Patents Assigned to Hydro-Aire, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130080011
    Abstract: The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC.
    Inventor: HYDRO-AIRE, INC.
  • Patent number: 8386094
    Abstract: A taxi brake inhibit system overcomes problems of discontinuities in pedal “feel” that can occur by use of a taxi brake inhibit system, by adding a new pedal “feel” logic in which twice the brake force is commanded for a given brake pedal application when taxi brake inhibit is active. The taxi brake inhibit system relies upon two different brake force vs. brake pedal application curves to compensate for the difference in deceleration that is achieved for a given brake pedal application depending upon whether the taxi brake inhibit is active or inactive. Such system effectively eliminates undesirable deceleration bumps, yaw effects and changes in pedal feel during braking. The taxi brake inhibit feature is also shut off to both fore-aft brake pairs if any non-normal taxi brake inhibit condition exists on either fore-aft brake pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett H. DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8359147
    Abstract: A wheel speed transducer including a magnetic device associated with a wheel and a sensor device associated with the axle of the wheel provides data indicative of the velocity of the wheel. A processor located at the axle receives the wheel speed data and processes it to perform antiskid control functions. The velocity data is stored in a data concentrator also associated with the axle. A tire pressure sensor, a brake temperature sensor and a brake torque sensor, each associated with the wheel, send data to the processor at the axle, for storage in the data concentrator. A transmitting antenna associated with the axle and in communication with the data concentrator transmits stored data to a receiving antenna associated with the wheel. A data port at the wheel and in communication with the receiving antenna provides an interface to an external device for receiving the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gowan, Gary DeVlieg
  • Patent number: 8346454
    Abstract: The method of maintaining optimal braking and skid protection for a two-wheeled vehicle wheel with a wheel speed sensor failure involves providing pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel with the wheel speed sensor failure. If an incipient or initial skid on another wheel with a functioning wheel speed sensor has occurred, the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to the brake pressure command that caused the last incipient or initial skid on the other wheel, scaled by a factor for safety. Otherwise the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to be no greater than the greatest commanded brake pressure to the other wheel. The pulsed braking pressure is also limited to be less than the brake pressure commanded to the affected wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Raby, Jordan Silberling
  • Patent number: 8326506
    Abstract: The method of maintaining optimal braking and skid protection for a two-wheeled vehicle wheel with a wheel speed sensor failure involves providing pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel with the wheel speed sensor failure. If an incipient or initial skid on another wheel with a functioning wheel speed sensor has occurred, the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to the brake pressure command that caused the last incipient or initial skid on the other wheel, scaled by a factor for safety. Otherwise the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to be no greater than the greatest commanded brake pressure to the other wheel. The pulsed braking pressure is also limited to be less than the brake pressure commanded to the affected wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Raby, Jordan Silberling
  • Patent number: 8312973
    Abstract: The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Publication number: 20120259500
    Abstract: The system and method for monitoring wear of one or more aircraft parts, such as an aircraft brake, an aircraft tire, a standby system, and landing gear, utilize one or more sensors to sense a parameter of usage, and an estimate of usage of the part can be determined based upon the signal indicating the sensed value of the parameter of usage of the aircraft part. A plurality of sensors can be provided for sensing usage of a plurality of parts of the aircraft, and the estimate of usage of the part can be stored for access of the estimate by ground personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC.
    Inventor: Garrett H. DeVLIEG
  • Patent number: 8201666
    Abstract: The system and method for monitoring wear of one or more aircraft parts, such as an aircraft brake, an aircraft tire, a standby system, and landing gear. One or more sensors are provided for sensing a parameter of usage, and an estimate of usage of the part can be determined based upon the signal indicating the sensed value of the parameter of usage of the aircraft part. A plurality of sensors can be provided for sensing usage of a plurality of parts of the aircraft, and the estimate of usage of the part can be stored for access of the estimate by ground personnel. As applied to monitoring wear of an aircraft brake, a linear brake wear indicator attached to the brake moves a discrete distance when the brake is actuated, and a linear position encoder measures the distance traveled by the linear brake wear indicator as an indication of brake usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett H. DeVlieg
  • Publication number: 20120130613
    Abstract: The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC.
    Inventors: Gary DeVLIEG, John GOWAN
  • Patent number: 8172340
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8169214
    Abstract: An angular position sensor and method that relies on a stationary circular array of Hall sensors and a rotatable circular array of magnets arranged about a common axis. A periodic and simultaneous reading of all of the Hall sensor outputs is used to determine angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Zak
  • Patent number: 8147006
    Abstract: An anti-skid brake control system for a multi-wheeled vehicle includes both a paired function and an individual function. The paired function controls the wheels of the vehicle in unison. The individual function controls the wheels of the vehicle individually. A paired/individual logic circuit alternatively activates and deactivates the paired function and the individual function. A method for controlling the skid of a vehicle utilizing a paired function and a individual function is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., a Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventors: Harris K. Butler, III, Scott A. Brittian
  • Patent number: 8136894
    Abstract: The shock and vibration isolation system for hard mounting of a manifold of a brake control valve protects the brake control valve manifold from shock and vibration by incorporation of shock and vibration isolators in mounting feet of the manifold. The shock and vibration isolators have a pre-selected natural frequency chosen to protect components of the brake control valve damaging shock and vibration. The shock and vibration isolators each include a silicone rubber insert portion, a first outer sheath secured about a first end of the silicone rubber insert portion, a second outer sheath member secured about a second end of the silicone rubber insert portion, with a gap between the first and second outer sheaths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., a Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventor: Ernest Blazic
  • Patent number: 8118373
    Abstract: The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Publication number: 20110320100
    Abstract: The method of maintaining optimal braking and skid protection for a two-wheeled vehicle wheel with a wheel speed sensor failure involves providing pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel with the wheel speed sensor failure. If an incipient or initial skid on another wheel with a functioning wheel speed sensor has occurred, the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to the brake pressure command that caused the last incipient or initial skid on the other wheel, scaled by a factor for safety. Otherwise the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to be no greater than the greatest commanded brake pressure to the other wheel. The pulsed braking pressure is also limited to be less than the brake pressure commanded to the affected wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Raby, Jordan Silberling
  • Publication number: 20110320101
    Abstract: The method of maintaining optimal braking and skid protection for a two-wheeled vehicle wheel with a wheel speed sensor failure involves providing pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel with the wheel speed sensor failure. If an incipient or initial skid on another wheel with a functioning wheel speed sensor has occurred, the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to the brake pressure command that caused the last incipient or initial skid on the other wheel, scaled by a factor for safety. Otherwise the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to be no greater than the greatest commanded brake pressure to the other wheel. The pulsed braking pressure is also limited to be less than the brake pressure commanded to the affected wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Raby, Jordan Silberling
  • Patent number: 8083295
    Abstract: The method of maintaining optimal braking and skid protection for a two-wheeled vehicle wheel with a wheel speed sensor failure involves providing pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel with the wheel speed sensor failure. If an incipient or initial skid on another wheel with a functioning wheel speed sensor has occurred, the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to the brake pressure command that caused the last incipient or initial skid on the other wheel, scaled by a factor for safety. Otherwise the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to be no greater than the greatest commanded brake pressure to the other wheel. The pulsed braking pressure is also limited to be less than the brake pressure commanded to the affected wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Raby, Jordan Silberling
  • Publication number: 20110278915
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC., SUBSIDIARY OF CRANE CO.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Publication number: 20110278916
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC., SUBSIDIARY OF CRANE CO.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Publication number: 20110276223
    Abstract: A wheel speed transducer including a magnetic device associated with a wheel and a sensor device associated with the axle of the wheel provides data indicative of the velocity of the wheel. A processor located at the axle receives the wheel speed data and processes it to perform antiskid control functions. The velocity data is stored in a data concentrator also associated with the axle. A tire pressure sensor, a brake temperature sensor and a brake torque sensor, each associated with the wheel, send data to the processor at the axle, for storage in the data concentrator. A transmitting antenna associated with the axle and in communication with the data concentrator transmits stored data to a receiving antenna associated with the wheel. A data port at the wheel and in communication with the receiving antenna provides an interface to an external device for receiving the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: HYDRO-AIRE, INC. A SUBSIDIARY OF CRANE CO.
    Inventors: John Gowan, Gary DeVlieg