Patents by Inventor Robert Paul Gradle

Robert Paul Gradle 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: 8025256
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a split detent tactile cueing control system comprising an inceptor, a position sensor, vehicle sensors, and a flight control computer. The inceptor can be moved into different positions measured by a position sensor. The vehicle sensors generate signals in response to detecting parameters about a vehicle during a flight. The flight control computer is coupled to the inceptor and the vehicle sensors. The flight control computer is capable of generating actuation signals used to generate tactile cues to generate a flight path hold detent and an altitude hold detent within the plurality of positions using a force feel profile and the parameters. An extension of a latch force from the flight path hold detent to the altitude hold detent is present during changes in vehicle direction. Series actuator compensation allows increased split detent separation with insignificant command overshoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David George Miller, Robert Paul Gradle, James E. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090266940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a split detent tactile cueing control system comprising an inceptor, a position sensor, vehicle sensors, and a flight control computer. The inceptor can be moved into different positions measured by a position sensor. The vehicle sensors generate signals in response to detecting parameters about a vehicle during a flight. The flight control computer is coupled to the inceptor and the vehicle sensors. The flight control computer is capable of generating actuation signals used to generate tactile cues to generate a flight path hold detent and an altitude hold detent within the plurality of positions using a force feel profile and the parameters. An extension of a latch force from the flight path hold detent to the altitude hold detent is present during changes in vehicle direction. Series actuator compensation allows increased split detent separation with insignificant command overshoot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: David George Miller, Robert Paul Gradle, James E. Taylor