Goodrich Corporation

Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.

Robert Edward Rudd, Iii

William B Spillman, Jr

Bruce R Kline

Douglas R Patriquin

William A Veronesi

Enrico Manes

Michael Anthony Lynch

Stephen Edward Tongue

Richard A Kolk

Richard Paul Metzger, Jr

Stuart James McCord

Sylvester M Ellinger

William Bernard Giannetti

Paul Martin Franz

Michael E Ellinger

David G Hess

Wei-Tei Shih

A runway traction estimation and reporting method and computer readable medium is provided. Upon detection of a landing event, a runway traction estimation and reporting method provides for various measurements and calculations to estimate the traction of the runway and create a traction map of the runway. A computer readable medium may contain instructions for a runway traction estimation and reporting processor directing the processor to perform various measurements and calculations to estimate the traction of the runway. The processor may communicate with a ground station or with other aircraft to produce collaborative results.

Runway traction estimation and reporting system

A differential brake control system is provided for a vehicle having first and second wheels on respective sides of a vertical axis of the vehicle. The system includes processing logic for computing a wheel brake command based on an input brake command indicative of a desired amount of braking. In addition, the system includes differential logic for adjusting the wheel brake command by first and second amounts to produce first wheel and second wheel brake commands, respectively, the first amount being different from the second amount.

Differential brake control and weighted average wheel speed for brake control system

An inductive proximity sensor for sensing the presence of target based on a change of inductance in the sensor. The sensor includes a coil and a core formed of a permeable material so as to form an electromagnetic field when the coil is electrically driven. The core has a base, a central post, an outer wall, and at least one slot. The central post extends distally from the base and through the coil and defines a distal end. The outer wall extends distally from the base and around the coil and also defines a distal end. The slot or slots are for enhancing the performance of the sensor by reducing eddy current losses in the core. Each slot extends at least partially along a path defined from the distal end of the outer wall to the base and from the base to the distal end of the central post.

Segmented core for an inductive proximity sensor

According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for providing brake control, autobrake and antiskid brake functionality by recognizing that the only difference between the three functions is the amount of deceleration they allow. Unlike a conventional system where the pedals represent brake pressure, the present invention interprets pedal commands as desired deceleration. The method and system involve controlling acceleration of a wheel reference speed and setting a desired slip based on autobrake settings, pedal positions, and various parameters. A proportional/integral/derivative algorithm controls wheel speed and is monitored for normal operation. Abnormal operation generates control parameters which are used to alter the wheel reference speed and its deceleration. Additionally, vehicles using the invention will benefit from improved yaw stability, even brake temperatures and differential braking during antiskid operation.

Brake control system

The present invention contemplates a significant departure from known shielded enclosure designs by providing an enclosure for electronic modules, comprising walls made of composite material including conductive fibers for shielding the enclosure interior from electromagnetic radiation, and means for securely mounting at least one module inside the enclosure with a fastener means, the mounting means comprising composite material. The present invention further contemplates methods for making shielded enclosures and card guides for such enclosures that represent a significant improvement over known enclosure designs. This invention contemplates composite cold walls and composite fins. These composite fins and cold walls may be used alone or together in structures and enclosures which are useful in conducting heat.

Composite enclosure for electronic hardware

A polarizerless optic sensor is provided that uses a random domain magneto-optic film and a modulated normal magnetic field to vary or modulate the energy distribution in a diffraction pattern. Light is transmitted through the film and is diffracted according to a domain duty cycle so that the center beam intensity is a function of the Faraday rotation angle of the material and the intensity of the applied normal magnetic field. The polarizerless sensor can be used to realize a speed and torque sensor, an optical switch, a magnetic field sensor and many other types of devices. The invention can be used with polarized and unpolarized input light. The sensor can be implemented using a random domain film or a stripe domain film to create a phase grating diffraction pattern.

Polarizerless magneto-optic speed and torque sensor

A displacement detector provides a light beam which impinges on an article with different combinations of light altering materials such as reflecting and non-reflecting surfaces, wave retarding plates, and linear polarizers attached to the article to determine angular position, relative angular displacement, and speed of rotatably mounted articles. These beam altering materials change either the polarization state or the magnitude of the light in a predictable manner. When used on different ends of a rotating shaft, the shaft speed and torsional displacement of the front shaft end with respect to the rear shaft end can be determined. When used with an article such as a rotatably mounted throttle, the angular displacement of the throttle can be determined.

Optical shaft angular and torsional displacement and speed sensing system

A rotating shaft torsional displacement and speed detector provides a light beam which impinges on one or both ends of the rotating shaft. Different combinations of beam altering materials such as reflecting and non-reflecting surfaces, wave retarding plates, and linear polarizers are attached to the front shaft end and rear shaft end. These beam altering materials change either the polarization or magnitude of the light beam in a predictable manner that allows for the detection of shaft speed and torsional displacement of the front shaft end with respect to the rear shaft end.

Growing community of inventors

Panton, VT, United States of America

Robert Edward Rudd, Iii