Patents by Inventor Thomas Earl Johnson
Thomas Earl Johnson 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: 11840330Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a tiltrotor aircraft having a wing, a proprotor pivotably mounted on the wing, and a downstop striker attached to the proprotor using a load pin, wherein the load pin is configured to generate an output signal representing a force between the proprotor and the wing. A downstop mounted on the wing is aligned to be in contact with the downstop striker when the proprotor is in a horizontal position. A conversion actuator moves the proprotor between a horizontal position and vertical position. A flight control computer is coupled to the output signal from the load pin and configured to control the conversion actuator, wherein the flight control computer is configured to cause the conversion actuator to increase the force if the force is less than a first selected preload value or to decrease the force if the force is greater than a second selected preload value.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Evan Butler Bennett, George Ryan Decker, Thomas Earl Johnson
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Patent number: 11745858Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of managing force equalization (FEQ) on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the measured force. The method also includes analyzing movement over at least a portion of the measured-force time series. The method also includes identifying a force-fight cycle in the measured-force time series. The method also includes indicating the force-fight cycle in cumulative force-fight cycle data for the first actuation system.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Clifton Harrell, Christos Bais, Curtis R. Higgens, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., David Adjei
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Patent number: 11628928Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of monitoring force equalization (FEQ) sensors on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a first measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems that include the first actuation system. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the first measured force. The method also includes determining variation in at least a portion of the measured-force time series responsive to the updating. The method also includes identifying a first static condition in the measured-force time series in response to a determination that the variation in the measured-force time series is no greater than a minimum amount of variation.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Clifton L. Harrell, Christos Bais, Curtis R. Higgens, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., David Adjei
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Publication number: 20220281587Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of monitoring force equalization (FEQ) sensors on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a first measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems that include the first actuation system. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the first measured force. The method also includes determining variation in at least a portion of the measured-force time series responsive to the updating. The method also includes identifying a first static condition in the measured-force time series in response to a determination that the variation in the measured-force time series is no greater than a minimum amount of variation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Clifton L. HARRELL, Christos BAIS, Curtis R. HIGGENS, Thomas Earl JOHNSON, JR., David ADJEI
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Publication number: 20220281588Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of managing force equalization (FEQ) on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the measured force. The method also includes analyzing movement over at least a portion of the measured-force time series. The method also includes identifying a force-fight cycle in the measured-force time series. The method also includes indicating the force-fight cycle in cumulative force-fight cycle data for the first actuation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Clifton HARRELL, Christos BAIS, Curtis R. HIGGENS, Thomas Earl JOHNSON, JR., David ADJEI
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Publication number: 20220267025Abstract: A pylon tracking system for a tiltrotor aircraft including first and second pylons each having a pylon conversion actuator with primary and backup drive systems. The pylon tracking system includes a plurality of rotary position sensors including a first rotary position sensor coupled to the primary drive system of the first pylon, a second rotary position sensor coupled to the backup drive system of the first pylon, a third rotary position sensor coupled to the primary drive system of the second pylon and a fourth rotary position sensor coupled to the backup drive system of the second pylon. A flight control computer is in communication with the plurality of rotary position sensors and is configured to process feedback therefrom to identify a differential pylon angle between the first and second pylons during pylon conversion operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jacob Eugene Augustyn, Evan Butler Bennett, Charles Eric Covington, Thomas Earl Johnson, JR.
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Publication number: 20220266997Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a tiltrotor aircraft having a wing, a proprotor pivotably mounted on the wing, and a downstop striker attached to the proprotor using a load pin, wherein the load pin is configured to generate an output signal representing a force between the proprotor and the wing. A downstop mounted on the wing is aligned to be in contact with the downstop striker when the proprotor is in a horizontal position. A conversion actuator moves the proprotor between a horizontal position and vertical position. A flight control computer is coupled to the output signal from the load pin and configured to control the conversion actuator, wherein the flight control computer is configured to cause the conversion actuator to increase the force if the force is less than a first selected preload value or to decrease the force if the force is greater than a second selected preload value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Evan Butler Bennett, George Ryan Decker, Thomas Earl Johnson
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Patent number: 11117653Abstract: An rotorcraft including a pilot control, a pilot control position sensor connected to the pilot control and operable to generate a position signal indicating a position of the pilot control, a flight control computer (FCC) in signal communication with the pilot control position sensor and operable to provide a tactile cue in the pilot control in response to the position signal indicating the position of the pilot control exceeds a threshold associated with an operating limit, and further operable to determine a tactile cueing value for the tactile cue according to a relationship between the position of the pilot control and the threshold, and generate a cue control signal according to the tactile cueing value, and a tactile cue element connected to the pilot control and in signal communication with the FCC and operable to control action of the pilot control in response to the cue control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Bradley Don Linton, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., Luke Dafydd Gillett, Robert Earl Worsham, II, Jillian Samantha Alfred
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Publication number: 20190161180Abstract: An rotorcraft including a pilot control, a pilot control position sensor connected to the pilot control and operable to generate a position signal indicating a position of the pilot control, a flight control computer (FCC) in signal communication with the pilot control position sensor and operable to provide a tactile cue in the pilot control in response to the position signal indicating the position of the pilot control exceeds a threshold associated with an operating limit, and further operable to determine a tactile cueing value for the tactile cue according to a relationship between the position of the pilot control and the threshold, and generate a cue control signal according to the tactile cueing value, and a tactile cue element connected to the pilot control and in signal communication with the FCC and operable to control action of the pilot control in response to the cue control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Bradley Don Linton, Thomas Earl Johnson, JR., Luke Dafydd Gillett, Robert Earl Worsham, II, Jillian Samantha Alfred
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Patent number: 9513183Abstract: A process fluid pressure transmitter includes a sensor body having a pressure sensor and electronics coupled to the pressure sensor to obtain an indication of pressure from the pressure sensor. At least one process fluid isolation assembly is fluidically coupled to the pressure sensor and is configured to receive a process fluid. The process fluid isolation assembly includes an isolation diaphragm welded to a weld ring. The weld ring has a sealing surface on a first side adapted for contact with a metal sealing ring and a weld portion welded to the sensor body on a second side. The sealing surface and the weld are substantially aligned with one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventors: Tyler Matthew Thompson, David Anthony Horky, Thomas Earl Johnson
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Publication number: 20150377733Abstract: A process fluid pressure transmitter includes a sensor body having a pressure sensor and electronics coupled to the pressure sensor to obtain an indication of pressure from the pressure sensor. At least one process fluid isolation assembly is fluidically coupled to the pressure sensor and is configured to receive a process fluid. The process fluid isolation assembly includes an isolation diaphragm welded to a weld ring. The weld ring has a sealing surface on a first side adapted for contact with a metal sealing ring and a weld portion welded to the sensor body on a second side. The sealing surface and the weld are substantially aligned with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Tyler Matthew Thompson, David Anthony Horky, Thomas Earl Johnson