Patents by Inventor John Hillier

John Hillier 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: 11721220
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be used for monitoring and identifying failure in flight management systems. For example, a method may include: calculating, using a first flight management system, a first value of a guidance command for controlling an aircraft for an RNP AP procedure; receiving a second value of the guidance command from a second flight management system; comparing the first value with the second value to determine whether the first value matches the second value; upon determining that the first value does not match the second value, using a flight management system monitor to determine, from the first flight management system and the second flight management system, a flight management system that has computed a correct value of the guidance command; and generating a message indicating that the determined flight management system is to be used to guide the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Hillier, Daniel E. Lewis, Baptiste Duffourd
  • Patent number: 11721223
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engaging a vertical navigational descent (VNAV/DES) mode of a flight management system (FMS) for an aircraft. The method comprises retrieving a preset vertical navigation (VNAV) profile for a descent path of the aircraft that is stored in the FMS. The current flight path angle (FPA) and vertical speed (VS) of the aircraft is determined and intercept parameters are calculated to intercept the preset VNAV profile with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS. The intercept parameters are calculated based on the current FPA and VS and displayed to an aircrew member of the aircraft on a visual display device. The aircrew member is allowed to accept the intercept parameters with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Dorothee De Villele, Rajesh Chaubey, John Hillier, Daniel E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10888891
    Abstract: A compact apparatus for atomisation of fluid samples comprises a sonotrode (11), placed so that an ultrasonic wave emitted by the sonotrode is directed through a channel (25) in a separate channel device (21) and reflected by from the interface (26) in a high-low impedance transition zone (Tz), so that a standing wave is formed within the channel. A positive air flow through the channel, driven by a pressure differential at each end of the channel, interacts with the working fluid or slurry being delivered by a fluid delivery device (30) to atomise it. The speed of the air flow and the dispersal, homogeneity, and size of particles in the slurry sample can be controlled by varying the shape of the channel outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: THE JAMES HUTTON INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Graham Gaskin, Stephen John Hillier
  • Publication number: 20200320884
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be used for monitoring and identifying failure in flight management systems. For example, a method may include: calculating, using a first flight management system, a first value of a guidance command for controlling an aircraft for an RNP AP procedure; receiving a second value of the guidance command from a second flight management system; comparing the first value with the second value to determine whether the first value matches the second value; upon determining that the first value does not match the second value, using a flight management system monitor to determine, from the first flight management system and the second flight management system, a flight management system that has computed a correct value of the guidance command; and generating a message indicating that the determined flight management system is to be used to guide the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: John Hillier, Daniel E. Lewis, Baptiste Duffourd
  • Publication number: 20200160731
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engaging a vertical navigational descent (VNAV/DES) mode of a flight management system (FMS) for an aircraft. The method comprises retrieving a preset vertical navigation (VNAV) profile for a descent path of the aircraft that is stored in the FMS. The current flight path angle (FPA) and vertical speed (VS) of the aircraft is determined and intercept parameters are calculated to intercept the preset VNAV profile with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS. The intercept parameters are calculated based on the current FPA and VS and displayed to an aircrew member of the aircraft on a visual display device. The aircrew member is allowed to accept the intercept parameters with the VNAV/DES mode of the FMS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Dorothee De Villele, Rajesh Chaubey, John Hillier, Daniel E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180367211
    Abstract: Aircraft systems and related methods and devices are provided for supporting a standalone or external flight management system (FMS) line replaceable unit (LRU) using another LRU onboard the aircraft. In one embodiment, the hosting LRU includes a communications interface for coupling to a FMS LRU, a first card coupled to the communications interface and including shared memory communicatively coupled to a shared memory interface, and a flight guidance card communicatively coupled to one or more onboard systems to obtain operational data for the aircraft from the one or more onboard systems and provide the operational data to the first card via the shared memory interface, wherein the first card is configured to retransmit the operational data to the FMS LRU via the communications interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Dennis David Loots, John Hillier, William Pewsey
  • Publication number: 20180353988
    Abstract: A compact apparatus for atomisation of fluid samples comprises a sonotrode (11), placed so that an ultrasonic wave emitted by the sonotrode is directed through a channel (25) in a separate channel device (21) and reflected by from the interface (26) in a high-low impedance transition zone (Tz), so that a standing wave is formed within the channel. A positive air flow through the channel, driven by a pressure differential at each end of the channel, interacts with the working fluid or slurry being delivered by a fluid delivery device (30) to atomise it. The speed of the air flow and the dispersal, homogeneity, and size of particles in the slurry sample can be controlled by varying the shape of the channel outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Graham Gaskin, Stephen John Hillier
  • Patent number: 4184568
    Abstract: A ladder or the like climbing safety device of the type of a pair of hooks is provided, at each of the hooks, with a "U"-shaped clip adapted to engage the back and the palm of the respective hand of the user. The device is thus easily detachable from the respective hands either during the climbing or when the user is off the ladder, manhole steps or the like. The device is of a simple structure that not only reduces it's manufacturing costs but also combines the ease of engagement with and disengagement from the respective hands of the user, thus considerably reducing the rather cumbersome handling of many of know prior art devices of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Inventor: John Hillier
  • Patent number: 4029049
    Abstract: A net blocking a stream or canal to prevent fish from traveling up the stream but permitting the normal flow of water and having a normally closed opening therein adapted to be opened by trash and debris carried by said water to permit said trash and debris to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Inventor: Albert John Hillier