Patents by Inventor Gabriel Colombier

Gabriel Colombier 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: 6780303
    Abstract: A process for continuous nickel plating of an aluminum conductor, by electrolytically pre-treating the aluminum conductor to improve adherence of a nickel coat thereon by passing the aluminum conductor through a pre-treating bath in which is disposed an electrode connected to a first current source at a first voltage, for supplying to the aluminum conductor a pre-treating current, then electrolytically plating the pre-treated aluminum conductor with nickel in a plating bath in which is disposed an anode connected to a second current source at a second voltage, in which a nickel coat is deposited on the conductor by action of a nickel plating current In. At least the nickel plating current In is transmitted to the conductor through a mechanical electrical contact which contacts the conductor between the pre-treating bath and the plating bath, the pre-treating improving the contact properties of the conductor sufficient to permit the transmitting through the mechanical electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Gabriel Colombier, Jean-Sylvestre Safrany, Bernard Loreau, Sandrine Tournier
  • Publication number: 20020139685
    Abstract: A continuous nickel plating process for at least one aluminum conductor includes a pre-treatment step P that improves the adherence of a nickel coat, and an electrolytic nickel plating step N, and is characterized in that the contact properties of the conductor after the pre-treatment step P are sufficient to enable a mechanical electrical contact, and in that the nickel plating current (In=I1) is transmitted to the conductor through a mechanical electrical contact on the part of the conductor output from the pre-treatment step (P). The invention is also directed to a device including a nickel plating tank with a receptacle that can contain a nickel plating bath and at least one electrode called the anode, containing nickel, at least one electrical power supply to apply a voltage (V1) between the electrode, or each electrode, and the conductor or each conductor, and means for moving the conductor in the nickel plating bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Gabriel Colombier, Jean-Sylvestre Safrany, Bernard Loreau, Sandrine Tournier
  • Patent number: 5435899
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning, rinsing and coating a metal can body comprising a tank for containing a liquid, an electrically conductive nozzle maintained in a substantially vertical direction and means for supporting a can body inverted over the nozzle. An electrical contact is disposed in an upper portion of the tank directly above the nozzle and the can body is free to move upwardly between the nozzle and the electrical contact under the force of liquid flowing through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Pechiney Recherche
    Inventors: Philippe Gimenez, Gabriel Colombier, Dominique Petit, Claude Encrenaz, Armand Golay
  • Patent number: 5100737
    Abstract: A multi-layer material comprises at least two layers of flexible material, including one layer based on electrically conductive, expanded recompressed graphite and another layer based on a metal, wherein the layer of graphite has at least one face thereof covered at every point by a layer of metal and in direct electrical contact with the layer of metal, and wherein the layer of metal is obtained by electrodeposition or by chemical deposit of at least one metal on the layer of graphite in such a way that the layer of metal adheres directly to the layer of graphite and closely matches the micro-relief thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Le Carbone Lorraine
    Inventors: Gabriel Colombier, Philippe Gimenez, Claude Drapier, Michel Moreau
  • Patent number: 5015340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of continuously coating electrically conductive substrates using high-speed electrolysis in which the substrate is immersed successively in an electrolytic activating bath and an electrolytic coating bath. The two baths are of the same composition and the substrate is constantly maintained in one bath. The method is applicable especially to the nickel plating of fine aluminum wires intended for the production of flexible cable for aeronautical applications. These wires may be treated in layers and at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Gabriel Colombier, Jacques Lefebvre, Jean Galand, Armand Golay
  • Patent number: 4808276
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for checking and obtaining in a moving mode the continuity of a metal covering on a metal wire of different nature belonging to the group of a wire being treated by a current strength and issuing from a covering bath and wire, the treatment of which is achieved and coming from a storage wheel. The method comprises continuously bringing the coated wire in contact with a volume of electrolyte solution chemically and physically inert with respect to the wire, and in which the sensitive part of a reference electrode is immersed, sliding the wire issuing from the volume against an electrical contact, measuring the electrical potential variations between the electrode and the contact, and when the potential current oscillates, noting the poorly covered wire and increasing the current strength on the wire being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Jacques Lefebvre, Philippe Gimenez, Gabriel Colombier, Armand Golay, Jean S. Safrany
  • Patent number: 4759837
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for electrolytically depositing, in a moving mode, a continuous film of nickel on metal wire for electrical use. The process comprises using an activation bath and a nickel-plating bath in which the current density is reduced in the upstream portion of the nickel plating bath and/or the downstream portion of the activation bath and the acidity of the nickel-plating bath is so regulated as to develop the nickel in the form of strongly adhering globules of small diameter, which completely cover the wire. The reduction in the above mentioned current density and control in respect of the current density profile along the bath may be achieved by acting on the position of the electrodes in the bath and/or by interposing screens between the electrodes and the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Jacques Lefebvre, Philippe Gimenez, Gabriel Colombier, Armand Golay, Jean S. Safrany
  • Patent number: 4741811
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for electrolytically depositing, in a moving mode, a continuous film of nickel on metal wire for electrical use. The process comprises using an activation bath and a nickel-plating bath in which the current density is reduced in the upstream portion of the nickel plating bath and/or the downstream portion of the activation bath and the acidity of the nickel-plating bath is so regulated as to develop the nickel in the form of strongly adhering globules of small diameter, which completely cover the wire. The reduction in the above mentioned current density and control in respect of the current density profile along the bath may be achieved by acting on the position of the electrodes in the bath and/or by interposing screens between the electrodes and the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Jacques Lefebvre, Philippe Gimenez, Gabriel Colombier, Armand Golay, Jean S. Safrany
  • Patent number: 4115212
    Abstract: Electrolytic coloring process for the surface of aluminum or aluminum alloy objects such as designed for the interior or exterior of buildings or even simpler objects such as ski poles, etc., characterized in that the object, without having been previously anodized, is directly subjected to the action of an alternating current at a voltage below the anodization voltage of the aluminum in an aqueous bath consisting of sulfuric acid and boric acid or only sulfamic acid, at least one salt of copper, tin, silver, nickel or gold; the resultant colored film is then coated with a colorless varnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Societe de Vente de l'Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Jos Patrie, Gabriel Colombier