Patents by Inventor Cedric Nicolas
Cedric Nicolas 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: 12292715Abstract: A timepiece assembly includes a watch having a mechanical movement and an analogue time display, the running of which is set by a mechanical resonator, and a support for the watch. To correct a time displayed by the analogue display, the timepiece assembly includes a correction system which is formed by a mechanical device incorporated into the watch and by an electrical device incorporated into the support. The mechanical device includes a magnet supported by an elastic blade and is arranged in the watch to brake the oscillating mechanical resonator, for example by applying periodic braking, or to momentarily stop its oscillation by exerting a magnetic force on the magnet with a magnetic field produced by a coil of the electrical device and passing through the case of the watch, to carry out essentially a set correction of the time displayed.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2022Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jérôme Favre, Jean-Jacques Born, Matthias Imboden, Cédric Nicolas
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Patent number: 12282298Abstract: A horological movement includes an analogue time display, a gear train, a barrel driving the analogue display via the gear train, and an oscillator formed of a resonator, including a balance and a piezoelectric spring, and a mechanical escapement coupling the balance to the gear train. This horological movement further includes an electric energy source which is associated with the electronic control circuit, which is arranged to be able to control the application of an electrical supply voltage to the piezoelectric spring to excite the oscillator to obtain a functional oscillation of the resonator and then to maintain this functional oscillation. The mechanical escapement is an escapement for counting the alternations of the functional oscillation, to pace the running of the horological movement, without the resonator being able to receive from the barrel via this mechanical escapement enough mechanical energy to maintain the functional oscillation.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias Imboden, Alexandre Haemmerli, Alexandre Didier, Cédric Nicolas
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Publication number: 20250100012Abstract: The present disclosure describes surface coatings and methods of applying surface coatings to improve the performance of fluid manipulation technologies. The surface coatings may provide increased force applied to the fluid, better fluid position accuracy, improved fluid movement reliability, increased maximum fluid movement speed, resilience against surface fouling, resistance against fluid pinning. Further, the present disclosure describes fluid manipulation apparatuses having surface coatings with improved fluid manipulation performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Udayan UMAPATHI, William Kai LANGFORD, Akim LENNHOFF, Devin Laier JUNKINS, Cedric Nicolas Marie VIRY
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Publication number: 20250085255Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for dispensing a liquid or for manipulating a droplet. In some examples, a method is provided for droplet operation. The method may comprise providing a substrate comprising a discrete location. The method may further comprise providing one or more electrodes disposed adjacent to the discrete location of the substrate and providing a droplet dispenser disposed over the substrate. Next, an electrode of the one or more electrodes may be activated or deactivated. Such activating or deactivating may be synchronized with dispensing the droplet to the discrete location or removal of at least the portion of the droplet from the discrete location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventors: William Kai LANGFORD, Cedric Nicolas Marie VIRY, Udayan UMAPATHI, Richard Poulos KAUFMAN, Akim LENNHOFF, Liam MASTERS, William Russell JACKSON
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Publication number: 20250076820Abstract: A measuring support for a watch movement, designed to constitute a radial support, in a radial direction, of a control member or of a support zone, which includes a watch head including a watch movement, or which includes a watch movement enclosed in a test cap, in a position of radial support under stress of the watch head or respectively of the cap on the measuring support, wherein the measuring support includes either a single contact point in the radial direction, or a pair of lateral contact points that are symmetrical with respect to the radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Omega SAInventors: José LEHMANN, Cédric NICOLAS
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Patent number: 12228045Abstract: A method for repairing an end plate of a turbomachine rotor, the end plate including a crown having at least two collar fastening holes and at least one balancing-weight fastening hole located between the two collar fastening holes, each collar fastening hole being equipped with a crimped nut, the crown having a damaged portion between two collar fastening holes, the method including the steps of removing the two crimped nuts located on either side of the damage; removing the damaged crown portion, for example by machining; putting in place a strip in the form of a crown portion closing off the removed crown portion, the strip having at least one balancing-weight fastening hole and two mounting holes; fastening the strip to the crown with two crimped nuts, which penetrate the mounting holes, by crimping each nut in a collar fastening hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2022Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Jean-Hilaire Lexilus, Cédric Nicolas Bot, Patrick Jean-Louis Reghezza
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Publication number: 20240419126Abstract: An apparatus (10) for winding a horological movement of a watch (20), including an electronic module (13) configured to control a motor (14) kinematically connected to a drive member intended to rotate a winding member of the watch (20). The apparatus (10) includes a support (11) for the watch (20) formed by a body having a central element (110) and at least one side element (111) arranged at a distance from each other so as to form a recess (118) intended to receive a strand (21) of a bracelet of the watch (20), the central element (110) and the side element (111) being adapted to apply opposing forces to the strand (21) so as to ensure that it is held in the recess (118).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2024Publication date: December 19, 2024Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Jérôme FAVRE, Cédric NICOLAS, Baptiste HINAUX
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Publication number: 20240365936Abstract: A bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) including a first strand (11) and a second strand (12), each of the strands (11, 12) including a first end able to be attached to a case (2) of the portable object (1), wherein the first strand (11) includes a first optical device (21) having a first diameter (L1); the second strand (12) includes a second optical device (22) having a second diameter (L2), smaller than the first diameter (L1) of the first optical device (21), the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22) being configured so that the superposition of the first optical device (21) and of the second optical device (22), by the superposition of the first strand (11) and of the second strand (12), forms a microscope having an eyepiece constituted by the first optical device (21) and an objective constituted by the second optical device (22).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Michel WILLEMIN, Nicolas FRANCOIS, Pierpasquale TORTORA, Marek DOVCIK, Sophie NAPOLI, Cedric NICOLAS, Stewes BOURBAN
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Publication number: 20240337984Abstract: A timepiece with, in order to regulate the speed of rotation of a rotating wheel set, a regulating device including a microgenerator and an LED powered by the microgenerator without storage of electrical energy and arranged such that, for a range of functional speeds of the rotating wheel set, the corresponding range of frequencies of rotation of the rotor of the microgenerator generates, in its coils, an induced voltage range whose maximum voltage value for the maximum frequency is greater than a threshold voltage, preferably also the minimum voltage value for the minimum frequency, the motor device which drives the rotating wheel set being arranged to have a useful motor torque range allowing the rotating wheel set to be driven within the functional speed range. Also a related method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2024Publication date: October 10, 2024Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Pierpasquale TORTORA, Baptiste HINAUX, Cédric NICOLAS
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Patent number: 12078964Abstract: A timepiece mechanism including a magnetic gear formed of a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel being provided with first alternating magnetic poles forming a magnetic toothing and the second wheel being provided with a toothing made of ferromagnetic material which has a magnetic coupling with the magnetic toothing, such that, when one of the first or second wheels is driven in rotation, this wheel rolls, via the magnetic coupling, over a geometric circle centred on the other wheel and linked to this other wheel. The magnetic gear further includes a ferromagnetic element arranged relative to the first wheel so as to offset at least most of a magnetic disturbance torque to which the first wheel is subjected, resulting from the magnetic coupling, this magnetic disturbance torque having a periodic variation in intensity according to the angular position of the first wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Jean-Pierre Mignot, Matthias Imboden, Cédric Nicolas
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Patent number: 12074494Abstract: A mechanism including a magnetic gear including a first wheel, a second wheel and a third wheel. The first wheel is provided with permanent magnetic poles which are arranged so as to form the magnetised teeth of a first magnetic toothing. The second wheel and the third wheel are provided with teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material respectively defining a second magnetic toothing and a third magnetic toothing, each with a number of teeth that is greater than that of the first magnetic toothing and having a magnetic coupling with this first magnetic toothing. The second magnetic toothing is directly coupled with the first magnetic toothing and with the third magnetic toothing thanks to the magnetic fluxes provided by the magnetised teeth of the first toothing and the teeth of the second magnetic toothing are magnetically separated from one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2022Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias Imboden, Jean-Pierre Mignot, Milan Calic, Cédric Nicolas, Jean-Jacques Born
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Patent number: 12019405Abstract: A device is disclosed for verifying the state of a watch and resetting it to the correct time. In a case of the device, a watch can be disposed on a watch support, which can be moved from a position without measurement to a measurement position in a vision system, or vice versa. In a position without measurement, the watch on its support can be observed from the outside of the case of the device through at least one electronic shutter activated or an optical valve activated to be in a transparent state, whereas in the measurement position, the electronic shutter or the optical valve is deactivated to be made opaque.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Cédric Nicolas, Jérôme Favre, Jean-Jacques Born, Hicham Farah
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Publication number: 20240110482Abstract: A method for repairing an end plate of a turbomachine rotor, the end plate including a crown having at least two collar fastening holes and at least one balancing-weight fastening hole located between the two collar fastening holes, each collar fastening hole being equipped with a crimped nut, the crown having a damaged portion between two collar fastening holes, the method including the steps of removing the two crimped nuts located on either side of the damage; removing the damaged crown portion, for example by machining; putting in place a strip in the form of a crown portion closing off the removed crown portion, the strip having at least one balancing-weight fastening hole and two mounting holes; fastening the strip to the crown with two crimped nuts, which penetrate the mounting holes, by crimping each nut in a collar fastening hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Jean-Hilaire LEXILUS, Cédric Nicolas BOT, Patrick Jean-Louis REGHEZZA
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Patent number: 11934152Abstract: A device for illuminating luminescent watch displays containing luminophore material, including a case arranged to receive at least one receptacle for receiving at least one watch, the device including a illuminating device arranged to light up the displays of each said watch. The illuminating device include a control device and a time base, and at least one light source capable of exciting said luminophore material for a pre-determined charge time, or corresponding to a wearing duration chosen by the user via a control device included in the device, and watch self-winding device, including at least one such illumination device, and universal device for winding and setting the hands of a watch, including such a watch self-winding device.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jérôme Favre, Cedric Nicolas
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Publication number: 20240012360Abstract: A time-limited power generation device (100) for a timepiece (1000), including a manoeuvring member (1) manoeuvrable by a user against an elastic return (2) arranged to indirectly drive an electric generator (6) for generating an electric current for a limited time period, and including a toothed member (3) movable with a degree of freedom relative to said manoeuvring member (1) and delimiting therewith a separate chamber (20) for receiving each elastic return (2), held compressed in its chamber (20) between a pre-stressed position of rest and a maximum compression position, between a first support banking (11) that includes the manoeuvring member (1) and a second support banking (32) that includes the toothed member (3), arranged to be driven by the elastic return (2) for driving the electric generator (6) directly or indirectly through a geartrain.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Pierpasquale TORTORA, Cédric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN, Arnaud MAUREL
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Publication number: 20230418231Abstract: A modular watch (1) including at least a middle (10), a back (11), a display module (12) having a dial, time display means, a crystal and first magnetic gear means, a horological module (13) including a horological movement with second magnetic gear means arranged to cooperate with the magnetic gear means of the display module (12), and first and second bracelet strands integral with the middle (10) at a pair of horns (20, 30). The display module (12) and the horological module (13) are mounted one on top of the other, said display module (12) being mounted such that it is fixed against the middle (10), and the horological module (13) being mounted such that it can rotate between the back (11) and the display module (12) in order to set the time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Cédric Nicolas, Jean-Jacques Born, Sophie Napoli, Nicolas François, Pablo Rodriguez
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Patent number: 11826612Abstract: A portable instrument provided with a device for controlling or managing a sports or well-being activity of a person wearing the portable instrument. The control device includes at least a motion sensor and a pressure sensor connected to a calculation unit, and a GNSS receiver module connected to the calculation unit. The calculation unit of the control device is arranged to activate the GNSS receiver module for a time of activation defined subsequent to variations in movement detected by the motion sensor differing from known movement data or walking profiles in order to determine at least one reference speed of the person, and to deactivate the GNSS receiver module after the activation time for a deactivation time greater than the activation time.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Cedric Nicolas, Kamiar Aminian, Joaquin Cabeza De Pablo, Martin Savary, Abolfazl Soltani, Hooman Dejnabadi
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Publication number: 20230341820Abstract: A watch including a gasket (18) arranged at the periphery of the glass (14), an intermediate portion (20) laterally surrounding the analogue display and defining a radial surface forming an axial stop for the glass, a solar cell (30) extending at least mostly between the lower level of the dial and the glass and being arranged behind the intermediate portion, which is formed at least partially by a translucent or transparent material and configured to make it possible for the incident light to propagate in the intermediate portion and to subsequently reach the solar cell. The gasket is also formed at least mostly by a translucent or transparent material and it forms with the intermediate portion axially a continuous medium. In variants, the gasket is arranged axially adjacent to the intermediate portion or it is axially separated from the intermediate portion by a translucent or transparent intermediate medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Cédric NICOLAS
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Publication number: 20230205136Abstract: A mechanism (1) including a magnetic gear (2) including a first wheel (6A) and a second wheel (6B), the first wheel (6A) being provided with first permanent magnetic poles (7) forming first magnetic toothing (8), the second wheel (6B) being provided with a second magnetic toothing (10) made of a ferromagnetic material, the first wheel (6A) and the second wheel (6B) being arranged such that the first magnetic toothing has a first magnetic coupling with the second magnetic toothing (10). The gear (2) has a third wheel (6C) having second permanent magnetic poles (9) which form a third magnetic toothing (12), the third wheel and the second wheel being arranged such that the third magnetic toothing has a second magnetic coupling with the second magnetic toothing; the magnetic gear (2) being arranged such that the first and third wheels are each angularly positioned in a specific manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2022Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Cédric NICOLAS, Nicolas LIVAT
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Patent number: 11669050Abstract: A watch self-winding device with rotary motion, including a base carrying a motor driving in rotation a support carrying a watch and includes an upper watch holder with a surface in direct contact with a watch, this support includes a microphone for listening to a watch and an embedded electronic circuit processing the signal from the microphone, the device includes, in order to supply power to the embedded electronic circuit, a first coil fixed to the base and powered by a power source carried or relayed by the base, and a second coil embedded in the support, coaxial to the first coil and arranged to transmit power to the embedded electronic circuit, which is arranged to exchange information with a static electronic circuit in the base.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jérôme Favre, Cedric Nicolas, Jean-Jacques Born