Patents by Inventor W. Horner

W. Horner 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).

  • Publication number: 20250100693
    Abstract: A distributed aircraft cabin pressure control system (CPCS), and techniques for interfacing the distributed CPCS to avionics. The CPCS-specific equipment of this disclosure is used in a variety of different type aircraft with no hardware or software change for each aircraft type. In this manner, CPCS-specific equipment is used in different type aircraft without the need for formal re-certification of the CPCS-specific equipment. The CPCS-specific equipment may operate with limited, and fixed, functionality and control algorithms in its hardware and software that would not change from airplane application to application, but it would instead use “gain terms” transmitted from the avionics. The distributed CPCS processes in the various avionics modules may send information to the CPCS-specific equipment that customizes the operation of the CPCS-specific equipment to that specific aircraft type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventor: Darrell W. Horner
  • Publication number: 20250051649
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a processes and systems for producing fuels from biomass with high carbon conversion efficiency. The processes and systems described herein provide a highly efficient process for producing hydrocarbons from biomass with very low Green House Gas (GHG) emissions using a specific combination of components, process flows, and recycle streams. The processes and systems described herein provide a carbon conversion efficiency greater than 95% with little to no GHG in the flue gas due to the novel arrangement of components and utilizes renewable energy to provide energy to some components. The system reuses water and carbon dioxide produced in the process flows and recycles naphtha and tail gas streams to other units in the system for additional conversion to syngas to produce hydrocarbon-based fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicant: DG Fuels, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Darcy, Michael W. Horner, Lyman Joseph Frost, Robert L. Freerks, Juan Francisco Pearcy Salinas, Daniel Benjamin Montoto
  • Publication number: 20250033779
    Abstract: In some examples, a thrust recovery valve system is configured to use an outflow valve to discharge a fluid flow from a cabin of an aircraft to an external environment surrounding the aircraft. The outflow valve may include a frame supported by a body of the aircraft and a gate configured to displace from the frame to define a flow passage for the discharge of the fluid follow. The thrust recovery valve system includes an obstacle configured to extend into the fluid flow in an extended position and retract from the fluid flow in a retracted position. In examples, the obstacle is configured to extend from and/or retract into a wall surface defined by the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventor: Darrell W. Horner
  • Patent number: 12129034
    Abstract: A cabin pressure control and monitoring system includes an outflow valve and a manual control panel comprising a selector switch and configured to generate a signal, wherein a value encoded in the signal is dependent on a position of the selector switch. The cabin pressure control and monitoring system also includes a controller configured to receive the signal from the manual control panel, determine a target rate of change for a cabin pressure based on the value encoded in the signal, and control the outflow valve based on the target rate of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Buck, Gerard McCoy, Darrell W. Horner
  • Patent number: 12098328
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a processes and systems for producing fuels from biomass with high carbon conversion efficiency. The processes and systems described herein provide a highly efficient process for producing hydrocarbons from biomass with very low Green House Gas (GHG) emissions using a specific combination of components, process flows, and recycle streams. The processes and systems described herein provide a carbon conversion efficiency greater than 95% with little to no GHG in the flue gas due to the novel arrangement of components and utilizes renewable energy to provide energy to some components. The system reuses water and carbon dioxide produced in the process flows and recycles naphtha and tail gas streams to other units in the system for additional conversion to syngas to produce hydrocarbon-based fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: DG FUELS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Darcy, Michael W. Horner, Lyman Joseph Frost, Robert L. Freerks, Juan Francisco Pearcy Salinas, Daniel Benjamin Montoto
  • Publication number: 20240305224
    Abstract: A high-integrity electromechanical actuator control system includes a system function controller, a plurality of actuator controllers, and at least one electromechanical actuator. Each actuator controller includes a primary channel having a first controller, a second controller, and a duty cycle computation circuit, and includes a backup channel having a backup controller. The first controller receives digital actuator control commands from two functional control channels and supplies first digital duty cycle commands. The second controller receives digital actuator control commands from two functional control channels and supplies second digital duty cycle commands. The duty cycle computation circuit computes an average of the first and second duty cycle commands and generates pulse width modulated (PWM) commutation control signals based on the computed average.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, Ronald Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20240262492
    Abstract: A system configuration significantly reduces the number of interconnections needed between an electromechanical actuator (EMA) and an EMA controller (EMAC) while maintaining redundancy and other safety aspects needed by the target application. This allows simplification of communication interfaces between multiple sensors in the EMA and EMAC and unification of the interface to multiple sensors inside the EMAC, leading to cost and weight reduction that can be significant for many aerospace products and applications, including unmanned vehicle (e.g., UAM/UAV) applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Petr Hanus, Ondrej Hajek, Ondrej Mandel, Darrell W. Horner
  • Publication number: 20240263968
    Abstract: A digital surface position sensor includes a position sensor, an adaptable hardware interface, and a processing circuit. The position sensor is adapted to be coupled to an aircraft flight control surface and is configured to sense a position of the aircraft flight control surface and supply a position signal representative thereof. The adaptable hardware input supplies an identification signal that identifies the aircraft flight control surface to which the position sensor is coupled. The processing circuit is coupled to receive the position signal and the identification signal. The processing circuit is configured, upon receipt of the signals, to process the position signal and the identification signal and generate (i) a first digital position signal representative of the position of, and the identification of, the aircraft flight control surface and (ii) and independent second digital signal representative of the position of, and the identification of, the aircraft flight control surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Darrell W. Horner
  • Publication number: 20240140608
    Abstract: A cabin pressure control system comprising an automatic motor controller (AMC); and a manual motor controller (MMC) that comprises a motor configured to regulate cabin pressure; a cabin pressure sensor configured to determine a first set of cabin pressure data; a differential pressure sensor comprising first and second ports, the first port configured to obtain a second set of cabin pressure data and the second port configured to obtain a first set of ambient pressure data; processing circuitry coupled to the cabin pressure sensor and to the differential pressure sensor, the processing circuitry configured to receive the first set of cabin pressure data; determine a first set of differential pressure data, the first set of differential pressure data relating the second set of cabin pressure data with the first set of ambient pressure data; disable the AMC; and control the motor to regulate the cabin pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, David Buck, Shawn Barber
  • Publication number: 20230119589
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a processes and systems for producing fuels from biomass with high carbon conversion efficiency. The processes and systems described herein provide a highly efficient process for producing hydrocarbons from biomass with very low Green House Gas (GHG) emissions using a specific combination of components, process flows, and recycle streams. The processes and systems described herein provide a carbon conversion efficiency greater than 95% with little to no GHG in the flue gas due to the novel arrangement of components and utilizes renewable energy to provide energy to some components. The system reuses water and carbon dioxide produced in the process flows and recycles naphtha and tail gas streams to other units in the system for additional conversion to syngas to produce hydrocarbon-based fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: DG Fuels, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Darcy, Michael W. Horner, Lyman Joseph Frost, Robert L. Freerks, Juan Francisco Pearcy Salinas, Daniel Benjamin Montoto
  • Patent number: 11603206
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an independent manual control system of an all-electric cabin pressure control system (CPCS). The manual control system may include a momentary electrical switch to manually set the position of an outflow valve (OFV) along with a closed loop control to hold the cabin pressure at the pressure setpoint. The closed loop control of the manual control system is independent from the automatic pressure control functions of the all-electric CPCS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, David Buck, Robert William Olson, Gerard McCoy
  • Patent number: 11591092
    Abstract: In some examples, a cabin pressure control and monitoring system includes an outflow valve, a first motor configured to operate the outflow valve to release fluid from a cabin, and a second motor configured to operate the outflow valve to release fluid from the cabin. The cabin pressure control and monitoring system also includes a first microcontroller configured to automatically control the first motor based on a pressure of the fluid in the cabin. The cabin pressure control and monitoring system further includes a second microcontroller configured to control the second motor based on user input and monitor the pressure of the fluid in the cabin. In some examples, a type of the first microcontroller is different than a type of the second microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell W. Horner
  • Publication number: 20220313782
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods and compositions for treating a premature aging disorder or neurodegenerative disorder, particularly neurodegenerative disorders associated with amyloid deposition and neuronal death, such as Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for treating a premature aging disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering a TERT activating therapy to the subject. Further aspects relate to a method for treating a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject comprising administering a TERT activating therapy to the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Ronald A. DEPINHO, Yaoqi Alan WANG, Hong Seok SHIM, James W. HORNER
  • Publication number: 20220289391
    Abstract: In some examples, a cabin pressure control and monitoring system includes an outflow valve and a manual control panel comprising a selector switch and configured to generate a signal, wherein a value encoded in the signal is dependent on a position of the selector switch. The cabin pressure control and monitoring system also includes a controller configured to receive the signal from the manual control panel, determine a target rate of change for a cabin pressure based on the value encoded in the signal, and control the outflow valve based on the target rate of change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: David Buck, Gerard McCoy, Darrell W. Horner
  • Publication number: 20200298979
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an independent manual control system of an all-electric cabin pressure control system (CPCS). The manual control system may include a momentary electrical switch to manually set the position of an outflow valve (OFV) along with a closed loop control to hold the cabin pressure at the pressure setpoint. The closed loop control of the manual control system is independent from the automatic pressure control functions of the all-electric CPCS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, David Buck, Robert William Olson, Gerard McCoy
  • Publication number: 20200298978
    Abstract: In some examples, a cabin pressure control and monitoring system includes an outflow valve, a first motor configured to operate the outflow valve to release fluid from a cabin, and a second motor configured to operate the outflow valve to release fluid from the cabin. The cabin pressure control and monitoring system also includes a first microcontroller configured to automatically control the first motor based on a pressure of the fluid in the cabin. The cabin pressure control and monitoring system further includes a second microcontroller configured to control the second motor based on user input and monitor the pressure of the fluid in the cabin. In some examples, a type of the first microcontroller is different than a type of the second microcontroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Darrell W. Horner
  • Patent number: 10106263
    Abstract: A pressure control system includes a first sensor, and a second sensor which is dis-similar to the first sensor, where the second sensor generates a same processed data as the first sensor does, but in a way different from the first sensor does. A receiving unit is connected to the first sensor and the second sensor by a wireless connection to receive the processed data from the first sensor and the second sensor. In addition, the receiving unit is connected to the first sensor by a second connection different from the wireless connection to receive the processed data from the first sensor. Additional receiving units are connected to the first sensor and the second sensor by the wireless connection to receive the processed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Darrell W Horner
  • Publication number: 20170247112
    Abstract: A pressure control system includes a first sensor, and a second sensor which is dis-similar to the first sensor, where the second sensor generates a same processed data as the first sensor does, but in a way different from the first sensor does. A receiving unit is connected to the first sensor and the second sensor by a wireless connection to receive the processed data from the first sensor and the second sensor. In addition, the receiving unit is connected to the first sensor by a second connection different from the wireless connection to receive the processed data from the first sensor. Additional receiving units are connected to the first sensor and the second sensor by the wireless connection to receive the processed data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Darrell W. Horner
  • Patent number: 8808072
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cabin pressure control system that comprises a first outflow valve having a first motor controlled by a first outflow valve controller, the first outflow valve having a first backup motor controlled by a first backup controller. A second outflow valve has a second motor controlled by a second outflow valve controller, the second outflow valve also having a second backup motor controlled by a second backup controller. Upon failure of the first outflow valve controller, the second outflow valve controller controls the first outflow valve via the first backup controller and the first backup motor; and upon failure of the second outflow valve controller, the first outflow valve controller controls the second outflow valve via the second backup controller and the second backup motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, Joaquin P. Rabon
  • Patent number: 7686680
    Abstract: Testing of an aircraft pressure control system may be performed without use of an altitude chamber. Aircraft cabin configuration date may be modeled and used, along with high resolution positional feedback from a simulated valve, to produce a high resolution electrical signal that may represent a simulated cabin pressure. A voltage-to-pressure transducer may convert the electrical signal to a pneumatic signal. The pneumatic signal may be employed to operate a cabin-pressure controller under test. The controller may operate an outflow valve actuator and an attached potentiometer. The potentiometer may produce a feedback signal and closed-loop testing of the aircraft pressure control system may thus be performed. The outflow valve actuator may be operated without being attached to an outflow valve because a simulated aerodynamic load may be applied to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, Timothy C. Biss, Timothy J. Hilzendeger