Patents Assigned to GE Aviation Systems Limited
  • Patent number: 11932414
    Abstract: Techniques for employing a smart sensor device that has a primary sensing function for sensing a state of a physical component and can concurrently enable one or more backup functions for sensing one or more states of one or more other physicals components in response to one or more other smart sensor devices not being able to perform their primary function of sensing and/or reporting on the one or more states of the one or more other physical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Robert North, Tod Alexander Gilbert, Steven Bonnett
  • Patent number: 11928970
    Abstract: A method of adjusting an operator workload during a travel segment including tracking over a time period, using at least one sensor, one of inputs by an operator indicative of an operator workload or image sensor data or a biometric parameter indicative of an operator stress level during the travel segment. Determining, using a controller that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor, a level of one of the operator workload or operator stress level. The method also includes adjusting, using a controller that is operatively connected to the control computer, the operator workload when the level of one of the operator workload or operator stress level exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Alexander Schwindt
  • Patent number: 11916373
    Abstract: A method and circuit for determining and extinguishing electrical faults includes a power supply, and electrical load, a controller module, and electrical sensors, and when the controller module does not extinguish the electrical fault, another switch blows a fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: John Oliver Collins, Russell Mark Compton
  • Patent number: 11913408
    Abstract: A trunnion-to-disk connection for use on an open fan configuration of a gas turbine engine may include an integral trunnion and blade spar inserted through a trunnion aperture of a fan disk and supported by top bearing and a bottom bearing. A cavity can be provided between a trunnion of the integral trunnion and blade spar and the fan disk, as well as between the top bearing and bottom bearing. Pressurized hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the cavity to urge the integral trunnion and blade spar in a direction to preload the bearings. Prior to pressurization, and prior to installation of the bottom bearing, the trunnion can be inserted into a trunnion aperture of the fan disk such that an end of the trunnion extends past the fan disk to provide sufficient space to insert the bottom bearing from within the open interior of the fan disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: General Electric Company, GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Daggett, Frank Worthoff, Pawel Pres, Daryl John Burford
  • Patent number: 11860283
    Abstract: An aircraft and non-transitory computer-readable medium for detecting the spoofing of a signal from a satellite in orbit. A receiver on the aircraft to receive an apparent satellite signal. A computer for determining at least two characteristic signatures of the signal including a power level, and indicating the apparent satellite signal is a spoofed satellite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Alexander Schwindt
  • Patent number: 11852494
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium and apparatus for restoring navigational performance for a navigational system. The apparatus including a receiver for receiving by a first navigational system and a second navigational system a collection of data points to establish a real-time navigational route for the aircraft, and a computer for comparing navigational performance values or drift ranges. The computer capable of establishing a new navigational route based on the collection of data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Alexander Schwindt
  • Patent number: 11837099
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an aircraft flight management system configured to analyze a takeoff sequence for an aircraft, the aircraft slight management system comprising a memory storing runway information associated with the runway from which the aircraft will depart, one or more inputs configured to receive variables comprising real-time aircraft variables and real-time condition variables that influence an actual velocity of the aircraft, sensors for sensing the actual velocity of the aircraft; and a processor configured to compare a real-time takeoff value to a takeoff requirement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Alexander Schwindt
  • Patent number: 11810400
    Abstract: A method of assessing an operator emotional state and sending an alert based on the emotional state. The method includes tracking during a time period, using at least one sensor, one of an image sensor data, voice data or a biometric parameter of an operator. Determining, using a controller that is operatively connected to at least one sensor, a probability of a likely emotional state from a list of emotional states of an operator based on one of the image sensor data, voice data or the biometric parameter. Comparing, using a processor, the probability of one of the likely emotional states of the operator with a baseline emotional state of the operator. Sending, using the controller, an alert if most likely emotional state deviates from the baseline emotional state by a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Alexander Schwindt, Alexander S. Chen, Peter H. Tu
  • Patent number: 11780610
    Abstract: A system and method for acquiring accurate vibration data, time of arrival, or other mechanical state for a mechanical system with rotary elements, such as a planetary gear system with multiple planet gears that rotate relative to a central sun gear, or blades in a turbine engine. Multiple vibration sensors are arranged at spaced intervals along the exterior of the gear system (such as along the ring gear of the system or the exterior housing of the system). Each vibration sensor is so situated as to periodically detect vibrations from each one of the planet gears in succession, as the planet gears rotate around the central sun gear. Using timing and gear-system configuration information, a determination is made as to which gear is being sensed by any one sensor at any time; also determined is which teeth of each gear are being sensed by a particular sensor at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Dunning, Nicholas Keningley, Steven Bonnett, Timothy North, Matthew William Wiseman
  • Patent number: 11762357
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control module circuit having a circuit communication input port, a circuit communication output port, a first controllable unit that has a first controller module, and a second controllable unit having a second controller module. The first controller module has a first communication input port connected with the circuit communication input port and a first communication output port. The second controller module has a second communication input port connected with the first communication output port and a second communication output port connected with the circuit communication output port. The first and second controllable units are adapted to be identified with a permanent identity by way of a transmittable data signal receivable at the communication input port and sequentially received by the first and second controllable units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Peter James Handy, David Alan Elliott, James Angelo Elder, Denis Vaughan Weale
  • Patent number: 11765091
    Abstract: A network switch includes a first port configured for communication with a first electric device and a second port configured for communication with a second electric device in a deterministic network. The network switch includes one or more processors configured to receive at the first port a communication packet associated with the first electric device and the second electric device, determine if the communication packet satisfies a plurality of protocol constraints, and in response to the communication packet satisfying the plurality of protocol constraints, input one or more message characteristics from the communication packet into a model associated with a first industrial process. The model is configured to output a process behavioral classification based on the one or more message characteristics. The one or more processors receive a process behavioral classification for the communication packet, and selectively generate a control action for the ICS based on the process behavioral classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Stefan Alexander Schwindt
  • Patent number: 11754604
    Abstract: A modular power tile and method of operating a power distribution system includes generating a predetermined identifying pattern, by a reflectometry module of a power distribution node, injecting, by the reflectometry module, the predetermined identifying pattern, receiving, at the reflectometry module, a reflected incident signal of the predetermined identifying pattern, and scheduling a maintenance task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Daniela Alejandra Medina Garcia, Luis Javier Pando Rodriguez, Gerardo Carvajal Alcala, Francisco Avila Alarcon
  • Patent number: 11741841
    Abstract: A method for updating, for an aircraft, a first flight plan having a first set of flight parameters, includes receiving, via an avionics device, a change to the first flight plan, determining a second set of flight parameters based on the change to the first flight plan, receiving, by the avionics device, at least one of terrain data and special use airspace (SUA) data. The method includes performing, with the avionics device, a safety validation of the second set of flight parameters, wherein the safety validation comprises: comparing the second set of flight parameters with the received at least one of terrain data and SUA data, and determining, based on the comparison, whether the second set of flight parameters presents a risk to safe flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Stefan Alexander Schwindt, Joachim Karl Ulf Hochwarth
  • Patent number: 11739744
    Abstract: A fluid mover and method of operating includes a pair of spaced electrodes, a power supply electrically coupled to the pair of spaced electrodes, and at least one environment sensor. The fluid mover also includes a controller configured to controllably operate at least one of the power supply or the pair of spaced electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Sanjay Vijayaraghavan, Krishnendu Saha, John Oliver Collins
  • Patent number: 11731777
    Abstract: A power distribution node, includes a power switch controllably operable to supply energy from an input to an output when the power switch is closed and to not supply energy from the input to the output when the power switch is open, a controller module, a supply power source connected with and energizing the controller module, and a control circuit configured to sense a power characteristic of the power distribution node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: John Oliver Collins, David Alan Elliott
  • Patent number: 11727732
    Abstract: A system and method preserves raw vibration data for a physical event involving a transport vehicle such as a helicopter, plane, boat, car, or truck. The event may involve unexpected mechanical stresses on the vehicle. The system and method preserves raw vibration data for parts of the transport vehicle, such as from multiple points along the drive train. The preserved raw vibration data includes data from time prior to the physical event. In an embodiment, the system and method continuously detects vibration data, and stores the most recent vibration data in a circular memory buffer. The buffer is continually updated with the most current vibration data. When an event is automatically detected or manually triggered, the most recently saved vibration data is transferred from the buffer to permanent storage, along with vibration data obtained subsequent to the event. This allows for a more thorough post-event analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Dunning, Steven Bonnett, Timothy North, Daniel Lee
  • Patent number: 11718520
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage system includes a pressure-sealed sleeve defining an interior and having an outlet, a shaft extending through the interior of the sleeve, a set of porous chambers arranged axially along and concentric to the shaft, and a hydrogen storage, wherein at least some hydrogen gas is supplied to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Colin John Halsey, Alexander James Rainbow
  • Patent number: 11691754
    Abstract: A method and power distribution system for operating in a low power consumption mode includes a primary power distribution node defining a primary distribution switch having an output and operable in a first conducting mode and a second non-conducting mode, and wherein operating in the second non-conducting mode includes a leakage current through the power distribution switch, at least one enabled electrical load downstream of the primary power distribution node, the at least one enabled electrical load connectable to the primary power distribution node by way of the primary distribution switch, and a primary power distribution node power source configured to supply power to the output of the primary distribution switch when the primary distribution switch is operating in the second non-conducting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: David Alan Elliott
  • Patent number: 11685518
    Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods and/or computer program products that facilitate measuring weight and balance and optimizing center of gravity are provided. In one embodiment, a system 100 utilizes a processor 106 that executes computer implemented components stored in a memory 104. A compression component 108 calculates compression of landing gear struts based on height above ground of an aircraft. A gravity component 110 determines center of gravity based on differential compression of the landing gear struts. An optimization component 112 automatically optimizes the center of gravity to a rear limit of a center of gravity margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Parker, Stefan Alexander Schwindt
  • Patent number: 11668811
    Abstract: A method for identifying ghost aircraft and a system for displaying information in an aircraft including a flight display onboard the aircraft and configured to display a visual expression of at least some air traffic information and an interrogation module configured to determine information about an other aircraft based on the identification address to define interrogated data, determine real-time information about the other aircraft, compare the real-time information and the interrogated data and update the flight display based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Alexander Schwindt