Patents by Inventor Michael B. McAvoy

Michael B. McAvoy 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: 9678488
    Abstract: A system and method for performing build verification of equipment systems after being installed in a partially constructed vehicle portion. After installing one or more of prerequisite equipment systems during a current build stage of a vehicle build plan, the installed equipment systems are tested during the current build stage to determine whether the installed equipment systems are electrically connected correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jon J. Dhondt, Michael B. McAvoy, Terrance L. Thomas, Mark S. Shander, Alberto Ferrer, Steven M. Walstrom
  • Patent number: 8321073
    Abstract: Aircraft power systems, aircraft galley systems, and methods and systems for managing power distribution to aircraft galley systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aircraft system can include an aircraft power source and at least first and second galley appliances operably coupled to the aircraft power source. The aircraft system can further include a controller operably coupled to the first and second galley appliances. The controller can be configured to receive a first power request from the first galley appliance and a second power request from the second galley appliance. The controller can be further configured to sort the first and second power requests and distribute power to the first and second galley appliances from the aircraft power source based on the sorting of the first and second power requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael B. McAvoy
  • Publication number: 20110266864
    Abstract: Aircraft power systems, aircraft galley systems, and methods and systems for managing power distribution to aircraft galley systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aircraft system can include an aircraft power source and at least first and second galley appliances operably coupled to the aircraft power source. The aircraft system can further include a controller operably coupled to the first and second galley appliances. The controller can be configured to receive a first power request from the first galley appliance and a second power request from the second galley appliance. The controller can be further configured to sort the first and second power requests and distribute power to the first and second galley appliances from the aircraft power source based on the sorting of the first and second power requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael B. McAvoy
  • Patent number: 8005580
    Abstract: Aircraft power systems, aircraft galley systems, and methods and systems for managing power distribution to aircraft galley systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aircraft system can include an aircraft power source and at least first and second galley appliances operably coupled to the aircraft power source. The aircraft system can further include a controller operably coupled to the first and second galley appliances. The controller can be configured to receive a first power request from the first galley appliance and a second power request from the second galley appliance. The controller can be further configured to sort the first and second power requests and distribute power to the first and second galley appliances from the aircraft power source based on the sorting of the first and second power requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael B. McAvoy
  • Patent number: 7656637
    Abstract: A power control system with a pseudo-power up, an aircraft including the power control system and a method of controlling power in an aircraft. On-board wiring is protected from faults by electronic circuit breakers (ECBs), which may also control AC/DC electrical power supplies of on-board electrical/electronic equipment. A computer processor operating a user interface, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI), through a display. An on-board store stores the GUI, other computer applications and the current state of each ECB, e.g., in a breaker state table. In a pseudo-power mode up, the stored circuit breaker state is available without providing power to the ECBs and, correspondingly to the coupled on-board electrical systems. When terminated, the system can power off, or proceed to normal power where each ECB is configured according to the breaker state table prior to providing power to protected systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael B. McAvoy, Phuoc D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7580235
    Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting information corresponding to circuit breakers and for controlling such circuit breakers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system can include a menu-driven, pointer-accessible graphical user interface via which an operator can receive information corresponding to circuit breakers, and can automatically change the states of the circuit breakers. Menus of circuit breaker information can be organized by the state of the circuit breaker, the location of the circuit breaker, the bus to which the circuit breaker is coupled, the electrical system to which the circuit breaker belongs, and/or the system or subsystem of which the circuit breaker is a part. In further embodiments, the circuit breaker information can be organized according to custom-made arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: George H. Hamasaki, Joseph A. Sikora, Bryan P. Kesterson, Gregory P. Owens, Justin E. Hale, Norman F. Kirby, Thanh-Ha N. Herter, Michael B. McAvoy, Phuoc D. Nguyen, Robert J. Crane
  • Patent number: 7498753
    Abstract: A hybrid fluorescent-LED lighting system comprising a controller, LED elements, fluorescent lamp, and a color/brightness sensor, wherein the color/brightness sensor measures a combined light output of both the fluorescent lamp and the LED elements. A method for controlling the hybrid fluorescent LED lighting system includes receiving a request for brightness/color, setting a fluorescent lamp output to a particular brightness level, setting output of LEDs to a particular brightness level, measuring a combined output of the fluorescent lamp and LEDs; and adjusting the output of LEDs until the total output of the fluorescent lamp and LEDs matches the request for brightness/color. Adjusting the output of LEDs may include the step of driving a specific spectrum range of the LEDs as necessary in order to fill-in variances in a spectrum range of the fluorescent lamp. The method further allows modifying the color of light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael B. McAvoy, Ty A. Larsen, Richard A. Cote
  • Patent number: 7405542
    Abstract: A system that selectively alters a phase angle of an electrical generator. The system has a powered input shaft for transmitting power and an output shaft for receiving power for delivery to the electrical generator. A coupler portion interconnects the input shaft with the output shaft and transmits power therebetween. The coupler portion is selectively moveable in an axial direction between a first axial position wherein the input shaft and output shaft are disposed at a first relative angular position, and a second axial position wherein the input shaft and output shaft are disposed at a second relative angular position different than the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael B. McAvoy
  • Publication number: 20080158871
    Abstract: A hybrid fluorescent-LED lighting system comprising a controller, LED elements, fluorescent lamp, and a color/brightness sensor, wherein the color/brightness sensor measures a combined light output of both the fluorescent lamp and the LED elements. A method for controlling the hybrid fluorescent LED lighting system includes receiving a request for brightness/color, setting a fluorescent lamp output to a particular brightness level, setting output of LEDs to a particular brightness level, measuring a combined output of the fluorescent lamp and LEDs; and adjusting the output of LEDs until the total output of the fluorescent lamp and LEDs matches the request for brightness/color. Adjusting the output of LEDs may include the step of driving a specific spectrum range of the LEDs as necessary in order to fill-in variances in a spectrum range of the fluorescent lamp. The method further allows modifying the color of light output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Michael B. McAvoy, Ty A. Larsen, Richard A. Cote