Patents by Inventor Frank P. Santoni

Frank P. Santoni 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).

  • Tactile pilot alerting system and method
    Patent number: 8339285
    Abstract: A method of alerting an occupant of a seat assembly of the occurrence of a triggering event comprising the steps of monitoring for the occurrence of the triggering event, vibrating the seat assembly and/or probing the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kelly L. Boren, Dianne L. McMullin, Rush F. Green, Jr., Frank P. Santoni
  • TACTILE PILOT ALERTING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20110018740
    Abstract: A method of alerting an occupant of a seat assembly of the occurrence of a triggering event comprising the steps of monitoring for the occurrence of the triggering event, vibrating the seat assembly and/or probing the seat assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kelly L. Boren, Dianne L. McMullin, Rush F. Green, Frank P. Santoni
  • Method and apparatus for an improved autopilot system providing for late runway change
    Patent number: 5523949
    Abstract: An improvement to an autopilot flight director system allows the flight crew to make a late runway change without disengaging the autopilot. The improved system allows a transition to a new runway assignment if radio altitude is greater than 1500 feet. Control logic determines whether or not localizer and/or glideslope have been captured and enters predetermined modes as a function thereof to effect a transition to the new approach while enabling instrument landing system retuning while maintaining autopilot engagement. Flight crew workload during approach is significantly reduced as a result of implementation of the improved system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Agate, Ronald J. Bloom, John E. Cashman, Robert E. Chaney, John C. Griffin, III, Charles A. Hovland, Ronald Lilischkies, Joseph M. MacDonald, Timothy C. McRoberts, Frank P. Santoni, Jr.