Patents by Inventor Earl Johnson, Jr.
Earl Johnson, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 11745858Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of managing force equalization (FEQ) on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the measured force. The method also includes analyzing movement over at least a portion of the measured-force time series. The method also includes identifying a force-fight cycle in the measured-force time series. The method also includes indicating the force-fight cycle in cumulative force-fight cycle data for the first actuation system.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Clifton Harrell, Christos Bais, Curtis R. Higgens, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., David Adjei
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Patent number: 11628928Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of monitoring force equalization (FEQ) sensors on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a first measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems that include the first actuation system. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the first measured force. The method also includes determining variation in at least a portion of the measured-force time series responsive to the updating. The method also includes identifying a first static condition in the measured-force time series in response to a determination that the variation in the measured-force time series is no greater than a minimum amount of variation.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Clifton L. Harrell, Christos Bais, Curtis R. Higgens, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., David Adjei
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Publication number: 20220281587Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of monitoring force equalization (FEQ) sensors on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a first measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems that include the first actuation system. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the first measured force. The method also includes determining variation in at least a portion of the measured-force time series responsive to the updating. The method also includes identifying a first static condition in the measured-force time series in response to a determination that the variation in the measured-force time series is no greater than a minimum amount of variation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Clifton L. HARRELL, Christos BAIS, Curtis R. HIGGENS, Thomas Earl JOHNSON, JR., David ADJEI
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Publication number: 20220281588Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of managing force equalization (FEQ) on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the measured force. The method also includes analyzing movement over at least a portion of the measured-force time series. The method also includes identifying a force-fight cycle in the measured-force time series. The method also includes indicating the force-fight cycle in cumulative force-fight cycle data for the first actuation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Clifton HARRELL, Christos BAIS, Curtis R. HIGGENS, Thomas Earl JOHNSON, JR., David ADJEI
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Publication number: 20220267025Abstract: A pylon tracking system for a tiltrotor aircraft including first and second pylons each having a pylon conversion actuator with primary and backup drive systems. The pylon tracking system includes a plurality of rotary position sensors including a first rotary position sensor coupled to the primary drive system of the first pylon, a second rotary position sensor coupled to the backup drive system of the first pylon, a third rotary position sensor coupled to the primary drive system of the second pylon and a fourth rotary position sensor coupled to the backup drive system of the second pylon. A flight control computer is in communication with the plurality of rotary position sensors and is configured to process feedback therefrom to identify a differential pylon angle between the first and second pylons during pylon conversion operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jacob Eugene Augustyn, Evan Butler Bennett, Charles Eric Covington, Thomas Earl Johnson, JR.
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Patent number: 11117653Abstract: An rotorcraft including a pilot control, a pilot control position sensor connected to the pilot control and operable to generate a position signal indicating a position of the pilot control, a flight control computer (FCC) in signal communication with the pilot control position sensor and operable to provide a tactile cue in the pilot control in response to the position signal indicating the position of the pilot control exceeds a threshold associated with an operating limit, and further operable to determine a tactile cueing value for the tactile cue according to a relationship between the position of the pilot control and the threshold, and generate a cue control signal according to the tactile cueing value, and a tactile cue element connected to the pilot control and in signal communication with the FCC and operable to control action of the pilot control in response to the cue control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Bradley Don Linton, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., Luke Dafydd Gillett, Robert Earl Worsham, II, Jillian Samantha Alfred
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Publication number: 20190161180Abstract: An rotorcraft including a pilot control, a pilot control position sensor connected to the pilot control and operable to generate a position signal indicating a position of the pilot control, a flight control computer (FCC) in signal communication with the pilot control position sensor and operable to provide a tactile cue in the pilot control in response to the position signal indicating the position of the pilot control exceeds a threshold associated with an operating limit, and further operable to determine a tactile cueing value for the tactile cue according to a relationship between the position of the pilot control and the threshold, and generate a cue control signal according to the tactile cueing value, and a tactile cue element connected to the pilot control and in signal communication with the FCC and operable to control action of the pilot control in response to the cue control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Bradley Don Linton, Thomas Earl Johnson, JR., Luke Dafydd Gillett, Robert Earl Worsham, II, Jillian Samantha Alfred
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Patent number: 9522681Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method and a apparatus for restricting audio transmission in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a control module. The control module is configured to receive an audio feed signal including audio content and a content advisory indicator and compare the content advisory indicator to predetermined criteria. The control module is further configured to restrict transmission of the audio data based on the comparison of the content advisory indicator to the predetermined criteria.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Robert Earl Johnson, Jr., Kenneth Nkosi Williams
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Patent number: 8989699Abstract: Various embodiments include communicating emergency information to a vehicle. A computer may receive one or more emergency notifications issued by a government agency. Additionally, a geographic location of a vehicle may be determined based on GPS data. At least one emergency notification may be selected based on the geographic location of the vehicle and a geographic attribute of the emergency notifications. The selected emergency notifications may be output so that the notification may be presented to a vehicle occupant. In some embodiments, the notification may be output depending on the direction that the vehicle is travelling.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Anthony Hatton, Robert Earl Johnson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120028599Abstract: Various embodiments include communicating emergency information to a vehicle. A computer may receive one or more emergency notifications issued by a government agency. Additionally, a geographic location of a vehicle may be determined based on GPS data. At least one emergency notification may be selected based on the geographic location of the vehicle and a geographic attribute of the emergency notifications. The selected emergency notifications may be output so that the notification may be presented to a vehicle occupant. In some embodiments, the notification may be output depending on the direction that the vehicle is travelling.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Anthony Hatton, Robert Earl Johnson, JR.
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Patent number: 8060967Abstract: A rotating hair brush with a fins or similar implement projected into the moving path of the brush bristles. The fins automatically remove the hair/fur from the brush bristles. The amount of exposed bristles can be varied and completely concealed inside of the housing. The brush core can contain the batteries and/or motor to reduce the overall size of the assembly. A suction device can be attached to remove dislodged debris. The overall structure contains all of the components such as the motor, power source, brush and hair removal fins in a single housing. The brush is removable and can be exchanged for another with a different bristle configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Inventor: Robert Earl Johnson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110032102Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method and a apparatus for restricting audio transmission in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a control module. The control module is configured to receive an audio feed signal including audio content and a content advisory indicator and compare the content advisory indicator to predetermined criteria. The control module is further configured to restrict transmission of the audio data based on the comparison of the content advisory indicator to the predetermined criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLIGES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Robert Earl Johnson, JR., Kenneth Nkosi Williams
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Patent number: 3948105Abstract: A three-compartment graduate having a main liquid-receiving compartment, a smaller spatially separated liquid-receiving compartment and a normally unfilled mixing compartment coextensively overlying the liquid-receiving compartments is provided with integrally embossed graduate marks and associated indicia along transparent walls of the liquid-receiving compartments visually identifying predetermined volume relationships between the contents within the respective compartments. The graduate enables rapid volume proportioning and mixing of the proportioned liquids within the single container, and is particularly adapted for titrating oil-gasoline mixtures used for the operation of two-cycle internal combustion engines.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1975Date of Patent: April 6, 1976Inventor: Earl Johnson, Jr.