Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Conrad O. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6549829
    Abstract: The present method and apparatus consists of storing past values of estimated IRU error and using these past values to update the coasting filter when switching from GPS to inertial mode. Through the storage of past IRU error estimates, it is possible to avoid misdirected guidance from an erroneous GPS signal. The MMR and ground station can require up to 6 seconds to identify a failed GLS signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Leonard R. Anderson, Steven B. Krogh, Melville D. McIntyre, Timothy Murphy
  • Patent number: 6546673
    Abstract: An aircraft air grille with adaptable and positive attachment means. The aircraft air grille utilizes two knurled surfaces to hold a panel in a desired location. The grille further comprises a spring cup for holding a lower edge of the grille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Roberto C. Aquino
  • Patent number: 6549703
    Abstract: Electrostatic levitation and positioning of a charged, spherical micro-lens to steer an optical beam from a transmit fiber to a receive lens/fiber pair. Bundled arrays of N fibers and lenses provide a switch having a switch count that scales linearly in the port count N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Minas Tanielian, Michael J. LaGasse
  • Patent number: 6526337
    Abstract: A system and method for intervention control of an aircraft in the event of pilot command error whether voluntary or involuntary. Impending detection of a chaotic condition associated with a maneuvering aircraft enable early prediction and control of the aircraft where solutions based upon performance prediction are available. A further feature of the present intervention control of the aircraft enables an equipment malfunction detection signal substitution of a satisfactory equipment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Conrad O. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6514104
    Abstract: A grounding contact member for electrically connecting cooperating metal shells in a coupling comprises a metal band divided along both edges into several spring contact fingers that are bent inwardly into two U-shape portions. The contact member is located in an annular recess around the inside of a coupling ring with the fingers at one end engaging the metal shell on which the coupling ring is mounted and the fingers at the other end engaging the other metal shell to which the coupling ring is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Luis J. Lazaro, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6502588
    Abstract: A method for producing stable atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasmas using RF excitation and the use of said plasmas for modifying the surface layer of materials. The plasma generated by this process and its surface modification capability depend on the type of gases used and their chemical reactivity. These plasmas can be used for a variety of applications, including etching of organic material from the surface layer of inorganic substrates, as an environmentally benign alternative to industrial cleaning operations which currently employ solvents and degreasers, as a method of stripping paint from surfaces, for the surface modification of composites prior to adhesive bonding operations, for use as a localized etcher of electronic boards and assemblies and in microelectronic fabrication, and for the sterilization of tools used in medical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kin Li, Minas Tanielian
  • Patent number: 6497826
    Abstract: A method for producing stable atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasmas using RF excitation and the use of said plasmas for modifying the surface layer of materials. The plasma generated by this process and its surface modification capability depend on the type of gases used and their chemical reactivity. These plasmas can be used for a variety of applications, including etching of organic material from the surface layer of inorganic substrates, as an environmentally benign alternative to industrial cleaning operations which currently employ solvents and degreasers, as a method of stripping paint from surfaces, for the surface modification of composites prior to adhesive bonding operations, for use as a localized etcher of electronic boards and assemblies and in microelectronic fabrication, and for the sterilization of tools used in medical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kin Li, Minas Tanielian
  • Patent number: 6480765
    Abstract: A system and method for intervention control of an aircraft in the event of pilot command error whether voluntary or involuntary. Impending detection of a chaotic condition associated with a maneuvering aircraft enable early prediction and control of the aircraft where solutions based upon performance prediction are available. A further feature of the present intervention control of the aircraft enables an equipment malfunction detection signal substitution of a satisfactory equipment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Conrad O. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6454276
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant gasket for aircraft, and more particularly to encapsulation of a conductive mesh in a pliable fluorosilicone compound that will not become bonded to mating surfaces and will also migrate upon compression during installation to the threads of attaching hardware utilized between the instrument, antenna, and aircraft structure, thereby reducing corrosion through the attaching hardware, by providing a hermetic seal around the periphery of the envelope of the attached device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick W. Gaines, Mickey A. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6454267
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant gasket for aircraft, and more particularly to encapsulation of a conductive mesh in a pliable fluorosilicone compound that will not become bonded to mating surfaces and will also migrate upon compression during installation to the threads of attaching hardware utilized between the instrument, antenna, and aircraft structure, thereby reducing corrosion through the attaching hardware, by providing a hermetic seal around the periphery of the envelope of the attached device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick W. Gaines, Mickey A. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6432507
    Abstract: Lightning protection utilizing lightweight electrically conductive coatings with a conductance of approximately 220 to 350 mhos per square co-cured or secondarily bonded to the outer surface of thin skin composite structure. Selection of either 2 to 3 ounces per square yard or aluminum mesh of 1 to 1.5 ounces per square yard, depending on corrosion compatibility, satisfy the conductance requirement and has shown superior lightning protection over heavier weight conductive coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rowan O. Brick, Cathleen A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6417710
    Abstract: A single event upset (SEU) hardened latch circuit utilizing two cross-coupled inverters in which the voter output circuitry is fed back to the output node of the latch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William Bartholet
  • Patent number: 6413159
    Abstract: Passenger cabin ventilation air outlets located in the cabin ceiling blow air downward toward the passengers. An outlet for this location utilizes a series of high velocity jets exiting from a narrow ceiling nozzle to entrain cabin air to form a broad slow moving single jet. Three rows of slots are utilized, the outer rows to initially produce a wide air jet, and the center row to draw the outer jets back together outside of the nozzle. The center jets coalesce the outer jets into a slower moving total air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: George Bates, III, Glenn Sitler, Rory C. Keogh
  • Patent number: 6409121
    Abstract: An in flight automatic lubrication system for periodic lubrication of critical cites in an aircraft landing gear. Pivot joints are lubricated during flight while in an unloaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gary M. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 6406329
    Abstract: An EMI terminating and grounding strain release clamp assembly or “backshell” is provided having male and female component members and coupling intermediate members constructed of conductive metals. Upon coupling of the female and male component members a split metallic ring is compressed and envelopes a termination platform with electrical cable shields enclosed in a BeCu wrap-around band. This joint connection produces an electrical grounding path which provides EMI protection. Assembly of the component parts is accomplished without the aid or use of a tool. A sealing member can be used for environmental protection of the backshell interior parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Luis J. Lazaro, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6373028
    Abstract: An internally temperature controlled heat blanket. The heat blanket includes an outer layer of protecting foam fiberglass that affords operator safety, a layer of closed cell silicone foam which provides thermal and electrical insulation, a layer of thermally conductive mesh, another layer of thermally conductive silicone with holes cut into it, the holes containing positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements, another layer of conductive mesh, a layer of thermally conductive silicone, and an inner layer of moderately conductive cured silicone or foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mickey A. Williamson, John F. Talbot, John C. Coles
  • Patent number: 6362590
    Abstract: A system for starting synchronous motor from a pulse-width-modulated static inverter without using rotor position or speed measurements. The system monitors supply current to the stator and derives a relationship between that current and the magnetizing flux. The system utilizes a narrowband filter that is tuned to pass only the motor currents fundamental component and whose tuned frequency changes with variations in motor speed. Furthermore, the system reduces the excitation provided to the motor after a certain value of line voltage is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Farhad Nozari
  • Patent number: 6357764
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant gasket for aircraft, and more particularly to encapsulation of a conductive mesh in a pliable fluorosilicone compound that will not become bonded to mating surfaces and will also migrate upon compression during installation to the threads of attaching hardware utilized between the instrument, antenna, and aircraft structure, thereby reducing corrosion through the attaching hardware, by providing a hermetic seal around the periphery of the envelope of the attached device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick W. Gaines, Mickey A. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6354537
    Abstract: An aircraft landing gear brake arrangement wherein a landing gear stub axle and brake pressure plate are integrated. Each of the integrated assemblies is attached to a support fitting which pivots on the truck axle thereby causing the torque links to be unaffected by steering operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Harry C. Ralph
  • Patent number: D456337
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi, Steven J. Wald, Gary R. Thomas