Patents by Inventor Darrell E. Ankney

Darrell E. Ankney 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: 11649039
    Abstract: Aerostructure actuator systems include first and second shaft portions having respective first and second mandrels and a clutch assembly arranged within the first mandrel and connecting the shaft portions. The clutch assembly includes a post with a post extension fixedly connected to the second mandrel. A first bearing is installed on the post extension to frictionally engage with a portion of the post. A second bearing is installed on the post. A spacer is arranged between the bearings and is fixedly attach to the first mandrel. A load setting nut is configured to engage with the post extension and apply a compressive force to the bearings and spacer against the post. The compressive force defines a coupling limit between the shaft portions. The clutch assembly is configured to rotationally decouple the shaft portions from each other if a relative rotational speed between the shaft portions exceeds the coupling limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Jerold L. Blackmer
  • Patent number: 11614355
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator level detection system of an aircraft. The system includes an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point. The system includes a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity. The system includes sensor circuitry includes a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point. The sensor circuitry has a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Darrell E. Ankney
  • Patent number: 11388812
    Abstract: An electronic controller is provided and includes a printed wiring board (PWB) on which electronics are operably disposed, a power supply configured to supply power to the electronics, a heat sink and one or more thermal conductors anchored to the PWB to assume and move between first and second connection states in first and second thermal conditions, respectively. The first connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and thermally disconnected from the heat sink. The second connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Nicholas Wlaznik
  • Publication number: 20220201840
    Abstract: An electronic controller is provided and includes a printed wiring board (PWB) on which electronics are operably disposed, a power supply configured to supply power to the electronics, a heat sink and one or more thermal conductors anchored to the PWB to assume and move between first and second connection states in first and second thermal conditions, respectively. The first connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and thermally disconnected from the heat sink. The second connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and to the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Nicholas Wlaznik
  • Patent number: 11015665
    Abstract: A proportional braking system is provided for use with a movable surface which is movable relative to a housing. The proportional braking system includes a variable displacement brake which is configured for displacement toward or away from braking engagement with the movable surface in proportion to an input command and a brake driver which is receptive of data reflective of movements of the movable surface relative to the housing and which issues the input command to the variable displacement brake in accordance with the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Nicholas Wlaznik
  • Publication number: 20210010844
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator level detection system of an aircraft. The system includes an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point. The system includes a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity. The system includes sensor circuitry includes a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point. The sensor circuitry has a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventor: Darrell E. Ankney
  • Patent number: 10824830
    Abstract: A control surface disconnect detection system includes a mechanical disconnect detection device that includes: a first contact element; a second contact element; and a mechanical fuse that includes a conduction path. In a normal operational state the conduction path creates an electrical pathway between the first contact element and second contact element and when in a control surface disconnected state the conduction path does not create an electrical pathway between the first contact element and the second contact element. The system also includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the control surface disconnected state the RFID tag does transmit information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Stephanie Gaspers
  • Publication number: 20200217721
    Abstract: An actuator system includes one or more mechanical elements and a temperature radio frequency identification (RFID) tag connected to at least one of the one or more mechanical elements. The temperature RFID tag includes an RFID tag connected to a temperature sensitive element that includes: a first contact; a second contact; and a conduction path between the first and second contacts. In a normal operational state the conduction path creates an electrical pathway between the first contact element and second contact element and when in an over-temperature state the conduction path does not create an electrical pathway between the first contact and the second contact. The RFID tag is connected to the first contact and the second contact such that when the temperature sensitive element is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information does when the temperature sensitive element is in the over-temperature state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Eugene W. Dolfi
  • Patent number: 10703462
    Abstract: A method for braking a motor in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system comprising a central power drive unit for moving high lift surfaces arranged at a wing through providing rotational power by means of a transmission shaft to a plurality of drive stations operably coupled with the high lift surfaces; which power drive unit is operatively coupled to a controller and comprises at least one electric motor coupled therewith. The method includes determining a braking requirement for the at least one electric motor, measuring at least one of a current command to the motor and a current speed and direction of the at least one electric motor, based on the braking requirement, applying a braking command to the at least one electric motor, and reducing the braking command as the at least one electric motor comes to rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erik Harrington, Victor Barger, Adam M. Finney, Timothy Michael Mayer, Yuniya S. Bishop, Adam Crandall, Darrell E. Ankney, Eugene W. Dolfi, Michael C. Harke, Christian Miller, Artemio Pérez
  • Patent number: 10549864
    Abstract: An over torque detection system includes a mechanical torque sensor and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The mechanical torque sensor includes first and second contact elements and a moveable element coupled to the first contact element. In a normal operational state the moveable element is in contact with the second contact element and creates an electrical pathway between the first and second contact elements and when in over torque operational state the movable element moves such that it does not contact the second contact element. The RFID tag is connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical torque sensor is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical torque sensor is in the over torque operation state the RFID tag does transmit information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Nicholas Wlaznik
  • Publication number: 20190370509
    Abstract: A control surface disconnect detection system includes a mechanical disconnect detection device that includes: a first contact element; a second contact element; and a mechanical fuse that includes a conduction path. In a normal operational state the conduction path creates an electrical pathway between the first contact element and second contact element and when in a control surface disconnected state the conduction path does not create an electrical pathway between the first contact element and the second contact element. The system also includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the control surface disconnected state the RFID tag does transmit information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Stephanie Gaspers
  • Publication number: 20190337635
    Abstract: An over torque detection system includes a mechanical torque sensor and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The mechanical torque sensor includes first and second contact elements and a moveable element coupled to the first contact element. In a normal operational state the moveable element is in contact with the second contact element and creates an electrical pathway between the first and second contact elements and when in over torque operational state the movable element moves such that it does not contact the second contact element. The RFID tag is connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical torque sensor is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical torque sensor is in the over torque operation state the RFID tag does transmit information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Nicholas Wlaznik
  • Publication number: 20190226541
    Abstract: A proportional brake is provided and includes first and second bodies, a spring element, a coil and a booster coil. The first body includes brake plates and the second body includes thrust plates. The second body is disposed such that the thrust plates are interleaved with the brake plates and is rotatable and movable with respect to the first body. The spring element urges the second body to move toward the first body such that the thrust plates are urged toward braking engagements with the brake plates. The coil is provided at a first side of the brake plates and, when energized, generates a first flux moment on the second body in opposition to the spring element. The booster coil is provided at a second side of the brake plates and, when energized, generates a second flux moment on the second body in support of the spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Wlaznik, Darrell E. Ankney
  • Publication number: 20190226536
    Abstract: A proportional braking system is provided for use with a movable surface which is movable relative to a housing. The proportional braking system includes a variable displacement brake which is configured for displacement toward or away from braking engagement with the movable surface in proportion to an input command and a brake driver which is receptive of data reflective of movements of the movable surface relative to the housing and which issues the input command to the variable displacement brake in accordance with the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Nicholas Wlaznik
  • Patent number: 10359089
    Abstract: A proportional brake is provided and includes first and second bodies, a spring element, a coil and a booster coil. The first body includes brake plates and the second body includes thrust plates. The second body is disposed such that the thrust plates are interleaved with the brake plates and is rotatable and movable with respect to the first body. The spring element urges the second body to move toward the first body such that the thrust plates are urged toward braking engagements with the brake plates. The coil is provided at a first side of the brake plates and, when energized, generates a first flux moment on the second body in opposition to the spring element. The booster coil is provided at a second side of the brake plates and, when energized, generates a second flux moment on the second body in support of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Wlaznik, Darrell E. Ankney
  • Patent number: 10288502
    Abstract: A torque tube sensor to measure torque on a torque tube or shaft includes: a sensor body including at least a first body section and a second body section; one or more strain gauges including a first strain gauge disposed in the first body section; at least one transmitter; and strain gauge circuitry connected to the first strain gauge and at least three other resistive elements in a Wheatstone bridge configuration including two arms, the transmitter being connected between the two arms. The sensor also includes at least one receiver configured to receive signals generated by the at least one transmitter; and an armature carried by the first body section that interacts with a permanent magnet stator, the armature being in electrical contact with the strain gauge circuitry and providing power to the strain gauge circuitry and the receiver. The sensor can be part of an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Jason Michael Kluga
  • Publication number: 20190061531
    Abstract: A method for braking a motor in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system comprising a central power drive unit for moving high lift surfaces arranged at a wing through providing rotational power by means of a transmission shaft to a plurality of drive stations operably coupled with the high lift surfaces; which power drive unit is operatively coupled to a controller and comprises at least one electric motor coupled therewith. The method includes determining a braking requirement for the at least one electric motor, measuring at least one of a current command to the motor and a current speed and direction of the at least one electric motor, based on the braking requirement, applying a braking command to the at least one electric motor, and reducing the braking command as the at least one electric motor comes to rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Erik Harrington, Victor Barger, Adam M. Finney, Timothy Michael Mayer, Yuniya S. Bishop, Adam Crandall, Darrell E. Ankney, Eugene W. Dolfi, Michael C. Harke, Christian Miller, Artemio Pérez
  • Patent number: 10216167
    Abstract: A system for positional monitoring of a slat flap lever control assembly including multiple radio frequency identification device (RFID) tags operatively coupled to a movable portion of the control assembly, the movable portion operatively coupled to a lever. Also included is a RFID reader operatively coupled to a stationary portion of the control assembly and in operative communication with the RFID tags. Further included is a processor operatively connected to the RFID reader. The processor is configured to transmit a carrier signal via the RFID reader to the RFID tags. The processor is also configured to receive, via the RFID reader, reflected signals from the RFID tags, each of the reflected signals comprising a different carrier frequency. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the reflected signal from the RFID tags, an angular position of the movable portion of the lever assembly relative to the stationary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Darrell E. Ankney
  • Patent number: 10197084
    Abstract: A retainer assembly is adapted to secure a removable electronic unit within an avionics equipment mounting tray. The retainer assembly includes a latch having a base portion and a handle portion. The base portion is pivotally coupled to one of the removable electronic unit and the avionics equipment mounting tray. The handle portion projects outward from the base portion. The base portion includes a cam surface adapted to releasably contact the other of the removable electronic unit and the avionics equipment mounting tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Andrei Arevalo, Paul Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20180284259
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for monitoring wing control on an aircraft that includes a plurality of radio frequency identification device (RFID) tags attachable to a movable wing portion. The system includes a RFID reader attachable to a stationary wing portion and configured to communicate with at least two RFID tags, and a controller. The controller includes a processor connected to the RFID reader. The processor transmits at least two carrier signals via the RFID reader to the at least two RFID tags. Each of the transmitted carrier signals have a different carrier frequency. The processor also receives at least two reflected signals from the at least two RFID tags. The processor determines, based on the reflected signal from the at least two RFID tags, at least one of a motion of the movable wing portion and a distance of the movable wing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Adam Crandall, David L. Pilgrim