Patents Represented by Attorney Michael B. McMurry
  • Patent number: 4450353
    Abstract: A tilt detecting device having an optical axis extending from a light source to a light responsive device, a spherical opaque body, and a basin, generally symmetrical about the axis and having a concave bottom configured as the surfaces of planes intersecting along lines passing through a common point on the axis, for supporting the body for rolling movement generally transverse to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Sjolund
  • Patent number: 4444286
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a torque control with overspeed regulation and a method of controlling a hydrostatic drive for use in an auxiliary wheel drive of a vehicle which has both primary driven wheels and auxiliary driven wheels. The torque control permits maximum torque drive of the auxiliary wheels when the primary driven wheels slip but yet prevents overspeed operation of the auxiliary wheels. Preferably the torque control with overspeed regulation has both an aggressive control and a sensitivity control so that the auxiliary wheel drive can be selectively modulated with respect to the primary wheel drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Royal R. Hawkins, Leland E. Kuntz
  • Patent number: 4433301
    Abstract: Gain peaking and attenuation of audio signals above the peak gain frequency are provided in an audio frequency equalization preamplifier that includes an operational amplifier having a feedback network including first and second resistors and a feedback capacitor connected between the output and the second feedback resistor. Two or three low pass RC filter sections are connected between the audio signal source and the noninverting input of the operational amplifier with a circuit connecting a capacitor of the second RC section from the noninverting input to a node between the second feedback resistor and the feedback capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry J. Lukes
  • Patent number: 4433323
    Abstract: To increase the effectivity of warnings and to decrease nuisance warnings in a ground proximity warning system having several modes of operation, the switching from one mode to another is done as a function of radio altitude and time. In addition, in a ground proximity warning system where a warning signal is generated in accordance with a predetermined relationship between flight parameters, one or more of these parameters can be varied as a function of radio altitude and time in order to, for example, increase the altitude above ground as a function of radio altitude and time from take-off that a terrain clearance warning is generated or to decrease as a function of radio altitude and time, the radio altitude below which a negative climb after take-off warning is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Grove
  • Patent number: 4426194
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a simplified viscosity compensating circuit which utilizes a viscosity sensitive capillary and a flow restriction means in series therewith to regulate the pressure at a particular point in a control circuit in response to a change in viscosity of the control fluid. Such viscosity compensation in the circuit is utilized to either maintain a uniform pressure at the circuit output or off-set an adverse condition caused by a change in viscosity of the control fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Frederic W. Pollman
  • Patent number: 4422598
    Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic tape recorder where the magnetic tape and tape reels are driven by a drive belt with the capability of operating in temperature extremes, the drive belt is composed of silicone rubber that has been cured with a peroxide curing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes B. Groenewegen, Stephen M. Meginniss, III
  • Patent number: 4417851
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fully modulatable centrifugal pump capable of handling a fluid containing solid contaminant particles and minimizing the temperature rise of the pumped fluid. The pump is of the type that includes an impeller to propel the fluid through a radial outlet to a diffuser which includes a plurality of diffuser passages. The improvement is comprised of the following cooperative combination which includes rotatably mounted valve elements passing, in part, through the diffuser and across the diffuser passages. Each of the valve elements have a port therethrough to variably selectively allow fluid passage therethrough upon rotation of the valve element. A driving arrangement is coupled to each of the valve elements to thereby affect a yieldable rotation of the valve elements in one direction to progressively reduce the opening of the valve element port to the diffuser passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Cygnor, Terry L. Whitesel, Duane C. Mosure
  • Patent number: 4415782
    Abstract: A simple compact actuator mechanism for converting pivoting motion to planar motion is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a housing supporting a handle shaft for pivoting motion and supporting a disc for planar sliding motion. The disc is connected to the shaft at a point spaced from the pivot point whereby pivoting of the shaft causes translation of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Dwayne R. Elmberg
  • Patent number: 4411596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved blade pitch control mechanism for an air driven turbine blade mounted for rotation in a hub assembly. The control mechanism includes a drive member mounted for reciprocation along a central axis of the hub assembly. The drive member has a control member secured to one end and a seat member at the other end. The blade has operatively coupled thereto, a centrifugally responsive means which includes a pin in mating engagement with the control member. A spring is positioned between the hub assembly and the control member to thereby cause the blade to assume a coarse or high pitch position when the blade and hub assembly are in storage. A slide member is mounted on a portion of the hub assembly for reciprocation along the central axis. A spring is positioned between the seat member and the slide member. A flyweight is supported on the hub assembly and engages the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Chilman
  • Patent number: 4403778
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a simplified one-piece sleeve used in a face seal assembly to maintain elements of the face seal in abutting relationship from the time of assembly in a clean room environment until final positioning of the seal elements within a shaft housing environment to insure both cleanliness and concentricity of the face seal elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Shevokas, William S. Bathgate
  • Patent number: 4401182
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system is provided with an auxiliary hydraulic drive having a variable displacement motor connected to ground engaging wheels by a clutch. A multiple position control has a first position which causes clutch engagement and positions a motor displacement member in a position which permits fluid drive of the motor. The control has a second position which causes clutch disengagement and positions the motor displacement member in a zero displacement condition which prevents fluid drive of the motor. Preferably the control is responsive to motor output speed and reduces motor displacement as speed increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Frederic W. Pollman
  • Patent number: 4399692
    Abstract: To provide for accurate determination of azimuth in a borehole survey apparatus, a downhole probe is provided with two or more sections connected by torsionally rigid, flexible joint assemblies with provisions for generating signals that represent the relative inclination and azimuth of one probe section from another. These signals are combined with inclination signals obtained from a set of accelerometers in one of the probe sections in a signal processing unit to generate signals that represent the direction and depth of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control Group
    Inventors: Rand H. Hulsing, II, Rex B. Peters
  • Patent number: 4382275
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pulse width modulated inverter circuit having an output signal with reduced harmonic content. The inverter circuit includes a first circuit that provides a filtered fundamental pulse width modulated signal. A second circuit is electrically coupled to the first circuit to receive the signal and sum therewith a controlled signal and the filtered fundamental pulse width modulated signal. The second circuit thereby providing the output signal with reduced harmonic content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy F. Glennon
  • Patent number: 4368750
    Abstract: A fluidic servovalve is disclosed comprising a pilot stage valve having a pilot output for supplying a control fluid dependent upon a movable element, a boost valve responsive to the control fluid for supplying an output fluid, and a fluidic mechanical feedback connected from the output of the boost valve to the pilot stage valve, the fluid mechanical feedback having a ball-type motor responsive to the output fluid acting against it for positioning the movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert V. Burton
  • Patent number: 4362182
    Abstract: A pilot stage for use in pilot pressure control applications includes a magnetic torque motor having an output torque in response to an input current, a flapper operated by the magnetic torque motor and responsive to the output torque, the magnetic torque motor being arranged to apply a resultant spring rate to the flapper, and first and second nozzles responsive to the output torque applied to the flapper for providing a differential output pressure proportional to input current, the first and second nozzles having a size sufficiently large to swamp out the resultant spring rate applied to the flapper so that the first and second nozzles apply a feedback force to the flapper sufficient by itself to substantially balance motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Sjolund
  • Patent number: 4363068
    Abstract: A protection circuit for a semiconductor device such as a field effect transistor is disclosed having an oscillator which is connected to both the gate turn on circuitry and to the drain-source circuit of the field effect transistor for sensing the voltage of the drain-source circuit and for turning off cyclically the field effect transistor upon the simultaneous occurrence of a gate turn on signal to the gate of the transistor and high drain-source voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis A. Burns
  • Patent number: 4361014
    Abstract: This invention relates to a panel air chiller for use with a portable food storage unit. The panel air chiller includes in combination first and second spaced apart parallel panels that have thermal insulation disposed between and in contact with the panels. The thermal insulation material has formed therein at least a first and a second chamber between the panels thereby establishing passageways between the panels and through the thermal insulation material. Located in the first chamber is a means to extract heat from air passing thereover to thereby cool the air. At least one return air opening is provided through one of the panels to communicate with the portable storage unit. A fan is coupled to the space between the panels and to the first chamber to thereby draw air through the return air opening coupled to the portable storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Edward S. Blain
  • Patent number: 4355509
    Abstract: For use on a vehicle having a split torque transmission, the split torque transmission including first and second throughputs and a summing junction connected to the first and second throughputs and having a transmission output dependent upon the first and second throughputs, each throughput having an input connected to an output of the engine of the vehicle, the system including a sensor adapted to sense the output of the engine, and a controller connected to the sensor and adapted to control the second throughput dependent upon the engine output, the second throughput being controlled from a negative value cancelling the first throughput to a positive value so that the transmission output is varied from idle to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Fulkerson, Royal R. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4356408
    Abstract: This invention relates to a drive circuit coupled to electrical devices, which may be semiconductors, connected in parallel in a circuit network. The electrical devices have distinct total on-time periods when they are simultaneously energized. The circuit network has a source of power coupled through the parallel connected devices to a load. The drive circuit includes a signal source coupled respectively through a time adjustable circuit to a first electrical device and to a second electrical device. The time adjustable circuit is adjusted such that the total on-time of the first electrical device matches the total on-time of the second electrical device to thereby ensure equal power at all times through the electrical devices to the load. The invention allows a number of parallel devices to act as a single switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy F. Glennon
  • Patent number: 4344328
    Abstract: A frequency detector for detecting the frequency of vibration of an apparatus is disclosed having a first vibration sensor for providing a first output having a first frequency response to the vibration, a second vibration sensor for providing a second output having a second frequency response to the vibration where the first and second frequency responses envelope the desired frequency of vibration for the apparatus, a difference sensor connected to the first and second vibration sensors for providing a third output dependent upon the difference between the first and second outputs, and a load which is responsive to the third output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Royal R. Hawkins