Patents by Inventor Normand Lebreux
Normand Lebreux 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).
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Patent number: 11852087Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, David Monfette, Bruno Schuehmacher
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Publication number: 20230307905Abstract: An electric system is disclosed. The electric system comprises a battery subassembly, a current limiter, a non-current-limiting path in parallel with the current limiter, a battery management system (BMS) adapted for causing the battery assembly to energize the electric system using the current limiter upon a start of a precharge phase, and an electric vehicle module (EVM) communicatively coupled to the BMS. The EVM is adapted for causing the battery assembly to energize the electric system using the non-current-limiting path following a completion of the precharge phase. The electric system may be integrated in an electric vehicle. A method for energizing an electric system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventor: Normand LEBREUX
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Patent number: 11721972Abstract: An electric system is disclosed. The electric system comprises first and second battery subassemblies, an interrupter, and a system controller. The interrupter connects the first battery subassembly in series to the second battery subassembly via a switched current-limiting path in parallel with a switched non-current-limiting path. The first battery subassembly causes closing of the switched current-limiting path when an energizing trigger is applied to the electric system. The system controller causes closing of the switched non-current-limiting path when energized by the first and second battery subassemblies. The electric system may be integrated in an electric vehicle. A method for energizing an electric system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventor: Normand Lebreux
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Publication number: 20220364520Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Normand LEBREUX, Michel BERNIER, David MONFETTE, Bruno SCHUEHMACHER
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Patent number: 11448146Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, David Monfette, Bruno Schuehmacher
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Patent number: 11415096Abstract: An electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) is operated as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. In the first control strategy, electric power is delivered from a power source to the ETM selectively through at least one transistor of an electrical converter. After switching from the first control strategy to the second control strategy, the ETM delivers electric power to an accessory selectively through the at least one transistor of the electrical converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, Jasmin Rouleau, David Monfette
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Patent number: 11333120Abstract: An electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) is operated as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. In the first control strategy, electric power is delivered from a power source to the ETM selectively through at least one transistor of an electrical converter. After switching from the first control strategy to the second control strategy, the ETM delivers electric power to an accessory selectively through the at least one transistor of the electrical converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, Jasmin Rouleau, David Monfette
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Patent number: 11300066Abstract: An internal combustion engine (ICE) includes a crankshaft, a cylinder head defining in part a variable combustion chamber of the ICE, a direct fuel injector mounted on the cylinder head, a power source, an electric turning machine (ETM) rotating the crankshaft, an absolute position sensor providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM, and an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the absolute position sensor. The ECU controls a delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM based on the angular position of the rotor of the ETM and causes the direct fuel injector to inject fuel directly in the combustion chamber at a time selected based on the angular position reached by the rotor of the ETM.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, David Monfette, Bruno Schuehmacher
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Patent number: 11293363Abstract: A method for controlling delivery of electric power between a power source and an electric turning machine (ETM) comprises applying a start signal to a start-up power electronic switch to cause turning on of the start-up power electronic switch and to allow delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM via the start-up power electronic switch. A recharge signal is applied to a run-time power electronic switch to cause turning on of the run-time power electronic switch for delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source via the run-time power electronic switch. A circuit comprises a discharging circuit including the start-up power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the start-up power electronic switch is turned on. A charging circuit includes the run-time power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the run-time power electronic switch is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, David Monfette, Bruno Schuehmacher
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Publication number: 20210242709Abstract: An electric system is disclosed. The electric system comprises first and second battery subassemblies, an interrupter, and a system controller. The interrupter connects the first battery subassembly in series to the second battery subassembly via a switched current-limiting path in parallel with a switched non-current-limiting path. The first battery subassembly causes closing of the switched current-limiting path when an energizing trigger is applied to the electric system. The system controller causes closing of the switched non-current-limiting path when energized by the first and second battery subassemblies. The electric system may be integrated in an electric vehicle. A method for energizing an electric system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventor: Normand LEBREUX
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Patent number: 10992164Abstract: An electric system is disclosed. The electric system comprises first and second battery subassemblies, an interrupter, and a system controller. The interrupter connects the first battery subassembly in series to the second battery subassembly via a switched current-limiting path in parallel with a switched non-current-limiting path. The first battery subassembly causes closing of the switched current-limiting path when an energizing trigger is applied to the electric system. The system controller causes closing of the switched non-current-limiting path when energized by the first and second battery subassemblies. The electric system may be integrated in an electric vehicle. A method for energizing an electric system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventor: Normand Lebreux
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Patent number: 10975824Abstract: A method and a system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft are disclosed. An absolute angular position of the crankshaft related to a top dead center position of a piston in a combustion chamber of the ICE is determined. Electric power is delivered to the ETM at a first level to rotate the crankshaft. Electric power is then delivered to the ETM at a second level greater than the first level when the piston reaches a predetermined position before the TDC position. Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber after the piston has passed beyond the TDC position. The fuel is then ignited. In an implementation, the ICE is started in less than 110 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, David Monfette, Bruno Schuehmacher
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Publication number: 20210062774Abstract: An electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) is operated as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. In the first control strategy, electric power is delivered from a power source to the ETM selectively through at least one transistor of an electrical converter. After switching from the first control strategy to the second control strategy, the ETM delivers electric power to an accessory selectively through the at least one transistor of the electrical converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Normand LEBREUX, Michel BERNIER, Jasmin ROULEAU, David MONFETTE
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Publication number: 20210028516Abstract: A battery pack for a vehicle including a first module group comprising at least one battery module; a second module group comprising at least one other battery module; and a manually operable interrupter assembly selectively electrically connecting the first module group to the second module group in series, the interrupter assembly being adapted for opening and closing a circuit connecting the first and second module groups.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Normand LEBREUX, Eric MENARD
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Patent number: 10883467Abstract: A method and a system for operating an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) are disclosed. The ETM operates as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy, the second control strategy being distinct from the first control strategy. The system comprises an engine control unit adapted for controlling an operation of the ETM according to the first and second control strategies. Electric and assisted start procedures are available for starting the ICE by delivering electric power from a power source to the ETM which is co-axially mounted to a crankshaft of the ICE. Assisted start includes delivering the electric power to the ETM while a recoil starter is used to rotate the crankshaft. A manual start procedure is also available. The power source is charged by the ETM when the ICE is running.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, Jasmin Rouleau, David Monfette
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Patent number: 10859052Abstract: A method for operating an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) are disclosed. An engine control unit (ECU) controls the ETM to operate as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. The second control strategy is distinct from the first control strategy. The ECU controls switching the operation of the ETM from the first control strategy to the second control strategy when a sensor senses that a rotational speed of the ICE is equal to or above a minimum revolution threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, Jasmin Rouleau, David Monfette
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Patent number: 10840570Abstract: A battery pack for a vehicle is presented. The battery pack comprises a plurality of bricks, each brick of the plurality of bricks comprising a phase change material block, a side of the phase change material block defining a plurality of channels, and a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell being disposed at least in part in the phase change material block; and at least one connector for electrically connecting a first one of the plurality of bricks to a second one of the plurality of bricks, the at least one connector being disposed at least partially in one of the plurality of channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: CONSORTIUM DE RECHERCHE BRP—UNIVERSITE DE SHERBROOKE S.E.N.C.Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Eric Menard
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Publication number: 20200080505Abstract: A method for controlling delivery of electric power between a power source and an electric turning machine (ETM) comprises applying a start signal to a start-up power electronic switch to cause turning on of the start-up power electronic switch and to allow delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM via the start-up power electronic switch. A recharge signal is applied to a run-time power electronic switch to cause turning on of the run-time power electronic switch for delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source via the run-time power electronic switch. A circuit comprises a discharging circuit including the start-up power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the start-up power electronic switch is turned on. A charging circuit includes the run-time power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the run-time power electronic switch is turned on.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Normand Lebreux, Michel Bernier, David Monfette, Bruno Schuehmacher
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Publication number: 20200080504Abstract: An internal combustion engine (ICE) includes a crankshaft, a cylinder head defining in part a variable combustion chamber of the ICE, a direct fuel injector mounted on the cylinder head, a power source, an electric turning machine (ETM) rotating the crankshaft, an absolute position sensor providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM, and an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the absolute position sensor. The ECU controls a delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM based on the angular position of the rotor of the ETM and causes the direct fuel injector to inject fuel directly in the combustion chamber at a time selected based on the angular position reached by the rotor of the ETM.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Normand LEBREUX, Michel BERNIER, David MONFETTE, Bruno SCHUEHMACHER
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Publication number: 20200080503Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Normand LEBREUX, Michel BERNIER, David MONFETTE, Bruno SCHUEHMACHER