Patents by Inventor Gregory Lloyd Sheffield

Gregory Lloyd Sheffield 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: 11479123
    Abstract: A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a power distribution controller that includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to a data processing system by a bus. The VMS computer also includes a plurality of settable circuit breakers, wherein each of the plurality of settable circuit breakers corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits. The power distribution controller is configured to monitor various values such as voltages, currents, powers, power spikes, and interruptions and to interrupt a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits via a settable circuit breaker upon detecting an indication of a fault from the monitored values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield, Femando Dones, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11358473
    Abstract: A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor by a bus. The VMS computer also includes a power distribution controller that includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to a plurality of end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to the processor and the memory by the bus. The VMS computer also includes a plurality of parallel power distribution lines. Each pair of parallel power distribution lines couples a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits to a corresponding one of a plurality of end component loads. Each of the plurality of power distribution circuits supplies power via both lines in a respective pair of the plurality of parallel power distribution lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield, Fernando Dones, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10822107
    Abstract: A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a data processing system comprising a processor, a memory, and a power distribution controller. The power distributions controller includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to the data processing system by a bus. The power distribution controller is configured to control power generation by each of the plurality of power distribution circuits such that each of the plurality of power distribution circuits generates output power at an adjustable voltage level output to a respective one of the end component loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield, Fernando Dones, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200331351
    Abstract: A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a power distribution controller that includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to a data processing system by a bus. The VMS computer also includes a plurality of settable circuit breakers, wherein each of the plurality of settable circuit breakers corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits. The power distribution controller is configured to monitor various values such as voltages, currents, powers, power spikes, and interruptions and to interrupt a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits via a settable circuit breaker upon detecting an indication of a fault from the monitored values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield, Fernando Dones, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200331624
    Abstract: A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a data processing system comprising a processor, a memory, and a power distribution controller. The power distributions controller includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to the data processing system by a bus. The power distribution controller is configured to control power generation by each of the plurality of power distribution circuits such that each of the plurality of power distribution circuits generates output power at an adjustable voltage level output to a respective one of the end component loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield, Fernando Dones, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200331352
    Abstract: A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor by a bus. The VMS computer also includes a power distribution controller that includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to a plurality of end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to the processor and the memory by the bus. The VMS computer also includes a plurality of parallel power distribution lines. Each pair of parallel power distribution lines couples a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits to a corresponding one of a plurality of end component loads. Each of the plurality of power distribution circuits supplies power via both lines in a respective pair of the plurality of parallel power distribution lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield, Fernando Dones, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10374813
    Abstract: A coupler is provided. The coupler includes a power line, a PLC-to-Ethernet converter, a first transformer, and a power sourcing circuit. The power line is coupled between a first connector and a second connector. The power line is configured to conduct PLC signals. The PLC-to-Ethernet converter is configured to convert between the PLC signals and Ethernet signals. The first transformer is coupled between the PLC-to-Ethernet converter and a third connector. The first transformer is configured to condition the Ethernet signals for power-over-Ethernet transmission. The power sourcing circuit is coupled to the power line and configured to provide power to the first transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20170041152
    Abstract: A coupler is provided. The coupler includes a power line, a PLC-to-Ethernet converter, a first transformer, and a power sourcing circuit. The power line is coupled between a first connector and a second connector. The power line is configured to conduct PLC signals. The PLC-to-Ethernet converter is configured to convert between the PLC signals and Ethernet signals. The first transformer is coupled between the PLC-to-Ethernet converter and a third connector. The first transformer is configured to condition the Ethernet signals for power-over-Ethernet transmission. The power sourcing circuit is coupled to the power line and configured to provide power to the first transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield