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).

  • Patent number: 10399191
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Lionel Cachon, Jean-Marc Leibold, Isabelle Moro-Le Gall, Fabien Vidotto
  • Patent number: 9908206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Jean-Marc Leibold, Fabien Vidotto
  • Publication number: 20170261272
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Sebastien CHOMETTE, Mathieu MONTEREMAND, Emmanuel RIGAL
  • Publication number: 20170157723
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Isabelle MORO-LE-GALL, Julien CIGNA, Emmanuel RIGAL
  • Publication number: 20160107274
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Emmanuel RIGAL, Lionel CACHON, Jean-Marc LEIBOLD, Isabelle MORO-LE GALL, Fabien VIDOTTO
  • Patent number: 9289847
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Philippe Bucci
  • Publication number: 20150298267
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Emmanuel RIGAL, Jean-Marc LEIBOLD, Fabien VIDOTTO
  • Patent number: 9018605
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Pierre-Eric Frayssines, Philippe Bucci, Jean-Marc Leibold, Emmanuel Rigal
  • Publication number: 20140346216
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Isabelle Chu
  • Publication number: 20140191142
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Pierre-Eric Frayssines, Philippe Bucci, Jean-Marc Leibold, Emmanuel Rigal
  • Patent number: 8408447
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Raphael Couturier, Charlotte Bernard, Magali Reytier, Emmanuel Rigal
  • Patent number: 8246056
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Magali Reytier, Raphaël Couturier, Olivier Gillia, Emmanuel Rigal
  • Publication number: 20120168078
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Raphael Couturier, Charlotte Bernard, Magali Reytier, Emmanuel Rigal
  • Publication number: 20120160900
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Philippe Bucci
  • Patent number: 7850061
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Guillaume De Dinechin, Philippe Bucci, Philippe Aubert
  • Publication number: 20090155671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L' ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Magali REYTIER, Raphael COUTURIER, Olivier GILLIA, Emmanuel RIGAL
  • Publication number: 20080116246
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Guillaume De Dinechin, Philippe Bucci, Philippe Aubert
  • Patent number: 6478214
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rigal, Hélène Burlet