Patents by Inventor Emmanuel Rigal
Emmanuel Rigal 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: 10399191Abstract: A method for producing heat exchangers having at least two fluid circuits each having channels, including the following steps: producing one or a plurality of elements of a first fluid circuit, each element having at least two metal plates, at least one of which has first grooves; stacking the at least two metal plates of each element in such a way that the first grooves form the channels of the first circuit; assembling each element of the first circuit by diffusion welding between the two stacked metal plates; producing one or a plurality of elements of at least one second fluid circuit, each element of the second circuit having at least a portion of the channels of the second circuit; assembling, either by diffusion welding, or by brazing, or by diffusion brazing between the element or elements of the first circuit and the element or elements of the second circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Lionel Cachon, Jean-Marc Leibold, Isabelle Moro-Le Gall, Fabien Vidotto
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Patent number: 9908206Abstract: The present invention relates to an novel method of producing heat exchangers having at least two fluid circuits each comprising channels, the method employing diffusion bonding achieved using the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) technique, and to a heat exchanger obtained using this method.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Jean-Marc Leibold, Fabien Vidotto
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Publication number: 20170261272Abstract: The main subject matter of the invention is a method for manufacturing at least one heat exchanger (50) with plates (10) with at least two fluid circuits, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: a) formation of a plurality of plates (10) each comprising a reference pattern; b) formation of one or more alignment patterns (11) on each plate (10) by circular repetition of the reference pattern around an axis of revolution (X); c) formation of a plurality of grooves (12) on each plate (10). The method further comprises the following successive steps: d) assembling the plates (10) by superimposition with respect to each other, each reference pattern of a plate being superimposed on an alignment pattern (11) of an adjacent plate; e) carrying out an assembly treatment on the assembly obtained at the end of the preceding step d) by diffusion welding, by brazing and/or by diffusion brazing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Sebastien CHOMETTE, Mathieu MONTEREMAND, Emmanuel RIGAL
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Publication number: 20170157723Abstract: A method for fabrication of heat exchangers with at least two fluid circuits each one comprising channels based on grooved plates includes assembling elementary exchanger modules, each of the elementary exchanger modules having been produced by diffusion bonding of grooved plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Isabelle MORO-LE-GALL, Julien CIGNA, Emmanuel RIGAL
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Publication number: 20160107274Abstract: A method for producing heat exchangers having at least two fluid circuits each having channels, including the following steps: producing one or a plurality of elements of a first fluid circuit, each element having at least two metal plates, at least one of which has first grooves; stacking the at least two metal plates of each element in such a way that the first grooves form the channels of the first circuit; assembling each element of the first circuit by diffusion welding between the two stacked metal plates; producing one or a plurality of elements of at least one second fluid circuit, each element of the second circuit having at least a portion of the channels of the second circuit; assembling, either by diffusion welding, or by brazing, or by diffusion brazing between the element or elements of the first circuit and the element or elements of the second circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Emmanuel RIGAL, Lionel CACHON, Jean-Marc LEIBOLD, Isabelle MORO-LE GALL, Fabien VIDOTTO
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Patent number: 9289847Abstract: A manufacturing method for a module having a hollow region, including: making an assembly including at least one recessed plate having a recess open at one face, defining thereon a recess outline and, between the face and the immediately adjacent plate of the assembly, a strand of material lying along the recess outline; treating the assembly, aiming to obtain diffusion bonding of the strand to the plate(s) with which it is in contact, to constitute, along its associated recess outline, a gas-tight connection of the two plates between which it is placed; and consolidating the assembly by hot isostatic pressing.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternativesInventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Philippe Bucci
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Publication number: 20150298267Abstract: The present invention relates to an novel method of producing heat exchangers having at least two fluid circuits each comprising channels, the method employing diffusion bonding achieved using the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) technique, and to a heat exchanger obtained using this method.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Emmanuel RIGAL, Jean-Marc LEIBOLD, Fabien VIDOTTO
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Patent number: 9018605Abstract: A nuclear fusion reactor first wall component includes a copper alloy element, an intermediate metal layer made from niobium and a beryllium element, directly in contact with the intermediate metal layer. The intermediate niobium layer is further advantageously associated with a mechanical stress-reducing layer formed by a metal chosen from copper and nickel. This mechanical stress-reducing layer is in particular arranged between the intermediate niobium layer and the copper alloy element. Furthermore, when the mechanical stress-reducing layer is made from pure copper, a layer of pure nickel can be inserted between the niobium and the pure copper before diffusion welding. Such a component presents the advantage of having an improved thermal fatigue behavior while at the same time preventing the formation of intermetallic compounds at the junction between the beryllium and the copper alloy.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Pierre-Eric Frayssines, Philippe Bucci, Jean-Marc Leibold, Emmanuel Rigal
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Publication number: 20140346216Abstract: Process for joining by diffusion welding a part made of steel having a high carbon content and low carbide-forming elements content with a part made of steel or of nickel alloy having a low carbon content and a high carbide-forming elements content, each of the parts comprising a surface to be joined in which process an intermediate material is placed between the surfaces to be joined, then diffusion welding is carried out to join the two parts, and the assembly obtained is cooled, characterised in that the intermediate material is an alloy, with a matrix made of nickel and optionally of iron and/or cobalt, having an austenitic micro-structure at the welding temperature, and comprising 2 to 25% by mass of molybdenum. Also disclosed is an assembly obtained by this process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Isabelle Chu
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Publication number: 20140191142Abstract: A nuclear fusion reactor first wall component includes a copper alloy element, an intermediate metal layer made from niobium and a beryllium element, directly in contact with the intermediate metal layer. The intermediate niobium layer is further advantageously associated with a mechanical stress-reducing layer formed by a metal chosen from copper and nickel. This mechanical stress-reducing layer is in particular arranged between the intermediate niobium layer and the copper alloy element. Furthermore, when the mechanical stress-reducing layer is made from pure copper, a layer of pure nickel can be inserted between the niobium and the pure copper before diffusion welding. Such a component presents the advantage of having an improved thermal fatigue behaviour while at the same time preventing the formation of intermetallic compounds at the junction between the beryllium and the copper alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Pierre-Eric Frayssines, Philippe Bucci, Jean-Marc Leibold, Emmanuel Rigal
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Patent number: 8408447Abstract: A method for manufacturing a module with a hollow area by hot isostatic compression, including: making an assembly including superposed elements defining the hollow area, the assembly forming a sealed casing containing the hollow area, including at least one meltable obturation member separating the hollow area from the outside of the assembly; followed by hot isostatic compression of the assembly, to obtain diffusion-welding of its elements, by letting temperature and pressure conditions change over time to cause a rupture of the meltable obturation member allowing pressurization gas to penetrate into the hollow area.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Raphael Couturier, Charlotte Bernard, Magali Reytier, Emmanuel Rigal
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Patent number: 8246056Abstract: A seal intended to be inserted between a first and a second member, the seal including: two contact portions spaced from each other along a spacing direction, respectively intended to contact in a tight manner the first and second members, the contact portions being made of a first alloy displaying superplasticity properties under predetermined stress conditions including predetermined temperature conditions, the contact portions being supported by a support arranged therebetween, produced so as to display, under the predetermined temperature conditions, a greater mechanical compression resistance in the spacing direction than that of the contact portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Magali Reytier, Raphaël Couturier, Olivier Gillia, Emmanuel Rigal
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Publication number: 20120168078Abstract: A method for manufacturing a module with a hollow area by hot isostatic compression, including: making an assembly including superposed elements defining the hollow area, the assembly forming a sealed casing containing the hollow area, including at least one meltable obturation member separating the hollow area from the outside of the assembly; followed by hot isostatic compression of the assembly, to obtain diffusion-welding of its elements, by letting temperature and pressure conditions change over time to cause a rupture of the meltable obturation member allowing pressurization gas to penetrate into the hollow area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Raphael Couturier, Charlotte Bernard, Magali Reytier, Emmanuel Rigal
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Publication number: 20120160900Abstract: A manufacturing method for a module having a hollow region, including: making an assembly including at least one recessed plate having a recess open at one face, defining thereon a recess outline and, between the face and the immediately adjacent plate of the assembly, a strand of material lying along the recess outline; treating the assembly, aiming to obtain diffusion bonding of the strand to the plate(s) with which it is in contact, to constitute, along its associated recess outline, a gas-tight connection of the two plates between which it is placed; and consolidating the assembly by hot isostatic pressing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Philippe Bucci
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Patent number: 7850061Abstract: A method for making a component including fluid flow channels formed by making a plurality of grooves (12), in at least one face (21) of a base plate (10); having opposite ends so that the grooves have open top sides; scalably blocking the open top side of each groove and diffusion-welding a lid by hot isostatic compression onto the face (21) of the base plate (10) to cover each of the strips leaving open the fluid flow channels at one or both opposite ends of the base plate for allowing pressurized gas to penetrate into the flow channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Guillaume De Dinechin, Philippe Bucci, Philippe Aubert
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Publication number: 20090155671Abstract: The invention relates to a seal (10) intended to be inserted between a first and a second member, said seal comprising two contact portions (16) spaced from each other along a spacing direction, respectively intended to contact in a tight manner said first and second members, said contact portions (16) being made of a first alloy displaying superplasticity properties under predetermined stress conditions including predetermined temperature conditions, said contact portions (16) being supported by a support (22) arranged therebetween, produced so as to display, under said predetermined temperature conditions, a greater mechanical compression resistance in said spacing direction than that of the contact portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L' ENERGIE ATOMIQUEInventors: Magali REYTIER, Raphael COUTURIER, Olivier GILLIA, Emmanuel RIGAL
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Publication number: 20080116246Abstract: A method for making a component including fluid flow channels. Grooves (12) are made in at least one face (21) of a base plate (10); the grooves (12) are sealably blocked by means of thin strips (16); a lid (22) is diffusion-welded with hot isostatic compression on the face (21) of the base plate (10) with the grooves above the thin strips (16). The grooves include fittings (14) with which the strips (16) may be received. The strips are for example welded by laser welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2005Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Guillaume De Dinechin, Philippe Bucci, Philippe Aubert
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Patent number: 6478214Abstract: The present invention relates to a diffusion welding assembly process between a martensitic stainless steel and a copper alloy, and in particular, to an assembly process of a martensitic stainless steel component with a component comprising copper. Said process may be used for example to produce a bimetal part designed to operate at high temperatures. It particularly comprises a step consisting of degreasing and stripping the surfaces of the components to be assembled, a step consisting of placing the degreased and stripped surfaces of the components to be assembled in direct contact and a step consisting of diffusion welding assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Hélène Burlet