The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 21, 2020
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2018
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Sina S. Golshany, Modesto, CA (US);
Martin M. Withington, Seattle, WA (US);
Lowell B. Campbell, Mukilteo, WA (US);
David A. Rathke, Everett, WA (US);
Tarek H. Elghoroury, Seattle, WA (US);
Matthew W. Orr, Kirkland, WA (US);
Gnanulan Canagaratna, Everett, WA (US);
THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A system includes a signal generator that is configured to generate a first electrical signal. The system also includes a light source configured to generate a light beam based on the first electrical signal. The light source is also configured to direct the light beam towards a structural member of an aircraft. The system also includes a photoelectric sensor configured to receive a reflected light beam and convert the reflected light beam to a second electrical signal. The reflected light beam corresponds to a portion of the light beam that is reflected from one or more optical reflectors coupled to the structural member. The system also includes circuitry configured to estimate a location of a center-of-gravity of the aircraft based on a timing difference between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.