Chris M Townsend

US Patent:

7672781, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Jun 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/446637

Inventors:

David L. Churchill - Burlington VT, US
Michael John Hamel - Essex Junction VT, US
Chris Prvyn Townsend - Shelburne VT, US
Steven W. Arms - Williston VT, US

Assignee:

Microstrain, Inc. - Williston VT

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701220, 73488

Abstract:

A system includes a moveable body and a first device for mounting on the movable body. The first device includes an orientation sensor, an inertial position sensor, a first processor, a frequency agile RF transceiver, and a memory device.

US Patent:

7719416, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Sep 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/518777

Inventors:

Steven W. Arms - Williston VT, US
Chris Pruyn Townsend - Shelburne VT, US
David Lawrence Churchill - Burlington VT, US
Michael John Hamel - Essex Junction VT, US

Assignee:

MicroStrain, Inc. - Williston VT

International Classification:

G08B 1/08
G08B 23/00
G08B 13/00

US Classification:

3405391, 340506, 340517, 340521, 340566, 3406931, 340429, 3405393, 34053913, 3406934, 340683, 307151, 310339, 702 33, 702 42, 702187

Abstract:

A method of maintaining a structure includes providing a structure having a component subject to failure. A sensor, a memory and an energy harvesting device are mounted on the structure. The sensor is used and data derived from the sensor logged in the memory, wherein the memory is powered solely with energy derived from the energy harvesting device. The component is replaced if information in the memory shows that the component was subject to damaging usage.

US Patent:

8638217, Jan 28, 2014

Filed:

Mar 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/723284

Inventors:

Steven W. Arms - Williston VT, US
Chris Pruyn Townsend - Shelburne VT, US
David Lawrence Churchill - Burlington VT, US
Michael John Hamel - Essex Junction VT, US

Assignee:

Lord Corporation - Cary NC

International Classification:

G08B 1/08
G08B 23/00
G08B 13/00

US Classification:

3405391, 340506, 340517, 340521, 340566, 3406931, 340429, 3405393, 34053913, 3406934, 340683, 307151, 310339, 702 33, 702 42, 702187

Abstract:

A system comprises a sensing node that includes a sensor, a processor, an energy harvesting circuit, a time keeper, a first energy storage device, and a second energy storage device. The energy harvesting circuit is connected for recharging the first energy storage device. The processor is connected for receiving all its power derived from the energy harvesting circuit. The second energy storage device is connected for powering the time keeper.

US Patent:

20110285527, Nov 24, 2011

Filed:

Aug 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/196031

Inventors:

Steven W. Arms - Williston VT, US
Chris Pruyn Townsend - Shelburne VT, US
David Lawrence Churchill - Burlington VT, US
Michael John Hamel - Essex Junction VT, US

International Classification:

G08B 1/08

US Classification:

3405391

Abstract:

A method of obtaining data about a structure includes providing a plurality of sensor modules on the structure. Each of the sensor modules includes a sensor, a processor, a sensor module precision timekeeper, and a sensor module transceiver. One of the plurality of sensor modules includes an energy harvesting device. The processor and the sensor module transceiver of this one of the plurality of sensor modules are powered solely with electricity derived from the energy harvesting device. The method further includes providing a base station. The method further includes periodically wirelessly receiving a broadcast resynchronization timing packet with each of the sensor module transceivers, wherein the broadcast resynchronization timing packet received by each of the sensor module transceivers includes a common resynchronization time value. The method further includes periodically resynchronizing each of the sensor module precision timekeepers based on a signal derived from the resynchronization time value. The method further includes digital sampling of the sensor module sensor in each of the sensor modules to provide digital sensor data, and providing a time stamp to the digital sensor data wherein time in the time stamp is provided by the sensor module precision timekeeper. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting data from each of the plurality of sensor modules to the base station, wherein the data is derived from the time stamped digital sensor data. The method further includes receiving and aggregating the data from each of the plurality of sensor modules in the base station.

US Patent:

20220404842, Dec 22, 2022

Filed:

May 16, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/744888

Inventors:

- SOUTH BURLINGTON VT, US
Andrew Giroux - Georgia VT, US
Chris Townsend - Shelburne VT, US
Timothy Gerard Richter - Wynantskill NY, US

Assignee:

BETA AIR, LLC - SOUTH BURLINGTON VT

International Classification:

G05D 1/10
B64D 27/24
B64C 13/18
G05D 1/00
B64D 45/00

Abstract:

Aspects relate to methods and systems for reversionary flight control for an electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. An exemplary system includes a pilot control, a sensor configured to sense and transmit analog control data associated with a pilot interaction with the pilot control, a pilot interface module configured to receive the analog control data, convert the analog control data to digital control data, and transmit digital control, an actuator, and a flight controller. The flight controller may be configured to receive the digital control data, determine a primary command datum as a function of the digital control data, transmit the primary command datum to the actuator, determine that the digital control signal is non-functional, receive the analog control data, determine a reversionary command datum as a function of the analog control data, and transmit the reversionary command datum to the actuator.

US Patent:

20220363368, Nov 17, 2022

Filed:

Oct 30, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/515418

Inventors:

- SOUTH BURLINGTON VT, US
Andrew Giroux - Georgia VT, US
Chris Townsend - Shelburne VT, US
Timothy Gerard Richter - Wynantskill NY, US
Matthew John Sheppard - Bow NH, US

Assignee:

BETA AIR, LLC - SOUTH BURLINGTON VT

International Classification:

B64C 13/50
G05D 1/00
B64C 13/04

Abstract:

Some aspects relate to systems and methods for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control including a pilot control, a plurality of sensors configured to: sense control data associated with the pilot control, and transmit the control data, a first actuator communicative with the plurality of sensors configured to receive the control data, determine a first command datum as a function of the control data and a distributed control algorithm, and actuate a first control element according to the first command datum.

US Patent:

20220363369, Nov 17, 2022

Filed:

Jul 31, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/877993

Inventors:

- South Burlington VT, US
Andrew Giroux - Georgia VT, US
Joseph Trovato - Winooski VT, US
Chris Townsend - Shelburne VT, US

Assignee:

BETA AIR, LLC - South Burlington VT

International Classification:

B64C 13/50
B64D 27/24
B64C 13/04
B64C 29/00

Abstract:

A system of fall back flight control configured for use in aircraft includes an input control configured to receive a pilot input and generate a control datum. System includes a flight controller communicatively coupled to the input control and configured to receive the control datum and generate an output datum. The system includes the actuator having a primary mode in which the actuator is configured to move the at least a portion of the aircraft as a function of the output datum and a fall back mode in which the actuator is configured to move the at least a portion of the aircraft as a function of the control datum. The actuator configured to receive the control datum, receive the output datum, detect a loss of communication with the flight controller, and select the fall back mode as a function of the detection.

US Patent:

20220363377, Nov 17, 2022

Filed:

Nov 11, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/524172

Inventors:

- SOUTH BURLINGTON VT, US
Andrew Giroux - Georgia VT, US
Chris Townsend - Shelburne VT, US
Timothy Gerard Richter - Wynantskill NY, US
Matthew John Sheppard - Bow NH, US

Assignee:

BETA AIR, LLC - SOUTH BURLINGTON VT

International Classification:

B64C 29/00
B64D 27/24

Abstract:

An electric aircraft having fixed pitch lift includes a plurality of flight components, wherein the plurality of flight components further comprises at least a lift propulsor component, wherein the lift propulsor component comprises a plurality of blades configured at an angle of attack, and a flight controller, wherein the flight controller is configured to calculate a flight element using an intermediate representation, and transmit the flight element to the plurality of flight components.