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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 5734310
    Abstract: A magnetic latching solenoid assembly comprises a bobbin having a central aperture formed therethrough along a central axis and having a solenoid coil wrapped therearound, and a metal polepiece secured at least partially within the bobbin. An at least partially metal armature is slidably movable within the central aperture. The polepiece includes a depression formed therein with a first flat formed at the bottom of the depression. The depression has a first wall formed at a first angle with respect to the central axis. The armature has a protruding portion for cooperation with the depression, the protruding portion having a second flat formed thereon for metal-to-metal engagement with the first flat, and having a second wall formed at a second angle greater than the first angle so that the first and second walls do not contact each other when the first and second flats are in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Joel F. Klein, Curtis W. Fisher