Patents by Inventor Nicolas Girard

Nicolas Girard 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: 20250154887
    Abstract: An adaptation module for a motor vehicle with a combustion engine, the vehicle including a power supply module able to supply electric energy and a catalytic converter able to depollute the exhaust gases emitted by the combustion engine and including an electric heating device electrically connected to the power supply module and including a first resistor connected between a high point and a midpoint and a second resistor connected between the midpoint and a low point. The adaptation module being electrically connected firstly to the power supply module and secondly to the high point, the low point, and the midpoint of the heating device, and being configured to adapt the power supplied by the power supply module into an output power and to apply the adapted output power to the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Nicolas GIRARD, Alexandre SIGAUD
  • Patent number: 12168949
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to a heating device for a motor vehicle is described, in which the motor vehicle includes: a) an electric network; b) a catalytic converter including an electric heating device connected to the electric network; c) a battery electrically connected to the electric network; and d) an electric machine electrically connected to the electric network. The method includes: a) detecting a request for activation of the heating device; b) activating the generator mode of the electric machine; c) sending a voltage delivery instruction to the electric machine in order to supply the electric network with power; d) detecting a request for deactivation of the heating device; and e) deactivating the generator mode of the electric machine and a step of disconnecting the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Nicolas Girard, Damien Verdier
  • Publication number: 20240369005
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to a heating device for a motor vehicle is described, in which the motor vehicle includes: a) an electric network; b) a catalytic converter including an electric heating device connected to the electric network; c) a battery electrically connected to the electric network; and d) an electric machine electrically connected to the electric network. The method includes: a) detecting a request for activation of the heating device; b) activating the generator mode of the electric machine; c) sending a voltage delivery instruction to the electric machine in order to supply the electric network with power; d) detecting a request for deactivation of the heating device; and e) deactivating the generator mode of the electric machine and a step of disconnecting the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Nicolas GIRARD, Damien VERDIER
  • Patent number: 12005884
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for optimizing the time gradient of the pressure increase in a fuel injection system of a hybrid motor vehicle. The method determines and uses the engine torque generated by the electric machine of the vehicle to reduce the engine torque generated by the internal combustion engine of the vehicle and allow the high-pressure pump of the internal combustion engine to generate, if applicable, a higher value of the time gradient of the pressure increase in the common supply chamber of its injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Nicolas Girard, Fabien Constans
  • Patent number: 11691665
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system utilizes a vehicle having a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a steering assembly. The method includes detecting a steering rate using the controller. A base level steering damping is computed using the steering rate. At least one approximate vehicle acceleration is determined. A steering torque of the steering assembly is sensed through a torque sensor configured to sense the steering torque of the steering assembly. Moreover, a user torque is determined using the torque sensor. A damping boost is computed using the user torque and the at least one approximate vehicle acceleration. A final steering damping gain is determined using the base level steering damping and the damping boost. The final steering damping gain is applied to the steering assembly to minimize unwanted feedback to the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: BRP Megatech Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Gagné, Nicolas Girard, Simon Bédard, Alexandre Frigon
  • Publication number: 20220363240
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for optimizing the time gradient of the pressure increase in a fuel injection system of a hybrid motor vehicle. The method determines and uses the engine torque generated by the electric machine of the vehicle to reduce the engine torque generated by the internal combustion engine of the vehicle and allow the high-pressure pump of the internal combustion engine to generate, if applicable, a higher value of the time gradient of the pressure increase in the common supply chamber of its injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Nicolas GIRARD, Fabien CONSTANS
  • Patent number: 11415071
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a pressure sensor in a direct injection system including at least one common rail, a high-pressure fuel pump, a hydraulic circuit connecting the high-pressure pump to the common rail, a passive pressure-limiting valve connected to the hydraulic circuit, configured to open once the pressure in the hydraulic circuit is greater than a threshold pressure, so as to discharge the fuel, including the steps of detecting the opening of the pressure-limiting valve, measuring the pressure PMES corresponding to the time of opening of the pressure-limiting valve and comparing the measured pressure PMES to the threshold pressure P1 in order to detect a drift in the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Nicolas Girard, Tet Kong Brian Chia
  • Publication number: 20210403079
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system utilizes a vehicle having a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a steering assembly. The method includes detecting a steering rate using the controller. A base level steering damping is computed using the steering rate. At least one approximate vehicle acceleration is determined. A steering torque of the steering assembly is sensed through a torque sensor configured to sense the steering torque of the steering assembly. Moreover, a user torque is determined using the torque sensor. A damping boost is computed using the user torque and the at least one approximate vehicle acceleration. A final steering damping gain is determined using the base level steering damping and the damping boost. The final steering damping gain is applied to the steering assembly to minimize unwanted feedback to the steering assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Kongsberg Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Gagné, Nicolas Girard, Simon Bédard, Alexandre Frigon
  • Patent number: 11149674
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the diagnosis of a digital valve in a fuel injection system. In the diagnosis, a diagnosis current is applied to the digital valve with an intensity and for a hold time that are predetermined by experiment on digital valves identified as being fault-free, this intensity and this time being recognized as being sufficient for an inflection on a curve of the closing current to be detected in the hold time. Measurements are taken at more than 3 kHz of the diagnosis current added to the induced current in the hold time. When an inflection on the current curve is detected in this hold time, it is concluded that the valve is working correctly. When no inflection on the curve is detected in this hold time, it is concluded that the valve is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Nicolas Girard, George Weaver, Jérémie Memain
  • Patent number: 11077876
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system utilizes a vehicle having a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a steering assembly. The method includes detecting a steering rate using the controller and determining a vehicle speed. A base level steering damping is computed using the steering rate and the vehicle speed. At least one approximate vehicle acceleration is determined. A steering torque of the steering assembly is sensed through a torque sensor configured to sense the steering torque of the steering assembly. Moreover, a user torque is determined using the torque sensor. A damping boost is computed using the user torque and the at least one approximate vehicle acceleration. A final steering damping gain is determined using the base level steering damping and the damping boost. The final steering damping gain is applied to the steering assembly to minimize unwanted feedback to the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Kongsberg Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Gagné, Nicolas Girard, Simon Bédard, Alexandre Frigon
  • Publication number: 20210180536
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the diagnosis of a digital valve in a fuel injection system. In the diagnosis, a diagnosis current is applied to the digital valve with an intensity and for a hold time that are predetermined by experiment on digital valves identified as being fault-free, this intensity and this time being recognized as being sufficient for an inflection on a curve of the closing current to be detected in the hold time. Measurements are taken at more than 3 kHz of the diagnosis current added to the induced current in the hold time. When an inflection on the current curve is detected in this hold time, it is concluded that the valve is working correctly. When no inflection on the curve is detected in this hold time, it is concluded that the valve is faulty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Nicolas GIRARD, George WEAVER, Jérémie MEMAIN
  • Publication number: 20210140384
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a pressure sensor in a direct injection system including at least one common rail, a high-pressure fuel pump, a hydraulic circuit connecting the high-pressure pump to the common rail, a passive pressure-limiting valve connected to the hydraulic circuit, configured to open once the pressure in the hydraulic circuit is greater than a threshold pressure, so as to discharge the fuel, including the steps of detecting the opening of the pressure-limiting valve, measuring the pressure PMES corresponding to the time of opening of the pressure-limiting valve and comparing the measured pressure PMES to the threshold pressure P1 in order to detect a drift in the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Nicolas Girard, Tet Kong Brian Chia
  • Patent number: 10907565
    Abstract: A method for controlling a digital high-pressure pump, the control method including the following consecutive steps when the internal combustion engine does not manage to start during the starting procedure: checking the external parameters of the internal combustion engine; measuring a physical parameter at the high-pressure output, applying an electrical detachment control signal as a replacement for the electrical control signal to the high-pressure pump during the starting procedure when the physical parameter measured at the high-pressure output is less than or equal to a reference value, and stopping the starting procedure after a given time when the physical parameter measured at the high-pressure output is greater than the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Nicolas Girard, Tet Kong Brian Chia
  • Patent number: 10837383
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating an angular position of top dead center for a high-pressure fuel injection pump that forms part of a system for injecting fuel into a motor vehicle engine, the pump including at least one piston moving in a chamber between the top and the bottom dead center, the pump being equipped with a digital control valve for controlling a quantity of fuel, an electrical current being applied to the digital valve as it closes then removed in order to open the digital valve, a movement of the digital valve in the direction of opening creating an induced current which makes it possible to detect a position of start-of-opening of the digital valve. An instant at which the pump piston passes through top dead center is estimated as a function of an instant at which the position of start-of-opening of the digital valve appears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Nicolas Girard
  • Publication number: 20200056561
    Abstract: A method for controlling a digital high-pressure pump, the control method including the following consecutive steps when the internal combustion engine does not manage to start during the starting procedure: checking the external parameters of the internal combustion engine; measuring a physical parameter at the high-pressure output, applying an electrical detachment control signal as a replacement for the electrical control signal to the high-pressure pump during the starting procedure when the physical parameter measured at the high-pressure output is less than or equal to a reference value, and stopping the starting procedure after a given time when the physical parameter measured at the high-pressure output is greater than the reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Nicolas Girard, Tet Kong Brian Chia
  • Publication number: 20200031387
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power steering system utilizes a vehicle having a motor, a controller coupled to the motor, and a steering assembly. The method includes detecting a steering rate using the controller and determining a vehicle speed. A base level steering damping is computed using the steering rate and the vehicle speed. At least one approximate vehicle acceleration is determined. A steering torque of the steering assembly is sensed through a torque sensor configured to sense the steering torque of the steering assembly. Moreover, a user torque is determined using the torque sensor. A damping boost is computed using the user torque and the at least one approximate vehicle acceleration. A final steering damping gain is determined using the base level steering damping and the damping boost. The final steering damping gain is applied to the steering assembly to minimize unwanted feedback to the steering assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Kongsberg Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Gagné, Nicolas Girard, Simon Bédard, Alexandre Frigon
  • Patent number: 10526993
    Abstract: A method for checking the operation of a high-pressure fuel supply unit for an internal combustion engine, consisting in driving a high-pressure fuel injection pump by a starter, and after the engine is synchronised and fuel injection into the cylinders is shut off, in defining an initial base pressure in a high-pressure rail, in activating the injection pump by issuing successive timing and angle-setting commands, on the basis of the initial pressure, and in comparing the first pressure and the second pressure obtained in the rail by these timing and angle-setting commands, and/or by comparing at least one of the pressures with a reference pressure in order to check the operation of the high-pressure fuel supply unit for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Renaud Andre, Nicolas Girard
  • Publication number: 20190353110
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating an angular position of top dead center for a high-pressure fuel injection pump that forms part of a system for injecting fuel into a motor vehicle engine, the pump including at least one piston moving in a chamber between the top and the bottom dead center, the pump being equipped with a digital control valve for controlling a quantity of fuel, an electrical current being applied to the digital valve as it closes then removed in order to open the digital valve, a movement of the digital valve in the direction of opening creating an induced current which makes it possible to detect a position of start-of-opening of the digital valve. An instant at which the pump piston passes through top dead center is estimated as a function of an instant at which the position of start-of-opening of the digital valve appears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Yves AGNUS, Nicolas GIRARD
  • Publication number: 20190063362
    Abstract: A method for checking the operation of a high-pressure fuel supply unit for an internal combustion engine, consisting in driving a high-pressure fuel injection pump by a starter, and after the engine is synchronised and fuel injection into the cylinders is shut off, in defining an initial base pressure in a high-pressure rail, in activating the injection pump by issuing successive timing and angle-setting commands, on the basis of the initial pressure, and in comparing the first pressure and the second pressure obtained in the rail by these timing and angle-setting commands, and/or by comparing at least one of the pressures with a reference pressure in order to check the operation of the high-pressure fuel supply unit for the internal combustion engine
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Renaud Andre, Nicolas Girard
  • Patent number: 10097699
    Abstract: Among other things, a content item is received that is associated with an offer for wireless network credit. The wireless network credit is redeemable for free or discounted data usage of one or more metered wireless networks. In response to a selection input, the content item is presented to a user. Data is transmitted reflecting the presentation of the content item to a remote server to cause the remote server to add the mobile broadband credit to an account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Aquto Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas Girard, Yusun Kim Riley