Patents by Inventor Michael A. Long
Michael A. Long 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).
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Patent number: 12606296Abstract: Systems and methods of aircraft modal suppression informed by an underlying non-uniform vertical turbulence model and uniform lateral turbulence model. The systems and methods include receiving a plurality of signals from on-board inertial sensors of an aircraft, utilizing the plurality of signals to generate a plurality of observers, utilizing the observers to determine a control law command for controlling one or more control surfaces of the aircraft, and moving the one or more control surfaces of the aircraft in accordance with the determined control law command such that lateral mode vibrations of the aircraft are diminished.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2023Date of Patent: April 21, 2026Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Paul C. Strefling, John M. Nappi, Jr., Jared D. Weaver, Sascha K. Ruegamer, William J. Wheeler, Tyler B. Wilhelm, Thomas D. Potter, Abraham J. Pachikara, Michael A. Long, Matthew E. Gajda, Christopher A. Jensen, Brad E. Xanthopoulos, Bryan A. Lopez, Brian L. Beechinor, Kimberly A. Hinson, Alexander C. Ho
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Patent number: 12441462Abstract: A wheeled support structure is presented and may include a shock absorber strut assembly comprising a wheel, a truss structure, a drag brace, and a pivot joint. The pivot joint may connect the truss structure to the drag brace. The drag brace may have an upper drag brace that may be pivotingly attached to a vehicle, and may be pivotingly attached to a lower drag brace. The lower drag brace may be pivotingly attached to the upper drag brace, and may be pivotingly attached to the truss structure. The drag brace may be configured to move between a deployed position and a stowed position. The truss structure may be configured to pivotably attach to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2023Date of Patent: October 14, 2025Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Long, Justin Duane Cottet
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Patent number: 12434820Abstract: An aircraft includes: a wing landing gear; and a body landing gear which includes a shock absorber strut assembly comprising a wheel, a fixed truss structure and an aircraft structure connection point, a drag brace, and a pivot joint that connects the fixed truss structure to the drag brace; and a body landing gear wheel well configured to store the body landing gear in a stowed position. The drag brace includes an upper drag brace, and a lower drag brace pivotingly attached to the upper drag brace. In a stowed position, the shock absorber strut assembly, the fixed strut structure, the upper drag brace and the lower drag brace may be positioned outside of a swing path of a wing landing gear of the aircraft. In the deployed position, the lower drag brace may be positioned in the swing path of the wing landing gear of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2023Date of Patent: October 7, 2025Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Long, Justin Duane Cottet, Christopher M. Newton
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Publication number: 20250171133Abstract: A wheeled support structure is presented and may include a shock absorber strut assembly comprising a wheel, a truss structure, a drag brace, and a pivot joint. The pivot joint may connect the truss structure to the drag brace. The drag brace may have an upper drag brace that may be pivotingly attached to a vehicle, and may be pivotingly attached to a lower drag brace. The lower drag brace may be pivotingly attached to the upper drag brace, and may be pivotingly attached to the truss structure. The drag brace may be configured to move between a deployed position and a stowed position. The truss structure may be configured to pivotably attach to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2023Publication date: May 29, 2025Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael A. LONG, Justin Duane COTTET
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Publication number: 20250171134Abstract: An aircraft includes: a wing landing gear; and a body landing gear which includes a shock absorber strut assembly comprising a wheel, a fixed truss structure and an aircraft structure connection point, a drag brace, and a pivot joint that connects the fixed truss structure to the drag brace; and a body landing gear wheel well configured to store the body landing gear in a stowed position. The drag brace includes an upper drag brace, and a lower drag brace pivotingly attached to the upper drag brace. In a stowed position, the shock absorber strut assembly, the fixed strut structure, the upper drag brace and the lower drag brace may be positioned outside of a swing path of a wing landing gear of the aircraft. In the deployed position, the lower drag brace may be positioned in the swing path of the wing landing gear of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2023Publication date: May 29, 2025Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael A. LONG, Justin Duane COTTET, Christopher M. Newton
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Publication number: 20250091711Abstract: Systems and methods of aircraft modal suppression informed by an underlying non-uniform vertical turbulence model and uniform lateral turbulence model. The systems and methods include receiving a plurality of signals from on-board inertial sensors of an aircraft, utilizing the plurality of signals to generate a plurality of observers, utilizing the observers to determine a control law command for controlling one or more control surfaces of the aircraft, and moving the one or more control surfaces of the aircraft in accordance with the determined control law command such that lateral mode vibrations of the aircraft are diminished.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Inventors: Paul C. Strefling, John M. Nappi, Jr., Jared D. Weaver, Sascha K. Ruegamer, William J. Wheeler, Tyler B. Wilhelm, Thomas D. Potter, Abraham J. Pachikara, Michael A. Long, Matthew E. Gajda, Christopher A. Jensen, Brad E. Xanthopoulos, Bryan A. Lopez, Brian L. Beechinor, Kimberly A. Hinson, Alexander C. Ho
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Publication number: 20210358639Abstract: A system to manage pandemic health risk provides a pandemic app having a user interface that runs on a mobile device, a voluntary participant can register to use the pandemic app, and a trace contact is identified in the pandemic app by the participant through the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventor: Michael A. Long
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Patent number: 9895761Abstract: A wireless control system (10) for a welding system (12) including an electrical control interface (18). The control system (10) may generally comprise a foot pedal (14) and a receiver (16). The foot pedal (14) may include a pivotable housing (20), a sensing element (22) operable to sense a position of the pivotable housing (20) and provide a corresponding pedal position signal, and a transmitter (24) operable to wirelessly transmit the pedal position signal. The receiver (16) may include an antenna (36) operable to wirelessly receive the pedal position signal generated by the foot pedal (14), a processor (38) operable to process the received pedal position signal, and a connector (40) operable to connect with the electrical control interface (18) associated with the welding system (12) to provide the processed pedal position signal thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.Inventors: Fredric A. Bland, Michael A. Long
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Publication number: 20160184918Abstract: A wireless control system (10) for a welding system (12) including an electrical control interface (18). The control system (10) may generally comprise a foot pedal (14) and a receiver (16). The foot pedal (14) may include a pivotable housing (20), a sensing element (22) operable to sense a position of the pivotable housing (20) and provide a corresponding pedal position signal, and a transmitter (24) operable to wirelessly transmit the pedal position signal. The receiver (16) may include an antenna (36) operable to wirelessly receive the pedal position signal generated by the foot pedal (14), a processor (38) operable to process the received pedal position signal, and a connector (40) operable to connect with the electrical control interface (18) associated with the welding system (12) to provide the processed pedal position signal thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Fredric A. Bland, Michael A. Long
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Publication number: 20160187186Abstract: Force and location sensing systems and methods are disclosed. A method comprises bending a L-beam at an initially unknown location on a force-supporting portion of the L-beam, the L-beam substantially having a tension side and a compression side, measuring a first local stress at a first location on the tension side, measuring a second local stress at a second location on the tension side, measuring a third local stress at a third location on the compression side, and measuring a fourth local stress at a fourth location on the compression side. A weight-sensing storage system capable of tracking removed items is disclosed with a product image captured via a camera, a plurality of sensors on an L-beam, a first signal from the plurality of sensors indicating a first state prior to change of the product image, and a second signal indicating lower strain on the L-beam than the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Nate J. Coleman, Michael A. LONG
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Publication number: 20160187210Abstract: Force and location sensing systems and methods are disclosed. A method comprises bending a L-beam at an initially unknown location on a force-supporting portion of the L-beam, the L-beam substantially having a tension side and a compression side, measuring a first local stress at a first location on the tension side, measuring a second local stress at a second location on the tension side, measuring a third local stress at a third location on the compression side, and measuring a fourth local stress at a fourth location on the compression side. A weight-sensing storage system capable of tracking removed items is disclosed with a product image captured via a camera, a plurality of sensors on an L-beam, a first signal from the plurality of sensors indicating a first state prior to change of the product image, and a second signal indicating lower strain on the L-beam than the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Nate J. Coleman, Michael A. Long
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Patent number: 9360383Abstract: Force and location sensing systems and methods are disclosed. A method comprises bending a L-beam at an initially unknown location on a force-supporting portion of the L-beam, the L-beam substantially having a tension side and a compression side, measuring a first local stress at a first location on the tension side, measuring a second local stress at a second location on the tension side, measuring a third local stress at a third location on the compression side, and measuring a fourth local stress at a fourth location on the compression side. A weight-sensing storage system capable of tracking removed items is disclosed with a product image captured via a camera, a plurality of sensors on an L-beam, a first signal from the plurality of sensors indicating a first state prior to change of the product image, and a second signal indicating lower strain on the L-beam than the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Nate J. Coleman and Aexius, LLCInventors: Nate J. Coleman, Michael A. Long
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Patent number: 9302340Abstract: A wireless control system (10) for a welding system (12) including an electrical control interface (18). The control system (10) may generally comprise a foot pedal (14) and a receiver (16). The foot pedal (14) may include a pivotable housing (20), a sensing element (22) operable to sense a position of the pivotable housing (20) and provide a corresponding pedal position signal, and a transmitter (24) operable to wirelessly transmit the pedal position signal. The receiver (16) may include an antenna (36) operable to wirelessly receive the pedal position signal generated by the foot pedal (14), a processor (38) operable to process the received pedal position signal, and a connector (40) operable to connect with the electrical control interface (18) associated with the welding system (12) to provide the processed pedal position signal thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.Inventors: Fredric A. Bland, Michael A. Long
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Publication number: 20150107376Abstract: Force and location sensing systems and methods are disclosed. A method comprises bending a L-beam at an initially unknown location on a force-supporting portion of the L-beam, the L-beam substantially having a tension side and a compression side, measuring a first local stress at a first location on the tension side, measuring a second local stress at a second location on the tension side, measuring a third local stress at a third location on the compression side, and measuring a fourth local stress at a fourth location on the compression side. A weight-sensing storage system capable of tracking removed items is disclosed with a product image captured via a camera, a plurality of sensors on an L-beam, a first signal from the plurality of sensors indicating a first state prior to change of the product image, and a second signal indicating lower strain on the L-beam than the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Nate J. Coleman, Michael A. Long
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Patent number: 8991753Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mitchell L. Mellor, Michael A. Long, Richard B. Odell
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Patent number: 8985511Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mitchell L. Mellor, Michael A. Long, Richard B. Odell
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Publication number: 20140299389Abstract: Force and location sensing systems and methods are disclosed. A method comprises bending a L-beam at an initially unknown location on a force-supporting portion of the L-beam, the L-beam substantially having a tension side and a compression side, measuring a first local stress at a first location on the tension side, measuring a second local stress at a second location on the tension side, measuring a third local stress at a third location on the compression side, and measuring a fourth local stress at a fourth location on the compression side. A weight-sensing storage system capable of tracking removed items is disclosed with a product image captured via a camera, a plurality of sensors on an L-beam, a first signal from the plurality of sensors indicating a first state prior to change of the product image, and a second signal indicating lower strain on the L-beam than the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Nate J. Coleman, Michael A. Long
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Publication number: 20140151499Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: Mitchell L. Mellor, Michael A. Long, Richard B. Odell
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Publication number: 20130256455Abstract: A method of positioning landing gear of an airplane is provided that includes providing the landing gear including a shock strut, a truck beam operatively pivotally connected to the shock strut, first and second interconnected links operatively connected to the truck beam and a third link extending between the shock strut and the first and second links with the third link pivotally connected to the second link at a third pivot. When the landing gear is commanded to a lowered position, the third pivot is positioned in a first position to support a taxi mode, a take-off mode and a landing mode if the landing gear is operational and in a second position to support an alternate landing mode if the landing gear is not fully operational. When the landing gear is commanded to a raised position, the third pivot is in the second position to support a stow mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mitchell L. Mellor, Michael A. Long, Richard B. Odell
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Patent number: 8448900Abstract: A semi-levered landing gear is provided that includes a shock strut, a truck beam pivotally connected to the shock strut and a semi-levered landing gear mechanism including at least three links configured to angularly orient the truck beam and a truck pitch actuation system operatively connected to at least one of the three links. The landing gear mechanism may be configured to cooperate with an extension of a shock strut by positioning the truck pitch actuator in a retracted position, thereby positioning a forward end of the truck beam in a raised position relative to the aft end of the truck beam. The landing gear mechanism may also be configured to cooperate with a retraction of the shock strut into the wheel well by extending the truck pitch actuator to position a forward end of the truck beam in a lower position relative to the aft end of the truck beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mitchell L. Mellor, Michael A. Long, Richard B. Odell