Patents by Inventor Kurt J. Doughty
Kurt J. Doughty 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).
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Patent number: 8850830Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling loop that includes a reservoir. The reservoir has a level sensor that is configured to provide a level signal indicative of a coolant level within the reservoir. A temperature sensor is in communication with the cooling loop and is configured to provide a temperature signal. A controller is in communication with the level sensor and the temperature sensor. The controller has a coolant density data. The controller is configured to correct the level signal based upon the temperature signal and detect a leakage condition of the cooling system. A method of determining a coolant amount within a cooling system includes the steps of determining an amount of coolant having a temperature-variable density, determining a coolant temperature, correcting the coolant amount based upon the coolant temperature, and comparing the corrected coolant amount to a desired coolant amount to detect a coolant leakage condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Kurt J. Doughty
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Patent number: 8844551Abstract: A method for detecting a leak in a closed-volume liquid system comprises circulating a fluid through a closed-loop with a pump having a reservoir and that is driven by an electric motor. The method also comprises sensing a pressure in the closed-loop, sensing current draw by the motor and sensing fluid level in the reservoir. The method further comprises determining a presence of a leak of fluid from the closed-loop based upon two of the sensed signals using a first leak detection logic, and determining the presence of a leak of fluid from the closed-loop based upon at least one of the sensed signals using a second leak detection logic.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Kurt J. Doughty, Terrance R. Snider, Daniel Uttberg, Eric A. Rohrbach
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Publication number: 20130327071Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling loop that includes a reservoir. The reservoir has a level sensor that is configured to provide a level signal indicative of a coolant level within the reservoir. A temperature sensor is in communication with the cooling loop and is configured to provide a temperature signal. A controller is in communication with the level sensor and the temperature sensor. The controller has a coolant density data. The controller is configured to correct the level signal based upon the temperature signal and detect a leakage condition of the cooling system. A method of determining a coolant amount within a cooling system includes the steps of determining an amount of coolant having a temperature-variable density, determining a coolant temperature, correcting the coolant amount based upon the coolant temperature, and comparing the corrected coolant amount to a desired coolant amount to detect a coolant leakage condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventor: Kurt J. Doughty
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Patent number: 8602063Abstract: A fluid system comprises a pressure vessel with a baffle oriented at a skew angle. The baffle divides the vessel into first and second volumes. A first port is provided to introduce a pressurizing fluid into the first volume, and a second port is provided to circulate a working fluid within the second volume. A purge aperture is provided to purge the pressurizing fluid from the second volume across the baffle into the first volume, and a flow aperture is provided to transfer the working fluid through the baffle between the first and second volumes.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Terrance R. Snider, Kurt J. Doughty
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Patent number: 8517040Abstract: A closed-loop system includes a pump driving a fluid through a series of conduits. A control system is included that minimizes pressure fluctuations in a bootstrap reservoir to maintain a desired minimum pressure at the pump inlet. Moreover, the control system reduces a maximum system pressure by reducing the magnitude of pressure fluctuations encountered by the bootstrap reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Kurt J. Doughty
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Publication number: 20130037119Abstract: A closed-loop system includes a pump driving a fluid through a series of conduits. A control system is included that minimizes pressure fluctuations in a bootstrap reservoir to maintain a desired minimum pressure at the pump inlet. Moreover, the control system reduces a maximum system pressure by reducing the magnitude of pressure fluctuations encountered by the bootstrap reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Inventor: Kurt J. Doughty
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Publication number: 20120318366Abstract: A method for isolating a leak in a closed-volume liquid system comprises circulating a fluid through a plurality of isolatable zones and a non-isolatable zone in a closed-volume liquid system, detecting a leak in the closed-volume liquid system, isolating all of the isolatable zones from the non-isolatable zone, sequentially detecting if the leak is present in the non-isolatable zone and each of isolatable zones, and taking corrective action after the leak is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Karl P. Henkel, Kurt J. Doughty, Daniel Uttberg, Eric A. Rohrbach, Terrance R. Snider
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Publication number: 20120318368Abstract: A method for detecting a leak in a closed-volume liquid system comprises circulating a fluid through a closed-loop with a pump having a reservoir and that is driven by an electric motor. The method also comprises sensing a pressure in the closed-loop, sensing current draw by the motor and sensing fluid level in the reservoir. The method further comprises determining a presence of a leak of fluid from the closed-loop based upon two of the sensed signals using a first leak detection logic, and determining the presence of a leak of fluid from the closed-loop based upon at least one of the sensed signals using a second leak detection logic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Kurt J. Doughty, Terrance R. Snider, Daniel Uttberg, Eric A. Rohrbach
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Patent number: 8333210Abstract: A method for isolating a leak in a closed-volume liquid system comprises circulating a fluid through a plurality of isolatable zones and a non-isolatable zone in a closed-volume liquid system, detecting a leak in the closed-volume liquid system, isolating all of the isolatable zones from the non-isolatable zone, sequentially detecting if the leak is present in the non-isolatable zone and each of isolatable zones, and taking corrective action after the leak is detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Karl P. Henkel, Kurt J. Doughty, Daniel Uttberg, Eric A. Rohrbach, Terrance R. Snider
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Publication number: 20120199229Abstract: A fluid system comprises a pressure vessel with a baffle oriented at a skew angle. The baffle divides the vessel into first and second volumes. A first port is provided to introduce a pressurizing fluid into the first volume, and a second port is provided to circulate a working fluid within the second volume. A purge aperture is provided to purge the pressurizing fluid from the second volume across the baffle into the first volume, and a flow aperture is provided to transfer the working fluid through the baffle between the first and second volumes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Terrance R. Snider, Kurt J. Doughty