Patents by Inventor Olivier Espasa

Olivier Espasa 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: 9057280
    Abstract: An assembly can include vanes and a base configured to seat the vanes at a radial distance about an axis where each vane includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, a pair of lateral surfaces that meet at the leading edge and at the trailing edge, an extension that extends from one of the lateral surfaces and that has a contact surface, and a stop surface to form a contact with a contact surface of another vane to define a minimum flow distance between the vane and the other vane. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Morand, Olivier Espasa, Francis Abel, Lorrain Sausse, Julien Mailfert, Frederic Favray, Emmanuel Bouvier
  • Patent number: 9017017
    Abstract: A variable-vane assembly for a variable nozzle turbine comprises a nozzle ring supporting a plurality of vanes affixed to vane arms that are engaged in recesses in the inner edge of a unison ring. The unison ring is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle ring so as to pivot the vane arms, thereby pivoting the vanes in unison. A plurality of guide pins for the unison ring are inserted into apertures in the nozzle ring and are rigidly affixed therein such that the guide pins are non-rotatably secured to the nozzle ring with a guide portion of each guide pin projecting axially from the face of the nozzle ring. Each guide portion defines a shoulder radially overlapping the inner edge of the unison ring such that the unison ring is restrained by the guide pins against excessive movement in both radial and axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell Internatonal Inc.
    Inventors: Lorrain Sausse, Pierre Barthelet, Francis Abel, Olivier Espasa, Mohamed Tahyry, Emmanuel Bouvier
  • Patent number: 8668443
    Abstract: A variable-vane assembly for a variable nozzle turbine comprises a nozzle ring supporting a plurality of vanes affixed to vane arms that are engaged in recesses in the inner edge of a unison ring. The unison ring is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle ring so as to pivot the vane arms, thereby pivoting the vanes in unison. The unison ring is radially restrained by a combination of radial guide rollers and fixed axial-radial guide pins secured to the nozzle ring, and is axially restrained by one or more axial stops affixed to the nozzle ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Espasa, Pierre Barthelet, Julien Mailfert
  • Publication number: 20130195629
    Abstract: An assembly can include vanes and a base configured to seat the vanes at a radial distance about an axis where each vane includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, a pair of lateral surfaces that meet at the leading edge and at the trailing edge, an extension that extends from one of the lateral surfaces and that has a contact surface, and a stop surface to form a contact with a contact surface of another vane to define a minimum flow distance between the vane and the other vane. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas MORAND, Olivier ESPASA, Francis ABEL, Lorrain SAUSSE, Julien MAILFERT, Frederic FAVRAY, Emmanuel BOUVIER
  • Patent number: 8021107
    Abstract: A variable-nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle ring and an array of vanes circumferentially spaced about the nozzle ring and rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes are variable in setting angle, and an insert having a tubular portion and an annular nozzle portion extending generally radially out from one end of the tubular portion. A plurality of axially extending holes extend through a thickness of the nozzle portion. A plurality of spacers have first ends joined to the nozzle ring, opposite second ends of the spacers being engaged in the holes and secured to the nozzle portion by welds formed at the second surface. An annular groove is defined in the second surface of the nozzle portion radially inward of and proximate to the holes. Alternatively or additionally, discrete recesses are formed in the second surface adjacent the holes. The groove and/or recesses facilitate weld penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Espasa, Lorrain Sausse, Pierre Barthelet, Francis Abel
  • Publication number: 20110171009
    Abstract: A variable-vane assembly for a variable nozzle turbine comprises a nozzle ring supporting a plurality of vanes affixed to vane arms that are engaged in recesses in the inner edge of a unison ring. The unison ring is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle ring so as to pivot the vane arms, thereby pivoting the vanes in unison. The unison ring is radially restrained by a combination of radial guide rollers and fixed axial-radial guide pins secured to the nozzle ring, and is axially restrained by one or more axial stops affixed to the nozzle ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Olivier Espasa, Pierre Barthelet, Julien Mailfert
  • Publication number: 20110138805
    Abstract: A turbocharger assembly comprises a variable-vane assembly. The variable-vane assembly includes a unison ring with vane arms and/or a main-arm which adjust the setting angle of vanes. Vane arm-engaging elements and main-arm-engaging elements in the unison ring engage ends of the vane arms and the main-arm, respectively. Each vane arm-engaging element comprises an inner contact surface that engages an outer contact surface of the respective vane arm. The main-arm-engaging element comprises an inner actuation surface that engages an outer actuation surface of the main-arm. The inner contact surface and the outer contact surface and/or the inner actuation surface and the outer actuation surface may comprise conjugate curve profiles, such as involute curve profiles based on the involute of a circle. Use of conjugate curve profiles may result in rolling movement between the unison ring and vane arms and/or main arm, which may reduce friction occurring during pivoting of the vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Barthelet, Olivier Espasa, Julien Mailfert, Nicolas Morand, Emmanuel Severin, Lionel Toussaint
  • Patent number: 7918023
    Abstract: A variable-vane cartridge mechanism for a turbocharger is assembled from a nozzle ring, an insert that engages a turbine housing bore, and a plurality of spacers. Holes larger in diameter than the spacers are formed in the nozzle ring and a nozzle portion of the insert, such that the spacers fit loosely in the holes. A locating fixture is engaged with the nozzle ring and insert for precisely locating these parts radially (and optionally also axially) with respect to each other; the spacers can move within the holes as needed to allow the positions of the parts to be adjusted. Once located relative to each other, the nozzle ring and insert are fixed in the desired relative positions by affixing the spacers to them, such as by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lorrain Sausse, Eric Boucher, Pierre Barthelet, Olivier Espasa, Emmanuel Séverin
  • Publication number: 20110014039
    Abstract: A turbocharger turbine containing a separate insert affixed within the housing. The insert is of a stamped metal configuration, and forms at least a portion of inlet passageway outer wall. An axial discontinuity is machined into the inlet passageway outer wall, the axial discontinuity being characterized by a size and location to direct airflow away from the blade-gap zone over at least part of the range of flow conditions. The inlet passageway may be either larger or smaller upstream of the axial discontinuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Olivier Espasa, DENIS TISSERANT, Emmanuel Severin, Lorrain Sausse, Francis Abel, Pierre Barthelet
  • Publication number: 20100260597
    Abstract: A variable-vane assembly for a variable nozzle turbine comprises a nozzle ring supporting a plurality of vanes affixed to vane arms that are engaged in recesses in the inner edge of a unison ring. The unison ring is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle ring so as to pivot the vane arms, thereby pivoting the vanes in unison. A plurality of guide pins for the unison ring are inserted into apertures in the nozzle ring and are rigidly affixed therein such that the guide pins are non-rotatably secured to the nozzle ring with a guide portion of each guide pin projecting axially from the face of the nozzle ring. Each guide portion defines a shoulder radially overlapping the inner edge of the unison ring such that the unison ring is restrained by the guide pins against excessive movement in both radial and axial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Lorrain Sausse, Pierre Barthelet, Francis Abel, Olivier Espasa, Mohamed Tahyry, Emmanuel Bouvier
  • Patent number: 7670107
    Abstract: A variable-vane assembly for a variable nozzle turbine comprises a nozzle ring supporting a plurality of vanes affixed to vane arms that are engaged in recesses in the inner edge of a unison ring. The unison ring is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle ring so as to pivot the vane arms, thereby pivoting the vanes in unison. A plurality of radial-axial guide pins for the unison ring are inserted into apertures in the nozzle ring and are rigidly affixed therein such that the radial-axial guide pins are non-rotatably secured to the nozzle ring with a guide portion of each radial-axial guide pin projecting axially from the face of the nozzle ring. Each guide portion defines a groove for receiving the inner edge of the unison ring such that the unison ring is restrained by the radial-axial guide pins against excessive movement in both radial and axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Barthelet, Olivier Espasa, Eric Boucher, Francis Abel
  • Publication number: 20090214330
    Abstract: A variable-nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle ring and an array of vanes circumferentially spaced about the nozzle ring and rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes are variable in setting angle, and an insert having a tubular portion and an annular nozzle portion extending generally radially out from one end of the tubular portion. A plurality of axially extending holes extend through a thickness of the nozzle portion. A plurality of spacers have first ends joined to the nozzle ring, opposite second ends of the spacers being engaged in the holes and secured to the nozzle portion by welds formed at the second surface. An annular groove is defined in the second surface of the nozzle portion radially inward of and proximate to the holes. Alternatively or additionally, discrete recesses are formed in the second surface adjacent the holes. The groove and/or recesses facilitate weld penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Olivier Espasa, Lorrain Sausse, Pierre Barthelet, Francis Abel
  • Patent number: 7458764
    Abstract: A variable nozzle device for a turbocharger comprises an annular arrangement of vanes disposed in a nozzle formed between an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being constituted by an axially displaceable member, wherein the axially displaceable member is displaceable by an action exerted from the side of the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Lombard, Marylene Ruffinoni, Olivier Espasa
  • Publication number: 20080240906
    Abstract: A variable-vane assembly for a variable nozzle turbine comprises a nozzle ring supporting a plurality of vanes affixed to vane arms that are engaged in recesses in the inner edge of a unison ring. The unison ring is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle ring so as to pivot the vane arms, thereby pivoting the vanes in unison. A plurality of radial-axial guide pins for the unison ring are inserted into apertures in the nozzle ring and are rigidly affixed therein such that the radial-axial guide pins are non-rotatably secured to the nozzle ring with a guide portion of each radial-axial guide pin projecting axially from the face of the nozzle ring. Each guide portion defines a groove for receiving the inner edge of the unison ring such that the unison ring is restrained by the radial-axial guide pins against excessive movement in both radial and axial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Pierre Barthelet, Olivier Espasa, Eric Boucher, Francis Abdl
  • Publication number: 20060233640
    Abstract: A variable nozzle device for a turbocharger comprises an annular arrangement of vanes disposed in a nozzle formed between an inner wall and an outer wall, said outer wall being constituted by an axially displaceable member, wherein said axially displaceable member is displaceable by an action exerted from the side of the inner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Alain Lombard, Marylene Ruffinoni, Olivier Espasa
  • Patent number: 7024855
    Abstract: A turbocharger having a variable geometry turbine inlet incorporates a piston movable to vary the area of the inlet nozzle into the turbine. Vanes extending from the heat shield for flow control in the nozzle are engaged by the piston in a first closed position. In a second open position, the piston is spaced from the vanes increasing the inlet nozzle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Hubert Perrin, Olivier Espasa, Marylene Ruffinoni, Alain Lombard, Philippe Joseph Muller
  • Publication number: 20040025504
    Abstract: The invention concerns a turbocharger with a variable geometry turbine comprising a mobile cylindrical piston (70) to modify the cross-section of the input nozzle to the turbine. Vanes (90) extending from a heat shield (92) for adjusting the flow of the nozzle are contacted by the piston in a first closed position. In a second open position, the piston is spaced apart from the vanes, thereby increasing the input nozzle cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Hubert Perrin, Olivier Espasa, Marylene Ruffinoni, Alain Lombard, Philippe Joseph Muller