Patents by Inventor Gary L. Hess

Gary L. Hess 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: 10352955
    Abstract: A speed detection device includes a comparator module, a sensor lead with a node connected to the comparator module, and a limit set module. The limit set module is connected to the sensor lead node and to the comparator by an upper limit lead and a lower limit lead to provide upper and lower limits to the comparator that vary according to amplitude variation in voltage applied to the sensor lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Kirk A. Lillestolen
  • Patent number: 10284073
    Abstract: A disclosed system includes a switching power supply including a switching circuit and one or more monitoring circuits configured to monitor one or more power characteristics of the switching power supply, and a processing circuit configured to control the one or more monitoring circuits to perform a built-in test (BIT) of the one or more monitoring circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Kirk A. Lillestolen
  • Patent number: 10222239
    Abstract: A system for detecting a position of a dual solenoid device includes device configured to move between first and second positions, and a controller. The controller has first and second monitoring circuits in operable communication with first and second channels, respectively. The first and second channels are in operable communication with first and second solenoids, respectively. Each solenoid is configured to selectively operate as an active solenoid to move the device when the solenoid and its respective channel are in an active mode, and as a passive solenoid when the solenoid and its respective channel are in a passive mode to passively move with the active solenoid. Each of the monitoring circuits is configured to determine a position of the device when the channel the monitoring circuit is associated with is operating in the passive mode by monitoring an electrical parameter of the passive solenoid associated with that channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk A. Lillestolen, Gary L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20190061974
    Abstract: An aircraft electrical system includes a controller system having a self-testing system configured to test an operability of a transient voltage suppression device. A single line communication bus is connected to a communications output of the controller. A first lightning protection device including the transient voltage suppression device is configured to protect the controller from transient voltages. An enable/disable circuit comprising a normally closed switch connects a low side of the lightning protection device to a neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Charles Eberts, Gary L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20180364070
    Abstract: A system for detecting a position of a dual solenoid device includes device configured to move between first and second positions, and a controller. The controller has first and second monitoring circuits in operable communication with first and second channels, respectively. The first and second channels are in operable communication with first and second solenoids, respectively. Each solenoid is configured to selectively operate as an active solenoid to move the device when the solenoid and its respective channel are in an active mode, and as a passive solenoid when the solenoid and its respective channel are in a passive mode to passively move with the active solenoid. Each of the monitoring circuits is configured to determine a position of the device when the channel the monitoring circuit is associated with is operating in the passive mode by monitoring an electrical parameter of the passive solenoid associated with that channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kirk A. Lillestolen, Gary L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20180299297
    Abstract: A system for detecting a position of a dual solenoid device includes device configured to move between first and second positions, and a controller. The controller has first and second monitoring circuits in operable communication with first and second channels, respectively. The first and second channels are in operable communication with first and second solenoids, respectively. Each solenoid is configured to selectively operate as an active solenoid to move the device when the solenoid and its respective channel are in an active mode, and as a passive solenoid when the solenoid and its respective channel are in a passive mode to passively move with the active solenoid. Each of the monitoring circuits is configured to determine a position of the device when the channel the monitoring circuit is associated with is operating in the passive mode by monitoring an electrical parameter of the passive solenoid associated with that channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kirk A. Lillestolen, Gary L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20180292444
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a system and method for detecting an open circuit in a sensor measurement system. The system including a sensor having a direct current (DC) output, operably connected to a wiring harness and configured to transmit a sensor signal, and a controller, the controller operably connected to the wiring harness. The controller is configured execute a method including receiving a sensor signal from the sensor, AC coupling an AC signal with the sensor signal to form a coupled signal, measuring the coupled signal, determining if an open circuit is present based on the coupled signal and characterizing the sensor as failed if the open circuit is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Eric Petersen
  • Patent number: 10054635
    Abstract: A built-in test circuit for testing a system timing margin of a processing device under-test is provided. The processing device includes a controller and first clock circuit, wherein the first clock circuit generates a first clock signal and the first clock signal is a main clock signal provided for operation of the processing device. The built-in test circuit includes a second clock circuit and a logic circuit, both of which are integrated with the processing device. The second clock circuit generates a second clock signal. The logic circuit processes the first and second clock signals and outputs a third clock signal. The third clock signal is used to determine system timing margin of the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk A. Lillestolen, Gary L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20170322588
    Abstract: A built-in test circuit for testing a system timing margin of a processing device under-test is provided. The processing device includes a controller and first clock circuit, wherein the first clock circuit generates a first clock signal and the first clock signal is a main clock signal provided for operation of the processing device. The built-in test circuit includes a second clock circuit and a logic circuit, both of which are integrated with the processing device. The second clock circuit generates a second clock signal. The logic circuit processes the first and second clock signals and outputs a third clock signal. The third clock signal is used to determine system timing margin of the processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk A. Lillestolen, Gary L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20170307645
    Abstract: A speed detection device includes a comparator module, a sensor lead with a node connected to the comparator module, and a limit set module. The limit set module is connected to the sensor lead node and to the comparator by an upper limit lead and a lower limit lead to provide upper and lower limits to the comparator that vary according to amplitude variation in voltage applied to the sensor lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Kirk A. Lillestolen
  • Publication number: 20170299409
    Abstract: A resolver system includes a rotatable primary winding, a secondary winding fixed relative to the primary winding, and an analog-to-digital converter electrically connected to the secondary winding. A control module is operatively connected to analog-to-digital converter and is responsive to instructions to apply an excitation voltage with an oscillating waveform to the primary winding, induce a secondary voltage using the secondary winding using the excitation voltage, and acquire a plurality of voltage measurements from the secondary winding separated by a time interval corresponding to ?/3 of the excitation voltage oscillating waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Kanwalpreet Reen
  • Patent number: 9746867
    Abstract: A process for automated contact wetting in a sensor circuit includes generating a first current through a contact by sequencing a first circuit on, the first current exceeding a wetting threshold of the contact, and reducing current through the contact to a second current by sequencing a second circuit on, the second current being below the wetting threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Kirk A. Lillestolen
  • Patent number: 9726705
    Abstract: An interface circuit for a bridge sensor has a switch that connects to a resistive bridge circuit. The resistive bridge circuit includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a pair of resistive branches that connect between the first and second input terminals. Both of the resistive branches include an output terminal. The switch is connected to the first input terminal and is in series with both resistive branches for connecting and disconnecting a voltage source from the resistive branch output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Poisson, Scott R. Durkee, Gary L. Hess, Michael Abbott
  • Patent number: 9671453
    Abstract: A built-in test system includes a control circuit, a transient voltage suppressor circuit, and a test switch. The control circuit is configured to receive a signal, and the transient voltage suppressor circuit includes first and second transient voltage suppressors connected in series between the signal and ground. The test switch is connected to selectively conduct current between the signal and a node between the first and second transient voltage suppressors. The control circuit is configured to control the test switch to test the first and second transient voltage suppressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: James Quigley, Gary L. Hess
  • Patent number: 9581674
    Abstract: A dynamic calibrating current sensor control system includes an input power supply that generates an input current and a current sensor interposed between the input power supply and the load. The current sensor is configured to output at least one current signal indicating a level of current delivered to the load. The dynamic calibrating current sensor control system also comprises an electronic switching control circuit that generates at least one control signal to selectively connect the input power supply to the load, and an electronic drift suppression circuit in signal communication with the current sensor and the switching control circuit. The drift suppression circuit is configured to generate a corrected current signal in response to applying an offset value to the current signal. The offset value cancels the drift current from the current signal in response to connecting the input power supply to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Scott M. Covington, Loyal A. Wiens, Eric Petersen
  • Publication number: 20170030992
    Abstract: A dynamic calibrating current sensor control system includes an input power supply that generates an input current and a current sensor interposed between the input power supply and the load. The current sensor is configured to output at least one current signal indicating a level of current delivered to the load. The dynamic calibrating current sensor control system also comprises an electronic switching control circuit that generates at least one control signal to selectively connect the input power supply to the load, and an electronic drift suppression circuit in signal communication with the current sensor and the switching control circuit. The drift suppression circuit is configured to generate a corrected current signal in response to applying an offset value to the current signal. The offset value cancels the drift current from the current signal in response to connecting the input power supply to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Scott M. Covington, Loyal A. Wiens, Eric Petersen
  • Patent number: 9528815
    Abstract: A position sensor arrangement has a transformer based position sensor and a cable peaking correction apparatus. The cable peaking correction apparatus is controllably coupled to a transformer based position sensor excitation input or the outputs from the transformer based position sensor. A signal processing system is connected to multiple outputs from the transformer based position sensor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20160306375
    Abstract: A process for automated contact wetting in a sensor circuit includes generating a first current through a contact by sequencing a first circuit on, the first current exceeding a wetting threshold of the contact, and reducing current through the contact to a second current by sequencing a second circuit on, the second current being below the wetting threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Kirk A. Lillestolen
  • Patent number: 9383405
    Abstract: A lightning protection circuit includes a first lightning protection branch including at least one transient voltage suppression (TVS) protection element, and a testing element integral to the lightning protection circuit. The testing element is operable to test a functionality of the lightning protection circuit while he lightning protection circuit is installed in an electronic control system. A controller is connected to the testing element, such that the controller receives sensed signals from the testing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, James Quigley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9322732
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for processing signals from a strain gauge pressure sensor includes an anti-alias filter, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and a detection circuit for detecting when the sensor is unexpectedly disconnected from the signal processing circuit. The detection circuit provides a yes/no indication of the connection of the pressure sensor to the circuit based upon whether a common mode voltage associated with one of the signal terminals of the pressure sensor is out of range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Edward John Marrota, Gary L. Hess, James Saloio, Joseph T. Gostkowski