Patents by Inventor Jonathan B. Vance

Jonathan B. Vance 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: 12012220
    Abstract: A calibration system for aircraft control surface actuation includes an inclinometer coupleable to an aircraft control surface. The inclinometer is configured to provide measurement data of an inclination value corresponding to an angle at which the surface is deflected. The system includes an adapter with a wireless transmitter module and an interface connector connected to the inclinometer. The adapter is configured to receive and wirelessly transmit the measurement data. The system includes a wireless receiver device and a computing device connected thereto to receive the measurement data. The computing device is configured to determine if the inclination value differs by more than a predetermined amount from a directed deflection angle for the surface. The computing device is also configured to communicate an adjustment amount to a controller configured to direct deflection of the surface, based on the difference between the measured inclination value and the directed deflection angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew J. Martignoni, III
  • Publication number: 20220250765
    Abstract: A calibration system for aircraft control surface actuation includes an inclinometer coupleable to an aircraft control surface. The inclinometer is configured to provide measurement data of an inclination value corresponding to an angle at which the surface is deflected. The system includes an adapter with a wireless transmitter module and an interface connector connected to the inclinometer. The adapter is configured to receive and wirelessly transmit the measurement data. The system includes a wireless receiver device and a computing device connected thereto to receive the measurement data. The computing device is configured to determine if the inclination value differs by more than a predetermined amount from a directed deflection angle for the surface. The computing device is also configured to communicate an adjustment amount to a controller configured to direct deflection of the surface, based on the difference between the measured inclination value and the directed deflection angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew J. Martignoni, III
  • Patent number: 11072439
    Abstract: A mobile fixture includes a movable base, a support platform, an adaptor interface, at least one sensor, and a controller. The movable base is configured to travel over a floor. The support platform is articulable with respect to the base. The adaptor interface moves with the support platform, and is configured to mechanically interface with an attachment member. The at least one sensor is coupled to the adaptor interface and is configured to detect at least one of a force or movement resulting from an interaction between the adaptor interface and the attachment member. The controller is operably coupled to the movable base, support platform, and at least one sensor, and is configured to control movement of at least one of the movable base or support platform responsive to the at least one of the force or movement detected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew Joseph Martignoni, III, Brian M. Finn
  • Patent number: 10863614
    Abstract: A microcircuit deposition system incorporates a first printing engine for depositing a dielectric on a substrate. A microwire spooling machine houses a microwire spool and incorporates a tension guide to position a microwire trace onto the dielectric layer. A second printing engine trails the microwire spooling machine to deposit a covering dielectric layer over the microwire trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Vance
  • Patent number: 10782696
    Abstract: A mobile fixture includes a movable base, a support platform, an adaptor interface, at least one sensor, and a controller. The movable base is configured to travel over a floor. The support platform is articulable with respect to the base. The adaptor interface moves with the support platform, and is configured to mechanically interface with an attachment member. The at least one sensor is coupled to the adaptor interface and is configured to detect at least one of a force or movement resulting from an interaction between the adaptor interface and the attachment member. The controller is operably coupled to the movable base, support platform, and at least one sensor, and is configured to control movement of at least one of the movable base or support platform responsive to the at least one of the force or movement detected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew Joseph Martignoni, III, Brian M. Finn
  • Publication number: 20200079531
    Abstract: A mobile fixture includes a movable base, a support platform, an adaptor interface, at least one sensor, and a controller. The movable base is configured to travel over a floor. The support platform is articulable with respect to the base. The adaptor interface moves with the support platform, and is configured to mechanically interface with an attachment member. The at least one sensor is coupled to the adaptor interface and is configured to detect at least one of a force or movement resulting from an interaction between the adaptor interface and the attachment member. The controller is operably coupled to the movable base, support platform, and at least one sensor, and is configured to control movement of at least one of the movable base or support platform responsive to the at least one of the force or movement detected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew Joseph Martignoni, III, Brian M. Finn
  • Publication number: 20200081438
    Abstract: A mobile fixture includes a movable base, a support platform, an adaptor interface, at least one sensor, and a controller. The movable base is configured to travel over a floor. The support platform is articulable with respect to the base. The adaptor interface moves with the support platform, and is configured to mechanically interface with an attachment member. The at least one sensor is coupled to the adaptor interface and is configured to detect at least one of a force or movement resulting from an interaction between the adaptor interface and the attachment member. The controller is operably coupled to the movable base, support platform, and at least one sensor, and is configured to control movement of at least one of the movable base or support platform responsive to the at least one of the force or movement detected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew Joseph Martignoni, III, Brian M. Finn
  • Patent number: 10472095
    Abstract: A mobile fixture includes a movable base, a support platform, an adaptor interface, at least one sensor, and a controller. The movable base is configured to travel over a floor. The support platform is articulable with respect to the base. The adaptor interface moves with the support platform, and is configured to mechanically interface with an attachment member. The at least one sensor is coupled to the adaptor interface and is configured to detect at least one of a force or movement resulting from an interaction between the adaptor interface and the attachment member. The controller is operably coupled to the movable base, support platform, and at least one sensor, and is configured to control movement of at least one of the movable base or support platform responsive to the at least one of the force or movement detected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew Joseph Martignoni, III, Brian M. Finn
  • Patent number: 10377469
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a first structure that includes a first surface and a first coil conformed to, or embedded within, the first surface. The aircraft includes a second structure that includes a second surface and a second coil conformed to, or embedded within, the second surface. The second structure is configured to couple to the first structure such that the first coil is aligned with the second coil to enable inductive coupling between the first coil and the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Scott R. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20170253319
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a first structure that includes a first surface and a first coil conformed to, or embedded within, the first surface. The aircraft includes a second structure that includes a second surface and a second coil conformed to, or embedded within, the second surface. The second structure is configured to couple to the first structure such that the first coil is aligned with the second coil to enable inductive coupling between the first coil and the second coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Scott R. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9644379
    Abstract: An elevated platform system comprises a platform, a vision system configured to detect a number of people on the platform, and a plurality of restraining systems onboard the platform. Each restraining system includes a passive RFID tag secured to the platform and a reader configured to perform near field detection of the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Steven A. Dorris, Al Salour, Douglas D. Trimble
  • Patent number: 9639530
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for measuring a component supported on a fixture includes a housing, a wireless transceiver coupled to the housing, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the housing, and a magnet coupled to the housing. The magnet is magnetically attracted to a portion of the fixture to removably secure the housing to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew J. Martignoni, III, Ken Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9606001
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in an environment are disclosed herein. The methods include detecting a UV light intensity within an environment at a plurality of spaced apart node locations and calculating a UV light intensity map based upon the UV light intensity at the plurality of spaced apart node locations. The systems include a distributed UV light exposure monitoring system that includes a plurality of UV detection nodes, a receiver, and a data analysis system. Each of the plurality of UV detection nodes includes a UV sensor configured to detect a UV light intensity at a node location and a transmitter configured to generate a UV intensity signal that is indicative of the UV light intensity. The data analysis system is programmed to calculate a UV light intensity map of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Ali Salour, James W. Fonda
  • Patent number: 9602896
    Abstract: A method of communicating a gauge measurement may include receiving from a gauge a measurement signal representative of a measurement output by the gauge. The method may further include producing a communication signal including the received measurement. The method may further include wirelessly transmitting the communication signal according to a wireless network protocol. In some examples, a wireless metrology assembly may comprise an input/output controller operatively coupled to a first wireless network controller. The input/output controller may be configured to receive from a gauge a measurement signal representative of a measurement output by the gauge. The input/output controller may be configured to receive the measurement signal from the gauge when the wireless metrology assembly is operatively coupled to the gauge, and to produce a communication signal including the received measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Ken Nguyen, Andrew J. Martignoni, III, Eric E. Deck
  • Patent number: 9477858
    Abstract: A restraining system comprises a restraining device including first and second interlockable parts that, when interlocked, restrain the system. The restraining system further comprises a passive RFID tag attached to the first part, and a passive RFID reader coupled to the second part for near field detection of the tag within a prescribed range of the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Al Salour, Douglas D. Trimble, Jonathan B. Vance
  • Patent number: 9399508
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage, a wing, and a decoupled joint interconnecting the fuselage and the wing. The decoupled joint can be an active suspension system. A method of adapting an aircraft to attenuate forces between a main wing and a fuselage thereof includes providing a plurality of sensors upon the aircraft, configured for sensing motion and/or mechanical stress of the main wing and/or the fuselage and producing signals indicative thereof, and providing a plurality of active suspension elements interconnecting the wing and the fuselage, the active suspension elements being configured to move at least in response to the signals to adjust a position of the wing with respect to the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Branko Lakic, Jonathan B Vance
  • Publication number: 20160195427
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in an environment are disclosed herein. The methods include detecting a UV light intensity within an environment at a plurality of spaced apart node locations and calculating a UV light intensity map based upon the UV light intensity at the plurality of spaced apart node locations. The systems include a distributed UV light exposure monitoring system that includes a plurality of UV detection nodes, a receiver, and a data analysis system. Each of the plurality of UV detection nodes includes a UV sensor configured to detect a UV light intensity at a node location and a transmitter configured to generate a UV intensity signal that is indicative of the UV light intensity. The data analysis system is programmed to calculate a UV light intensity map of the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Ali Salour, James W. Fonda
  • Publication number: 20160173962
    Abstract: A method of communicating a gauge measurement may include receiving from a gauge a measurement signal representative of a measurement output by the gauge. The method may further include producing a communication signal including the received measurement. The method may further include wirelessly transmitting the communication signal according to a wireless network protocol. In some examples, a wireless metrology assembly may comprise an input/output controller operatively coupled to a first wireless network controller. The input/output controller may be configured to receive from a gauge a measurement signal representative of a measurement output by the gauge. The input/output controller may be configured to receive the measurement signal from the gauge when the wireless metrology assembly is operatively coupled to the gauge, and to produce a communication signal including the received measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Ken Nguyen, Andrew J. Martignoni, III, Eric E. Deck
  • Publication number: 20160078024
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for measuring a component supported on a fixture includes a housing, a wireless transceiver coupled to the housing, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the housing, and a magnet coupled to the housing. The magnet is magnetically attracted to a portion of the fixture to removably secure the housing to the fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Vance, Andrew J. Martignoni, III, Ken Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20160066407
    Abstract: A microcircuit deposition system incorporates a first printing engine for depositing a dielectric on a substrate. A microwire spooling machine houses a microwire spool and incorporates a tension guide to position a microwire trace onto the dielectric layer. A second printing engine trails the microwire spooling machine to deposit a covering dielectric layer over the microwire trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Vance