Patents by Inventor Frédéric Vermande
Frédéric Vermande 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: 11802611Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventors: Bruno Seminel, Frédéric Vermande
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Patent number: 11719385Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant supply passage fluidly connecting the lubricant reservoir and a space requiring lubrication, and a lubricant supply pump. The supply pump includes a piston having a first piston head slidably received in a chamber in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second piston head slidably received in a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber is divided into a first and second cavities by the second piston head. The first cavity is between the first piston head and second piston head. The first and second cavities are placeable in fluid communication with pressure sources externally of the pumping chamber to provide a pressure differential between the first cavity and the second cavity, whereby the piston may move as a result of the pressure differential to cause the first piston head to dispense lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the space.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Frédéric Vermande
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Patent number: 11543021Abstract: A screw actuator comprises a nut having an internal helical formation and a screw having an external helical formation and rotatably received within the nut, relative rotational movement of the nut and screw causing axial movement of one of the nut and screw relative to the other of the nut and screw. The actuator further comprises a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant pressuriser for pressurising lubricant within the lubricant reservoir. A lubricant receiving chamber is formed in the nut. The screw extends through the lubricant receiving chamber. A lubricant supply passage fluidly connects the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant receiving chamber. A valve controls the flow of lubricant between the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant receiving chamber. A lubricant supply piston is received in the lubricant receiving chamber and is mounted on the external helical formation of the screw.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Frédéric Vermande
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Patent number: 11512770Abstract: A gearbox assembly comprising a plurality of component parts in torque transmission connection via gear, shaft and/or housing components; the assembly further comprising means for providing redundancy at selected locations where failure can lead to loss of torque transmission between component parts of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventors: Adil Sardi, Sébastien Caminade, Frédéric Vermande, Eric Delbos
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Patent number: 11085513Abstract: The system of the present disclosure provides two or more sensors located on two parallel transmission or kinematic paths having different ratios with respect to the actuator position. Each sensor provides a different position measurement output and the difference between the sensor outputs provides a reduced indication of the position of the actuator/moved component. Integrating sensors in the reduction path avoids the need for the reduction gear mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventors: Bruno Seminel, Adil Sardi, Frédéric Vermande
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Patent number: 11022114Abstract: A screw pump comprises a body which has a cylindrical duct formed therein. A screw shaft is located in the cylindrical duct and is arranged to transport liquid between an inlet and an outlet of the screw pump. The screw shaft has a screw thread which defines a helical liquid path within the cylindrical duct. The body of the screw pump includes a groove extending along an inside surface of the cylindrical duct, the groove defining, in part, a ball-passage which extends alongside the screw shaft and intersects with the helical liquid path. The ball-passage contains a plurality of balls which are guided along the ball-passage by the screw thread when the screw shaft rotates relative to the body.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Frédéric Vermande
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Publication number: 20210116068Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant supply passage fluidly connecting the lubricant reservoir and a space requiring lubrication, and a lubricant supply pump. The supply pump includes a piston having a first piston head slidably received in a chamber in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second piston head slidably received in a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber is divided into a first and second cavities by the second piston head. The first cavity is between the first piston head and second piston head. The first and second cavities are placeable in fluid communication with pressure sources externally of the pumping chamber to provide a pressure differential between the first cavity and the second cavity, whereby the piston may move as a result of the pressure differential to cause the first piston head to dispense lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the space.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventor: Frédéric VERMANDE
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Publication number: 20210116018Abstract: A screw actuator comprises a nut having an internal helical formation and a screw having an external helical formation and rotatably received within the nut, relative rotational movement of the nut and screw causing axial movement of one of the nut and screw relative to the other of the nut and screw. The actuator further comprises a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant pressuriser for pressurising lubricant within the lubricant reservoir. A lubricant receiving chamber is formed in the nut. The screw extends through the lubricant receiving chamber. A lubricant supply passage fluidly connects the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant receiving chamber. A valve controls the flow of lubricant between the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant receiving chamber. A lubricant supply piston is received in the lubricant receiving chamber and is mounted on the external helical formation of the screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventor: Frédéric VERMANDE
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Publication number: 20210071749Abstract: A gearbox assembly comprising a plurality of component parts in torque transmission connection via gear, shaft and/or housing components; the assembly further comprising means for providing redundancy at selected locations where failure can lead to loss of torque transmission between component parts of the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Adil SARDI, Sébastien CAMINADE, Frédéric VERMANDE, Eric DELBOS
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Publication number: 20200200244Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Bruno SEMINEL, Frédéric VERMANDE
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Patent number: 10626965Abstract: A failsafe bar connection of a screw actuator includes a failsafe bar for transmitting load via a secondary load path, the failsafe bar having a bar-end with a convex thrust surface; and an attachment part for coupling load to an aircraft structure, the attachment part having a socket for retention of the bar-end, the socket providing a concave thrust surface. A contact mechanism is provided to monitor relative displacement of the convex thrust surface within the concave thrust surface in a direction along an axis of the attachment part. In this way, changes in backlash and loading of the secondary load path can be detected. The contact mechanism comprises a protuberance extending from the bar-end along the main rotational axis of the failsafe bar and a displaceable contact surface provided by a displaceable member in the attachment part, the relative position of which is monitored by a displacement sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Frédéric Vermande
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Patent number: 10598265Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventors: Bruno Seminel, Frédéric Vermande
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Patent number: 10344840Abstract: A screw actuator comprises a screw shaft for threaded engagement with an actuator output device such that rotation of the screw shaft causes linear movement of the actuator output device; and a motor for driving rotation of the screw shaft. A no-back device is included for restricting movement of the screw shaft in response to feedback torque applied due to external forces on the actuator output device.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Frédéric Vermande
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Publication number: 20190092455Abstract: The system of the present disclosure provides two or more sensors located on two parallel transmission or kinematic paths having different ratios with respect to the actuator position. Each sensor provides a different position measurement output and the difference between the sensor outputs provides a reduced indication of the position of the actuator/moved component. Integrating sensors in the reduction path avoids the need for the reduction gear mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Bruno SEMINEL, Adil SARDI, Frédéric VERMANDE
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Patent number: 10184523Abstract: A rotating shaft assembly comprising a rotating shaft mounted within a casing and a primary bearing assembly in bearing engagement with the shaft and the casing and positioned between the shaft and the casing. The assembly also includes a secondary bearing assembly comprising a secondary bearing normally radially spaced from the shaft and arranged to engage with or contact the shaft in the event of failure of the primary bearing normally in contact with the shaft, and an inspection member to provide an indication of frictional engagement of the secondary bearing with the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Frédéric Vermande
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Publication number: 20180156213Abstract: A screw pump comprises a body which has a cylindrical duct formed therein. A screw shaft is located in the cylindrical duct and is arranged to transport liquid between an inlet and an outlet of the screw pump. The screw shaft has a screw thread which defines a helical liquid path within the cylindrical duct. The body of the screw pump includes a groove extending along an inside surface of the cylindrical duct, the groove defining, in part, a ball-passage which extends alongside the screw shaft and intersects with the helical liquid path. The ball-passage contains a plurality of balls which are guided along the ball-passage by the screw thread when the screw shaft rotates relative to the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventor: Frédéric VERMANDE
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Publication number: 20180100575Abstract: A gearbox assembly comprising a plurality of component parts in torque transmission connection via gear, shaft and/or housing components; the assembly further comprising means for providing redundancy at selected locations where failure can lead to loss of torque transmission between component parts of the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Adil Sardi, Sébastien Caminade, Frédéric Vermande, Eric Delbos
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Publication number: 20180080535Abstract: A screw actuator comprises a screw shaft for threaded engagement with an actuator output device such that rotation of the screw shaft causes linear movement of the actuator output device; and a motor for driving rotation of the screw shaft. A no-back device is included for restricting movement of the screw shaft in response to feedback torque applied due to external forces on the actuator output device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Frédéric VERMANDE
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Publication number: 20180072403Abstract: A failsafe bar connection of a screw actuator includes a failsafe bar for transmitting load via a secondary load path, the failsafe bar having a bar-end with a convex thrust surface; and an attachment part for coupling load to an aircraft structure, the attachment part having a socket for retention of the bar-end, the socket providing a concave thrust surface. A contact mechanism is provided to monitor relative displacement of the convex thrust surface within the concave thrust surface in a direction along an axis of the attachment part. In this way, changes in backlash and loading of the secondary load path can be detected. The contact mechanism comprises a protuberance extending from the bar-end along the main rotational axis of the failsafe bar and a displaceable contact surface provided by a displaceable member in the attachment part, the relative position of which is monitored by a displacement sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventor: Frédéric Vermande
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Publication number: 20180031093Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Bruno SEMINEL, Frédéric VERMANDE