Patents Assigned to Smiths Aerospace LLC
  • Patent number: 7999410
    Abstract: The power conversion system allows for multiple segregated and ground independent power sources to provide redundant power to modules within an electronics equipment cabinet with increased reliability and reduced sensitivity to common fault propagation. The power conversion system provides power conditioning modules having independent supply rails that supply power to each module within an electronics equipment cabinet. FET and diode solid-state control and driver logic enable each individual supply rail. Efficient power distribution is facilitated by primary and hot-backup operation of one or more power conditioning modules. Power conversion is facilitated by one or more input supply power feeds and one or more converter stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventors: David B. Hartung, Brian G. Krug
  • Patent number: 7865804
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and correcting errors in a memory in a device includes generating an error value of data stored at first predetermined locations in a first memory. The generated error value is compared to a corresponding error value stored in an error memory, each value in the error memory being calculated from at least two data values stored at predetermined locations in the first memory. The data stored in the first predetermined locations of the first memory is rewritten with data stored in first predetermined locations of a second memory if the generated error value is different than the corresponding error value stored in the error memory, the data stored in the second memory being the same as the data stored in the first memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventor: Charles William Blevins
  • Patent number: 7821145
    Abstract: An aircraft starting and generating system includes a starter/generator that includes a main machine, an exciter, and a permanent magnet generator. The system also includes an inverter/converter/controller that is connected to the starter/generator and that generates AC power to drive the starter/generator in a start mode for starting a prime mover of the aircraft, and that converts AC power, obtained from the starter/generator after the prime mover have been started, to DC power in a generate mode of the starter/generator. The exciter includes a stator and a rotor, and wherein the exciter rotor includes a three-phase AC winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Hao Huang, David Karipides, Mohamed Abbas, David Tsui
  • Publication number: 20100117449
    Abstract: The power conversion system allows for multiple segregated and ground independent power sources to provide redundant power to modules within an electronics equipment cabinet with increased reliability and reduced sensitivity to common fault propagation. The power conversion system provides power conditioning modules having independent supply rails that supply power to each module within an electronics equipment cabinet. FET and diode solid-state control and driver logic enable each individual supply rail. Efficient power distribution is facilitated by primary and hot-backup operation of one or more power conditioning modules. Power conversion is facilitated by one or more input supply power feeds and one or more converter stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SMITHS AEROSPACE LLC
    Inventors: David B. Hartung, Brian G. Krug
  • Patent number: 7686252
    Abstract: An airborne tracking system including a radiation emitter, a radiation receiver and a signal processor. The radiation emitter is adapted to direct radiation to a positioning area a defined distance from the radiation emitter, the radiation carrying a modulated location signal containing information corresponding to positions within the positioning area. The radiation receiver is adapted to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation carrying the modulated signal and output a signal to the signal processor indicative of the modulation of the location signal of the received radiation. Signal processor is adapted to process the outputted signal and identify a position within the positioning area indicative of the location in the positioning area of the received radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph G. Mickley, Raymond Michael Stitt, Frank Saggio, III, Jane C. Pavlich, Gregory J. Wassick
  • Patent number: 7687928
    Abstract: An aircraft starting and generating system includes a first starter/main machine assembly that includes a first exciter and a first main machine, and second starter/main machine assembly that includes a second exciter and a second main machine. The system also includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG) that is connected to the first and second starter/main machine assemblies. The system further includes a first inverter/converter/controller (ICC) that is connected to the first starter/main machine assembly and to the PMG, and a second ICC that is connected to the second starter/main machine assembly and to the PMG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Dinesh N. Taneja, Hao Huang, Gary A. Padgett, Jan Zywot, Paul J. Wirsch, Jr., Mohamed A. Abbas
  • Patent number: 7681839
    Abstract: An aerial refueling system including a refueling drogue assembly including a refueling drogue and a refueling hose in captive relation with the refueling drogue and a drogue positioning system. The drogue positioning system including a radiation emitter, a radiation receiver and a signal processor. Then the radiation emitter is adapted to direct radiation to a positioning area a defined distance from the radiation emitter, the radiation carrying a modulated location signal containing information corresponding to positions within the positioning area. The radiation receiver is adapted to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation carrying the modulated signal and output a signal to the signal processor indicative of the modulation of the location signal of the received radiation. And the signal processor is adapted to process the outputted signal and identify a position within the positioning area indicative of the location in the positioning area of the received radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventors: Joseph G. Mickley, Raymond Michael Stitt, Frank Saggio, III, Jane C. Pavlich, Gregory J. Wassick
  • Patent number: 7671490
    Abstract: The power conversion system allows for multiple segregated and ground independent power sources to provide redundant power to modules within an electronics equipment cabinet with increased reliability and reduced sensitivity to common fault propagation. The power conversion system provides power conditioning modules having independent supply rails that supply power to each module within an electronics equipment cabinet. FET and diode solid-state control and driver logic enable each individual supply rail. Efficient power distribution is facilitated by primary and hot-backup operation of one or more power conditioning modules. Power conversion is facilitated by one or more input supply power feeds and one or more converter stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventors: David B. Hartung, Brian G. Krug
  • Publication number: 20080296909
    Abstract: An electric motor prime mover and method of starting an electric motor prime mover is provided. The prime mover includes an electric motor, a pneumatic motor and a mechanical coupling operably connecting the pneumatic motor to a rotor of the electric motor. The pneumatic motor initiates startup of the electric motor by driving the rotor of the electric motor prior to applying electrical power to the electric motor. After the rotor has attained sufficient rotational speed electricity is applied to the electric motor to drive the rotor. The use of the pneumatic motor allows the rotor to be rotating as electricity is initially applied to the electric motor preventing or substantially reducing inrush currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventor: Charles DiPasquale, JR.
  • Patent number: 7377468
    Abstract: A refueling drogue adapted to connect to a refueling hose extending from a refueling aircraft. The drogue may include an active stabilization system adapted to effectively stabilize the refueling drogue via control surfaces on the refueling drogue when the refueling drogue is placed in an airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventors: Frank Saggio, III, William B. Ribbens, Kean K. Ooi
  • Patent number: 7365974
    Abstract: An air cooling apparatus for an aircraft includes a cabinet that is configured to house a plurality of modules in a plurality of module accepting regions, respectively, wherein the cabinet has a backplane region. The apparatus further includes a plurality of air flow passages provided between adjacent ones of the respective module accepting regions of the cabinet. The apparatus also includes a primary air flow unit for providing primary air flow from the backplane region and through the plurality of air flow passages, to thereby cool the plurality of modules housed within the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventor: David Hartung
  • Patent number: 7307840
    Abstract: An electronic assembly cooling system including a module case assembly that has a module case wall. The system includes a first and second air driver and an electronic assembly located in-front of the module case wall. The system conducts thermal energy from the electronic assembly from in-front of the module case wall to in-back of the module case wall, and directs air driven by the first air driver past the module case wall in-front of the module case wall to cool the electronic assembly via convective heat transfer. The system directs air driven by the second air driver past the module case wall in-back of the wall to transfer the thermal energy conducted from the electronic assembly from in-front of the module case wall to in-back of the module case wall to the air driven by the second air driver via conductive heat transfer to cool the electronic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventor: David Hartung
  • Patent number: 7275718
    Abstract: A refueling drogue adapted to connect to a refueling hose extending from a refueling aircraft. The refueling drogue may include an active control system, wherein, in an exemplary embodiment, the active control system is adapted to regulate the position of the drogue to maintain a substantially fixed orientation relative to a refueling aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventors: Frank Saggio, III, William B. Ribbens, Kean K. Ooi
  • Patent number: 7050313
    Abstract: An AC-DC converter includes a DC reference voltage generation unit that creates a DC reference voltage waveform based in part on a feedback signal. The AC-DC converter also includes an SCR firing unit that receives a variable frequency power output from the generator and that provides firing signals. The AC-DC converter further includes SCRs arranged as a positive bank of SCRs and a negative bank of SCRs. The AC-DC converter further includes a modulator unit that receives the firing signals and the DC reference voltage waveform, and that respectively outputs SCR gate signals to the SCRs. The AC-DC converter also includes a filter unit provided between the positive and negative banks of SCRs. The AC-DC converter also includes a voltage feedback path for feeding back the DC output voltage as the feedback voltage waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC.
    Inventors: Hao Huang, Victor B. Bonneau, David D. Karipides, Anthony G. Koesters
  • Patent number: 7049989
    Abstract: An analog input front end includes a configurable gain stage and an analog-to-digital converter. The configurable gain stage receives an analog input signal, such as a differential analog input signal, and provides a gain value to the analog input signal so as to output a gain-adjusted analog input signal that is within a particular voltage range between a maximum and a minimum value. The analog-to-digital converter receives the gain-adjusted analog input signal and performs analog-to-digital conversion on the gain-adjusted analog input signal, so as to output a digital signal that is indicative of the analog input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Smiths Aerospace LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Runals, Samuel C. Neis