Patents by Inventor Pierre Mignot

Pierre Mignot 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: 12353169
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) including a magnetic gear (2) including a first wheel (6B) and a second wheel (6C) provided with a first magnetic toothing (10) and a second magnetic toothing (12) respectively. The first and second magnetic toothings are respectively formed by first and second teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material; and the magnetic gear (2) further includes a third wheel (6A) arranged between the first and second wheels (6B, 6C) and provided with a third magnetic toothing (8) formed by permanent magnetic poles, in particular by bipolar magnets. In general, the first wheel is a drive wheel, whereas the second wheel is driven into order to carry out a function or transmit a torque. The third intermediate wheel is preferably mounted such that it can rotate freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias Imboden, Jean-Pierre Mignot, Milan Calic, Cédric Nicolas, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Publication number: 20250138486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a balance (1) including a hub (2) connected to a fellos (3) by at least one arm (4), characterised in that the felloe is made of a material whose relative magnetic permeability is less than 1.01, whose density is greater than 6.5, and which is electrically insulating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Nivarox-FAR S.A.
    Inventors: Christian CHARBON, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Marco VERARDO
  • Patent number: 12169391
    Abstract: A wearable object (42) including an electronic unit and a power supply unit formed by an electromechanical converter (6A) which includes a rotor (44) carrying first magnets (10A), a mechanical resonator (12A) provided with an inertia mass (46) capable of oscillating at a relatively high resonant frequency and carrying second magnets (20), and coils arranged so that, when the mechanical resonator is oscillating, an induced voltage is generated in these coils. The electromechanical converter is arranged so that the first magnets and the second magnets can, during a rotational drive of the rotor, interact magnetically so as to apply to the inertia mass, momentarily or temporarily, a magnetic force torque allowing to excite the mechanical resonator, in order to generate at least one oscillation of this mechanical resonator at its resonant frequency in order to generate a relatively high induced voltage allowing to recharge an accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Milan Calic, Matthias Imboden, Jean-Pierre Mignot, Alain Jornod, François Gueissaz
  • Publication number: 20240329604
    Abstract: A transducer device of a wearable object or as a wearable object as such, includes means for generating a first action in a first operating mode related to a specific function of the wearable object under the control of a processor or microcontroller processing unit of an electronic circuit being powered by a DC voltage source. The means for generating is configured to generate a second communication action in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode so as to obtain a dual-mode transducer device. The second operating mode allows information or data communication signals to be communicated mainly to the outside of the transducer device so that it can be detected by a monitoring unit of a monitoring system, is able to establish communication, and can receive data or parameter signals from another transducer device. The communication signals are ultrasonic signals transmitted into a water body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Arnaud CASAGRANDE, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT
  • Patent number: 12078964
    Abstract: A timepiece mechanism including a magnetic gear formed of a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel being provided with first alternating magnetic poles forming a magnetic toothing and the second wheel being provided with a toothing made of ferromagnetic material which has a magnetic coupling with the magnetic toothing, such that, when one of the first or second wheels is driven in rotation, this wheel rolls, via the magnetic coupling, over a geometric circle centred on the other wheel and linked to this other wheel. The magnetic gear further includes a ferromagnetic element arranged relative to the first wheel so as to offset at least most of a magnetic disturbance torque to which the first wheel is subjected, resulting from the magnetic coupling, this magnetic disturbance torque having a periodic variation in intensity according to the angular position of the first wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Jean-Pierre Mignot, Matthias Imboden, Cédric Nicolas
  • Patent number: 12074494
    Abstract: A mechanism including a magnetic gear including a first wheel, a second wheel and a third wheel. The first wheel is provided with permanent magnetic poles which are arranged so as to form the magnetised teeth of a first magnetic toothing. The second wheel and the third wheel are provided with teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material respectively defining a second magnetic toothing and a third magnetic toothing, each with a number of teeth that is greater than that of the first magnetic toothing and having a magnetic coupling with this first magnetic toothing. The second magnetic toothing is directly coupled with the first magnetic toothing and with the third magnetic toothing thanks to the magnetic fluxes provided by the magnetised teeth of the first toothing and the teeth of the second magnetic toothing are magnetically separated from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias Imboden, Jean-Pierre Mignot, Milan Calic, Cédric Nicolas, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Patent number: 12013668
    Abstract: A timepiece (2) includes an actuator, which applies braking pulses to the balance, which has an electromechanical device (6) and an electric control circuit (8). The device (6) includes a flexible member (16), formed by an elastic blade (20) and a mechanical element (22) defining a braking pad, and an electromagnetic system (10) formed by a coil carried by the flexible member and by a permanent magnet rigidly connected to a support (18) of the electromechanical device. When an electric pulse is provided to the coil, an electromagnetic force of repulsion is engendered between the coil and the permanent magnet so the mechanical element moves to a position of contact with the balance. To stabilise the rest position of the flexible member, a magnetic element (26) is rigidly connected to the coil to exert a magnetic return force complementary to the force of the elastic blade is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias Imboden, Jean-Pierre Mignot
  • Publication number: 20230205136
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) including a magnetic gear (2) including a first wheel (6A) and a second wheel (6B), the first wheel (6A) being provided with first permanent magnetic poles (7) forming first magnetic toothing (8), the second wheel (6B) being provided with a second magnetic toothing (10) made of a ferromagnetic material, the first wheel (6A) and the second wheel (6B) being arranged such that the first magnetic toothing has a first magnetic coupling with the second magnetic toothing (10). The gear (2) has a third wheel (6C) having second permanent magnetic poles (9) which form a third magnetic toothing (12), the third wheel and the second wheel being arranged such that the third magnetic toothing has a second magnetic coupling with the second magnetic toothing; the magnetic gear (2) being arranged such that the first and third wheels are each angularly positioned in a specific manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Cédric NICOLAS, Nicolas LIVAT
  • Publication number: 20230195039
    Abstract: A mechanism including a rotary element and a magnetic device for guiding this rotary element in rotation arranged so as to exert a radial magnetic biasing force on the rotary element when a central axis of this rotary element undergoes a radial movement relative to a given axis of rotation. The magnetic device includes a pair of annular magnets the first annular magnet of which is carried by the rotary element and the second annular magnet is carried by a structure of the mechanism. The second annular magnet is parallel and axially superimposed with the first annular magnet when the central axis of the rotary element is coincident with the axis of rotation, the first and second annular magnets being arranged in magnetic attraction so as to impart on one another an axial magnetic force and a radial magnetic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Milan CALIC, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT
  • Publication number: 20230060562
    Abstract: A mechanism including a magnetic gear including a first wheel, a second wheel and a third wheel. The first wheel is provided with permanent magnetic poles which are arranged so as to form the magnetised teeth of a first magnetic toothing. The second wheel and the third wheel are provided with teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material respectively defining a second magnetic toothing and a third magnetic toothing, each with a number of teeth that is greater than that of the first magnetic toothing and having a magnetic coupling with this first magnetic toothing. The second magnetic toothing is directly coupled with the first magnetic toothing and with the third magnetic toothing thanks to the magnetic fluxes provided by the magnetised teeth of the first toothing and the teeth of the second magnetic toothing are magnetically separated from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Milan CALIC, Cédric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20230062527
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) including a magnetic gear (2) including a first wheel (6B) and a second wheel (6C) provided with a first magnetic toothing (10) and a second magnetic toothing (12) respectively. The first and second magnetic toothings are respectively formed by first and second teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material; and the magnetic gear (2) further includes a third wheel (6A) arranged between the first and second wheels (6B, 6C) and provided with a third magnetic toothing (8) formed by permanent magnetic poles, in particular by bipolar magnets. In general, the first wheel is a drive wheel, whereas the second wheel is driven into order to carry out a function or transmit a torque. The third intermediate wheel is preferably mounted such that it can rotate freely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Milan CALIC, Cédric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20220308527
    Abstract: A timepiece (2) includes an actuator, which applies braking pulses to the balance, which has an electromechanical device (6) and an electric control circuit (8). The device (6) includes a flexible member (16), formed by an elastic blade (20) and a mechanical element (22) defining a braking pad, and an electromagnetic system (10) formed by a coil carried by the flexible member and by a permanent magnet rigidly connected to a support (18) of the electromechanical device. When an electric pulse is provided to the coil, an electromagnetic force of repulsion is engendered between the coil and the permanent magnet so the mechanical element moves to a position of contact with the balance. To stabilise the rest position of the flexible member, a magnetic element (26) is rigidly connected to the coil to exert a magnetic return force complementary to the force of the elastic blade is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre Mignot
  • Publication number: 20220050418
    Abstract: A timepiece mechanism including a magnetic gear formed of a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel being provided with first alternating magnetic poles forming a magnetic toothing and the second wheel being provided with a toothing made of ferromagnetic material which has a magnetic coupling with the magnetic toothing, such that, when one of the first or second wheels is driven in rotation, this wheel rolls, via the magnetic coupling, over a geometric circle centred on the other wheel and linked to this other wheel. The magnetic gear further includes a ferromagnetic element arranged relative to the first wheel so as to offset at least most of a magnetic disturbance torque to which the first wheel is subjected, resulting from the magnetic coupling, this magnetic disturbance torque having a periodic variation in intensity according to the angular position of the first wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Matthias IMBODEN, Cédric NICOLAS
  • Publication number: 20220026854
    Abstract: A wearable object (42) including an electronic unit and a power supply unit formed by an electromechanical converter (6A) which includes a rotor (44) carrying first magnets (10A), a mechanical resonator (12A) provided with an inertia mass (46) capable of oscillating at a relatively high resonant frequency and carrying second magnets (20), and coils arranged so that, when the mechanical resonator is oscillating, an induced voltage is generated in these coils. The electromechanical converter is arranged so that the first magnets and the second magnets can, during a rotational drive of the rotor, interact magnetically so as to apply to the inertia mass, momentarily or temporarily, a magnetic force torque allowing to excite the mechanical resonator, in order to generate at least one oscillation of this mechanical resonator at its resonant frequency in order to generate a relatively high induced voltage allowing to recharge an accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Milan CALIC, Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Alain JORNOD, François GUEISSAZ
  • Patent number: 10416622
    Abstract: A method of operating a home-automation installation, the home-automation installation including items of equipment fixed in a building and a mobile unit for controlling the items of equipment, the elements communicating over a home-automation network, each element being furnished with an identifier which is specific to it and with an authentication key specific to the home-automation network, termed “common key”, identical for all the elements and authenticating an element's membership of the home-automation network, The method includes a step of locating the mobile control unit and delivering an item of position information, then a step of pinpointing using at least the item of position information to pinpoint a particular item of equipment, the pinpointing step allowing the identification of the particular item of equipment and allowing the locating of the particular item of equipment in a mode of configuration of the home-automation installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Mignot, Isabelle Duchene, Stephane Lapierre
  • Patent number: 10254000
    Abstract: A device for control and/or command of a visual or thermal comfort element or security element of a building includes a display screen, and an electronic control unit provided with a communication module arranged so as to receive data, according to a wireless communication protocol, originating from a complementary communication module of a central entity arranged so as to control and/or command the at least one visual or thermal comfort element or security element. The central entity is arranged to employ and transmit to the electronic control unit representative data relating to the visual or thermal comfort to electrical consumption or to the security of the building. The electronic control unit generates a display configuration based on at least one datum of content and at least one display descriptive datum defining the arrangement of a display of the at least one datum of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Mignot, Pierre Emmanuel Cavarec
  • Patent number: 10222757
    Abstract: Regulating members for a mechanical timepiece, specifically a system based on magnetic interaction between a resonator, in a form of a tuning fork for example, and an escape wheel, as a magnetic escapement. In the system plural areas of magnetic interaction between the resonator and the escape wheel are arranged such that torques produced at the escape wheel by the interactions compensate each other if the escape wheel is not synchronized at the frequency of the resonator. This results in negligible torque in the escape wheel when the escape wheel rotates slowly in a direction of an arrow or opposite direction. This allows the timepiece to start with a low mainspring torque and without any start procedure or device and provides better resistance of the timepiece against a loss of synchronization in event of a shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Rudolf Dinger, Jean-Pierre Mignot, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Publication number: 20180181072
    Abstract: The present invention concerns regulating members for a mechanical timepiece, specifically a system based on the magnetic interaction between a resonator, in the form of a tuning fork for example, and an escape wheel, called a “magnetic escapement”. The system is characterized in that there are several areas of magnetic interaction between the resonator and the escape wheel which are arranged such that the torques produced at the escape wheel by these interactions compensate each other if the escape wheel is not synchronized at the frequency of the resonator. This results in negligible torque in the escape wheel when the latter rotates slowly in the direction of the arrow or the opposite direction. This allows the timepiece to start with a low mainspring torque and without any start procedure or device and provides better resistance of the timepiece against a loss of synchronization in the event of a shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudolf DINGER, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20170059193
    Abstract: A device for control and/or command of a visual or thermal comfort element or security element of a building includes a display screen, and an electronic control unit provided with a communication module arranged so as to receive data, according to a wireless communication protocol, originating from a complementary communication module of a central entity arranged so as to control and/or command the at least one visual or thermal comfort element or security element. The central entity is arranged to employ and transmit to the electronic control unit representative data relating to the visual or thermal comfort to electrical consumption or to the security of the building. The electronic control unit generates a display configuration based on at least one datum of content and at least one display descriptive datum defining the arrangement of a display of the at least one datum of content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Pierre MIGNOT, Pierre Emmanuel CAVAREC
  • Patent number: 9462409
    Abstract: Mobile control unit comprising: first communication elements (COM1) adapted for communication according to a local protocol (P1); second communication elements (COM2) adapted for communication according to a second communication protocol (P2); elements (IHM, MEM, Rx_COM2, Rx_COM1) of detecting at least one event (EVT) involving the sending of at least one message (MSG) to at least one electrical equipment item (11, 12, 13, 14, GTW); elements (?P, MEM, COM1, COM2, IHM) of automatically selecting the communication elements (COM_TX) to be used for the sending of the at least one message (MSG); and elements (?P, MEM, COM1, COM2) of generating the at least one message (MSG) according to the event (EVT) detected and the selected communication elements (COM_TX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventor: Pierre Mignot