Patents by Inventor Nicolas Pouliot

Nicolas Pouliot 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: 11926349
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle displaceable along aerial conductors of an electricity transmission line. The vehicle includes a body having arms. Each arm has a first end pivotably mounted to the body and a second distal end. A motorized wheel is mounted to each arm to engage one of the conductors to displace the vehicle. Support rotors have at least two blades. Each blade has an arm portion extending from the support rotor and a contact portion extending from the arm portion to engage one of the conductors to temporarily support the vehicle. An arm displacement mechanism engages the arms, and is operable to displace the arms in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the vehicle to move the arms together and apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Pierre-Luc Richard, François Morin, Nicolas Pouliot
  • Patent number: 10976266
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a component of an aerial power line. A frame has a support member extending along a support member axis. The support member is mountable about the power line in proximity to the component. The support member is rotatable about the line axis upon being mounted about the power line. A stabilizing member is mountable to a stabilizing structure separate from the power line. The stabilizing member is mountable to the support member to rotate the support member about the line axis. A source of electromagnetic imaging energy is mounted to the support member and has an emitter to face the component. A detector is mounted to the support member at a distance from the source to position the component between the source and the detector. The source and/or the detector is displaceable along the support member axis to vary the distance separating the detector and source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Nicolas Pouliot, Gilles Rousseau, Marco Lepage, François Morin, Pierre-Luc Richard, Eric Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20200331502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle displaceable along aerial conductors of an electricity transmission line. The vehicle includes a body having arms. Each arm has a first end pivotably mounted to the body and a second distal end. A motorized wheel is mounted to each arm to engage one of the conductors to displace the vehicle. Support rotors have at least two blades. Each blade has an arm portion extending from the support rotor and a contact portion extending from the arm portion to engage one of the conductors to temporarily support the vehicle. An arm displacement mechanism engages the arms, and is operable to displace the arms in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the vehicle to move the arms together and apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Pierre-Luc RICHARD, François MORIN, Nicolas POULIOT
  • Publication number: 20190285557
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a component of an aerial power line. A frame has a support member extending along a support member axis. The support member is mountable about the power line in proximity to the component. The support member is rotatable about the line axis upon being mounted about the power line. A stabilizing member is mountable to a stabilizing structure separate from the power line. The stabilizing member is mountable to the support member to rotate the support member about the line axis. A source of electromagnetic imaging energy is mounted to the support member and has an emitter to face the component. A detector is mounted to the support member at a distance from the source to position the component between the source and the detector. The source and/or the detector is displaceable along the support member axis to vary the distance separating the detector and source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Nicolas POULIOT, Gilles ROUSSEAU, Marco LEPAGE, François MORIN, Pierre-Luc RICHARD, Eric LAVOIE
  • Patent number: 7634966
    Abstract: A remote-controlled vehicle adapted to be mounted on at least one conductor and to pass over an obstacle encountered thereon. The vehicle includes: a frame, inspection systems, motors used to move the vehicle, a remote control system, at least two carrying arms pivotally mounted to the frame and exerting a pressure in the direction of the conductor(s) for suspending the frame to the conductor(s) and two opposing wheels attached to each carrying arm in order to enable the vehicle to travel along said conductor(s) while suspended. The axis of rotation of each of the wheels is inclined in relation to the vertical axis and at least one of the wheels is actuated by the motors. At least one temporary support rotor is equipped with at least two pivoting blades disposed above the corresponding conductor in order to temporarily support the vehicle when one of the wheels encounters an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Nicolas Pouliot, Serge Montambault, Marco Lepage
  • Patent number: 7552684
    Abstract: The invention concerns a remote-controlled vehicle designed to be mounted on a support and capable of clearing an obstacle on the support. The vehicle comprises first and second mobile frames. At least one articulated arm is mounted mobile on the first frame and a wheel is mounted on the articulated arm to maintain the vehicle on the support. A fastening means co-operates with the wheel and is adapted to retain the wheel on the support. At least one temporary support arm is mounted mobile on the second frame. The temporary support arm comprises retaining means for maintaining the vehicle on the support. The vehicle comprises motor means connected between the frames and the arms for moving same with respect to one another so as to clear an obstacle encountered on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Serge Montambault, Nicolas Pouliot, Marco Lepage, Jacques Michaud, Pierre Latulippe, Christophe Comte
  • Publication number: 20080276823
    Abstract: The invention concerns a remote-controlled vehicle designed to be mounted on a support and capable of clearing an obstacle on the support. The vehicle comprises first and second mobile frames. At least one articulated arm is mounted mobile on the first frame and a wheel is mounted on the articulated arm to maintain the vehicle on the support. A fastening means co-operates with the wheel and is adapted to retain the wheel on the support. At least one temporary support arm is mounted mobile on the second frame. The temporary support arm comprises retaining means for maintaining the vehicle on the support. The vehicle comprises motor means connected between the frames and the arms for moving same with respect to one another so as to clear an obstacle encountered on the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Serge Montambault, Nicolas Pouliot, Marco Lepage, Jacques Michaud, Pierre Latulippe, Christophe Comte
  • Publication number: 20060150857
    Abstract: A remote-controlled vehicle adapted to be mounted on at least one conductor and to pass over an obstacle encountered thereon. The vehicle includes: a frame, inspection systems, motors used to move the vehicle, a remote control system, at least two carrying arms pivotally mounted to the frame and exerting a pressure in the direction of the conductor(s) for suspending the frame to the conductor(s) and two opposing wheels attached to each carrying arm in order to enable the vehicle to travel along said conductor(s) while suspended. The axis of rotation of each of the wheels is inclined in relation to the vertical axis and at least one of the wheels is actuated by the motors. At least one temporary support rotor is equipped with at least two pivoting blades disposed above the corresponding conductor in order to temporarily support the vehicle when one of the wheels encounters an obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventor: Nicolas Pouliot