Patents by Inventor Anthony J. Eckhoff

Anthony J. Eckhoff 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: 6757641
    Abstract: A multi-sensor transducer and processing method allow insitu monitoring of the senor accuracy and transducer ‘health’. In one embodiment, the transducer has multiple sensors to provide corresponding output signals in response to a stimulus, such as pressure. A processor applies individual weight factors to reach of the output signals and provide a single transducer output that reduces the contribution from inaccurate sensors. The weight factors can be updated and stored. The processor can use the weight factors to provide a ‘health’ of the transducer based upon the number of accurate versus in-accurate sensors in the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Christopher D. Immer, John Lane, Anthony J. Eckhoff, Jose M. Perotti
  • Patent number: 6462684
    Abstract: An improved self-calibrating and self-repairing Data Acquisition System (DAS) for use in inaccessible areas, such as onboard spacecraft, and capable of autonomously performing required system health checks, failure detection. When required, self-repair is implemented utilizing a “spare parts/tool box” system. The available number of spare components primarily depends upon each component's predicted reliability which may be determined using Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) analysis. Failing or degrading components are electronically removed and disabled to reduce power consumption, before being electronically replaced with spare components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Pedro J. Medelius, Anthony J. Eckhoff, Lucena R. Angel, Jose M. Perotti