Patents by Inventor Martin M. Withington

Martin M. Withington 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).

  • Optical device for estimating a center of gravity of an aircraft
    Patent number: 10627304
    Abstract: A system includes a signal generator that is configured to generate a first electrical signal. The system also includes a light source configured to generate a light beam based on the first electrical signal. The light source is also configured to direct the light beam towards a structural member of an aircraft. The system also includes a photoelectric sensor configured to receive a reflected light beam and convert the reflected light beam to a second electrical signal. The reflected light beam corresponds to a portion of the light beam that is reflected from one or more optical reflectors coupled to the structural member. The system also includes circuitry configured to estimate a location of a center-of-gravity of the aircraft based on a timing difference between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sina S. Golshany, Martin M. Withington, Lowell B. Campbell, David A. Rathke, Tarek H. Elghoroury, Matthew W. Orr, Gnanulan Canagaratna
  • DEVICE TO ESTIMATE AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
    Publication number: 20190234825
    Abstract: A system includes a signal generator that is configured to generate a first electrical signal. The system also includes a light source configured to generate a light beam based on the first electrical signal. The light source is also configured to direct the light beam towards a structural member of an aircraft. The system also includes a photoelectric sensor configured to receive a reflected light beam and convert the reflected light beam to a second electrical signal. The reflected light beam corresponds to a portion of the light beam that is reflected from one or more optical reflectors coupled to the structural member. The system also includes circuitry configured to estimate a location of a center-of-gravity of the aircraft based on a timing difference between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Sina S. Golshany, Martin M. Withington, Lowell B. Campbell, David A. Rathke, Tarek H. Elghoroury, Matthew W. Orr, Gnanulan Canagaratna
  • Multi-positional tail skids and associated methods of use
    Patent number: 6845944
    Abstract: Multi-positional tail skid assemblies and methods for their use. In one embodiment, a multi-positional tail skid assembly includes a skid member and a skid deployment system operably connected to the skid member. The skid member can include a first portion attachable to an aft portion of a fuselage and a second portion movable relative to the aft portion of the fuselage. The second portion can support a skid surface configured to contact a surface of a runway. The skid deployment system can be configured to move the skid surface between first and second positions. When the skid surface is in the first position, the skid surface is closer to the aft portion of the fuselage than when the skid surface is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: C. Byram Bays-Muchmore, Todd B. Brouwer, Malcolm S. Bryant, Warren D. Burggraf, Daniel S. Little, Douglas G. Miller, Stanley E. Tolzmann, Martin M. Withington, Thomas A. Zierten
  • Multi-positional tail skids and associated methods of use
    Publication number: 20040200930
    Abstract: Multi-positional tail skid assemblies and methods for their use. In one embodiment, a multi-positional tail skid assembly includes a skid member and a skid deployment system operably connected to the skid member. The skid member can include a first portion attachable to an aft portion of a fuselage and a second portion movable relative to the aft portion of the fuselage. The second portion can support a skid surface configured to contact a surface of a runway. The skid deployment system can be configured to move the skid surface between first and second positions. When the skid surface is in the first position, the skid surface is closer to the aft portion of the fuselage than when the skid surface is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: C. Byram Bays-Muchmore, Todd B. Brouwer, Malcolm S. Bryant, Warren D. Burggraf, Daniel S. Little, Douglas G. Miller, Stanley E. Tolzmann, Martin M. Withington, Thomas A. Zierten