Patents by Inventor Kenneth Hillen
Kenneth Hillen 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: 11687400Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes a physical computer, one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS, and a payload. The physical computer can execute software to cause the physical computer at least to instantiate a plurality of virtual computers that include a mission virtual computer and a payload virtual computer for: controlling the one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS using the mission virtual computer, communicating with the payload using the payload virtual computer, determining whether a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, and after determining that a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, preventing the software fault from causing a fault on a different virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Insitu Inc., a subsidiary of The Boeing CompanyInventors: David Harty, Douglas Allyn Miller, Kenneth Hillen
-
Patent number: 11656670Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can include core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, a physical computer, a network, and a power system. The network can enable the physical computer to communicate with the auxiliary systems using a second communications tier and with the payload using a third communications tier. The network and the physical computer can logically separate the second and third communications tiers. The power system can provide a first, second, and third power domains respectively for the core systems, the auxiliary systems, and for the payload. The power system can include circuitry that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first and second power domains and that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Insitu Inc.Inventors: David Rathbun, Douglas Allyn Miller, Kenneth Hillen, Brian Fix
-
Publication number: 20220347384Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing blood glucose in a subject. An insulin delivery cannula may comprise a hollow tube comprising proximal and distal ends, the proximal end in fluid communication with an insulin source, and the distal end configured to deliver insulin into a subcutaneous space. An insulin infusion pump may be fluidically coupled to the proximal end, and attached to the insulin delivery cannula directly or via an intervening tube. The glucose sensor and the insulin delivery cannula may be configured to be inserted into the subcutaneous space simultaneously by a single insertion device. A lumen of the insulin delivery cannula may be contiguous with a lumen of tubing from the insulin infusion pump. Electrical conductors for the electrodes may be disposed on a wall of the tubing or attached to a surface of the tubing, and establish an electrical connection with an electronic module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Kenneth Hillen, Thomas L. Seidl, Solomon Reid, William Kenneth Ward
-
Patent number: 11061397Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, and a power system. The power system can provide uninterruptible power for a first power domain that includes the core systems. The power system can provide interruptible power for each of a second power domain and a third power domain. The second power domain can include the auxiliary systems, and the third power domain can include the payload. First circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in either the first power domain or the second power domain. Second circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Insitu Inc.Inventors: Christopher Fenwick, Kenneth Hillen, Douglas Allyn Miller, David Rathbun
-
Publication number: 20200192745Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes a physical computer, one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS, and a payload. The physical computer can execute software to cause the physical computer at least to instantiate a plurality of virtual computers that include a mission virtual computer and a payload virtual computer for: controlling the one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS using the mission virtual computer, communicating with the payload using the payload virtual computer, determining whether a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, and after determining that a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, preventing the software fault from causing a fault on a different virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: David Harty, Douglas Allyn Miller, Kenneth Hillen
-
Publication number: 20200192347Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, and a power system. The power system can provide uninterruptible power for a first power domain that includes the core systems. The power system can provide interruptible power for each of a second power domain and a third power domain. The second power domain can include the auxiliary systems, and the third power domain can include the payload. First circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in either the first power domain or the second power domain. Second circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Christopher Fenwick, Kenneth Hillen, Douglas Allyn Miller, David Rathbun
-
Publication number: 20200192453Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can include core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, a physical computer, a network, and a power system. The network can enable the physical computer to communicate with the auxiliary systems using a second communications tier and with the payload using a third communications tier. The network and the physical computer can logically separate the second and third communications tiers. The power system can provide a first, second, and third power domains respectively for the core systems, the auxiliary systems, and for the payload. The power system can include circuitry that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first and second power domains and that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: David Rathbun, Douglas Allyn Miller, Kenneth Hillen, Brian Fix
-
Publication number: 20050226727Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling the motion of a propeller blade are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a first motor that rotates a propeller about a first axis with a first shaft. A first signal transmission portion, fixed relative to the first motor, can transmit signals to a second signal transmission portion that rotates with the first shaft. A second motor can be carried by the first shaft and can receive signals from the second signal transmission portion. The second motor can drive blades of the propeller about a second axis generally transverse to the first axis via a second shaft to vary the pitch of the blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: Brian Dennis, Kenneth Hillen