Patents by Inventor Robert J. Norris
Robert J. Norris 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: 11413484Abstract: Disclosed is a method of monitoring pressure in a fire suppression system of an aircraft, the method providing: receiving a first pressure-vessel measured pressure from a first pressure-vessel pressure transducer connected to a first pressure-vessel; receiving a second pressure-vessel measured temperature from a second pressure-vessel temperature sensor connected to a second pressure-vessel; calculating a first pressure-vessel estimated pressure from the second pressure-vessel measured temperature; comparing the first pressure-vessel measured pressure With the first pressure-vessel estimated pressure; and providing a depressurization alert when a difference between the first pressure-vessel measured pressure and the first pressure-vessel estimated pressure is greater than a threshold thereby avoiding unscheduled aircraft downtime due to an erroneous or missing temperature measurement in the first pressure-vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Tadd F. Herron
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Patent number: 11237067Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting uncertainty in temperature detection systems. The system includes a temperature sensor including a ground sheath and a central conductor surrounded by the ground sheath, the ground sheath and the central conductor being electrically coupled to one another through a temperature dependent resistive element. The system includes a controller connected to the temperature sensor and adapted to detect an electrical parameter of the temperature dependent resistive element, the controller operable upon execution to output an uncertainty indication when the electrical parameter of the temperature dependent resistive element is not within an expected value range based on an aircraft status indication, a historical value of the electrical parameter, and the electrical parameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Tadd F. Herron, Scott Kenneth Newlin
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Patent number: 11099083Abstract: Provided are embodiments including a system for performing aircraft overheat detection using fiber optic monitoring of light reflectance changing temperature strips. Embodiments also include a sensing strip configured to detect a temperature of an object, a controller configured to monitor the sensing strip, and a fiber optic cable configured to transmit or receive a light signal to the sensing strip, wherein the fiber optic cable is operably coupled to the sensing strip and the controller. Embodiments also include a method for operating an aircraft overheat detection system.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Robert J. Norris
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Publication number: 20210055169Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting uncertainty in temperature detection systems. The system includes a temperature sensor including a ground sheath and a central conductor surrounded by the ground sheath, the ground sheath and the central conductor being electrically coupled to one another through a temperature dependent resistive element. The system includes a controller connected to the temperature sensor and adapted to detect an electrical parameter of the temperature dependent resistive element, the controller operable upon execution to output an uncertainty indication when the electrical parameter of the temperature dependent resistive element is not within an expected value range based on an aircraft status indication, a historical value of the electrical parameter, and the electrical parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Tadd F. Herron, Scott Kenneth Newlin
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Publication number: 20210023407Abstract: Disclosed is a method of monitoring pressure in a fire suppression system of an aircraft, the method providing: receiving a first pressure-vessel measured pressure from a first pressure-vessel pressure transducer connected to a first pressure-vessel; receiving a second pressure-vessel measured temperature from a second pressure-vessel temperature sensor connected to a second pressure-vessel; calculating a first pressure-vessel estimated pressure from the second pressure-vessel measured temperature; comparing the first pressure-vessel measured pressure With the first pressure-vessel estimated pressure; and providing a depressurization alert when a difference between the first pressure-vessel measured pressure and the first pressure-vessel estimated pressure is greater than a threshold thereby avoiding unscheduled aircraft downtime due to an erroneous or missing temperature measurement in the first pressure-vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Tadd F. Herron
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Patent number: 10782191Abstract: A system configured to monitor temperature in a plurality of zones of an aircraft includes an optical fiber with first and second ends, first and second connectors, and a first interrogator. The optical fiber includes a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings disposed in the optical fiber. The first connector is disposed on the first end of the optical fiber and the second connector is disposed on the second end of the optical fiber. The first interrogator is connected to the first connector and includes an optical switch. The optical switch is in optical communication with the first connector of the optical fiber and is configured to selectively block transmission of the optical signal to the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark Sherwood Miller, Robert J. Norris, Lei Liu
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Publication number: 20200292398Abstract: Provided are embodiments including a system for performing aircraft overheat detection using fiber optic monitoring of light reflectance changing temperature strips. Embodiments also include a sensing strip configured to detect a temperature of an object, a controller configured to monitor the sensing strip, and a fiber optic cable configured to transmit or receive a light signal to the sensing strip, wherein the fiber optic cable is operably coupled to the sensing strip and the controller. Embodiments also include a method for operating an aircraft overheat detection system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventor: Robert J. Norris
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Publication number: 20190311594Abstract: A battery container includes a battery housing and an end cap. The battery housing is configured to house a battery. The battery housing comprises an opening configured to receive the battery into the battery housing. The end cap is configured to seal the opening of the battery housing. The end cap comprises two or more discharge holes configured to release expanding gas from the battery housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Terry Simpson
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Publication number: 20190277709Abstract: A system configured to monitor temperature in a plurality of zones of an aircraft includes an optical fiber with first and second ends, first and second connectors, and a first interrogator. The optical fiber includes a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings disposed in the optical fiber. The first connector is disposed on the first end of the optical fiber and the second connector is disposed on the second end of the optical fiber. The first interrogator is connected to the first connector and includes an optical switch. The optical switch is in optical communication with the first connector of the optical fiber and is configured to selectively block transmission of the optical signal to the optical fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Mark Sherwood Miller, Robert J. Norris, Lei Liu
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Patent number: 10210733Abstract: A smoke detector of an aircraft cargo container includes a status light emitting diode (LED), at least one accelerometer, and one or more processors. The at least one accelerometer is configured to sense movement of the aircraft cargo container and provide a sensor signal representative of the sensed movement. The one or more processors is configured to receive the sensor signal and adjust a blinking rate of the status LED based upon the sensor signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Terry Simpson
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Patent number: 9823154Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a duct leak detection system of an aircraft is disclosed. A sensor of the duct leak detection system is selected at an interface of the duct leak detection system. An alternating current is sent through the selected sensor and a resistance of the selected sensor is measured using the alternating current. An indicative signal is generated at the interface when the measured resistance of the selected sensor is outside of a specification of the selected sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Robert J. Norris
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Publication number: 20160131551Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a duct leak detection system of an aircraft is disclosed. A sensor of the duct leak detection system is selected at an interface of the duct leak detection system. An alternating current is sent through the selected sensor and a resistance of the selected sensor is measured using the alternating current. An indicative signal is generated at the interface when the measured resistance of the selected sensor is outside of a specification of the selected sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventor: Robert J. Norris
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Publication number: 20120139550Abstract: An example arc fault detection system includes an electrical system, an electrical controller, a sensor, and a master controller. The electrical controller detects a voltage of the electrical system, a current of the electrical system, or both. The sensor detects an ultraviolet light level of the electrical system. The master controller is configured to communicate with the electrical controller and the sensor. The master controller isolates the electrical system in response to receiving a signal from the electrical controller and the sensor. An example method of isolating an arc fault in an electrical system includes detecting a voltage level, a current level, and an ultraviolet light level of the electrical system. The method isolates an arc fault based on the voltage level or the current level, and the ultraviolet light level from the detecting.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Thomas M. Gillis, Robert L. Fillmore, William Boyd Hubbard, Richard T. Wetzel, Robert J. Norris