Patents by Inventor Jean-Claude Vandevoorde

Jean-Claude Vandevoorde 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: 8138683
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a series circuit current of a lighting installation at an airfield or the like, in which case the series circuit current which flows through transformers which are arranged on the secondary side of an output transformer and are connected in series, in order to supply lighting appliances is controlled by means of a thyristor module, which is arranged on the primary side of the output transformer and has a variable trigger angle, in which case, when a control unit is in a constant-current mode, the trigger angle is set in such a manner that a series circuit current which corresponds essentially to a rated output current flows. The invention also relates to a constant-current regulator for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ADB BVBA
    Inventors: Pierre Catoul, Daniel Tessens, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 8128254
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flush-mounted flashing light for approach guidance of aircraft, having a housing which has a housing pot (10) which can be inserted below ground level (F) and a housing cover (12) which covers this approximately at ground level (F) and having an optical system, which is arranged in the housing for controlled production and directed emission of light flashes, which comprises a light source (20) for production of light flashes and a prism (40) for varying the direction of the beam direction of the light flashes, with at least one light outlet opening (13) being provided in the housing cover (12) for light flashes to emerge from in a predetermined emission direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ADB BVBA
    Inventors: Guy Laenen, Michel Vanderen, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Louis Willems
  • Publication number: 20110187580
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for detecting a vehicle, especially an aircraft (A), on an airport runway (R), especially a take-off or landing strip, a taxi strip or in the ramp region, said device comprising at least one radar sensor (11) which is arranged in the region of the runway (R) and used to scan a spatial detection region (E) by means of a radar beam. The fact that the detection region (E) comprises two lobe-shaped partial regions (E1, E2) extending horizontally over the runway (R) and transversally to the direction of travel (V) of the vehicle (A), and the radar sensor (11) is designed to scan the detection region (E) by means of microwaves, enables vehicles moving on runways to be detected with higher measuring precision, higher sensor reliability and using a robust measuring principle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Guy Laenen, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Geert Bollens
  • Publication number: 20110031896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for lighting the airfield of an airport, comprising a plurality of lighting units (2) for emitting light signals for an approaching, departing, or rolling aircraft, a power supply system which is used for supplying electric power to the lighting units (2) and is equipped with at least one control unit (4) for adjusting a constant current or a constant voltage in a circuit (3) encompassing at least one of the lighting units (2), and configuration data (k) for configuring the at least one control unit (4) in the circuit (3). In order to allow a control unit (4) that has to be replaced to be quickly and safely replaced, the lighting device (1) comprises a memory unit (5) for storing configuration data (k) and a communication unit (6) for transmitting data between the at least one control unit (4) and the memory unit (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Andre Jelu, Francoise Van Buylaere, Maarten Willekens
  • Publication number: 20100053946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flush-mounted flashing light for approach guidance of aircraft, having a housing which has a housing pot (10) which can be inserted below ground level (F) and a housing cover (12) which covers this approximately at ground level (F) and having an optical system, which is arranged in the housing for controlled production and directed emission of light flashes, which comprises a light source (20) for production of light flashes and a prism (40) for varying the direction of the beam direction of the light flashes, with at least one light outlet opening (13) being provided in the housing cover (12) for light flashes to emerge from in a predetermined emission direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Guy Laenen, Michel Vanderen, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Louis Villems
  • Patent number: 7661250
    Abstract: An assembly for positioning sleeves on products such as bottles. The products are conveyed in the upright position one after the other along a conveyor line and the sleeves are removed from a sleeve-feed system by transfer members above the product. The assembly comprises a single sleeve-feed system and two pairs of alternately-operating transfer members which are installed on either side of the product conveyor line. Each transfer member is supported by a carriage to travel the length of an active path along the side of the product at the sleeve-application position in order to remove a sleeve and place the sleeve on the product, in an alternating manner with the other transfer member from the pair, while the carriage of the other transfer member from the second pair moves the other transfer member from the second pair along a return path at a distance from the active path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Philippe Thebault
  • Publication number: 20100033966
    Abstract: Disclosed is a glide-angle light for approach guidance of aircraft, comprising a housing with a light outlet opening in which a light channel with an optical axis is arranged, along which a light source for production of a light beam, a colored filter for splitting the light beam into a filtered beam component and an unfiltered beam component and a lens arrangement for focused emission of the light beam through the light outlet opening are arranged. Only a single light channel is arranged in the housing so that the glide-angle lights according to the invention can be produced at considerably less cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Guy Laenen, Ludo Moons, Pierre Trémouroux, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Publication number: 20080202076
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for positioning sleeves on products such as bottles. According to the invention, the products are conveyed in the upright position one after the other along a conveyor line and the sleeves are removed from a sleeve-feed system by transfer members above the product. The inventive assembly comprises a single sleeve-feed system and two pairs of alternately-operating transfer members which are installed on either side of the product conveyor line. Each transfer member is supported by a transport means such as to travel the length of an active path along the side of the product at the sleeve-application position in order to remove a sleeve and place same on the product, in an alternating manner with the other transfer member from the pair, while the means for transporting the other transfer member from the second pair moves the latter member along a return path at a distance from the active path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Protection Decoration Conditionnement Europe
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Philippe Thebault
  • Patent number: 7343949
    Abstract: The invention concerns an installation comprising a feeding device (100, 101, 103, 104, 1, 11, 12) unwinding the support (G) and a treating device (105, 4) for operating on the parts (P). A reading unit (102) positioned on the passage (Z) of the bar codes (CB) of the parts (P), supplies signals (SL). A data source (107) contains data concerning the bar codes (CB). A control circuit (106, 5) receives the sense signals (SL) and the data signals (SD) so as to compare them and transmit control signals (SC) for the treating device (105, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 7300186
    Abstract: Blister lights are used for signaling and/or marking purposes. The blister lights include a housing which is embedded in a traffic area, e.g. a street, an airport runway for taking off and for landing, or the like. It further includes a housing cover by which means the housing embedded in the traffic area can be closed on its upper side, the cover being detachably connected to the housing and including at least one light outlet. It additionally includes an illuminating element which is arranged in the housing and by which the light can radiate through the light outlet of the housing cover. In order to enable the illuminating element to have higher current densities and thus to enable the blister lights to have a higher light output capacity, a thermoconducting bridge is formed between illuminating element and the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Cuypers, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 7175314
    Abstract: The invention relates to a unidirectional lighting device for illuminating objects and/or for marking lanes, preferably in the airport area. Said device comprises a base having an external housing for placing and fastening the lighting device and optical components which comprise at least one light source, one reflector and one front glass and which produce a light beam along an optical axis. The external housing does not consist of metal and the optical components are disposed in an optical module to be added on to the base, thereby providing a lighting device which is easy to maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guy Laenen, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Louis Willems
  • Patent number: 7157860
    Abstract: A control for a flashlight system in an airport, includes flash units which are connected to an energy supply line and, on the output side, to respective flashlights of the flashlight system via a light cable. In order to avoid unwanted high voltages, each flash light unit includes an energy-integrating low-voltage capacitor which can be supplied by a current source having a corrected power factor and which is connected to the flashlights embodied as low-voltage lights. The energy transmitted to the flashlights can be electronically controlled. A connection device connecting the flash units to a local master control system is embodied as a local field bus system, in such a way that different, conventionally arranged, simultaneous or mixed flash configuration patterns can be produced by way of the same electrical installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pierre Catoul, Francis Caus, Daniel Tessens, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Publication number: 20060146536
    Abstract: The invention relates to a unidirectional lighting device for illuminating objects and/or for marking lanes, preferably in the airport area. Said device comprises a base having an external housing for placing and fastening the lighting device and optical components which comprise at least one light source, one reflector and one front glass and which produce a light beam along an optical axis. The external housing does not consist of metal and the optical components are disposed in an optical module to be added on to the base, thereby providing a lighting device which is easy to maintain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Guy Laenen, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Louis Willems
  • Publication number: 20060072312
    Abstract: Blister lights are used for signaling and/or marking purposes. The blister lights include a housing which is embedded in a traffic area, e.g. a street, an airport runway for taking off and for landing, or the like. It further includes a housing cover by which the housing embedded in the traffic area can be closed on its upper side, the cover being detachably connected to the housing and including at least one light outlet. It additionally includes an illuminating element which is arranged in the housing and by which the light can radiate through the light outlet of the housing cover. In order to enable the illuminating element to have higher current densities and thus to enable the blister lights to have a higher light output capacity, a thermoconducting bridge is formed between illuminating element and the housing cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Cuypers, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Publication number: 20050081487
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for fitting stretchable sleeves on containers in the form of a substantially prismatic or cylindrical carton, the opening of which is at least partially surrounded by a rim projecting out towards the exterior. Sleeves are cut from a stretchable sheath and stretched to assume a section slightly bigger than the section of the carton. The sleeve is placed on the carton by moving it from above the base in the direction towards the rim. The apparatus comprises a sheath feed and a sleeve cutting device, a transfer drum equipped with transfer elements, and a placing turret equipped with placing units with two placing elements, each having a stretching tool and a clamping block. A container feed positions the containers, in steps, in synchronisation with the placing elements, in the placing zone, the base Fo of the container R being turned towards the placing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: Protection Decoration Conditionnement Europe
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Philippe Thebault
  • Publication number: 20050017659
    Abstract: A control device is for flashlight systems in airports. The control device includes flash units which are connected, on the input side, to an energy supply line and, on the output side, to respectively one flashlight of the flashlight system via a light cable. The flash units respectively include a PCB (printed circuit board) for controlling the flashlight, a local master control system, and a connection device by which the local master control system is connected to the flash units. In order to avoid unwanted high voltages, each flash light unit includes an energy-integrating low-voltage capacitor which can be supplied by a current source having a corrected power factor and being connected to the flashlights embodied as low-voltage lights. The energy transmitted to the flashlights can be electronically controlled in order to regulate the light intensity and to stabilize the same against voltage source variations and power impedance variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Pierre Catoul, Francis Caus, Daniel Tessens, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 6474390
    Abstract: A labeling machine having an input station receiving the bottles on which a sleeve is to be placed, a station for dispensing sleeves from a sheath and a main turret fitted with units for receiving the bottles and a providing them with a sleeve. Each unit has a slidable tool mounted parallel with the bottle to place the sleeve on the bottle. The main turret is suspended from a tripod supported directly on the ground while the input and output turrets as well as the unreeling station supplying the sheath dispensing the sleeves are supported by the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Protection Decoration Conditionnement Europe S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 6246342
    Abstract: Man-machine interface (MMI) for airport traffic control purposes, in particular for safe taxiing and/or approach-departure control at an airport, having a display area on which processes and states at the airport, for example the movements and the current position of aircraft, the switching state of lighting systems, etc., can be displayed and influenced. The display area is designed with a screen whose diagonal is more than 19 inches, preferably more than 21 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Vandevoorde, Robert Castor, Andre Jelu
  • Patent number: 6112157
    Abstract: A constant-current regulator regulates and monitors the current fed to one or more downstream loads. It also serves to even out the current fed to the downstream load or loads at the control level or when there is a change in the control level. In order to enhance the security and reliability of operation of such a constant-current regulator when installed in a control and monitoring circuit, control signals having a similar regulating/monitoring content are applied to the constant-current regulator by means of two separate busses (3, 4) in a mutually independent manner. The constant-current regulator is used to carry out a separate plausibility/conformity check of the control signals from the first bus (3) and the control signals from the second bus (4). If a lack of plausibility/conformity is ascertained for the control signals of the first bus (3), the control signals of the second bus (4) are taken as the basis for operation of the constant-current regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Julien Boon, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde
  • Patent number: 5952737
    Abstract: A switch-off device for airport series circuits (2) has input terminals (3, 4) which are connected to a current source (1). It also has output terminals (5, 6) which are connected to a series circuit (2) and connecting elements (7, 8) by means of which the input terminals (3, 4) and the output terminals (5, 6) can be connected to one another. The switch-off device has an actuator (11) for the purpose of simplifying operation and permitting a plurality of different, clearly visible operating states. In a normal position, the actuator positions the connecting elements (7, 8) such that each input terminal (3, 4) is connected to an output terminal (5, 6). In a service position, it positions the connecting elements (7, 8) so that the input terminals (3, 4) are disconnected from the output terminals (5, 6) and are connected to a grounding terminal (9), while the output terminals (5, 6) are connected to one another and to the grounding terminal (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Julien Boon, Jean-Claude Vandevoorde