Patents by Inventor Sean C. O'Connor

Sean C. O'Connor 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: 8630781
    Abstract: A regeneration energy shunt system utilizes a module to monitor the power bus voltage and can divert excess regeneration energy to a resistor array to dissipate the excess regeneration energy. The module can monitor the state of charge of an energy storage device to ascertain when excess regeneration energy condition exists. The resistor array can include a plurality of resistors. The module can ascertain the number of resistors needed dissipate the excess regeneration energy and selectively direct the excess regeneration energy to the required number of resistors. The module can dynamically switch which resistors are used to dissipate the excess regeneration energy and can thereby even out the loading across the resistors. The module can ascertain a state of health of the individual resistors and remove unhealthy resistors from service, report the state of health of the resistors, and initiate changes in operation based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Sean C. O'Connor, Kenneth R. Wilson, Jeffrey A. Millard
  • Patent number: 8521384
    Abstract: A turf maintenance vehicle all-wheel drive traction control system includes a primary wheel propelling the vehicle. A first motor rotates the primary wheel. A traction control system has a first portion communicating with the first motor to monitor either a first motor current demand or a rotational speed of the primary wheel or the first motor and generates a traction control value. A secondary wheel rotated by a second motor steers the vehicle in a vehicle non-slip condition. A traction control system second portion determines a secondary wheel steering angle value. A speed threshold limit stored in the traction control system compared to the traction control value generates a slippage occurrence message indicative of a primary wheel traction loss event. A second motor drive signal created by comparing the steering angle value and the slippage occurrence message energizes the second motor during the traction loss event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Sean C. O'Connor, Gregory Merriweather, Harry L. Derby, V, Martin M. Carlson, Kenneth R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120316721
    Abstract: A regeneration energy shunt system utilizes a module to monitor the power bus voltage and can divert excess regeneration energy to a resistor array to dissipate the excess regeneration energy. The module can monitor the state of charge of an energy storage device to ascertain when excess regeneration energy condition exists. The resistor array can include a plurality of resistors. The module can ascertain the number of resistors needed dissipate the excess regeneration energy and selectively direct the excess regeneration energy to the required number of resistors. The module can dynamically switch which resistors are used to dissipate the excess regeneration energy and can thereby even out the loading across the resistors. The module can ascertain a state of health of the individual resistors and remove unhealthy resistors from service, report the state of health of the resistors, and initiate changes in operation based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Sean C. O'CONNOR, Kenneth R. WILSON, Jeffrey A. MILLARD
  • Patent number: 8275502
    Abstract: A regeneration energy shunt system utilizes a module to monitor the power bus voltage and can divert excess regeneration energy to a resistor array to dissipate the excess regeneration energy. The module can monitor the state of charge of a rechargeable power source to ascertain when excess regeneration energy condition exists. The resistor array can include a plurality of resistors. The module can ascertain the number of resistors needed dissipate the excess regeneration energy and selectively direct the excess regeneration energy to the required number of resistors. The module can dynamically switch which resistors are used to dissipate the excess regeneration energy and can thereby even out the loading across the resistors. The module can ascertain a state of health of the individual resistors and remove unhealthy resistors from service, report the state of health of the resistors, and initiate changes in operation based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Sean C. O'Connor, Kenneth R. Wilson, Jeffrey A. Millard
  • Publication number: 20090192661
    Abstract: A regeneration energy shunt system utilizes a module to monitor the power bus voltage and can divert excess regeneration energy to a resistor array to dissipate the excess regeneration energy. The module can monitor the state of charge of a rechargeable power source to ascertain when excess regeneration energy condition exists. The resistor array can include a plurality of resistors. The module can ascertain the number of resistors needed dissipate the excess regeneration energy and selectively direct the excess regeneration energy to the required number of resistors. The module can dynamically switch which resistors are used to dissipate the excess regeneration energy and can thereby even out the loading across the resistors. The module can ascertain a state of health of the individual resistors and remove unhealthy resistors from service, report the state of health of the resistors, and initiate changes in operation based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Sean C. O'Connor, Kenneth R. Wilson, Jeffrey A. Millard
  • Publication number: 20090192691
    Abstract: A turf maintenance vehicle all-wheel drive traction control system includes a primary wheel propelling the vehicle. A first motor rotates the primary wheel. A traction control system has a first portion communicating with the first motor to monitor either a first motor current demand or a rotational speed of the primary wheel or the first motor and generates a traction control value. A secondary wheel rotated by a second motor steers the vehicle in a vehicle non-slip condition. A traction control system second portion determines a secondary wheel steering angle value. A speed threshold limit stored in the traction control system compared to the traction control value generates a slippage occurrence message indicative of a primary wheel traction loss event. A second motor drive signal created by comparing the steering angle value and the slippage occurrence message energizes the second motor during the traction loss event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Sean C. O'Connor, Gregory Merriweather, Harry L. Derby, V, Martin M. Carlson, Kenneth R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4508901
    Abstract: Angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors A-58365 factors A, B, and C are produced by culturing Streptomyces chromofuscus NRRL 15098 under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions and are isolated and purified from the acidic filtered fermentation broth via chromatography, in particular HPLC. The factors are useful hypotensive agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Jon S. Mynderse, Sean C. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 4404281
    Abstract: Angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor A-58365 factor A is produced in enhanced yields by culturing Streptomyces chromofuscus NRRL 15098 under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions in a proline supplemented aqueous nutrient culture medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Sean C. O'Connor, Walter M. Nakatsukasa