Patents by Inventor Mark S. Spano

Mark S. Spano 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).

  • Active-inceptor tactile-cueing hands-off rate-limit
    Patent number: 9156546
    Abstract: The system contains the active inceptor having mobility in a first direction. A feedback mechanism is in communication with the active inceptor. The mechanism provides a variable level of force to the active inceptor in the first direction. A programmable device communicates with the feedback mechanism. The programmable device controls the level of force provided to the active inceptor from the feedback mechanism. The programmable device is capable of recognizing and distinguishing between regimes wherein the operator is physically engaging the inceptor (“hands-on” state) and when the operator is “hands-off” the inceptor. The programmable device limits the maximum rate of displacement of an active inceptor to a specified safe and effective value regardless of changes in forces applied by the variable force feel feedback mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph G. Irwin, III, Pieter G. Einthoven, David G. Miller, Mark S. Spano
  • ACTIVE-INCEPTOR TACTILE-CUEING HANDS-OFF RATE-LIMIT
    Publication number: 20090234518
    Abstract: The system contains the active inceptor having mobility in a first direction. A feedback mechanism is in communication with the active inceptor. The mechanism provides a variable level of force to the active inceptor in the first direction. A programmable device communicates with the feedback mechanism. The programmable device controls the level of force provided to the active inceptor from the feedback mechanism. The programmable device is capable of recognizing and distinguishing between regimes wherein the operator is physically engaging the inceptor (“hands-on” state) and when the operator is “hands-off” the inceptor. The programmable device limits the maximum rate of displacement of an active inceptor to a specified safe and effective value regardless of changes in forces applied by the variable force feel feedback mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph G. Irwin, III, Pieter G. Einthoven, David G. Miller, Mark S. Spano