Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Butscher

Stephen T. Butscher 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: 9874579
    Abstract: An inertial measurement unit includes a spherical gimbal system and a heat exchanger system that cool components of the spherical gimbal system without affecting the operations of the spherical gimbal system. The heat exchanger system can be configured to flow chilled air to the components of the spherical gimbal system by using the spherical gimbals as transport pathways for the chilled air and the returned heated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Stephen T. Butscher
  • Patent number: 9303971
    Abstract: High aspect ratio positioning systems are disclosed herein. A high aspect ratio positioning system can be packaged in a thin package that can eliminate some bulky components typically associated with positioning systems such as pancake motors or other motors, geared resolvers, gear trains, and the like. Thus, the high aspect ratio positioning system can be used in applications where volume is limited, without sacrificing accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen T. Butscher, Robert J. Atmur, Angelo Truncale, Joseph E. Justin, Thomas C. Williams
  • Patent number: 8957355
    Abstract: Inertial measurement unit apparatus for use with guidance systems are disclosed herein. An example guidance system includes an inertial measurement unit removably coupled in a cavity of a guidance wafer via an access port of the guidance wafer defining a port axis that is non-parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the guidance wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Angelo Truncale, James K. Gingrich, Stephen T. Butscher, Joseph E. Justin
  • Patent number: 7927106
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting signals. An apparatus comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a third cylinder, and a fourth cylinder. A first cylinder has a first number of conductive segments. The second cylinder has a second number of conductive segments. The first cylinder is located inside the second cylinder such that the first conductive segments remain in communication with corresponding ones of the second conductive segments during rotation of the first and second cylinders relative to each other. The third cylinder has a third number of conductive segments. The second cylinder is located inside of the third cylinder. The fourth cylinder has a fourth number of conductive segments. The third cylinder is located inside the fourth cylinder such that the third conductive segments remain in communication with corresponding ones of the fourth conductive segments during rotation of the third and fourth cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen T. Butscher, Joseph E. Justin
  • Patent number: 7887333
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first plate having a first plurality of conductive segments on a surface of the first plate and a second plate having a second plurality of conductive segments on a surface of the second plate. The first and second plates have an axis of rotation. The first plurality of conductive segments and the second plurality of conductive segments each have a circular shape with centers through the axis of rotation. Each of the first plurality of conductive segments and the second plurality of conductive segments has a different diameter. Portions of the first plurality of conductive segments and the second plurality of conductive segments are offset from each other along the axis of rotation. Corresponding segments in the first plurality of conductive segments and the second plurality of conductive segments conduct signals during rotation of the first plate and the second plate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph E. Justin, Stephen T. Butscher