Patents by Inventor Philip T. Smith

Philip T. Smith 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: 10073008
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an integrated electrostatic sensor for detecting dust and/or other airborne particulates in an engine, e.g. in an aircraft gas turbine engine. The electrostatic sensor includes an outer housing having a sensing face, an electrode configured within the outer housing adjacent to the sensing face, and an amplifier configured with the electrode. The electrode contains a plurality of electrons configured to move as charged dust particles flow past the sensing face. Thus, the amplifier is configured to detect a dust level as a function of the electron movement. The electrostatic sensor also includes a circuit board configured within the outer housing and electrically coupled to the amplifier. Thus, the circuit board is configured to send the one or more signals to a controller of the engine indicative of the dust level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John David Weickert, Andrew Scott Kessie, Philip T. Smith, Charles Rickards
  • Publication number: 20170212011
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an integrated electrostatic sensor for detecting dust and/or other airborne particulates in an engine, e.g. in an aircraft gas turbine engine. The electrostatic sensor includes an outer housing having a sensing face, an electrode configured within the outer housing adjacent to the sensing face, and an amplifier configured with the electrode. The electrode contains a plurality of electrons configured to move as charged dust particles flow past the sensing face. Thus, the amplifier is configured to detect a dust level as a function of the electron movement. The electrostatic sensor also includes a circuit board configured within the outer housing and electrically coupled to the amplifier. Thus, the circuit board is configured to send the one or more signals to a controller of the engine indicative of the dust level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: John David Weickert, Andrew Scott Kessie, Philip T. Smith, Charles Rickards
  • Patent number: 9651469
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an integrated multi-chip module (MCM) sensor assembly having at least one electrostatic sensor and a circuit board. The electrostatic sensor includes an outer housing with an electrode and an amplifier configured therein. The electrode includes a first end and a second end separated by a predetermined length. The second end includes a sensing face that is substantially flush with an edge of the outer housing. Further, the electrode contains a plurality of electrons configured to respond to one or more charged particles that flow past the sensing face by moving either towards or away from the second end. Thus, the amplifier is electrically coupled to the electrode so as to detect a particle level flowing past the sensing face as a function of the electron movement. Moreover, the circuit board is configured within the outer housing and is electrically coupled to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John David Weickert, Andrew Scott Kessie, Philip T. Smith, Charles Rickards, James R. Noel, Gregory Griffin, Joshua Daniel Brown