between the pair of links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Louis Joseph CARON L'ECUYER, Philippe FAUTEUX, Alexandre PICARD, Sebastien MESSIER
  • Patent number: 10464660
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aircraft blade is provided. The method includes attaching a fluid communicator to a plug tool connected to a blade plug, opening a passage in the blade plug using the plug tool, communicating fluid to or from a blade cavity through the passage using the fluid communicator, and sealing the passage in the blade plug using the plug tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Carvalho, Stephane Grimal, Pierre Alexandre Picard
  • Patent number: 10407158
    Abstract: A blade plug for an aircraft blade is provided. The blade plug includes a first body having a boss extending therefrom and an aperture passing through the boss, the first body configured to sealingly engage with an opening of a blade, a plug cap configured to releasably engage with the boss and move between a first position and a second position, and a passage passing through the first body configured to allow fluid communication through the first body. When the plug cap is in the first position, fluid may not pass through the passage and, when the plug cap is in the second position, fluid may pass through the passage, and the first body has an outer diameter of 4.15 inches (105.37 mm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Carvalho, Stephane Grimal, Pierre Alexandre Picard
  • Patent number: 10134306
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for simulating insertion of an elongated instrument attached to a tether into a structure. The apparatus comprises a casing having an aperture for receiving a distal end of the tether therethrough. The apparatus has a pulley having an outer tether receiving groove on a peripheral portion and an anchoring element therein for anchoring the distal end of the tether, the pulley rotating according to a longitudinal translation of the tether relatively to the casing. The apparatus has a sensing arrangement for sensing an angular position of the pulley representative of a relative longitudinal position of the elongated instrument. The apparatus has a feedback force actuator for applying an adjustable resistive force to a rotation of the pulley according to the sensed angular position and resistance characteristics of the structure. The present disclosure also relates to a medical insertion simulator comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CAE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Maxime Lavigueur, Alexandre Picard, Giuseppe Mallaci, Francois Caron
  • Patent number: 9754513
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for simulating insertion of an inner elongated instrument attached to a tether into a structure through an outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a carriage for mounting the outer elongated instrument, for translation according to a translation of the outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a pulley for anchoring a tether and rotating according to a longitudinal translation of the tether into the outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a feedback force actuator for applying an adjustable resistive force to a translation of the carriage according to the sensed longitudinal position of the carriage and resistance characteristics of the structure, and for further applying an adjustable resistive force to a rotation of the pulley according to the sensed angular position of the pulley and the resistance characteristics. The present disclosure also relates to a medical insertion simulator comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CAE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Maxime Lavigueur, Alexandre Picard, Giuseppe Mallaci, Francois Caron
  • Publication number: 20170249867
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for simulating insertion of an inner elongated instrument attached to a tether into a structure through an outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a carriage for mounting the outer elongated instrument, for translation according to a translation of the outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a pulley for anchoring a tether and rotating according to a longitudinal translation of the tether into the outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a feedback force actuator for applying an adjustable resistive force to a translation of the carriage according to the sensed longitudinal position of the carriage and resistance characteristics of the structure, and for further applying an adjustable resistive force to a rotation of the pulley according to the sensed angular position of the pulley and the resistance characteristics. The present disclosure also relates to a medical insertion simulator comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: CAE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Maxime LAVIGUEUR, Alexandre PICARD, Giuseppe MALLACI, Francois CARON
  • Publication number: 20170249866
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for simulating insertion of an elongated instrument attached to a tether into a structure. The apparatus comprises a casing having an aperture for receiving a distal end of the tether therethrough. The apparatus has a pulley having an outer tether receiving groove on a peripheral portion and an anchoring element therein for anchoring the distal end of the tether, the pulley rotating according to a longitudinal translation of the tether relatively to the casing. The apparatus has a sensing arrangement for sensing an angular position of the pulley representative of a relative longitudinal position of the elongated instrument. The apparatus has a feedback force actuator for applying an adjustable resistive force to a rotation of the pulley according to the sensed angular position and resistance characteristics of the structure. The present disclosure also relates to a medical insertion simulator comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: CAE HEALTHCARE CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Maxime LAVIGUEUR, Alexandre PICARD, Giuseppe MALLACI, Francois CARON
  • Publication number: 20170249865
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for simulating insertion of an elongated instrument into a structure. The apparatus comprises a casing having an aperture for receiving a distal end of the elongated instrument therethrough and a longitudinal guide fixedly mounted in the casing. The apparatus has a carriage for mounting the distal end of the elongated instrument, the carriage being slidably mounted onto the longitudinal guide for translation therealong according to a translation of the elongated instrument through the aperture of the casing. The apparatus comprises a carriage position sensing element for sensing a longitudinal position of the carriage and a feedback force actuator for applying an adjustable resistive force to a translation of the carriage on the longitudinal guide according to the sensed position of the carriage and resistance characteristics of the structure. The present disclosure also relates to a medical insertion simulator comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Maxime LAVIGUEUR, Alexandre PICARD, Giuseppe MALLACI, Francois CARON
  • Publication number: 20160318598
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aircraft blade is provided. The method includes attaching a fluid communicator to a plug tool connected to a blade plug, opening a passage in the blade plug using the plug tool, communicating fluid to or from a blade cavity through the passage using the fluid communicator, and sealing the passage in the blade plug using the plug tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Paul A. Carvalho, Stephane Grimal, Pierre Alexandre Picard
  • Publication number: 20160318599
    Abstract: A blade plug for an aircraft blade is provided. The blade plug includes a first body having a boss extending therefrom and an aperture passing through the boss, the first body configured to sealingly engage with an opening of a blade, a plug cap configured to releasably engage with the boss and move between a first position and a second position, and a passage passing through the first body configured to allow fluid communication through the first body. When the plug cap is in the first position, fluid may not pass through the passage and, when the plug cap is in the second position, fluid may pass through the passage, and the first body has an outer diameter of 4.15 inches (105.37 mm).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Paul A. Carvalho, Stephane Grimal, Pierre Alexandre Picard
  • Patent number: 9121352
    Abstract: A device for purging a feed device that supplies liquid fuel to a gas turbine includes a combustion chamber that can be supplied alternately with gaseous and liquid fuel, and a purge air circuit that includes a manifold to distribute air to the combustion chamber, and at least one valve for regulating the air pressure in the purge air circuit. The purge device includes an electronic control unit that makes it possible to regulate the air pressure and flow rate in the purge air circuit according to the mode of operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GE Energy Products France SNC
    Inventors: Pierre Montagne, Daniel Deloge, Alexandre Picard, Olivier Chapuis, Benoît Gartner
  • Publication number: 20120137699
    Abstract: Device for purging a feed device (12) that supplies liquid fuel to a gas turbine comprising a combustion chamber (7) that can be supplied alternately with gaseous and liquid fuel, comprising a purge air circuit (17) comprising a manifold (21) able to distribute the air to the combustion chamber (7), and at least one air pressure regulating means (19) for regulating the air pressure in the purge circuit (17). The purge device comprises an electronic control unit (26) that makes it possible to regulate the air pressure and flow rate in the purge circuit (17) according to the mode of operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: GE ENERGY PRODUCTS FRANCE SNC
    Inventors: Pierre Montagne, Daniel Deloge, Alexandre Picard, Olivier Chapuis, Benoît Gartner
  • Patent number: D958859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Alexandre Picard, Mathiew Moineau-Dione
  • Patent number: D979626
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Alexandre Picard, Mathiew Moineau-Dionne
  • Patent number: D1006081
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Rouayroux, Manuel Leveille, Romain Zolfo, Mathiew Moineau-Dionne, Alexandre Picard, Louis-Joseph Caron L'ecuyer, Yanick Laliberte