Patents by Inventor Michel Nicolas

Michel Nicolas 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: 20230250377
    Abstract: A microfluidic cell culture device is described. The device comprises a microfluidic network comprising a base, a microfluidic channel, and a cover, and at least one perfusion compartment and at least one support compartment inside the microfluidic channel The base and cover each comprise an aperture, thereby defining a conduit through the microfluidic channel. The aperture is in fluidic contact with the at least one support compartment, and with the at least one perfusion compartment through the at least one support compartment. Methods for creating a fluid-fluid interface and for investigating a cellular response to a stimulant using the device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Sebastiaan Johannes Trietsch, Arnaud Yannick Michel Nicolas, Leonarda Jacoba Van Den Broek, Bart Kramer
  • Patent number: 11656760
    Abstract: A control system installed aboard a vehicle and configured to allow the user to control, by performing a touch gesture on a control touch screen, a function of the equipment of the vehicle. The control system includes a computation module, the control touch screen and a remote screen that is configured to display display data corresponding to said function in the user's field of vision. The control touch screen is configured to generate instruction data associated with a control area on which the user performs the touch gesture on the basis of the display data displayed by the remote screen. The computation module is configured to generate the display data; to determine, on the basis of the instruction data, the function controlled by the user; and to communicate with the equipment of the vehicle so that the equipment activates the function controlled by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Michel Nicolas
  • Patent number: 11628853
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the transmission of a safety audio message to the occupants of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The method including transmitting an audio signal comprising the safety audio message and, mixed with said safety audio message, an identification signal including an identification digital audio message that is looped and frequency modulated, recording the ambient sound in the passenger compartment using a microphone, filtering and demodulating the signal to reconstruct the identification signal, analyzing the reconstructed identification signal to determine: whether the unique identifier corresponding to the transmitted safety audio message is found therein, and whether the time for which the identification signal was transmitted without interruption is indeed equal to the known duration of the safety audio signal, determining that the safety audio message has or has not been correctly transmitted in its entirety depending on the analyzing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Nicolas, Majed El Hassan
  • Publication number: 20220261145
    Abstract: A control system installed aboard a vehicle and configured to allow the user to control, by performing a touch gesture on a control touch screen, a function of the equipment of the vehicle. The control system includes a computation module, the control touch screen and a remote screen that is configured to display display data corresponding to said function in the user's field of vision. The control touch screen is configured to generate instruction data associated with a control area on which the user performs the touch gesture on the basis of the display data displayed by the remote screen. The computation module is configured to generate the display data; to determine, on the basis of the instruction data, the function controlled by the user; and to communicate with the equipment of the vehicle so that the equipment activates the function controlled by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Michel Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20210031794
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the transmission of a safety audio message to the occupants of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The method including transmitting an audio signal comprising the safety audio message and, mixed with said safety audio message, an identification signal including an identification digital audio message that is looped and frequency modulated, recording the ambient sound in the passenger compartment using a microphone, filtering and demodulating the signal to reconstruct the identification signal, analyzing the reconstructed identification signal to determine: whether the unique identifier corresponding to the transmitted safety audio message is found therein, and whether the time for which the identification signal was transmitted without interruption is indeed equal to the known duration of the safety audio signal, determining that the safety audio message has or has not been correctly transmitted in its entirety depending on the analyzing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michel Nicolas, Majed El Hassan
  • Publication number: 20200393397
    Abstract: A device for performing electrical measurements, for example electrical activity across a layer of epithelial cells are disclosed. The device comprises a cassette having first and second surfaces, the cassette configured to engage with a microtiter plate and comprising a plurality of electrodes extending from the first surface in the direction of the microtiter plate when the cassette is engaged with the microtiter plate; and a housing detachably attached to the second surface of the cassette, comprising one or more heat management elements, and a processor comprising a data acquisition module electrically connected to the electrodes and a data processing module. A method of in vitro method for measuring electrical properties of cells cultured in a microfluidic device, for example using the device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Mimetas B.V.
    Inventors: Paul VULTO, Sebastian Johannes TRIETSCH, Arnaund Yannick Michel NICOLAS, Frederik Mathijs SCHAVEMAKER
  • Patent number: 10836023
    Abstract: A method of inserting an H-Seal in a bearing, the H-Seal having two ends, two upper lips, two lower lips and a vertical flange positioned between the bearing that secures the upper and lower lips together, the bearing having seal faces, inner and outer rings and a gap therebetween. The method provides including an insertion tool assembly, priming the H-Seal into the insertion tool, sliding the tool with the H-Seal loaded therein within a slot, placing the lower lips back on their respective face, allowing the lower lips to recover their initial shape. The tool moves the lower lips to a vertical position (T shape), inserts the seal between the rings and the lower lips recover their initial shape and places them naturally back on their respective faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Diogene, Damien Bredoire, Michel Nicolas
  • Patent number: 10808766
    Abstract: A tool for inserting an H-Seal in a bearing includes a vertical part assembly having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a freely rolling disc. A first interconnecting portion is configured to engage a second interconnecting portion, the first interconnecting portion configured to receive the vertical part assembly through an opening in the first interconnecting portion. A gripping element connected to the top portion. A rolling disc mounted to the bottom portion of the vertical part assembly. First and second sliding pads having first and second evolutive guides that vary in shape from top to bottom and from back to front. The evolutive guides are configured to pass the H-Seal between the stages of being in a free state with lower lips opened outward, to pre-inserted into the bearing, to inserted into the bearing, to coming down into the bearing, to the lower lips opening outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Diogene, Damien Bredoire, Michel Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20190032721
    Abstract: A tool for inserting an H-Seal in a bearing includes a vertical part assembly having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a freely rolling disc. A first interconnecting portion is configured to engage a second interconnecting portion, the first interconnecting portion configured to receive the vertical part assembly through an opening in the first interconnecting portion. A gripping element connected to the top portion. A rolling disc mounted to the bottom portion of the vertical part assembly. First and second sliding pads having first and second evolutive guides that vary in shape from top to bottom and from back to front. The evolutive guides are configured to pass the H-Seal between the stages of being in a free state with lower lips opened outward, to pre-inserted into the bearing, to inserted into the bearing, to coming down into the bearing, to the lower lips opening outward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Diogene, Damien Bredoire, Michel Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20190030697
    Abstract: A method of inserting an H-Seal in a bearing, the H-Seal having two ends, two upper lips, two lower lips and a vertical flange positioned between the bearing that secures the upper and lower lips together, the bearing having seal faces, inner and outer rings and a gap therebetween. The method provides including an insertion tool assembly, priming the H-Seal into the insertion tool, sliding the tool with the H-Seal loaded therein within a slot, placing the lower lips back on their respective face, allowing the lower lips to recover their initial shape. The tool moves the lower lips to a vertical position (T shape), inserts the seal between the rings and the lower lips recover their initial shape and places them naturally back on their respective faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Diogene, Damien Bredoire, Michel Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20180345280
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for inducing flow of a fluid in a microfluidic device that comprises at least one microfluidic channel, the apparatus comprising: a base, on which said microfluidic device is pivotally disposed, defining a first position in a first plane (I); and a selectively operable tilting element attached to said base, to pivot the microfluidic device with respect to the base, thereby inducing fluid flow through the at least one microfluidic channel; wherein the base accommodates the microfluidic device in a first position defining a first plane, wherein the tilting element pivots the microfluidic device from the first position to a second position defining a second plane (II), and wherein the microfluidic device is tilted about a pivoting axis bisecting the first plane, thereby defining an inclination angle ? between the first plane and second plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: MIMETAS B.V.
    Inventors: Paul VULTO, Sebastiaan Johannes TRIETSCH, Arnaud Yannick Michel NICOLAS
  • Patent number: 10041533
    Abstract: A bearing providing at least two rings able to pivot relative to one another, at least one of the rings including at least two annular ring parts having annular radial surfaces axially opposite each other. The bearing further providing at least one annular shim disposed between the radial surfaces of the annular ring parts and including successive circumferential portions. Each circumferential portion of the shim has a plurality of nicks respectively traversed by axial elements. The nicks of each circumferential portion of the annular shim are shaped and oriented to permit the positioning between the annular ring parts and the removal of each circumferential portion by radial translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Michel Nicolas
  • Patent number: 10041545
    Abstract: A bearing providing at least an inner ring and an outer ring adapted to concentrically rotate with respect to one another, equipped with at least one embedded device for the detection of a displacement in translation of the rings relative to each other, the detection device including a linear encoder element mounted on one of the rings, and a sensor element mounted on the other ring and opposite the encoder element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Michel Nicolas, Arnaud Guerard
  • Patent number: 10030710
    Abstract: A bearing providing a first ring and a second ring, capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, equipped with at least one incorporated device for detecting the movement of the rings relative to one another is provided. The detection device includes at least a coder element mounted on the first ring and at least a sensor element mounted on the second ring, facing the coder element, the coder element providing at least one linear ribbon arranged on a cylindrical surface of the first ring. The first ring of the bearing is equipped with at least one retaining strip that extends over the ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Michel Nicolas
  • Patent number: 9863539
    Abstract: A bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring, and sealing means is provided. The bearing includes a complementary inflatable sealing device mounted on one of the rings and further includes a fixed annular part and a deformable annular portion coupled to the annular fixed part that can be deformed in a direction from a retracted position to a deployed position under the effect of a fluid and in the other direction towards its retracted position, at least one annular chamber for receiving the fluid, into which the orifice being formed between the fixed and deformable portions at least when the deformable annular portion is extended axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Juliette Delaby, Michel Nicolas
  • Patent number: 9644679
    Abstract: A slewing bearing, in particular for a vehicle, comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, at least one row of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a sealing feature that define between the rings a closed annular space within which the rolling elements are disposed. The bearing also comprises at least one seal that is fixed to the outer ring and comprises at least one sealing lip that is oriented towards the outside of the bearing, and at least one deflector that is fixed to the outer ring and comprises a deflecting part that is at least partially offset axially towards the outside with respect to the sealing lip of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Juliette Delaby, Herve Dondaine, Michel Nicolas
  • Patent number: 9638259
    Abstract: A plug assembly for use in a rolling bearing comprising at least a first ring, at least one second ring, and at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings. The first ring is provided with an opening for inserting rolling elements into a space between raceways or for taking rolling elements out of the space between the raceways for assembly and maintenance. The plug assembly comprises a plug configured to close the opening when the bearing is operating. The plug includes an inner end face facing the rolling elements and an outer end face opposite to the inner end face. The bearing can further comprise a protective cap shielding the outer end face of the plug from a corrosive environment of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Vincent Bredoire, Nicolas Chaumont, Michel Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20170082148
    Abstract: A bearing providing a first ring and a second ring, capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, equipped with at least one incorporated device for detecting the movement of the rings relative to one another is provided. The detection device includes at least a coder element mounted on the first ring and at least a sensor element mounted on the second ring, facing the coder element, the coder element providing at least one linear ribbon arranged on a cylindrical surface of the first ring. The first ring of the bearing is equipped with at least one retaining strip that extends over the ribbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Michel Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20170058949
    Abstract: A bearing providing at least two rings able to pivot relative to one another, at least one of the rings including at least two annular ring parts having annular radial surfaces axially opposite each other. The bearing further providing at least one annular shim disposed between the radial surfaces of the annular ring parts and including successive circumferential portions. Each circumferential portion of the shim has a plurality of nicks respectively traversed by axial elements. The nicks of each circumferential portion of the annular shim are shaped and oriented to permit the positioning between the annular ring parts and the removal of each circumferential portion by radial translation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Michel Nicolas
  • Patent number: 9551378
    Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, and at least one row of rolling elements located between raceways provided on each of the inner and outer rings. The rolling bearing assembly comprises an angular adjustment feature for angularly adjusting the inner ring relative to the outer ring, wherein the adjustment feature comprises at least one angular indexing finger extending radially from one of the inner ring and the outer ring towards the other of the inner ring and the outer ring and an arc-shaped stop for the angular indexing finger mounted on the other of the inner ring and the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Juliette Delaby, Marie-Joelle Huot-Marchand, Michel Nicolas