Patents by Inventor Roy Dale Earwood

Roy Dale Earwood 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).

  • Method of informing pilot of aircraft of spark detected in gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 7375531
    Abstract: A system for detecting spark in an igniter for a gas turbine engine. An igniter generates a plasma, or spark, somewhat similar to an automotive spark plug. In the invention, an inductive pick-up is positioned adjacent the igniter, to detect current pulses in the igniter, to thereby infer the presence of spark. A detection system detects the spark, and informs the pilot of the aircraft of the detected spark. Thus, if the pilot encounters a problem in starting the engine, the pilot can rapidly determine whether the igniter is involved in the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Louis Ponziani, Roy Dale Earwood