Patents by Inventor Stéphane VEZAIN
Stéphane VEZAIN 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: 11597538Abstract: A deployable device includes a tape-spring capable of passing from a wound configuration about a first axis Z to a deployed configuration along a second axis X substantially perpendicular to the first axis Z, the tape-spring having two characteristic dimensions, a first characteristic dimension being the width of the tape-spring along the first axis Z, a second characteristic dimension being the thickness of the tape-spring along a third axis Y substantially perpendicular to the first axis Z and to the second axis X. At least one of the two characteristic dimensions has a non-constant value along the second axis X.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudassé, François Guinot, Stéphane Vézain
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Patent number: 11591116Abstract: A deployable device includes a supporting structure, a mandrel able to move in rotation with respect to the supporting structure about a first axis Z, a membrane able to pass from a rolled-up configuration rolled up around the mandrel about the first axis Z to a deployed configuration deployed along a second axis X substantially perpendicular to the first axis Z. The device comprises two fittings secured to the mandrel at their centre, arranged one on either side of the membrane and comprising first stubs on their periphery, a casing extending between the two fittings, the casing comprising second stubs of a shape complementing the shape of the first stubs, the casing being able to pass from a rolled-up configuration at least partially enveloping the membrane in the rolled-up configuration to a deployed configuration at least partially superposed on the membrane in the deployed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudasse, Stéphane Vezain
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Patent number: 11112597Abstract: A dual-drive device for sequential scanning includes a moving part comprising a frame and an optical instrument that is positioned on the frame and is rotatable about a first axis with respect to the frame so as to be slowed down or immobilized in a plurality of successive positions about the first axis, a motor configured to set the moving part in rotation about the first axis in a first direction of rotation at a constant speed, the moving part comprising a first actuator positioned on the frame and configured to actuate the rotation of the optical instrument about the first axis with respect to the frame in the first direction of rotation in order to pass from a first position to a successive position from the plurality of successive positions, and in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, in order to slow down or immobilize the optical instrument in the successive position.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: THALESInventors: Stéphane Vezain, Damien Chassoulier, Didier Stanek, Nicola Guercio
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Publication number: 20210086919Abstract: A deployable device includes a supporting structure, a mandrel able to move in rotation with respect to the supporting structure about a first axis Z, a membrane able to pass from a rolled-up configuration rolled up around the mandrel about the first axis Z to a deployed configuration deployed along a second axis X substantially perpendicular to the first axis Z. The device comprises two fittings secured to the mandrel at their centre, arranged one on either side of the membrane and comprising first stubs on their periphery, a casing extending between the two fittings, the casing comprising second stubs of a shape complementing the shape of the first stubs, the casing being able to pass from a rolled-up configuration at least partially enveloping the membrane in the rolled-up configuration to a deployed configuration at least partially superposed on the membrane in the deployed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Yannick BAUDASSE, Stéphane VEZAIN
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Patent number: 10858125Abstract: A link device comprising a first object and a second object comprises a first strip, capable of passing from a configuration wound about an axis Z about a support fixed to the first object to a configuration deployed along an axis X substantially at right angles to the axis Z, the strip having an end intended to come into contact with the second object, so as to link the first object to the second object.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: THALESInventors: Stéphane Vézain, Carole Billot, Didier Stanek, Yannick Baudassé
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Publication number: 20200122862Abstract: A deployable device includes a tape-spring capable of passing from a wound configuration about a first axis Z to a deployed configuration along a second axis X substantially perpendicular to the first axis Z, the tape-spring having two characteristic dimensions, a first characteristic dimension being the width of the tape-spring along the first axis Z, a second characteristic dimension being the thickness of the tape-spring along a third axis Y substantially perpendicular to the first axis Z and to the second axis X. At least one of the two characteristic dimensions has a non-constant value along the second axis X.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Yannick BAUDASSÉ, François GUINOT, Stéphane VÉZAIN
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Patent number: 10415551Abstract: A control system comprises sources of supply, in terms of power and in terms of control signals, capable of equally piloting each of the electric thrusters and further comprises a switching device capable of linking any one of the sources of supply to any one of the electric thrusters. The switching device comprises a rotary main roller divided into a number of angular segments comprising input and output conductive tracks and pre-wired electrical networks linking the input conductive tracks to the output conductive tracks of each angular segment, the pre-wired electrical networks associated with the different angular segments all being different and dedicated to different configurations for the piloting of the electric thrusters by the sources of supply.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudasse, Ronan Pin, David Guichon, Stéphane Vezain
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Publication number: 20190113740Abstract: A dual-drive device for sequential scanning includes a moving part comprising a frame and an optical instrument that is positioned on the frame and is rotatable about a first axis with respect to the frame so as to be slowed down or immobilized in a plurality of successive positions about the first axis, a motor configured to set the moving part in rotation about the first axis in a first direction of rotation at a constant speed, the moving part comprising a first actuator positioned on the frame and configured to actuate the rotation of the optical instrument about the first axis with respect to the frame in the first direction of rotation in order to pass from a first position to a successive position from the plurality of successive positions, and in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, in order to slow down or immobilize the optical instrument in the successive position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Stéphane VEZAIN, Damien CHASSOULIER, Didier STANEK, Nicola GUERCIO
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Patent number: 10232960Abstract: A system for manipulating a space object in space comprises an articulated structure, wherein the articulated structure comprises a single actuator configured to control, equally, the deployment of the structure in space, the gripping of the space object and the folding down of the articulated structure. Developments describe the use of a fixed supporting structure, a threaded rod, a tapped whorl guided by the threaded rod and a set of articulated bars held by pivot links at their interfaces on the tapped whorl and on the fixed supporting structure. Various mechanical configurations are described, notably gripping devices comprising rollers for locking and/or unlocking the space object by separation of the articulated bars. A method of regulation, of control and of adjustment of the manipulation is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignees: THALES, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Stéphane Vezain, Yannick Baudasse, Didier Stanek, Carole Billot
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Patent number: 10222186Abstract: A projectile extending along an axis X between two ends, the projectile being positioned in a barrel of substantially cylindrical shape of axis X is provided. The projectile comprises: a hollow part at its center, opening onto a first of the two ends of the projectile to receive a compressed fluid, a plurality of vents passing through the projectile from the hollow part substantially perpendicular to the axis X and with a substantially radial outlet to expel the compressed fluid substantially at a tangent to the projectile. The invention also relates to the barrel and to a launch device comprising a projectile and a barrel.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: THALESInventors: Stéphane Vézain, Carole Billot, Didier Stanek, Yannick Baudassé
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Patent number: 10214302Abstract: A deployable structure comprises a mast and two storage rollers each supporting a flexible solar generator, the two storage rollers being articulated on the mast. The mast comprises at least one longitudinal rod and two lateral arms, inclined angularly in two opposite directions that are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal rod, each lateral arm comprising an end provided with a hollow guide. Each storage roller has a longitudinal axis comprising a bent end forming a pivot respectively articulated inside the hollow guide of a corresponding lateral arm, the pivot of each storage roller having an axis of revolution different from the longitudinal axis of the corresponding storage roller.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudasse, Stéphane Vezain, Olivier Bardel, Didier Stanek
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Patent number: 10144192Abstract: A tape having a fully wound stable state and a fully unwound stable state, configured for space applications, the intermediate states between the fully wound state and the fully unwound state comprises a single continuous portion of wound tape with a first radius of curvature greater than a threshold value and a single continuous portion of unwound tape with a second radius of curvature less than the threshold value, the value of the second radius of curvature being continuous over the unwound portio; the tape comprises a stack comprising fibrous layers extending in a longitudinal direction, the resulting stack having symmetry with respect to a longitudinal plane of its fibres to compensate for torsional deformations generated by variations in temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignees: THALES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, L'ECOLE CENTRALE DE MARSEILLEInventors: François Guinot, Stéphane Vezain, Didier Stanek, Yannick Baudasse, Stéphane Bourgeois, Pernelle Marone-Hitz
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Patent number: 9796485Abstract: A deployable structure comprises: a mount comprising a first point and a second point opposite and a third point, a storage reel able to rotate about an axis Z, a tape spring able to switch from a configuration in which it is wound about the axis Z in the storage reel into a configuration in which it is deployed along an axis X substantially perpendicular to the axis Z, the first and second points forming a double support with the tape spring to keep the tape spring in the deployed configuration. The third point is able to form a simple support with the tape spring, the storage reel is able to move with respect to the third point and the storage reel is pressed against the third point to guide the deployment of the tape spring.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: ThalesInventors: Yannick Baudassé, Stéphane Vézain, Didier Stanek, François Guinot
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Patent number: 9764857Abstract: A deployable mast with spontaneous autonomous deployment comprises at least one elementary structural block with a longitudinal axis of deployment X, the elementary structural block comprising two, respectively lower and upper platforms parallel to a plane YZ orthogonal to axis X, and N stages stacked on one another parallel to axis X, where N is more than 1, and where i is between 1 and N?1. Each stage comprises at least six flexible longitudinal connection arms which are articulated by tape springs, which arms are, in the deployed position, on planes parallel to axis X and are inclined relative to axis X, the N stages being secured to one another in pairs by means of connection platforms parallel to the plane YZ; two adjacent lower and upper stages are offset angularly relative to one another by rotation around the axis of deployment X.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudasse, Stéphane Vezain, Robin Lacroix, François Guinot
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Publication number: 20170259945Abstract: A link device comprising a first object and a second object comprises a first strip, capable of passing from a configuration wound about an axis Z about a support fixed to the first object to a configuration deployed along an axis X substantially at right angles to the axis Z, the strip having an end intended to come into contact with the second object, so as to link the first object to the second object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Stéphane VÉZAIN, Carole BILLOT, Didier STANEK, Yannick BAUDASSÉ
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Patent number: 9718639Abstract: A device is provided for unfurling and refurling comprising at least one tape spring having an axis of unfurling and of refurling parallel to an axis X and a rotor capable of rotating about an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X, the tape spring being able, autonomously, to pass from a state in which it is wound around the rotor to an unwound state. The tape spring is mounted bent in two in the shape of a U and comprises a first end fixed rigidly to a first anchor point that may be secured to a stator or to the rotor and a second end wound around the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignees: THALES, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Yannick Baudasse, Stephane Vezain, Bernard Boulanger, Francois Guinot
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Patent number: 9676502Abstract: An aiming assembly comprising an instrument and aiming device, the aiming device comprises: a frame, a mobile part comprising a plate, the instrument being fixed onto the plate, the mobile part and the instrument having a centre of gravity, the mobile part being rotationally mobile relative to the frame on a first axis of rotation, and comprising a support configured to cooperate with the plate to allow the plate to be rotationally mobile relative to the frame about a second axis of rotation at right angles to the first axis of rotation, and rotationally mobile relative to the frame on the first axis, the first and second axes of rotation intersecting at a point of intersection. The point of intersection coincides with the centre of gravity of the mobile part and of the instrument, and the support comprises a flexible part configured to compensate for the differential expansions on the second axis of rotation between the frame and the plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudassé, Stéphane Vézain, Paul Mouille, Didier Stanek
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Publication number: 20170158358Abstract: A deployable structure comprises a mast and two storage rollers each supporting a flexible solar generator, the two storage rollers being articulated on the mast. The mast comprises at least one longitudinal rod and two lateral arms, inclined angularly in two opposite directions that are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal rod, each lateral arm comprising an end provided with a hollow guide. Each storage roller has a longitudinal axis comprising a bent end forming a pivot respectively articulated inside the hollow guide of a corresponding lateral arm, the pivot of each storage roller having an axis of revolution different from the longitudinal axis of the corresponding storage roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Yannick BAUDASSE, Stéphane VEZAIN, Olivier BARDEL, Didier STANEK
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Patent number: 9669949Abstract: A deployable structure comprises: a support, a tape spring fixed to the support, able to pass from a wound configuration wound about an axis Z, to a deployed configuration, and a mobile arm able to rotate with respect to the support about the Z-axis, able to form a first contact with the tape spring so as to control the deployment of the tape spring.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudasse, Stéphane Vezain, François Guinot
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Patent number: 9605430Abstract: A retractable tape spring in-building method for a deployable structure comprising a main tape spring having an axis of deployment and of refurling substantially parallel to an unfurled axis X and comprising two ends, a secondary tape spring comprising two ends and a winding mandrel carried by a shaft parallel to an axis Z perpendicular to the axis X, the main tape spring being wound around the mandrel, a first end of the main tape spring being fixed to the mandrel, the method comprising the following steps: fixing a first end of the secondary tape spring a predefined distance away from a second end of the main tape spring, fixing a second end of the secondary tape spring on the mandrel. A deployable structure comprising a tape spring for a flexible structure is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: THALESInventors: Yannick Baudasse, Stéphane Vezain, Didier Stanek