Patents by Inventor Terry J. Ahrendt

Terry J. Ahrendt 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: 8453160
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for authorizing a command of an integrated modular environment in which a plurality of partitions control actions of a plurality of effectors is provided. A first identifier, a second identifier, and a third identifier are determined. The first identifier identifies a first partition of the plurality of partitions from which the command originated. The second identifier identifies a first effector of the plurality of effectors for which the command is intended. The third identifier identifies a second partition of the plurality of partitions that is responsible for controlling the first effector. The first identifier and the third identifier are compared to determine whether the first partition is the same as the second partition for authorization of the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dean E. Sunderland, Terry J. Ahrendt, Tim Moore
  • Publication number: 20110225596
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for authorizing a command of an integrated modular environment in which a plurality of partitions control actions of a plurality of effectors is provided. A first identifier, a second identifier, and a third identifier are determined. The first identifier identifies a first partition of the plurality of partitions from which the command originated. The second identifier identifies a first effector of the plurality of effectors for which the command is intended. The third identifier identifies a second partition of the plurality of partitions that is responsible for controlling the first effector. The first identifier and the third identifier are compared to determine whether the first partition is the same as the second partition for authorization of the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Dean E. Sunderland, Terry J. Ahrendt, Tim Moore
  • Patent number: 7248453
    Abstract: A solenoid control circuit that includes two switching networks that are selectively opened and closed in a current limit cycle to control the magnitude of the current flowing through the solenoid. The configuration of the switching networks is such that current flows through an energy dissipating resistor only when the solenoid is commanded off by the solenoid control circuit, and not during the current limit cycle. Thus, the energy dissipated by this resistor is reduced relative to other solenoid control circuits, making it more efficient, and reducing EMI emissions from the circuit while providing for a fast solenoid response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Ahrendt
  • Patent number: 6850402
    Abstract: A solenoid control circuit that includes two switching networks that are selectively opened and closed in a current limit cycle to control the magnitude of the current flowing through the solenoid. The configuration of the switching networks is such that current flows through an energy dissipating resistor only when the solenoid is commanded off by the solenoid control circuit, and not during the current limit cycle. Thus, the energy dissipated by this resistor is reduced relative to other solenoid control circuits, making it more efficient, and reducing EMI emissions from the circuit while providing for a fast solenoid response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Ahrendt
  • Patent number: 6684623
    Abstract: A gearless electric thrust reverser actuator includes an electric motor that is coupled to a jack screw without any intervening gears. The actuator may additionally include all of the actuation and sensing components in a single actuation package. Thus, the actuator is relatively lightweight and compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Langston, Andrew T. Johnson, Terry J. Ahrendt
  • Patent number: 6655125
    Abstract: An electromechanical thrust reverser actuation system that is designed with non-symmetric redundant channels is interfaced with an aircraft engine control system that is also redundantly designed. In one embodiment, the engine control system is also designed with non-symmetric redundant channels, and in another embodiment it is designed with symmetric redundant channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Johnson, Terry J. Ahrendt, Richard J. Foley, Michael R. Madsen, Kevin K. Chakkera
  • Publication number: 20030192987
    Abstract: An electric control system and method for operating the cowl doors of an aircraft engine that includes one embodiment with one or more electric motors that are energized to move the cowl doors to the open position. The motor is de-energized and the cowl doors are allowed to close under their own weight, driving the motor and causing it to operate as a generator. An electrical load absorbs the energy generated by the motor while the cowl doors close, thereby limiting the speed at which the doors close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Terry J. Ahrendt, Andrew T. Johnson, Kevin K. Chakkera
  • Patent number: 6622963
    Abstract: An electric control system and method for operating the cowl doors of an aircraft engine that includes one embodiment with one or more electric motors that are energized to move the cowl doors to the open position. The motor is de-energized and the cowl doors are allowed to close under their own weight, driving the motor and causing it to operate as a generator. An electrical load absorbs the energy generated by the motor while the cowl doors close, thereby limiting the speed at which the doors close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Ahrendt, Andrew T. Johnson, Kevin K. Chakkera
  • Publication number: 20030165038
    Abstract: A solenoid control circuit that includes two switching networks that are selectively opened and closed in a current limit cycle to control the magnitude of the current flowing through the solenoid. The configuration of the switching networks is such that current flows through an energy dissipating resistor only when the solenoid is commanded off by the solenoid control circuit, and not during the current limit cycle. Thus, the energy dissipated by this resistor is reduced relative to other solenoid control circuits, making it more efficient, and reducing EMI emissions from the circuit while providing for a fast solenoid response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Terry J. Ahrendt
  • Publication number: 20030159429
    Abstract: A gearless electric thrust reverser actuator includes an electric motor that is coupled to a jack screw without any intervening gears. The actuator may additionally include all of the actuation and sensing components in a single actuation package. Thus, the actuator is relatively lightweight and compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Todd A. Langston, Andrew T. Johnson, Terry J. Ahrendt
  • Publication number: 20030101712
    Abstract: An electromechanical thrust reverser actuation system that is designed with non-symmetric redundant channels is interfaced with an aircraft engine control system that is also redundantly designed. In one embodiment, the engine control system is also designed with non-symmetric redundant channels, and in another embodiment it is designed with symmetric redundant channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew T. Johnson, Terry J. Ahrendt, Richard J. Foley, Michael R. Madsen, Kevin K. Chakkera
  • Patent number: 6439504
    Abstract: An electric thrust reverser actuation system includes an electric motors that is controlled to operate in both a motoring mode and a generating mode. During normal actuation system operations, the electric motor is controlled to operate in the motoring mode to move one or more moveable thrust reverser components. During a power interrupt event, in which the motor's primary power source is lost, the motor is controlled to operate in the generating mode. The electrical power generated by the motor during its operation in the generating mode maintains the thrust reverser system locking mechanisms in an energized, unlocked condition, thereby preventing damage to system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Ahrendt
  • Patent number: 6211665
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is described which detects when the moving member of an electromagnetic device is in motion by detecting coincidence of energization of the device coil and a negative first differential of the current/time waveform and a positive first differential of the voltage/time waveform through said coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Ahrendt, Stephen G. Abel
  • Patent number: 4791343
    Abstract: A stepper motor shaft position sensor differentiates the current provided when the stepper motor is excited as by a step command voltage. The differentiated current is, in effect, a signature indicative of whether or not the motor shaft has taken a step. If the differentiated current falls below a predetermined level within a predetermined interval the motor shaft has taken a step as indicated by a sensor output at a predetermined logic level. Otherwise, the sensor output is at another predetermined logic level indicating that a step has not been taken and the motor is in a stalled condition. The sensor output is applied to a utilizing means which provides a continuous verification of the steppper motor shaft position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Ahrendt