Patents Assigned to Simmonds Precision
  • Proximity sensor
    Patent number: 9945695
    Abstract: A proximity sensor includes an active sensor, a passive target, and a measurement circuit. The active sensor includes an active resonant tank circuit that includes an excitation source, a first capacitor, and a first inductor. The passive target includes a passive resonant tank circuit that includes a second capacitor and a second inductor, where magnetic coupling between the first inductor and the second inductor varies as a function of physical displacement of the first inductor and the second inductor with respect to one another. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a coupled resonant frequency response in the active resonant tank circuit and provide a measured distance output based on the coupled resonant frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Fusare
  • Ring couplings
    Patent number: 9933097
    Abstract: A ring coupling includes a first cylindrical body defining an outward facing coupling surface extending in a circumferential direction. A second cylindrical body defines an inward facing coupling surface extending in the circumferential direction. A retainer ring is engaged to the coupling surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies to prevent axial disengagement of the first and second cylindrical bodies. The cylindrical bodies can be coupled without relative circumferential rotation of the first and second cylindrical bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin E. Buttolph
  • Imaging system for fuel tank analysis
    Patent number: 9921150
    Abstract: A method can include transmitting, from a light source, light through a fuel tank ullage, and determining, by a processing device, an amount of absorption of at least one wavelength of the transmitted light. The method can further include determining, by the processing device based on the amount of absorption of the at least one wavelength of the transmitted light, a chemical composition of the fuel tank ullage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Radoslaw Zakrzewski, Mark Sherwood Miller, Michael A. Lynch
  • Fuel density determination
    Patent number: 9909967
    Abstract: A method for accurately determining a density of a fuel includes obtaining dielectric constant versus density characteristics of the fuel at a first location and measuring a dielectric constant of the fuel at a second location. The environmental conditions at the second location differ from environmental conditions at the first location. Density of the fuel at the second location is inferred using the dielectric constant of the fuel at the second location and the dielectric constant versus density characteristics of the fuel at the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. McBrien, David H. Crowne
  • Integrated active fuel characteristic sensor
    Patent number: 9910025
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel system comprises an integrated sensor assembly incorporating a housing. The housing receives a circuit board, a temperature sensor, a point level sensor and a fuel density sensor. A first fuel height sensor is positioned outwardly of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lalit Al Kumar, Rollin W. Brown, Richard T. Williams, Peter Simonds Gras, Jr.
  • Data acquisition system for condition-based maintenance
    Patent number: 9897516
    Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Bechhoefer, John T. Taylor
  • Channel management in wireless networks
    Patent number: 9838910
    Abstract: A channel management method includes determining utilization of a primary wireless channel, determining utilization of one or more secondary wireless channels, and comparing utilization of the primary wireless channel with utilization of the each of the one or more secondary wireless channels. If utilization of a secondary wireless channel of the one or more secondary wireless channels is lower than the utilization of the primary channel, data communication between a data concentrator and a remote wireless node is routed from the primary channel to the secondary channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Garret E. Rittenhouse, Jonathan Wieman
  • Optically interfaced remote data concentrator
    Patent number: 9793991
    Abstract: A remote data concentrator includes a front end interface, a plurality of back end interfaces and a control circuit. The front end interface is configured to receive optical energy as input and provide optical data as output to an optical link. The plurality of back end interfaces are configured to connect to a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of back end interfaces are configured to provide sensor power to the plurality of sensors and receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors. The control circuit is configured to provide power from the front end interface to the plurality of back end interfaces and to provide the sensor data from the plurality of back end interfaces to the front end interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Crowne
  • Data compression of a sequence of binary data
    Patent number: 9794126
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to compressing a sequence of binary data by encoding difference values between adjacent data in the sequence. For each datum in the sequence, the difference value may be determined by comparing the datum with an immediately preceding datum. For data, the determined difference may be expressible using few bits. The determined difference is encoded in subwords having subword lengths selected from a set of predetermined subword lengths. The selected subword lengths may be a minimum one of the set of predetermined subword sizes that is capable of representing the difference between the adjacent data. A size tag is generated for each subword encoded. The size tag identifies the size of the subword selected and used for encoding the determined difference. The difference may be encoded as a mathematical difference or as a bit pattern difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis Gang
  • Sensor interface circuits
    Patent number: 9726705
    Abstract: An interface circuit for a bridge sensor has a switch that connects to a resistive bridge circuit. The resistive bridge circuit includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a pair of resistive branches that connect between the first and second input terminals. Both of the resistive branches include an output terminal. The switch is connected to the first input terminal and is in series with both resistive branches for connecting and disconnecting a voltage source from the resistive branch output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Poisson, Scott R. Durkee, Gary L. Hess, Michael Abbott
  • Systems and methods for track and balance visualization
    Patent number: 9696232
    Abstract: A method of visualizing track and balance performance includes receiving data indicating track and balance of a rotary blade and receiving a constraint. A first performance level based on the data is determined. A second performance level based on the data and the constraint is determined. The first and second performance levels are displayed on a display unit for visualizing differences between the first and second performance levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Hiatt
  • Actuators for flight control surfaces
    Patent number: 9694900
    Abstract: An actuator assembly includes an actuator body, a ram, and a cross pin. The actuator body has an internal axial cavity bounded by an actuator body wall and defines a pivot axis. A longitudinal slot extends along a portion of the length of the actuator body wall and is in communication with the internal axial cavity. The ram is slidably received within the axial cavity of the actuator body. The cross pin is mounted to the ram and extends laterally from the ram and into the longitudinal slot for converting linear motion of the ram into rotational motion about the pivot axis for displacing a control surface of an air vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin E. Buttolph
  • Multiple position mount with retaining mechanism
    Patent number: 9661767
    Abstract: A mount for holding a display device includes a main support, a plurality of arms, and a locking assembly. The main support includes a front surface and a rear surface. The plurality of arms extends from a periphery of the main support. The main support and the plurality of arms are configured to retain the display device. The locking assembly is connected to the rear surface of the main support, and is configured to secure the display device. The locking assembly includes a locking arm and a locking mechanism. The locking arm is translatable relative to the main support, and is configured to support the display device in a secured position. The locking mechanism is connected to the locking arm. The locking mechanism includes a lever connected to the locking arm for releasing the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Danicich, Curtis Wicks
  • Systems and methods for determining rotary blade track and balance adjustments
    Patent number: 9638601
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a rotary blade includes receiving performance data for a rotary blade, receiving an adjustment constraint for the rotary blade, defining an adjustment space for alternative adjustment solutions for the rotary blade including a plurality of alternative adjustment solutions, and calculating expected performance for one of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions. Based on the expected performance of the one of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions, the method determines whether to calculate expected performance for another of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiqing Lin, Ramona A. Georgescu, Daniel Hiatt
  • Deterministic scheduling algorithm for wireless communication
    Patent number: 9621292
    Abstract: A system and method to implement a scheduling algorithm in a communication network using time division multiple access (TDMA) are described. The system includes a plurality of devices, each device transmitting a packet of data in the communication network, and a memory device to store the scheduling algorithm. The system also includes a processor to execute the scheduling algorithm to form a deterministic packet scheduling scheme, the deterministic packet scheduling scheme being based on a base unit representing a minimum among maximum packet intervals corresponding to the plurality of devices in the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Lei Liu
  • Deep filtering of health and usage management system (HUMS) data
    Patent number: 9555710
    Abstract: A system for filtering data according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a data module configured to access vehicle data in a database according to a query input, a display module configured to display the vehicle data in an environment, and a query module configured to generate the query input according to an interactive list of filter statements. Each filter statement in the interactive list of filter statements is selectable from a group of filter types. The group of filter types is configured to dynamically update in response to at least one selection from the group of filter types. A method of filtering data is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Berenbaum, Jessica L. Bergeron
  • Rotational actuators
    Patent number: 9556858
    Abstract: An actuator includes a drum defining a longitudinal axis and having axially opposed first and second end portions that are rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis. A shape memory element is wrapped around the drum and extends from the first end portion of the drum to the second end portion of the drum to actuate relative rotation of the first and second end portions of the drum about the longitudinal axis by activation of the shape memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin E Buttolph
  • Magnetic wireless ground data link for aircraft health monitoring
    Patent number: 9520919
    Abstract: A system and method of communicating a signal is disclosed. An aircraft is moved so that an aircraft-based coil is within a selected volume defined by a ground-based coil. A current is modulated in one of the aircraft-based coil and the ground-based coil to generate a magnetic field in the volume. A current generated in the other of the aircraft-based coil and the ground-based coil in response to the generated magnetic field is measured to communicate the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Sanjay Bajekal, Michael Anthony Lynch
  • Bearing assembly with overload protection
    Patent number: 9494190
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is described that includes a shaft and an inner race affixed to the shaft. An outer race is disposed radially around the inner race defining a bearing run space with rolling elements between the inner and outer races. An axial bore in the support or the rotor has a radial gap between the bore wall and the outer race, and the assembly is configured to provide a radial displacement between a portion of the outer race and the axial bore wall in response to a radial overload force applied to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS, INC
    Inventor: Martin Edwy Buttolph
  • Multi-stage drive mechanisms
    Patent number: 9429402
    Abstract: A multi-stage drive includes a linear actuator configured for linear movement along an actuation axis, and a control surface. The control surface is operatively connected to the linear actuator for rotation about a deployment axis in a deployment stage, and for rotation in a control stage about a control axis that is different from the deployment axis, so that movement of the linear actuator along the actuation axis drives rotation of the control surface in both the deployment stage and in the control stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Plumer, Randy Buker