Patents by Inventor Nicolas Imbert

Nicolas Imbert 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: 11858643
    Abstract: A piece of rotary equipment for a drone, the rotary equipment having a rotary assembly including at least one blade. The rotary assembly includes at least one furrow that extends in a skin from a first end to a second end, the at least one furrow being at least arranged over the blade, the at least one furrow presenting at least one change of direction on the blade, the rotary assembly including at least one deicer having an electrically conductive track that extends in the at least one furrow, the electrically conductive track extending from a first terminal to a second terminal, the first terminal being present at the first end and the second terminal being present at the second end, the deicer including a protective layer covering the electrically conductive track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Gauthier Gibert, Nicolas Imbert
  • Patent number: 11320821
    Abstract: An industrial activity drone comprising an aerial vehicle having at least one rotor, an activity system, and a fastener device for fastening the activity system to the aerial vehicle. The activity system includes a structure, a computer, a work camera that is stationary relative to the aerial vehicle and that provides a view of a work zone, a distribution device having a plurality of compartments, and a turning motor enabling the distribution device to turn relative to the aerial vehicle. The industrial activity drone performs hovering flight so that the work camera faces a work zone and the distribution device is turned so that the compartment that is to be used faces the work zone, thereby performing one or more tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Gauthier Gibert, Nicolas Imbert
  • Publication number: 20220017226
    Abstract: A piece of rotary equipment for a drone, the rotary equipment having a rotary assembly including at least one blade. The rotary assembly includes at least one furrow that extends in a skin from a first end to a second end, the at least one furrow being at least arranged over the blade, the at least one furrow presenting at least one change of direction on the blade, the rotary assembly including at least one deicer having an electrically conductive track that extends in the at least one furrow, the electrically conductive track extending from a first terminal to a second terminal, the first terminal being present at the first end and the second terminal being present at the second end, the deicer including a protective layer covering the electrically conductive track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Gauthier GIBERT, Nicolas IMBERT
  • Patent number: 11161617
    Abstract: A piece of rotary equipment for a drone, the rotary equipment having a rotary assembly including at least one blade. The rotary assembly includes at least one furrow that extends in a skin from a first end to a second end, the at least one furrow being at least arranged over the blade, the at least one furrow presenting at least one change of direction on the blade, the rotary assembly including at least one deicer having an electrically conductive track that extends in the at least one furrow, the electrically conductive track extending from a first terminal to a second terminal, the first terminal being present at the first end and the second terminal being present at the second end, the deicer including a protective layer covering the electrically conductive track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Gauthier Gibert, Nicolas Imbert
  • Publication number: 20200183396
    Abstract: An industrial activity drone comprising an aerial vehicle having at least one rotor, an activity system, and a fastener device for fastening the activity system to the aerial vehicle. The activity system includes a structure, a computer, a work camera that is stationary relative to the aerial vehicle and that provides a view of a work zone, a distribution device having a plurality of compartments, and a turning motor enabling the distribution device to turn relative to the aerial vehicle. The industrial activity drone performs hovering flight so that the work camera faces a work zone and the distribution device is turned so that the compartment that is to be used faces the work zone, thereby performing one or more tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Gauthier GIBERT, Nicolas IMBERT
  • Publication number: 20180370638
    Abstract: A piece of rotary equipment for a drone, the rotary equipment having a rotary assembly including at least one blade. The rotary assembly includes at least one furrow that extends in a skin from a first end to a second end, the at least one furrow being at least arranged over the blade, the at least one furrow presenting at least one change of direction on the blade, the rotary assembly including at least one deicer having an electrically conductive track that extends in the at least one furrow, the electrically conductive track extending from a first terminal to a second terminal, the first terminal being present at the first end and the second terminal being present at the second end, the deicer including a protective layer covering the electrically conductive track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Gauthier GIBERT, Nicolas IMBERT
  • Patent number: 9284849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotorcraft rotor (1) having a plurality of blades (3) movably mounted on a hub (2) via blade roots (4) that are respectively associated therewith. The rotor (1) is fitted with an information capture appliance having at least one measurement assembly (E1) comprising a flexible bar (11) interposed in engagement at its respective ends between the hub (2) and a blade root (4) that is allocated thereto. A strain gauge (7, 8) formed of a SAW transducer is implanted on the bar (11) and generates information relative to the bending of the bar (11) following tilting orientations of the blade root (4) in flapping (B) and/or in lag (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Christophe Perrin, Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Patent number: 9221542
    Abstract: A device (50) for feeding electricity to equipment (3) of a vehicle (1), the device including a harness (5), a socket (6) electrically connected to said harness (5), and a plug (9) electrically connected to said equipment (3) and co-operating with said socket (6) to provide the electrical connection between said harness (5) and said equipment (3). The device (50) provides for said harness (5) to run in the thickness of a floor (2) of the vehicle (1), said socket (6) being embedded in the thickness of said floor (2) so that the top surface of said floor (2) does not present any projecting portion. The device (50) includes a movable protection cap (7) for opening and closing said socket (6), together with opening means (40) driven by mounting said equipment (3) on said floor (2), thereby causing said movable protection cap (7) to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Patent number: 9169892
    Abstract: An aircraft comprising a mechanical connection device including a body that extends along a longitudinal axis. The body comprises two opposite end portions disposed along the longitudinal axis and adapted to receive external axial loads in compression and in tension, a spring member that is adapted to be compressed axially, and a mechanism which, in the event of external axial loads in compression or in tension on the end portions, is able to transmit to the spring member compression forces oriented in opposite directions according to whether the external axial loads are in compression or in tension. This device forms a flexible connection that accommodates equally well external loads in compression and in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Nicolas Imbert, Wofgang Brochard
  • Publication number: 20150115098
    Abstract: An aircraft comprising a mechanical connection device including a body that extends along a longitudinal axis. The body comprises two opposite end portions disposed along the longitudinal axis and adapted to receive external axial loads in compression and in tension, a spring member that is adapted to be compressed axially, and a mechanism which, in the event of external axial loads in compression or in tension on the end portions, is able to transmit to the spring member compression forces oriented in opposite directions according to whether the external axial loads are in compression or in tension. This device forms a flexible connection that accommodates equally well external loads in compression and in tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Nicolas Imbert, Wofgang Brochard
  • Patent number: 8985953
    Abstract: A rotor (10) provided with a hub (11) and a plurality of blades (12), said rotor (10) including a mast (15) secured to said hub (11) and protection means (30) for providing protection against lightning. The protection means (30) comprise rotary electric current conduction means (32) constrained to rotate with said mast (15) and connected to each of the blades (12) via a respective first electrical connection member (31), said protection means (30) including non-rotary electric current conduction means (33) facing said rotary conduction means (32) while not being constrained to rotate with said mast (15), said protection means (30) including electrical connection trigger means (35), said non-rotary conduction means (33) being provided with a second electrical connection member (34) suitable for being electrically connected to a target member (38) external to said rotor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Charles Chuc, Nicolas Imbert
  • Patent number: 8957816
    Abstract: A communication device (20) for communication between a movable piece of equipment (101) of a rotary rotor (5) and a stationary piece of equipment (102). Said communication device (20) is fitted with a set (10) of controlling swashplates including a rotary swashplate (11) and a non-rotary swashplate (12), the communication device (20) comprising a movable transfer unit (21) and a stationary transfer unit (22) for exchanging information respectively with the movable equipment (101) and with the stationary equipment (102). Each transfer unit (21, 22) is connected to a respective transmit-and-receive antenna (31, 32), including a movable antenna (31) connected to the movable transfer unit (21) and fastened to the rotary swashplate (11) and a stationary antenna (32) connected to the stationary transfer unit (22) and fastened to the non-rotary swashplate (12), the movable antenna (31) and the stationary antenna (32) being suitable for communicating with each other wirelessly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Patent number: 8888047
    Abstract: A de-icing system for a fixed or rotary aircraft wing. The system is capable of generating ultrasound that is transmitted at least locally to an outside surface of the wing, wherein the system comprising a base structure (2) covered at least locally with at least one leading edge (3), an elastomer structure (1) arranged and secured between the base structure (2) and the leading edge (3), housings (4) defined in the elastomer structure (1) and open towards the leading edge (3), piezoelectric actuators arranged in at least some of the housings (4) in order to generate ultrasound, wiring (10) connecting the piezoelectric actuators to an electrical control and power supply unit, and a fastener for fastening the leading edge (3) onto the base structure (2) while coming into contact with the piezoelectric actuators (4a) arranged in their respective housings (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Charles Chuc, Nicolas Imbert
  • Patent number: 8890378
    Abstract: An electrical power supply device (10) for electrically powering equipment on a rotary rotor (2) of an aircraft (1), which rotor is driven by a shaft (5), said device (10) comprising a removable stick (11). The stick (11) includes an upper alternator (20) and an upper tube (12) secured to said shaft (5) so as to be constrained in rotation therewith, said upper alternator (20) having a plurality of upper coils (21) fastened to an upper inside peripheral surface (12?) of said upper tube (12), said stick (11) having a rod (13) carrying an upper permanent magnet (22), said device (10) having a mechanism (30) so that said rod (13) and said upper tube (12) move with distinct rotary movements, said mechanism (30) having connection means (31) so as to be connectable to a reference member (8, 9) of an aircraft (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Vincent Bourget, Serge Giordano, Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Patent number: 8628042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical power supply and control device (10) for equipment (9) of a rotor (5), the device having a three-phase AC generator (20) in a stationary frame of reference. The device (10) comprises a rotary field transformer (30) having a stationary portion (31) connected to said generator (20) and a rotary portion (32) connected to a sequencer (50) that is arranged in a rotary frame of reference, said device (10) including control means (51) for controlling the sequencer (50) and located in said stationary frame of reference, the control means being connected to the sequencer (50) via contactless connection means (200), said sequencer (50) being suitable for electrically powering said equipment (9) on order of said control means (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Publication number: 20130243597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotorcraft rotor (1) having a plurality of blades (3) movably mounted on a hub (2) via blade roots (4) that are respectively associated therewith. The rotor (1) is fitted with an information capture appliance having at least one measurement assembly (E1) comprising a flexible bar (11) interposed in engagement at its respective ends between the hub (2) and a blade root (4) that is allocated thereto. A strain gauge (7, 8) formed of a SAW transducer is implanted on the bar (11) and generates information relative to the bending of the bar (11) following tilting orientations of the blade root (4) in flapping (B) and/or in lag (T).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Christophe Perrin, Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Publication number: 20120299450
    Abstract: An electrical power supply device (10) for electrically powering equipment on a rotary rotor (2) of an aircraft (1), which rotor is driven by a shaft (5), said device (10) comprising a removable stick (11). The stick (11) includes an upper alternator (20) and an upper tube (12) secured to said shaft (5) so as to be constrained in rotation therewith, said upper alternator (20) having a plurality of upper coils (21) fastened to an upper inside peripheral surface (12?) of said upper tube (12), said stick (11) having a rod (13) carrying an upper permanent magnet (22), said device (10) having a mechanism (30) so that said rod (13) and said upper tube (12) move with distinct rotary movements, said mechanism (30) having connection means (31) so as to be connectable to a reference member (8, 9) of an aircraft (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Vincent Bourget, Serge Giordano, Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Publication number: 20120074262
    Abstract: A de-icing system for a fixed or rotary aircraft wing, the system including means for generating ultrasound that is transmitted at least locally to an outside surface of the wing, which means comprise a base structure (2) covered at least locally with at least one leading edge (3), wherein the system comprises: an elastomer structure (1) arranged and secured between the base structure (2) and the leading edge (3); housings (4) defined in the elastomer structure (1) and open towards the leading edge (3); piezoelectric actuators arranged in at least some of the housings (4) in order to generate ultrasound; wiring (10) connecting the piezoelectric actuators to an electrical control and power supply unit; and fastener means for fastening the leading edge (3) onto the base structure (2) while coming into contact with the piezoelectric actuators (4a) arranged in their respective housings (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Charles Chuc, Nicolas Imbert
  • Publication number: 20110290942
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical power supply and control device (10) for equipment (9) of a rotor (5), the device having a three-phase AC generator (20) in a stationary frame of reference. The device (10) comprises a rotary field transformer (30) having a stationary portion (31) connected to said generator (20) and a rotary portion (32) connected to a sequencer (50) that is arranged in a rotary frame of reference, said device (10) including control means (51) for controlling the sequencer (50) and located in said stationary frame of reference, the control means being connected to the sequencer (50) via contactless connection means (200), said sequencer (50) being suitable for electrically powering said equipment (9) on order of said control means (51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Publication number: 20110284688
    Abstract: A rotor (10) provided with a hub (11) and a plurality of blades (12), said rotor (10) including a mast (15) secured to said hub (11) and protection means (30) for providing protection against lightning. The protection means (30) comprise rotary electric current conduction means (32) constrained to rotate with said mast (15) and connected to each of the blades (12) via a respective first electrical connection member (31), said protection means (30) including non-rotary electric current conduction means (33) facing said rotary conduction means (32) while not being constrained to rotate with said mast (15), said protection means (30) including electrical connection trigger means (35), said non-rotary conduction means (33) being provided with a second electrical connection member (34) suitable for being electrically connected to a target member (38) external to said rotor (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Charles Chuc, Nicolas Imbert