B/e Aerospace, Inc.

Agi Suretrack LLC

Be Intellectual Property, Inc.

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

The Coleman Company, Inc.

Luke E Kelly

Keith R DeBald

Corey Barkhurst

Stuart A Dietz

Chad David Richardson

Brian P Mills

Winston Fliess

Byron A Devlin

Brian Rutherford

Cole Fincham

Keith Debald

Tianyu Lin

Chad Van Horn

Mohammad Al-Shorman

Craig Crosswait

Dan Aeschliman

Gail R Matheus

John Ellison

Christopher Williams

Computerized methods for determining a volume of an agricultural product in a container include using an image scanning system to determine a first and second point cloud of distance points. The distance points are classified as corresponding to one of the product or the container. The distance points classified as corresponding to the product are used to determine a volume change of the product. A topography of the product can also be isolated from the distance points classified as corresponding to the product, and the topography can be provided at an interview of a computing device.

Lidar scanning system and methods

A locking system securing an image scanning device to a container includes a compressible material. The compressible material is disposed between a first securing plate and a second securing plate. A rotational element is disposed within curved edges of the first and second securing plates, where the curved edges each curve away from the compressible material. A shaft extends from the rotational element to the image scanning device. A fastener is secured through the first and second securing plates, and into the securing surface to lock the rotational element, and subsequently the shaft and image scanning device, in place. The locking system can be secured to a pitched surface to naturally position the image scanning device perpendicular to level ground.

Locking system for aligning a device

An image scanning system for determining a volume of product in a container, such as a grain bin, is secured to the container with a locking system. The image scanning device comprises an image scanning head rotatable in a first direction about a body housing, while the body housing is rotatable in a second direction about a securing arm. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. An image scanning device, which can be a LiDAR device, is housed within the image scanning head to image the container and the product as the device components are rotated. Software for controlling the system and outputting a volume change and a typographical representation of the product within the container is further provided.

LiDAR scanning system and methods

A locking system securing an image scanning device to a container includes a first and second compressible material. A first securing plate is disposed between the first and second compressible materials, while a second securing plate is adjacent to the second compressible material on a surface opposite a surface of the second compressible material that is adjacent to the first securing plate. A ball is disposed within curved edges of the first and second securing plates, where the curved edges each curve away from the second compressible material. A shaft extends from the ball to the image scanning device. A fastener is secured through the first and second securing plates, and into the securing surface to lock the ball, and subsequently the shaft and image scanning device, in place. The locking system can be secured to a pitched surface to naturally position the image scanning device perpendicular to level ground.

In an illustrative embodiment, a flow-through fluid heating unit includes an annular member, and a heating element deposited on an inner surface of the annular member, the heating element including three sub-heating elements, each sub-heating element being connected to a separate conduit for receiving a separate phase of a three phase electrical power source. The heating unit may include a baffle core including at least one channel providing a fluid flow path, the baffle core being disposed within the annular member and proximate to the heating element. First and second end fittings may be disposed at each end of the annular member, each end fitting including a fluid port for allowing the fluid to flow through the annular member. One of the end fittings may be releasably connected to the annular member to provide access for removal of the baffle core.

Multi-phase circuit flow-through heater for aerospace beverage maker

A brewing apparatus may include a chassis dimensioned to fit within a compartment of an aircraft galley. The chassis may include a front chassis section and one or more guide rails configured to engage one or more tracks in the aircraft galley compartment. The front chassis section may include a brew head assembly with one or more server restraints or one or more brew cup restraints and a brew cup panel assembly. The brew cup panel assembly may include a hinge assembly configured to engage the brew head assembly and a brew cup panel. The brew cup panel may be coupled to the hinge assembly and may be configured to adjust the brew head assembly in a selected direction via actuation of the hinge assembly.

Aircraft galley brewing apparatus

The solenoid valve may include a coil, a stem core tube, and a core. The coil may include one or more electrical leads configured to provide the coil with an electric current. The coil may be configured to convert the electric current to a magnetic field. At least a portion of the stem core tube may be insertable within a coil channel. At least a portion of the core may be insertable within an end of the stem core tube and may be moveable within the stem core tube via the magnetic field. At least one of the stem core tube or the core may be fabricated from 434 stainless steel and treated with one or more corrosion prevention processes. The solenoid valve may be couplable to one or more components of the brewing apparatus. The brewing apparatus may be dimensioned to fit within a compartment of the aircraft galley.

Solenoid valve for aircraft galley brewing apparatus

A water heater for an aircraft beverage brewing apparatus includes a three way electrical conduit for conducting electrical power in three separate phases. The heater has a housing with a fluid inlet port at a first removable end piece and a fluid outlet port at a second removable end piece. The hollow cylindrical core incorporates a heating element wound around the core, and the housing includes three resettable temperature sensors at the outlet, each of the three resettable temperature sensors connected to a separate phase of power from the three way electrical conduit.

A thermally-actuated flow-restrictor device in an aircraft galley insert is provided that includes a housing formed of first and second flanged fittings. The first fitting includes an outlet port for connection to an aircraft galley insert, and the second fitting includes an inlet port for connection to an aircraft potable water supply. The second fitting also includes a boss surrounding the inlet port. A closure element contained within the housing includes a plurality of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion. This allows the element to actuate depending upon the temperature of water contacting the closure element. When water having a predetermined temperature contacts the closure element, its surface facing the inlet port becomes convexly positioned proximal to the boss, thereby restricting the backflow of water through the flow-restrictor device. Once the closure element cools, its surface facing the inlet port becomes concave, resulting in normal device operation.

Thermally-actuated flow-restrictor device for aircraft beverage maker

An aircraft water heating tank air vent valve includes an air vent valve housing having an upper vent valve body and a lower valve adapter sealingly mated together to define an interior chamber. A tubular collar is disposed within the interior chamber between an upper planar valve seat member and a lower notched valve seat member, and a ball float is movable within the tubular collar between first and second positions seated on the upper planar valve seat member or the lower notched valve seat member, respectively. The lower notched valve seat member includes oblique notches and frustoconical projections providing upper shoulders upon which the tubular collar is positioned, and providing outwardly flaring radially inner oblique edges upon which the ball float can be seated.

Aircraft water heating tank air vent valve

The present invention is a froth wand for an espresso machine that can generate a high velocity stream of steam to foam a beverage at the beverage brewing apparatus. The wand includes an adapter for attaching to the beverage brewing machine at a steam supply outlet, and a conduit for communicating the steam to a steam tube. The steam tube has a cylindrical body with an annular recessed exit, and is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath. The sheath includes a cylindrical plug with a small longitudinal aperture that fits into the outlet of the steam tube. The mating of the sheath's plug and the steam tube forces the steam through the aperture, accelerating the steam at the exit.

Froth wand for espresso maker

A brewing system for brewing a beverage is disclosed having an inlet for receiving fresh water for brewing, and a first solenoid for directing water to a water storage tank when a level in the water storage tank falls below a predetermined level. A pair of pumps direct water from the storage tank to a second solenoid. Two or more brew paths lead away from the second solenoid, each brew path including a heating element to heat the water flowing therethrough. The second prevents overpressurization in the brew paths by routing excess pressurized water from the respective brew path back through the second solenoid and out a drain line leading to a drain, where the path to the drain is not part of the brew path.

Pressure relief system for espresso maker

A brew basket for a brewing apparatus is disclosed having a housing adapted to couple the brew basket to a brewing apparatus and a platform extending from the housing, the platform including a brewing chamber defined by a continuous peripheral wall and a perforated floor. The perforated floor is coupled to a vertically reciprocating member at a first end for raising and lowering the perforated floor of the brew basket with respect to the continuous peripheral wall, the vertically reciprocating member extending below a lowermost surface of the platform so that it can be raised by lowering the platform onto a flat surface.

Growing community of inventors

Basehor, KS, United States of America

Luke E Kelly