Patents by Inventor Michael J. Duffy
Michael J. Duffy 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: 10013885Abstract: An aircraft deconfliction system including a registration system having an airspace database, a registered airspace, wherein registration details of the registered airspace are logged in the airspace database, and an aircraft assigned to the registered airspace, the aircraft including a flight control system, a guidance computer controlling the flight control system based on a pilot input, and an override unit in communication with the guidance computer, wherein the override unit overrides the pilot input when the aircraft breaches the registered airspace.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Duffy, John J. Mattero
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Publication number: 20170349268Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an airflow. The method draws air through a group of inlets. The group of inlets is located in a group of locations on the vehicle such that the group of inlets actively controls the airflow relative to an aircraft when drawing the air. The method compresses the air drawn by the group of inlets in a group of air compressor units located in an aircraft structure to form pressurized air. Further, the method sends the pressurized air through a group of exit ports in the aircraft structure. The pressurized air flowing out of the group of exit ports actively controls the airflow for an aircraft, enabling an improved performance of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, Rene Woszidlo
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Publication number: 20170301243Abstract: An aircraft deconfliction system including a registration system having an airspace database, a registered airspace, wherein registration details of the registered airspace are logged in the airspace database, and an aircraft assigned to the registered airspace, the aircraft including a flight control system, a guidance computer controlling the flight control system based on a pilot input, and an override unit in communication with the guidance computer, wherein the override unit overrides the pilot input when the aircraft breaches the registered airspace.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, John J. Mattero
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Patent number: 9718543Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a guided lift system utilized for maneuvering payloads. According to aspects of the disclosure, a guided lift system may include a lift unit attached to a payload, at least two control tethers attached to the lift unit, and at least two control units fixed in positions and capable of adjusting the lengths of the control tethers. Coordinated length adjustments of the control tethers pulls the lift unit and payload in a desired direction to a desired delivery location.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Duffy, Leonard J. Quadracci, Anthony C. Samaritano
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Patent number: 9495877Abstract: An aircraft deconfliction system including a registration system having an airspace database, a registered airspace, wherein registration details of the registered airspace are logged in the airspace database, and an aircraft assigned to the registered airspace, the aircraft including a flight control system, a guidance computer controlling the flight control system based on a pilot input, and an override unit in communication with the guidance computer, wherein the override unit overrides the pilot input when the aircraft breaches the registered airspace.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Duffy, John J. Mattero
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Patent number: 9457899Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods provide for a modular vehicle system utilized for lifting and maneuvering payloads. According to aspects of the disclosure, any number of individual lift vehicles may be connected to create a unified lift vehicle. The individual lift vehicles may be placed adjacent to one another according to a determined lifting array formation and coupled together using connection mechanisms. The connection mechanisms rigidly and communicatively connect the individual lift vehicles to create the unified lift vehicle suitable for lifting and maneuvering a payload.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Duffy, Scott H. Bouwer, John J. Mattero
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Publication number: 20160123182Abstract: Disclosed herein is one embodiment of a thrust system that includes at least one modular thrust unit and at least one control module. The at least one modular thrust unit includes a base that is made from structural members that are inter-connectable in a plurality of different structural configurations. The at least one modular thrust unit further includes at least one thrust generator coupleable to the base in a thrust configuration and at least one power source operable to deliver power to the at least one thrust generator. The at least one control module is coupleable to the at least one modular thrust unit and operable to control at least one of the at least one thrust generator and the at least one power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Anthony Samaritano, Daniel I. Newman, Michael J. Duffy
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Publication number: 20160096623Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a guided lift system utilized for maneuvering payloads. According to aspects of the disclosure, a guided lift system may include a lift unit attached to a payload, at least two control tethers attached to the lift unit, and at least two control units fixed in positions and capable of adjusting the lengths of the control tethers. Coordinated length adjustments of the control tethers pulls the lift unit and payload in a desired direction to a desired delivery location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, Leonard J. Quadracci, Anthony C. Samaritano
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Patent number: 9217267Abstract: An adjustable hinge set and a method for making it improves mounting of a deck lid to a motor vehicle body by permitting mass production adjustments without distortion or multiplication of the parts installed. A hinge set bracket with spaced flanges receiving a pivot strap and pivot therebetween is formed with a substantially vertical slot in each flange. At least one insert having a collar and a stem, reinforces the spacing between the support flanges, as the pivot pin compressionally engages the flanges. Preferably, two inserts having a collar and a stem have a combined length that reinforces the predetermined spacing within a predetermined tolerance when compression is adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Techform Products LimitedInventors: Michael J. Duffy, John R. Beckwith, David J. Smallwood
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Publication number: 20150348424Abstract: An aircraft deconfliction system including a registration system having an airspace database, a registered airspace, wherein registration details of the registered airspace are logged in the airspace database, and an aircraft assigned to the registered airspace, the aircraft including a flight control system, a guidance computer controlling the flight control system based on a pilot input, and an override unit in communication with the guidance computer, wherein the override unit overrides the pilot input when the aircraft breaches the registered airspace.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Duffy, John J. Mattero
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Patent number: 9079662Abstract: A cargo lift system employs multiple unmanned lift vehicles acting as vertical lift generating machines. An autonomous control system controls coordinated movements of the cooperating unmanned vertical lift generating machines. A coupling system connects the cargo load to each of the plurality of unmanned vertical lift generating machines. The plurality of unmanned vertical lift generating machines are separated from each other by a distance through spacing by individual onboard flight computers in the lift generating machines or by rigid or semi-rigid connections between the lift generating machines.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Duffy, John J. Mattero, Andrew Feit
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Publication number: 20140374532Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods provide for a modular vehicle system utilized for lifting and maneuvering payloads. According to aspects of the disclosure, any number of individual lift vehicles may be connected to create a unified lift vehicle. The individual lift vehicles may be placed adjacent to one another according to a determined lifting array formation and coupled together using connection mechanisms. The connection mechanisms rigidly and communicatively connect the individual lift vehicles to create the unified lift vehicle suitable for lifting and maneuvering a payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, Scott H. Bouwer, John J. Mattero
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Publication number: 20140259528Abstract: An adjustable hinge set and a method for making it improves mounting of a deck lid to a motor vehicle body by permitting mass production adjustments without distortion or multiplication of the parts installed. A hinge set bracket with spaced flanges receiving a pivot strap and pivot therebetween is formed with a substantially vertical slot in each flange. At least one insert having a collar and a stem, reinforces the spacing between the support flanges, as the pivot pin compressionally engages the flanges. Preferably, two inserts having a collar and a stem have a combined length that reinforces the predetermined spacing within a predetermined tolerance when compression is adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: M & C CorporationInventors: Michael J. Duffy, John R. Beckwith, David J. Smallwood
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Publication number: 20130179185Abstract: A method for creating and transmitting electronic medical data from a remote location, such as a battlefield, to a remotely located central data facility. The method can begin by entering the personal identification data for an injured person into a portable handheld computer. Responsive to voice commands, data input fields are selected and populated. The data can be inputted into the computer via a touch screen or via the microphone. A recording may be made, with a camera included in the portable handheld computer, of imagery associated with the injured person. Thereafter, an audio recording can be made, recording audio records concerning injuries or treatments of the injured person. Medical data obtained about the injury, as well as patient vitals are associated to form an electronic medical record. The electronic medical record, along with images and audio, is then transmitted over a communications network to update the central database.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Michael J. Duffy, Robert E. Daminski, JR., Jessica G. LaRocque
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Publication number: 20130111703Abstract: An adjustable hinge set and a method for making it improves mounting of a deck lid to a motor vehicle body by permitting mass production adjustments without distortion or multiplication of the parts installed. A hinge set bracket with spaced flanges receiving a pivot strap and pivot therebetween is formed with a substantially vertical slot in each flange. At least one insert having a collar and a stem, reinforces the spacing between the support flanges, as the pivot pin compressionally engages the flanges. Preferably, two inserts having a collar and a stem have a combined length that reinforces the predetermined spacing within a predetermined tolerance when compression is adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: M&C CORPORATIONInventors: Michael J. Duffy, John R. Beckwith, David J. Smallwood
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Patent number: 7730584Abstract: A vehicle closure hinge includes a mount having a pivot axis flange, a pivot link, a pivot coupling the pivot link to the pivot axis flange and a spring formed by a laterally coiled strand extending from a first coil end to a second coil end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of displacement about the pivot axis. The coil size, the strand size and the number of coils can be varied as desired to vary the spring biasing force exerted against the vehicle closure without varying other components of the hinge. The hinge parts may be designed with various configurations including simple pivoting links or a four bar linkage. A strand end of the coil spring extends along the direction of the coil to a position at a first coil end to maintain biasing force near the plane of displacement about the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: M & C CorporationInventor: Michael J. Duffy
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Patent number: 7546663Abstract: A vehicle body hinge mechanism includes at least one hinge set carried by a support plate that retains a pivot pin and a retainer bar in a cantilevered manner. Preferably, the plate is stamped, and the pivot pin supports a lever, such as a gooseneck arm, that will be coupled to the hood. The plate includes a mount that will be carried by peripheral body structure around the hood opening. The retainer bar carries a helically wound spring that secures one end of the spring for resistance to rotation about the axis of the bar. The other end of the spring engages a linkage that urges the lever to pivot toward the open position. Preferably, a stop limit is integrally incorporated in the linkage carried by the plate to stop the lever at a desired hood opening limit.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: M & C CorporationInventor: Michael J. Duffy
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Patent number: 7484800Abstract: A latch restraint and safety anchorage system for securing a child safety seat in an automotive vehicle behind the vehicle's seat is provided. One or more latch wires are generally mounted to a cross member of the anchorage system comprised of a pair of spatially separated legs joined at one end by a transverse latch bar. Each leg includes a tapered portion and an end portion. The end portion is exposed to allow the legs to be retained by the cross member.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: M & C CorporationInventors: Michael J. Duffy, Donald M. Austin, David J. Smallwood
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Patent number: 7438471Abstract: A CT imaging system comprising a frame having a center opening and a uni-body construction; a CT imaging unit mounted to the frame and comprising: a rotatable drum assembly rotatably mounted to the frame, concentric with the center opening, wherein at least one bearing is disposed between the rotatable drum assembly and the frame, and further wherein one race of the bearing is formed by a surface of the rotatable drum assembly and the other race of the bearing is formed by a surface of the frame; an X-ray tube mounted on the rotatable drum assembly; and an X-ray detector mounted on the rotatable drum assembly in alignment with the X-ray beam; and a transport mechanism mounted to the frame, the transport mechanism comprising a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit precisely, relative to the patient, during scanning.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: NeuroLogica Corp.Inventors: Andrew P. Tybinkowski, Eric M. Bailey, James P. Flinn, Michael J. Duffy
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Publication number: 20080098567Abstract: A vehicle body hinge mechanism includes at least one hinge set carried by a support plate that retains a pivot pin and a retainer bar in a cantilevered manner. Preferably, the plate is stamped, and the pivot pin supports a lever, such as a gooseneck arm, that will be coupled to the hood. The plate includes a mount that will be carried by peripheral body structure around the hood opening. The retainer bar carries a helically wound spring that secures one end of the spring for resistance to rotation about the axis of the bar. The other end of the spring engages a linkage that urges the lever to pivot toward the open position. Preferably, a stop limit is integrally incorporated in the linkage carried by the plate to stop the lever at a desired hood opening limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: M & C CORPORATIONInventor: Michael J. Duffy