Patents by Inventor Romuald Biest

Romuald Biest 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: 10507905
    Abstract: An adaptive flight control system for controlling the pitch of blades of a propulsive propeller of a hybrid helicopter as a function of the return value of the pitch. The adaptive flight control system comprises control means supplying the pitch control order, a piloting member controlling variation of the pitch, and piloting means applying a control gain in order to transform the control order into a setpoint, and transmitting the setpoint to the piloting member. The piloting means include information return means applying a return gain that is variable to the return value of the variation of the pitch to the piloting means, also modifying the control gain as a function of the return value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Jean-Romain Bihel, Arnaud Groll, Romuald Biest, Zouhair Sassi
  • Publication number: 20170144747
    Abstract: An adaptive flight control system for controlling the pitch of blades of a propulsive propeller of a hybrid helicopter as a function of the return value of the pitch. The adaptive flight control system comprises control means supplying the pitch control order, a piloting member controlling variation of the pitch, and piloting means applying a control gain in order to transform the control order into a setpoint, and transmitting the setpoint to the piloting member. The piloting means include information return means applying a return gain that is variable to the return value of the variation of the pitch to the piloting means, also modifying the control gain as a function of the return value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Jean-Romain BIHEL, Arnaud GROLL, Romuald BIEST, Zouhair SASSI
  • Patent number: 9284042
    Abstract: A system (10) having a control plate (15) for controlling the pitch of the blades (5) of a propeller, a power block (20), and a directional control valve (30) for feeding said power block (20) with fluid. The power block (20) is sealed and includes at least a body in which at least one piston (22) that is secured to a piston rod (25) projecting from said body (21) is movable in translation, a repeater rod (50) connecting said piston rod (25) to said control plate (15). The control valve (30) is sealed and comprises a stationary manifold (35) and a movable manifold (40) that is movable in rotation, said stationary manifold (35) being controlled by a control lever (31) connected by repeater means (32) to said repeater rod (50). A respective pipe (60) connects each chamber (23, 24) of said power block (20) to said movable manifold (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Gérard Couderc, Mathilde Chouteau, Romuald Biest
  • Patent number: 9150306
    Abstract: A control lever (10) provided with a stick (11) extending axially from a stand (11?) towards grip means (11?) and with a carrier structure (20) for said stick (11) that is hinged about a first hinge axis (AX1) and about a second hinge axis (AX2). The control lever (10) includes phasing means (30) constrained to move in rotation with said stick (11) about said first hinge axis (AX1) and about said second hinge axis (AX2), said phasing means (30) comprising at least three main arms (31, 32, 33), each for controlling a respective power member (8?, 8?, 8??) that is connected to a set (6) of swashplates for controlling a rotary wing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Gérard Couderc, Romuald Biest
  • Patent number: 8590843
    Abstract: The invention provides a control mechanism for controlling flight of an aircraft, the control mechanism comprising a cyclic control stick (1) that is mounted to tilt (B1, B2) on a carrier structure (4) and that is in engagement with remote mechanical transmission members (2, 3). The stick (1) is arranged as a telescopic member provided with locking means (20) for locking it in a normal-use retracted position, and is equipped with deployment means (21). Unlocking of the locking means (20) and use of the deployment means (21) depend on an assistance device (17) associated with the stick (1) being in a defective state. In the event of such a defective state being detected, the stick (1) is suitable for being deployed so as to increase the comfort of the pilot while manipulating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Romuald Biest, Robert Convers
  • Publication number: 20130078096
    Abstract: A system (10) having a control plate (15) for controlling the pitch of the blades (5) of a propeller, a power block (20), and a directional control valve (30) for feeding said power block (20) with fluid. The power block (20) is sealed and includes at least a body in which at least one piston (22) that is secured to a piston rod (25) projecting from said body (21) is movable in translation, a repeater rod (50) connecting said piston rod (25) to said control plate (15). The control valve (30) is sealed and comprises a stationary manifold (35) and a movable manifold (40) that is movable in rotation, said stationary manifold (35) being controlled by a control lever (31) connected by repeater means (32) to said repeater rod (50). A respective pipe (60) connects each chamber (23, 24) of said power block (20) to said movable manifold (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Gérard Couderc, Mathilde Chouteau, Romuald Biest
  • Patent number: 8393569
    Abstract: A breakable coupling device for coupling together first and second main transmission shafts stationary in translation along a longitudinal axis of rotation of the device comprises a blocking device having a discontinuous first housing and a continuous second housing forming a closed loop; a compression device; at least one drive device connecting the blocking device and the compression device together in rotation about the longitudinal axis below a predetermined torque, wherein the discontinuous first housing is configured to receive the at least one drive device below the predetermined torque; and a shifting device configured to shift the at least one drive device non-reversibly from the discontinuous first housing towards the continuous second housing when the torque exerted on the at least one drive device is greater than the predetermined torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Philippe Vincent, Romuald Biest
  • Publication number: 20120255386
    Abstract: A control lever (10) provided with a stick (11) extending axially from a stand (11?) towards grip means (11?) and with a carrier structure (20) for said stick (11) that is hinged about a first hinge axis (AX1) and about a second hinge axis (AX2). The control lever (10) includes phasing means (30) constrained to move in rotation with said stick (11) about said first hinge axis (AX1) and about said second hinge axis (AX2), said phasing means (30) comprising at least three main arms (31, 32, 33), each for controlling a respective power member (8?, 8?, 8??) that is connected to a set (6) of swashplates for controlling a rotary wing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Gèrard Couderc, Romuald Biest
  • Patent number: 8282035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical device (1) suitable for combining first and second pitch control orders for controlling the blade pitch of at least one rotary assembly, the device comprising a carrier structure (10) suitable for being fastened to a support (5) by at least one main fastener pin (13) about which said carrier structure (10) is capable of performing a pivoting movement. In addition, the device includes at least one connection lever (20, 30) per rotary assembly, and at least one secondary fastener pin (25, 35) per connection lever (20, 30), said secondary fastener pin (25, 35) being secured firstly to said carrier structure (10) and being fastened secondly by rotary means (26, 36) to the connection lever (20, 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Romuald Biest, Guillaume Franchini
  • Publication number: 20120234985
    Abstract: The invention provides a control mechanism for controlling flight of an aircraft, the control mechanism comprising a cyclic control stick (1) that is mounted to tilt (B1, B2) on a carrier structure (4) and that is in engagement with remote mechanical transmission members (2, 3). The stick (1) is arranged as a telescopic member provided with locking means (20) for locking it in a normal-use retracted position, and is equipped with deployment means (21). Unlocking of the locking means (20) and use of the deployment means (21) depend on an assistance device (17) associated with the stick (1) being in a defective state. In the event of such a defective state being detected, the stick (1) is suitable for being deployed so as to increase the comfort of the pilot while manipulating it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Romuald Biest, Robert Convers
  • Patent number: 8240617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to haptic feedback for operating at least one manual flight control device (21) for controlling the cyclic pitch of the blades (5) of a rotary wing (4) of a hybrid helicopter (1) via power assistance (27). Said operations of said control device (21) are defined according to a predetermined damping force relationship (A) that is a function of an instantaneous load factor of the hybrid helicopter (1) in such a manner that the instantaneous load factor is maintained between its minimum and maximum limit values in proportion to a position of a thrust control member (20) between its minimum and maximum thrust values (23, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Romuald Biest, Bernard Gemmati, Julien Pruss
  • Patent number: 8196857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bellcrank (40) for a flight-attitude-changing linkage (27, 25A, 28A) of the variable gain type. The linkage (27, 25A, 28A) connects a manual flight control device of a rotary wing aircraft (1), e.g. a hybrid helicopter, to at least one airfoil of said aircraft (1) suitable for causing a change in flight attitude. Said bellcrank (40) includes first and second sliders (50, 52). Said first slider (50) is connected to a movable portion (57, 61) of a setpoint flight-attitude-changing linkage (24) that delivers a setpoint, with movements of said linkage causing the gain of said variable-gain linkage (27, 25A, 28A) to be adjusted, which gain is proportional to the position of said movable portion (57, 61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Romuald Biest, Carine Mirman
  • Patent number: 8181550
    Abstract: A rotary actuator incorporating a force relationship includes a twistably-deformable structure having a first and a second end plate and a helical spring with a first and a second terminal end secured on the first and the second end plate, respectively, and wherein the first and the second end plate have a first and a second notch, respectively, and wherein the first and the second notch have a first and a second contact zone, respectively. The rotary actuator further includes an outlet shaft and a motor assembly having an outlet gear configured to drive the twistably-deformable structure so as to drive the outlet shaft in rotation, wherein the motor assembly, the twistably-deformable structure and the outlet shaft are disposed in succession. The rotary actuator has a first finger constrained to rotate with the outlet gear and a second finger constrained to rotate with the outlet shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Romuald Biest
  • Publication number: 20110024551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to haptic feedback for operating at least one manual flight control device (21) for controlling the cyclic pitch of the blades (5) of a rotary wing (4) of a hybrid helicopter (1) via power assistance (27). Said operations of said control device (21) are defined according to a predetermined damping force relationship (A) that is a function of an instantaneous load factor of the hybrid helicopter (1) in such a manner that the instantaneous load factor is maintained between its minimum and maximum limit values in proportion to a position of a thrust control member (20) between its minimum and maximum thrust values (23, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Romuald Biest, Bernard Gemmati, Julien Pruss
  • Publication number: 20100308178
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bellcrank (40) for a flight-attitude-changing linkage (27, 25A, 28A) of the variable gain type. The linkage (27, 25A, 28A) connects a manual flight control device of a rotary wing aircraft (1), e.g. a hybrid helicopter, to at least one airfoil of said aircraft (1) suitable for causing a change in flight attitude. Said bellcrank (40) includes first and second sliders (50, 52). Said first slider (50) is connected to a movable portion (57, 61) of a setpoint flight-attitude-changing linkage (24) that delivers a setpoint, with movements of said linkage causing the gain of said variable-gain linkage (27, 25A, 28A) to be adjusted, which gain is proportional to the position of said movable portion (57, 61).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Romuald Biest, Carine Mirman
  • Publication number: 20100308157
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical device (1) suitable for combining first and second pitch control orders for controlling the blade pitch of at least one rotary assembly, the device comprising a carrier structure (10) suitable for being fastened to a support (5) by at least one main fastener pin (13) about which said carrier structure (10) is capable of performing a pivoting movement. In addition, the device includes at least one connection lever (20, 30) per rotary assembly, and at least one secondary fastener pin (25, 35) per connection lever (20, 30), said secondary fastener pin (25, 35) being secured firstly to said carrier structure (10) and being fastened secondly by rotary means (26, 36) to the connection lever (20, 30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Romuald Biest, Guillaume Franchini
  • Publication number: 20100127121
    Abstract: A rotary actuator incorporating a three relationship includes a twistably-deformable structure having a first and a second end plate and a helical spring with a first and a second terminal end secured on the first and the second end plate, respectively, and wherein the first and the second end plate have a first and a second notch, respectively, and wherein the first and the second notch have a first and a second contact zone, respectively. The rotary actuator further includes an outlet shaft and a motor assembly having an outlet gear configured to drive the twistably-deformable structure so as to drive the outlet shaft in rotation, wherein, the motor assembly, the twistably-deformable structure and the outlet shaft are disposed in succession. The rotary actuator has a first finger constrained to rotate with the outlet gear and a second finger constrained to rotate with the outlet shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Romuald Biest
  • Publication number: 20090283642
    Abstract: A breakable coupling device for coupling together first and second main transmission shafts stationary in translation along a longitudinal axis of rotation of the device comprises a blocking device having a discontinuous first housing and a continuous second housing forming a closed loop; a compression device; at least one drive device connecting the blocking device and the compression device together in rotation about the longitudinal axis below a predetermined torque, wherein the discontinuous first housing is configured to receive the at least one drive device below the predetermined torque; and a shifting device configured to shift the at least one drive device non-reversibly from the discontinuous first housing towards the continuous second housing when the torque exerted on the at least one drive device is greater than the predetermined torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Bernard Gemmati, Philippe Vincent, Romuald Biest