Patents by Inventor Walter J. Rolston

Walter J. Rolston 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: 8570192
    Abstract: A multi-product avionics control and display unit (CDU). In implementations, the CDU may include a display and a processor coupled with the display. The processor is configurable to operate in a first mode to cause the display to present standby primary flight information associated with the aircraft and a second mode to control and display operation of one or more aircraft systems associated with the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. McLoughlin, Steven B. Willhoite, Walter J. Rolston, Joseph E. Gepner, Kevin C. Parmenter, Cory N. Douthat, Ryan C. Stark
  • Publication number: 20130076540
    Abstract: A multi-product avionics control and display unit (CDU). In implementations, the CDU may include a display and a processor coupled with the display. The processor is configurable to operate in a first mode to cause the display to present standby primary flight information associated with the aircraft and a second mode to control and display operation of one or more aircraft systems associated with the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. McLoughlin, Steven B. Willhoite, Walter J. Rolston, Joseph E. Gepner, Kevin C. Parmenter, Cory N. Douthat, Ryan C. Stark
  • Patent number: 8264376
    Abstract: A multi-product avionics control and display unit (CDU). In implementations, the CDU may include a display and a processor coupled with the display. The processor is configurable to operate in a first mode to cause the display to present standby primary flight information associated with the aircraft and a second mode to control and display operation of one or more aircraft systems associated with the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. McLoughlin, Steven B. Willhoite, Walter J. Rolston, Joseph E. Gepner
  • Patent number: 7473931
    Abstract: An improved device and method for mounting an avionic system is shown. The design provides varying locations of key components, which allows a single mounting system to be used with several varieties and configurations of aircraft within the crowded confines of an instrument panel. Ranges of flexibility with this system include the ability to arrange modules horizontally, and the ability to locate the display unit vertically. The multi-dimensional mounting flexibility of the mounting system shown allows electronic modules to be mounted in close proximity to a display unit, which greatly increases accessibility of the modules over prior configurations where modules were housed in the nose of the aircraft, the rear of the aircraft, or other remote locations. Installation, repair, and replacement are all greatly simplified with this configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Beseth, Sheldon T. Wheaton, Walter J. Rolston, Jared S. Klein
  • Patent number: 7188400
    Abstract: An improved device and method for mounting an avionic system is shown. The design provides varying locations of key components, which allows a single mounting system to be used with several varieties and configurations of aircraft within the crowded confines of an instrument panel. Ranges of flexibility with this system include the ability to arrange modules horizontally, and the ability to locate the display unit vertically. The multi-dimensional mounting flexibility of the mounting system shown allows electronic modules to be mounted in close proximity to a display unit, which greatly increases accessibility of the modules over prior configurations where modules were housed in the nose of the aircraft, the rear of the aircraft, or other remote locations. Installation, repair, and replacement are all greatly simplified with this configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Beseth, Sheldon T. Wheaton, Walter J. Rolston, Jared S. Klein
  • Patent number: 7094070
    Abstract: An improved device and method for a transmission line connector is shown. The transmission line connector includes a memory device. In one embodiment, the memory device allows the storage of parameters for use with an electronic module. In one embodiment, the location of the memory device allows a user to replace a broken module with a second module and upload any parameters stored in the memory device without having to manually re-enter the parameters from the new module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Ruff, Walter J. Rolston, Sheldon T. Wheaton
  • Patent number: 7052323
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a connector backshell, a conductor clamp, and a thermocouple attachment point. In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a connector backshell, a cover, a connector, a conductor clamp, and a thermocouple attachment point. A method of assembling a connector housing includes laying a plurality of unshielded conductor portions against a backshell support and clamping the plurality of unshielded conductor portions against the support. The method can also include attaching a thermocouple to a thermocouple attachment point on the backshell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian F. Ruff, Walter J. Rolston, Greg A. January
  • Patent number: 7008233
    Abstract: A device and method for mounting and wiring avionic equipment such as modules and display units in an aircraft is provided. The novel configuration utilizes a flexible guide that routes communication lines from a device such as a display unit to other devices such as avionic modules. Because the flexible guide is only allowed motion in substantially a two dimensional plane, the communication lines routed by the flexible guide are held securely in place before, during, and after any access procedure. Damage or failure of communication lines is prevented by the structural support of the flexible guide, while at the same time, the display unit may be easily removed to allow access to devices such as modules located behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian F. Ruff, Walter J. Rolston, Sheldon T. Wheaton
  • Patent number: 6960100
    Abstract: An improved device and method for grounding shields of transmission lines is shown. A grounding apparatus, a connector device, and methods associated with them are shown having improved efficiency and reliability among other advantages. Devices and methods shown eliminate a dressing and attaching step of grounding numerous grounding lines to a grounding element such as a connector housing. Devices and methods shown further improve quality and reliability of grounding operations using shielded transmission lines and transmission line connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian F. Ruff, Walter J. Rolston, David T. Mindrup
  • Patent number: 6899562
    Abstract: An improved device and method for grounding shields of transmission lines is shown. A grounding apparatus, a connector device, and methods associated with them are shown having improved efficiency and reliability among other advantages. Devices and methods shown eliminate a dressing and attaching step of grounding numerous grounding lines to a grounding element such as a connector housing. Devices and methods shown further improve quality and reliability of grounding operations using shielded transmission lines and transmission line connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Ruff, Walter J. Rolston, David T. Mindrup
  • Patent number: 6700787
    Abstract: An electronic equipment module, as well as a system and a method for mounting electronic equipment modules are disclosed, an electronic equipment module is provided as a symmetrical casting. The electronic equipment module includes a first chassis unit which attaches to a second chassis unit. Each chassis unit has a mounting recess adapted to receive one or more circuit assemblies. The mounting recesses can be separated by a cover applied to one unit, the other unit, or both. The module is normally mounted within a unit rack, and thus, can have a removably attachable, and re-orientable keyed surface on its rear face which mates with a corresponding keyed surface on the interior surface of the unit rack. The mounting system includes a mounting frame, a plurality of electronic equipment modules, and a unit rack coupled to at least one of the electronic equipment modules and the mounting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Beseth, Walter J. Rolston