Abstract: A method of controlling a supercapacitor energy storage unit (12), included in a motor vehicle micro-hybrid system, is disclosed. The storage unit is suitable for performing the functions of an alternator, starter and automatic stop-restart of the vehicle heat engine, regenerative braking and torque assistance. The energy storage unit (12) is a plurality of supercapacitor elementary cells connected in series (C1 to C10) and capable of delivering information (Vmax, Temp and DeltaV) on its internal status. The method includes various stages of: comparing a maximum elementary voltage (Vmax) with a first voltage threshold (Vmax1); comparing a temperature (Temp) with at least one temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.); and, deciding on limitations of the availability of functions of the unit when the (Vmax) information reaches threshold (Vmax1) for a predetermined duration (T) and/or when the (Temp) information reaches the temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.).

Abstract: A method of controlling a supercapacitor energy storage unit (12), included in a motor vehicle micro-hybrid system, is disclosed. The storage unit is suitable for performing the functions of an alternator, starter and automatic stop-restart of the vehicle heat engine, regenerative braking and torque assistance. The energy storage unit (12) is a plurality of supercapacitor elementary cells connected in series (C1 to C10) and capable of delivering information (Vmax, Temp and DeltaV) on its internal status. The method includes various stages of: comparing a temperature (Temp) with at least one temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.); and, deciding on limitations of the availability of functions of the unit when the (Temp) information reaches the temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.).

Abstract: A method for dismantling a device including at least one article at least partially embedded in a resin, the article including a body and a housing at least partially surrounding the body, the housing being at least partially in contact with the resin, wherein the method includes extracting the body from the housing, the housing remaining attached to the resin upon the extraction of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy storage device, particularly for an automobile, that comprises: an assembly (2) of serially-connected energy storage cells; a balancing circuit adapted for balancing the cells during the discharge thereof by enabling the flow of one or more balancing currents in one or more cells of the assembly (2); optionally a diagnosis system (61) for providing at least one piece of information associated with at least one cell in the assembly; wherein the balancing circuit (10; 41) is adapted for controlling the balancing current(s) based at least on external information independent from the energy-storage cell assembly and/or information associated with at least one of the cells and provided by the optional diagnosis system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a supercapacitor energy storage unit (12), included in a motor vehicle micro-hybrid system, is disclosed. The storage unit is suitable for performing the functions of an alternator, starter and automatic stop-restart of the vehicle heat engine, regenerative braking and torque assistance. The energy storage unit (12) is a plurality of supercapacitor elementary cells connected in series (C1 to C10) and capable of delivering information (Vmax, Temp and DeltaV) on its internal status. The method includes various stages of: comparing a temperature (Temp) with at least one temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.); and, deciding on limitations of the availability of functions of the unit when the (Temp) information reaches the temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.).

Abstract: A method of controlling a supercapacitor energy storage unit (12), included in a motor vehicle micro-hybrid system, is disclosed. The storage unit is suitable for performing the functions of an alternator, starter and automatic stop-restart of the vehicle heat engine, regenerative braking and torque assistance. The energy storage unit (12) is a plurality of supercapacitor elementary cells connected in series (C1 to C10) and capable of delivering information (Vmax, Temp and DeltaV) on its internal status. The method includes various stages of: comparing a maximum elementary voltage (Vmax) with a first voltage threshold (Vmax1); comparing a temperature (Temp) with at least one temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.); and, deciding on limitations of the availability of functions of the unit when the (Vmax) information reaches threshold (Vmax1) for a predetermined duration (T) and/or when the (Temp) information reaches the temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.).

Abstract: A method for dismantling a device including at least one article at least partially embedded in a resin, the article including a body and a housing at least partially surrounding the body, the housing being at least partially in contact with the resin, wherein the method includes extracting the body from the housing, the housing remaining attached to the resin upon the extraction of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy storage device, particularly for an automobile, that comprises: an assembly (2) of serially-connected energy storage cells; a balancing circuit adapted for balancing the cells during the discharge thereof by enabling the flow of one or more balancing currents in one or more cells of the assembly (2); optionally a diagnosis system (61) for providing at least one piece of information associated with at least one cell in the assembly; wherein the balancing circuit (10; 41) is adapted for controlling the balancing current(s) based at least on external information independent from the energy-storage cell assembly and/or information associated with at least one of the cells and provided by the optional diagnosis system.

Abstract: A method for using an electromagnetic retarder of the type that comprises a current generator. The method relates to an electromagnetic retarder including a stator bearing the primary coils (8) of a current generator and a rotary shaft (7) bearing the secondary windings (5) of the generator and field coils (13) which are electrically powered by the secondary coils (5) via a current rectifier (15) borne by the rotary shaft (7). The method consists in injecting a direct current into the primary coils (8), the direct current having an intensity that increases gradually up to a nominal value over a pre-determined minimum period. The method is suitable for electromagnetic retarders which are intended for vehicles such as trucks.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electromagnetic retarder comprising a current generator into which an excitation current is injected. The method consists in determining a maximum allowable intensity (Im) of the excitation current to be injected into the stator primary coils of the retarder which includes a shaft bearing secondary windings and field coils which are supplied by the secondary windings, said primary coils and secondary windings forming the generator. The retarder includes a jacket inside which the field coils generate Foucault currents and a circuit for the liquid cooling of said jacket. More specifically, the method consists in determining the maximum allowable intensity in real time, such as to reach a critical temperature of the cylindrical jacket and determining said critical temperature taking account of a temperature value of the coolant. The method is suitable for retarders that are intended for vehicles such as heavy vehicles.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunction in an electromagnetic retarder. More specifically, the method relates to a retarder comprising: stator primary coils (8); a control unit (19) for injecting a current into the primary coils (8), the current having an intensity corresponding to an intensity set value (Ci); a sensor (21) which delivers a signal that is representative of an effective intensity value (Ie) of the current passing through the primary coils (8); and a shaft (7) bearing secondary windings (5) defining several phases and field coils (13), as well as a current rectifier (5) which is disposed between the secondary windings (5A, 5B, 5C) and the field coils (13). The method consists in comparing the intensity set value (Ci) and the effective intensity (Ie) in the control unit (19) in order to identify a fault in the event that the intensity set value (Ci) and the effective intensity (Ie) differ by an amount greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electromagnetic retarder intended to be used in the field of motor vehicles, in particular in the field of industrial vehicles such as heavy goods lorries, buses and coaches. However, the use of an electromagnetic retarder is not limited to a particular category of motor vehicle classed according to their use or weight. On the contrary, the electromagnetic retarder according to the invention can be used also for vans and other light motor vehicles, as the description will subsequently show. For this reason, the present invention will be described with reference to motor vehicles in general, without distinction.

Abstract: A deflector for an electromagnetic retarder including a rotary shaft with a fan for circulating a cooling gas to the induction coils which are intended, upon command, to generate Foucault currents in a stator surrounding the rotary shaft and the induction coils. The inventive deflector (1) includes a body (2) which is provided with at least one return face (3), known as the radial return face, which is intended to release the gas radially from the retarder, said body (2) being shaped such that the deflector (1) can be disposed non-rotatably and coaxially in relation to the shaft of the retarder.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electromagnetic retarder. More specifically, the method relates to determining, in a control unit, a maximum allowable intensity (Im) of an excitation current to be injected into an electromagnetic retarder (1). The retarder includes a shaft bearing secondary windings (5) and field coils (13) which are supplied by the secondary windings (5), the primary coils (8) and secondary windings (5) forming a generator. The retarder also includes a jacket (9) inside which the field coils (13) generate Foucault currents and a circuit for the liquid cooling of said jacket. The method consists in determining the maximum intensity in real time from data and values that are representative of the speed of rotation of the rotary shaft, the heat load that the cooling circuit can dissipate and the flow rate (D) of the coolant. The method is suitable for electromagnetic retarders which are intended for vehicles such as heavy vehicles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a water jacket for a rotary machine, the water jacket comprising at least one conduit (11) designed to be in cooling contact with at least one part of the machine and having at least one inlet coupling (12) and at least one outlet coupling for a coolant between which the conduit(s) (11) extend. The water jacket comprises an inner wall (17) and an outer wall (18) made of two different materials. The invention also concerns a rotary machine equipped with such a water jacket and an electromagnetic retarder provided with such a water jacket.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electromagnetic retarder from a control unit said retarder including an electrical generator. The inventive method is used to determine an excitation current intensity to be injected into the primary coils of the generator of the retarder, said retarder including a rotary shaft bearing the secondary windings of the generator a n d field coils which are supplied b y the secondary windings. The rotation speed of the rotary shaft is taken into account in order to select a lower intensity if the rotation speed of the shaft is higher. The invention is suitable for use in the field of electromagnetic retarders which are intended for heavy vehicles such as trucks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-disengaging embodiment for a fan in an electromagnetic retarder. The retarder comprises a rotating shaft, a rotor rotationally fixed to the rotating shaft, induction coils, arranged in a crown on the rotor, a generator with a rotor mounted on one end of the rotating shaft and supplying the induction coils and a fan to circulate a cooling gas around the induction coils. The fan is fitted to freely rotate about the rotating shaft and is provided with means forming an armature which may be exposed to an electromagnetic field created by the induction coils and causing the fan to rotate.

Abstract: The section of a cooling channel or conduit for a rotary electric machine comprises at least one tube which is mounted along at least one coolable part thereof and is provided with input and output axes, at least one coolant input and output connections, wherein the tube extends between said connections, each input and output connection is oriented at least approximately along the corresponding input or output axis of the tube and has a constant cross-sectional area along the entire longitudinal extent thereof. A rotary electric machine provided with said channel or conduit is also disclosed.