Patents by Inventor Francois Charette

Francois Charette 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).

  • Publication number: 20070253783
    Abstract: A method for providing a rock bolt (2) for rock bolting, wherein a rock bolt (2) having a tubular bolt portion (4) with a closed cross section is inserted and expanded for bearing contact in a bore hole (3) in a rock structure (1). The length of the tubular bolt portion (4) is determined such that maximum frictional force at pulling inside a bore hole (3) of a rock bolt with a tubular bolt portion with this length is below a predetermined maximum value. The invention also concerns a rock bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Mario Bureau, Fredrik Oberg, Francois Charette
  • Patent number: 7191326
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for testing a function of an information-processing system. This includes providing an architecture having a set of test commands, the test commands including a set of one or more stimulation commands and a set of one or more result-testing commands, and defining a set of test verbs out of combinations of the test commands. This allows the test programmer to define an overall test program that uses the test verbs in writing a test program that specifies an overall function that will extensively test a system-under-test. The methods further includes executing a program that includes a plurality of test verb instructions and outputting a result of the program. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-readable media that includes instructions coded thereon that when executed on a suitably programmed computer executes one or more of the above methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: TestQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Louden, Francois Charette, Ryon Boen
  • Publication number: 20060169073
    Abstract: All structures and mechanical systems possessing mass and elasticity have vibrational responses. The vibrational responses are the result of cyclic exchanges of kinetic and potential energy within the system. These vibrational responses, when properly aligned, phased and conditioned, can be used to create propulsion. There are as many possible embodiments of this invention as there are structures and mechanical systems types. The preferred embodiment disclosed here, to demonstrate the invention, is based on a beam type structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Francois Charette, Louise Croteau
  • Publication number: 20050262855
    Abstract: A method and system for assessing a level of refrigerant in a vehicle air conditioning system. A refrigerant charge value is determined as a function of ambient air temperature, ambient air humidity, conditioned air temperature, and compressor cycling signals. The refrigerant charge value is compared to a threshold value to determine whether the level of refrigerant is acceptable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hsiao-An Hsieh, Francois Charette, Steven Lake, Harish Maruvada, Mike Calkins, Alex Przebienda, David Volker
  • Publication number: 20050144530
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for testing a function of an information-processing system. This includes providing an architecture having a set of test commands, the test commands including a set of one or more stimulation commands and a set of one or more result-testing commands, and defining a set of test verbs out of combinations of the test commands. This allows the test programmer to define an overall test program that uses the test verbs in writing a test program that specifies an overall function that will extensively test a system-under-test. The methods further includes executing a program that includes a plurality of test verb instructions and outputting a result of the program. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-readable media that includes instructions coded thereon that when executed on a suitably programmed computer executes one or more of the above methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Louden, Francois Charette, Ryon Boen, Mitch Krause
  • Patent number: 6898704
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for testing a function of an information-processing system. This includes providing an architecture having a set of test commands, the test commands including a set of one or more stimulation commands and a set of one or more result-testing commands, and defining a set of test verbs out of combinations of the test commands. This allows the test programmer to define an overall test program that uses the test verbs in writing a test program that specifies an overall function that will extensively test a system-under-test. The methods further includes executing a program that includes a plurality of test verb instructions and outputting a result of the program. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-readable media that includes instructions coded thereon that when executed on a suitably programmed computer executes one or more of the above methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Test Quest, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Louden, François Charette, Ryon Boen
  • Patent number: 6862682
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for testing a function of an information-processing system. This includes providing an architecture having a set of test commands, the test commands including a set of one or more stimulation commands and a set of one or more result-testing commands, and defining a set of test verbs out of combinations of the test commands. This allows the test programmer to define an overall test program that uses the test verbs in writing a test program that specifies an overall function that will extensively test a system-under-test. The methods further includes executing a program that includes a plurality of test verb instructions and outputting a result of the program. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-readable media that includes instructions coded thereon that when executed on a suitably programmed computer executes one or more of the above methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: TestQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Louden, Francois Charette, Ryon Boen, Mitch Krause
  • Patent number: 6650757
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting unwanted noise includes a reference sensor that generates a reference signal in response to stimulation by a source. A combined noise detector picks up a combined noise signal, which includes both background noise and the unwanted noise generated by the source. A noise separation synthesis device filters both signals to generate a coherent unwanted noise signal from the combined noise signal as a function of the reference signal generated by the reference sensor. A comparator determines the presence of unwanted noise by calculating the Kurtosis value of the coherent unwanted noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Zhou, Francois Charette, Keng D. Hsueh, Vy Tran, Hsiao-An Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20030208712
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for testing a function of an information-processing system. This includes providing an architecture having a set of test commands, the test commands including a set of one or more stimulation commands and a set of one or more result-testing commands, and defining a set of test verbs out of combinations of the test commands. This allows the test programmer to define an overall test program that uses the test verbs in writing a test program that specifies an overall function that will extensively test a system-under-test. The methods further includes executing a program that includes a plurality of test verb instructions and outputting a result of the program. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-readable media that includes instructions coded thereon that when executed on a suitably programmed computer executes one or more of the above methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Louden, Francois Charette, Ryon Boen, Mitch Krause
  • Publication number: 20030208288
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for testing a function of an information-processing system. This includes providing an architecture having a set of test commands, the test commands including a set of one or more stimulation commands and a set of one or more result-testing commands, and defining a set of test verbs out of combinations of the test commands. This allows the test programmer to define an overall test program that uses the test verbs in writing a test program that specifies an overall function that will extensively test a system-under-test. The methods further includes executing a program that includes a plurality of test verb instructions and outputting a result of the program. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-readable media that includes instructions coded thereon that when executed on a suitably programmed computer executes one or more of the above methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: TestQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Louden, Francois Charette, Ryon Boen
  • Publication number: 20030154054
    Abstract: A method of objectively and subjectively monitoring noise and correspondingly level or loudness thereof in a product or assembly. The method includes placing a product on the vibration generator. Activating the vibration generator to move or shake the product to simulate usage conditions. A sound recording instrument measures and records the noise emitted by the product or assembly. An objective metric or N10 level is computed from the recorded noise. The objective metric or N10 level is compared to a threshold metric or threshold N10 level. When the objective metric or N10 level exceeds the threshold metric or threshold N10 level, an operator or technician subjectively evaluates the vehicle to determine the source of the noise and performs any repairs necessary along with documenting those repairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Francois Charette, Vikas Juneja, Suhas Venkatappa, Rick S. Hooker, Ronald Louis Quaglia, Michael Alan Blommer, Mark Norman Maskill
  • Patent number: 6360607
    Abstract: A sound detector device for locating and diagnosing sound in a motor vehicle includes a headphone and a plurality of directional microphones. The sound detector device also includes a main unit having a circuit operatively connected to the headphone and the directional microphones for allowing an operator to diagnose sound in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Charette, Hsiao-An Hsieh, Keng D. Hsueh, Vy Tran, Rick Hooker
  • Patent number: 6182018
    Abstract: Impulsive sound components in a composite sound signal are separated using wavelet analysis and sorting of wavelet coefficient sets according to statistical parameters of each respective coefficient set. Each entire coefficient set is either included or excluded from each respective separated component based on the statistical parameter. Once the impulsive sound component is isolated, it is compared with reference sound information in order to classify the sound according to its potential causes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vy Tran, Sheau-Fang Lei, Keng D. Hsueh, Francois Charette
  • Patent number: 6116091
    Abstract: The recreation of vibration levels at certain points in a stationary vehicle interior that are representative of realistic road conditions are achieved using road measurements in conjunction with a technique known as "reciprocal filtering." The reciprocal filtering technique consists of using an inverse transfer function, or impulse response in the time domain, between an excitation transducer and an accelerometer to calculate the excitation signal needed to recreate the vibrations measured on the road when squeak and rattle are present in a component of the vehicle. A set of excitation signals may be recorded for each component in the vehicle which is suspected of producing squeak and rattle noise. When a complaint is made that a vehicle is producing squeak and rattle, a service technician may reproduce noise by inducing vibrations through a kit having a CD player, an amplifier, a bass shaker and a CD with the set of excitation signals stored on separate tracks thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vy Tran, Bill Covitz, Gary Boes, Keng D. Hsueh, Andrew Phillips, Christopher Robert Fuller, Francois Charette
  • Patent number: 6101882
    Abstract: The recreation of vibration levels at certain points in a stationary vehicle interior that are representative of realistic road conditions are achieved using road measurements in conjunction with a technique known as "reciprocal filtering." The reciprocal filtering technique consists of using an inverse transfer function, or impulse response in the time domain, between an excitation transducer and an accelerometer to calculate the excitation signal needed to recreate the vibrations measured on the road when squeak and rattle are present in a component of the vehicle. A set of excitation signals may be recorded for each component in the vehicle which is suspected of producing squeak and rattle noise. When a complaint is made that a vehicle is producing squeak and rattle, a service technician may reproduce noise by inducing vibrations through a kit having a CD player, an amplifier, a bass shaker and a CD with the set of excitation signals stored on separate tracks thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vy Tran, Bill Covitz, Gary Boes, Keng D. Hsueh, Andrew Phillips, Christopher Robert Fuller, Francois Charette