Patents by Inventor Patrick Zaccaria

Patrick Zaccaria 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: 20230159180
    Abstract: A method for managing power drawn from power units of propulsion units of an aircraft, wherein the method includes a step of increasing the amount of power drawn from a second power unit that is time shifted, with respect to a step of increasing the amount of power drawn from a first power unit, for a duration that at least allows the operational state or the non-operational state of the first power unit to be determined. This solution allows simultaneous switching to the non-operational state of the two power units to be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Pierre Daste, Paul-Emile Roux, Didier Poirier, Guillaume Alix, David Boyer, Lucie Coue, Souhaib Boukayoua
  • Patent number: 11486318
    Abstract: To control an engine shutdown in an aircraft, a control system includes a fuel supply shut-off member, a control member with a set of switches, a first switch on an electrical power supply link of the fuel supply shut-off member and second switches connected to avionics of the aircraft, the set of switches switching position on an engine shutdown command. An engine shutdown confirmation unit includes a third switch on the electrical power supply link, the third switch in open position by default. The engine shutdown confirmation unit includes electronic circuitry configured to switch the third switch over to closed position when a predefined quantity Q of switches of the control member switches position within a sliding window of predefined duration and, otherwise, keeps the third switch in open position. Thus, it is ensured that the engine shutdown is intentional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, David Boyer
  • Publication number: 20210404393
    Abstract: To control an engine shutdown in an aircraft, a control system includes a fuel supply shut-off member, a control member with a set of switches, a first switch on an electrical power supply link of the fuel supply shut-off member and second switches connected to avionics of the aircraft, the set of switches switching position on an engine shutdown command. An engine shutdown confirmation unit includes a third switch on the electrical power supply link, the third switch in open position by default. The engine shutdown confirmation unit includes electronic circuitry configured to switch the third switch over to closed position when a predefined quantity Q of switches of the control member switches position within a sliding window of predefined duration and, otherwise, keeps the third switch in open position. Thus, it is ensured that the engine shutdown is intentional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, David Boyer
  • Patent number: 10494115
    Abstract: A system and a method for the automatic starting of the engines of a twin-engine aircraft. When a first engine is made by the pilots of the aircraft to follow an automatic starting procedure, this engine follows the conventional four-phase starting cycle. The rotor of the high-pressure stage of the second engine is spun up for a predetermined duration and to a speed that is substantially constant and less than the nominal value during the starting cycle for the first engine. Once the starting cycle for the first engine is complete, the second engine is made by the pilots of the aircraft to follow an automatic starting procedure. The starting cycle for the second engine comprises just three phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS, AIRBUS SAS
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Pierre-Henri Brousse, Alexis Manneville, Paul-Emile Roux, Damien Lozach, Christine Molliet
  • Patent number: 10125690
    Abstract: A start-up system including a control system controlling a partial opening of an air intake valve of a start-up turbine during a first phase of the start-up. The start-up turbine is capable of turning a rotor of the turbomachine for the purpose of the start-up, so as to prevent the rotor from encountering critical frequencies of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS, AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L., GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Philippe Chareyre, Pio Fernandez-Lopez, Carlos Casado-Montero, Amid Ansari, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Robert Charles Hon, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Michael Scott McCambridge, Tod Robert Steen
  • Publication number: 20180281982
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling an aircraft propulsion assembly which mitigates the drawbacks of the application of a protection mode in which the maximum thrust is reduced (a degraded operating mode), in particular when an emergency situation occurs or the switch to protection mode is due to an incorrect analysis of the operating parameters of the propulsion assembly. The method includes a sequence of positions of the thrust control consisting in bringing the thrust control to idle then to setting it into the position corresponding to the desired thrust or a setting of the control to the maximum thrust position. Other simple sequences may include, the transition through the idling position with a transition to maximum thrust position, or through a succession of positions relative to the current position of the thrust control at the moment of the switch to degraded mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Sébastien Tranchard
  • Patent number: 10041414
    Abstract: The start-up system comprises a control loop, which regulates in real time the opening of a valve of an air feed of a start-up turbine based on the current measured speed of rotation of a rotor of the turbomachine and a predetermined speed value, said start-up turbine being capable of turning the rotor of the turbomachine for the purpose of the start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L., AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Philippe Chareyre, Pio Fernandez-Lopez, Carlos Casado-Montero
  • Patent number: 9914547
    Abstract: An aircraft comprising at least two engines and an electronic management arrangement comprising a control computer for each engine, each computer being configured for monitoring the operation of its associated engine and for activating an engine protection mode when the engine operation exceeds predetermined operational limits. The electronic management arrangement furthermore comprises an engine interface device to which the control computers are connected, the device prohibiting the activation of a protection mode by a control computer when a protection mode is activated by another control computer. A monitoring device is connected to the control computers and receives an information signal from each control computer to indicate if a protection mode is activated and transmits, in the case where a protection mode is activated on at least two engines, a control signal to the control computer having last activated a protection mode to cancel the activation of the protection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Airbus Operations (SAS), Airbus SAS
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Emmanuele Costanzo, Laurent Bouin
  • Publication number: 20170233089
    Abstract: A system and a method for the automatic starting of the engines of a twin-engine aircraft. When a first engine is made by the pilots of the aircraft to follow an automatic starting procedure, this engine follows the conventional four-phase starting cycle. The rotor of the high-pressure stage of the second engine is spun up for a predetermined duration and to a speed that is substantially constant and less than the nominal value during the starting cycle for the first engine. Once the starting cycle for the first engine is complete, the second engine is made by the pilots of the aircraft to follow an automatic starting procedure. The starting cycle for the second engine comprises just three phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick ZACCARIA, Pierre-Henri BROUSSE, Alexis MANNEVILLE, Paul-Emile ROUX, Damien LOZACH, Christine MOLLIET
  • Publication number: 20160318623
    Abstract: An aircraft comprising at least two engines and an electronic management arrangement comprising a control computer for each engine, each computer being configured for monitoring the operation of its associated engine and for activating an engine protection mode when the engine operation exceeds predetermined operational limits The electronic management arrangement furthermore comprises an engine interface device to which the control computers are connected, the device prohibiting the activation of a protection mode by a control computer when a protection mode is activated by another control computer. A monitoring device is connected to the control computers and receives an information signal from each control computer to indicate if a protection mode is activated and transmits, in the case where a protection mode is activated on at least two engines, a control signal to the control computer having last activated a protection mode to cancel the activation of the protection mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Emmanuele Costanzo, Laurent Bouin
  • Publication number: 20140373553
    Abstract: A start-up system including a control system controlling a partial opening of an air intake valve of a start-up turbine during a first phase of the start-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Philippe Chareyre, Pio Fernandez-Lopez, Carlos Casado-Montero
  • Publication number: 20140373552
    Abstract: The start-up system comprises a control loop, which regulates in real time the opening of a valve of an air feed of a start-up turbine based on the current measured speed of rotation of a rotor of the turbomachine and a predetermined speed value, said start-up turbine being capable of turning the rotor of the turbomachine for the purpose of the start-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Philippe Chareyre, Pio Fernandez-Lopez, Carlos Casado-Montero
  • Patent number: 8892295
    Abstract: A monitoring system and a monitoring method applied to the monitoring system, in which the monitoring system includes detectors detecting a state of a turbojet thrust reverser, a monitoring computer device controlling the reverser monitored by the computer as a function of information from the detectors provided to the computer by way of the control device, and a device regulating the turbojet monitored by the computer as a function of the information from the detectors provided to the computer by way of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventor: Patrick Zaccaria
  • Patent number: 8825227
    Abstract: A device for a motorized aircraft includes at least one avionic component positioned in the aircraft, at least one engine interface positioned in the aircraft and at least one engine controller positioned in or near an engine of the aircraft. The at least one engine interface is designed to exchange data between the at least one avionic component and the at least one engine controller. The at least one engine interface is generic and able to communicate with engine controllers of various types that may be mounted on the aircraft. The at least one engine controller is specific to a particular engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurent Saint-Marc, Luc Brunel, Patrick Zaccaria, Matthieu Alexandre, Julien Feau, Frédéric Leborgne, Thierry Immordino, Jean-François Belkadi, Nathalie Durand
  • Patent number: 7856295
    Abstract: A device for issuing authorization to act on the operating conditions of an aircraft engine and engine control system includes a first unit for determining particular parameters concerning the aircraft, including the position of a power lever controlling the supply of fuel to the engine, and a second unit for determining, based on the particular parameters, whether the aircraft is in a state authorizing an action on the operating conditions of the engine and for issuing, as the case may be, a corresponding authorization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Marie-Pierre Fuertes
  • Publication number: 20100292870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for motorized aircraft comprising at least one avionic component (300) positioned in the said aircraft, at least one engine interface (310) positioned in the said aircraft and at least one engine controller (315) positioned in or near an engine (320) of the said aircraft. According to the device of the invention, the said at least one engine interface (310) is designed to exchange data between the said at least one avionic component (300) and the said at least one engine controller (315). The said at least one engine interface (310) is generic and able to communicate with engine controllers (315) of various types that may be mounted on said aircraft. The said at least one engine controller is specific to a particular engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (inc as a Societe par Act Simpl)
    Inventors: Laurent Saint Marc, Luc Brunel, Patrick Zaccaria, Matthieu Alexandre, Julien Feau, Frederic Leborgne, Thierry Immordino, Jean-Francois Belkadi, Nathalie Durand
  • Publication number: 20100235001
    Abstract: A monitoring system and a monitoring method applied to the monitoring system, in which the monitoring system includes detectors detecting a state of a turbojet thrust reverser, a monitoring computer device controlling the reverser monitored by the computer as a function of information from the detectors provided to the computer by way of the control device, and a device regulating the turbojet monitored by the computer as a function of the information from the detectors provided to the computer by way of the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (inc as a Societe par Act simpl)
    Inventor: Patrick Zaccaria
  • Publication number: 20090240386
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) comprising first means (4, 10) for determining particular parameters concerning the aircraft, including the position of a power lever controlling the supply of fuel to the engine, and second means (11) for determining, based on said particular parameters, whether the aircraft is in a state authorizing an action on the operating conditions of the engine and for issuing, as the case may be, a corresponding authorization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Marie-Pierre Fuertes
  • Patent number: 6088632
    Abstract: An engine control system for a first aircraft belonging to a family of aircraft which includes at least a second aircraft, the first aircraft having a maximum mass which is greater, within a predetermined limit, than that of the second aircraft. For an engine of the first aircraft, a first thrust command law controls a thrust of an engine of the first aircraft during take-off phase (T), and a second thrust command law, controls a thrust of the engine to correspond with a part of the thrust command laws applicable to the second aircraft during all other flight phases (R) of the first aircraft. The transition from one flight phase to another is detected to supply the engine with a control signal corresponding to one or the other of the first thrust command law or the second thrust command law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Patrice Ostermann
  • Patent number: 5927655
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling the thrust of an aircraft, with several engines (M1, M4), comprising calculation units (UC1, UC4) that formulate first commands for controlling the engine speeds. According to the invention, said device (1) additionally comprises means (CONT1, CONT4) of controlling the two outer engines (M1, M4), calculation means that formulate second commands for controlling the speed of the outer engines (M1, M4) making it possible to obtain a reduction in thrust, and switching means which, during normal operation of the outer engines (M1, M4) send the first commands to these engines and, when one outer engine (M1) fails, send the second commands to the opposite outer engine (M4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Panxika Larramendy, Patrick Zaccaria, Thierry Clavel, Fran.cedilla.ois Garavel