Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Southward

Stephen C. Southward 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: 9878781
    Abstract: Improved active vibration control (AVC) devices, systems, and related methods are provided herein. An AVC device includes a controller adapted to receive real-time aircraft information and adjust at least one control parameter as a function of the real-time aircraft information is provided. An AVC device is adapted to detect changes in real-time aircraft information, as the aircraft moves from a steady state to transient performance, low and high air speeds, or vice versa. An AVC system (e.g., AVCS) includes one or more sensors, one or more actuators, and a controller adapted to receive real-time aircraft information and adjust at least one control parameter. In some aspects, a method of controlling vibration within an aircraft includes receiving vibration information from at least one sensor, receiving real-time aircraft information from an avionics system, adjusting at least one control parameter used in a control algorithm, and generating a force command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventors: Doug A. Swanson, Paul R. Black, Jihan Ryu, Stephen C. Southward, Doug G. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9752942
    Abstract: A non-contacting torquemeter capable of measuring torque in a rotating shaft with improved accuracy in the presence of relative motion between a rotating shaft and a transducer assembly is provided. The non-contacting torquemeter has improved robustness and reliability, and is able to self-calibrate. The non-contacting torquemeter is able to provide accurate torque measurements using a single transducer assembly positioned at a single azimuthal position on a rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Jolly, Russell E. Altieri, Charles J. Allred, Michael Hamel, Stephen C. Southward
  • Patent number: 9701402
    Abstract: Improved active vibration control (AVC) devices (20), systems, and related methods are provided herein. An AVC device (20) includes a controller (24) adapted to receive real-time aircraft information and adjust at least one control parameter as a function of the real-time aircraft information is provided. An AVC device is adapted to detect changes in real-time aircraft information, as the aircraft moves from a steady state to transient performance, low and high air speeds, or vice versa. An AVC system (e.g., AVCS) includes one or more sensors (22), one or more actuators (26), and a controller (24) adapted to receive real-time aircraft information and adjust at least one control parameter. In some aspects, a method of controlling vibration within an aircraft includes receiving vibration information from at least one sensor (22), receiving real-time aircraft information from an avionics system (40), adjusting at least one control parameter used in a control algorithm, and generating a force command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventors: Doug A. Swanson, Paul R. Black, Jihan Ryu, Stephen C. Southward, Doug G. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9645035
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts motion to a test object such as a motor vehicle in a controlled fashion. A base has mounted on it a linear electromagnetic motor having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the base. A pneumatic cylinder and piston combination have a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base so that the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination is generally parallel with the linear electromagnetic motor. The second ends of the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination being commonly linked to a mount for the test object. A control system for the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination drives the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination to support a substantial static load of the test object and the linear electromagnetic motor to impart controlled motion to the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Roehrig Engineering, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Southward, Chandler Reubush, Bryan Pittman, Kurt Roehrig, Doug Gerard
  • Publication number: 20160123821
    Abstract: A non-contacting torquemeter capable of measuring torque in a rotating shaft with improved accuracy in the presence of relative motion between a rotating shaft and a transducer assembly is provided. The non-contacting torquemeter has improved robustness and reliability, and is able to self-calibrate. The non-contacting torquemeter is able to provide accurate torque measurements using a single transducer assembly positioned at a single azimuthal position on a rotating shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Mark R. JOLLY, Russell E. ALTIERI, Charles J. ALLRED, Michael HAMEL, Stephen C. SOUTHWARD
  • Patent number: 8844345
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts motion to a test object such as a motor vehicle in a controlled fashion. A base has mounted on it a linear electromagnetic motor having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the base. A pneumatic cylinder and piston combination have a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base so that the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination is generally parallel with the linear electromagnetic motor. The second ends of the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination being commonly linked to a mount for the test object. A control system for the linear electromagnetic motor and pneumatic cylinder and piston combination drives the pneumatic cylinder and piston combination to support a substantial static load of the test object and the linear electromagnetic motor to impart controlled motion to the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Roehrig Engineering, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Southward, Chandler Reubush, Bryan Pittman, Kurt Roehrig, Doug Gerard