Charles M Chappell

US Patent:

7003399, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/004214

Inventors:

Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C 21/26

US Classification:

701220, 73178 R, 73488, 73493, 73510

Abstract:

An inertial navigation system is provided. The system includes a gas supported sensor block that is adapted to rotate in three dimensions in a near frictionless environment, a plurality of jet plates adapted to receive two or more pairs of opposing pneumatic nozzles and a plurality of electronically controlled pneumatic valves that provides and controls gas to the opposing pair of pneumatic nozzles. Each pair of opposing pneumatic nozzles is directed at an exterior surface of the sensor block and uses gas flow to move and hold the sensor block in any rotational location without physically touching the sensor block.

US Patent:

7289902, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/004529

Inventors:

Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US
Robert H. Fall - St. Petersburg FL, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C 21/26
G01C 21/28

US Classification:

701124, 701220, 73460

Abstract:

A three-dimensional balance assembly is provided. The assembly includes a center shaft, two or more eccentric weighted shafts encompassing the center shaft and a first and a second locking mechanism that lock each weighted shaft into any rotational location. Each eccentric weighted shaft includes at least one eccentric weight. The two or more eccentric weighted shafts are independently rotatable around the center shaft to balance the assembly in two dimensions. The center shaft includes a first and a second bore extending inwardly from each end of the center shaft or a single bore all the way through the shaft. The first and second bores are adapted to receive and secure one or more axial weights and balance the assembly in a third dimension.

US Patent:

7340344, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/004531

Inventors:

Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C 21/26

US Classification:

701220, 702150

Abstract:

A contact free optical position sensor for an inertial reference system. The surface of an inertial sensor assembly is adapted with a coordinate encoded pattern. One or more optical sensors are adapted to generate image signals of the coordinate encoded pattern of the spherical inertial sensor assembly. A controller is coupled to receive the image signals from the optical sensors and adapted to apply a decoding algorithm to each image signal. The decoding algorithm determines the coordinates of the inertial sensor assembly images captured by each optical sensor and calculates the angular position of the inertial sensor assembly.

US Patent:

7366613, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/004177

Inventors:

Mark D. DuBois - Brandon FL, US
Karl H. Becker - Riverview FL, US
Charles F. Hayek - Seminole FL, US
Antony J. Kurth - Bradenton FL, US
Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US
Robert H. Fall - St. Petersburg FL, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C 21/20

US Classification:

701220, 340970

Abstract:

A wireless communication interface for inertial measurement unit is disclosed. One or more instrumentation sensors, a processor, a wireless radio frequency transceiver with an antenna, and a power source are sealed within an inertial sensor assembly. The processor is adapted to receive output signals from the instrumentation sensors and to convert the output signals into a stream of digital data packets. A radio frequency transceiver is coupled to the processor and adapted to wirelessly communicate the stream of digital data packets through the antenna. In one embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver is further adapted to wirelessly receive a stream of digital data packets through the antenna and communicate the received digital data packets to the processor.

US Patent:

7425097, Sep 16, 2008

Filed:

Jul 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/778970

Inventors:

Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US
Robert E. Johnson - Starke FL, US
David A. Bowen - Seminole FL, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16C 32/06

US Classification:

384109, 384108

Abstract:

An inertial measurement unit comprises an outer case assembly including an upper gas plenum and a lower gas plenum, with upper and lower support shells surrounded by the upper and lower gas plenums. A sensor assembly includes a sensor shell, with the sensor assembly surrounded by the upper and lower support shells. A plurality of gas bearing pads extend through apertures in the upper and lower support shells and are configured to inject a first pressurized gas into a gap that separates the gas bearing pads and the sensor shell. A wireless power transfer transformer includes a power transmitting core mounted to the outer case assembly, and a power receiving core mounted in an opening of the sensor shell. The receiving core is configured to be aligned with the transmitting core for wireless power transfer. The transmitting core is configured to inject a second pressurized gas into a gap between the transmitting core and the receiving core.

US Patent:

7698064, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/004184

Inventors:

Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US
Karl H. Becker - Riverview FL, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701220, 701 1, 701 3, 701 4, 701 5, 701 10, 701 14, 701200, 701207, 701210, 701216, 701124, 7457211, 7457221, 745731, 7457311, 73 178, 73460, 244 32, 384109, 384114, 384115, 384116, 384117, 384118, 384119, 384120, 384121, 384122, 384123, 384124

Abstract:

An inertial navigation system is provided. The system includes a sensor block, an outer shell that substantially surrounds the sensor block and a plurality of gas pads connected to the outer shell that float the sensor block in gas creating a near frictionless environment to allow the sensor block to rotate in all directions. Each of the plurality of gas pads is adapted to receive pressurized gas. The outer shell and the sensor block are separated by a gap created by the pressurized gas at each pad.

US Patent:

7762133, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Jul 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/778965

Inventors:

Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US
David A. Bowen - Seminole FL, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01P 1/02

US Classification:

73493, 73178 R

Abstract:

An inertial measurement unit comprises a mounting plate with an opening therethrough, and a sensor assembly disposed in the opening of the mounting plate. Upper and lower support shells having shell flanges are attached to upper and lower surfaces of the mounting plate. The upper and lower support shells surround the sensor assembly. A plurality of gas bearing pads each extends through apertures in the upper and lower support shells. Upper and lower gas plenums have plenum flanges attached to the shell flanges of the upper and lower support shells, with the upper and lower gas plenums surrounding the upper and lower support shells. Pressure relief valves are coupled to the plenum flanges of the upper and lower gas plenums. The gas bearing pads and the sensor assembly are separated by a gap when pressurized gas is fed into the upper and lower gas plenums, thereby creating a gas bearing that allows the sensor assembly to be freely suspended and rotated in all directions.

US Patent:

8145420, Mar 27, 2012

Filed:

Dec 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/333031

Inventors:

Charles D. Chappell - Treasure Island FL, US
Edward Burroughs - Chandler AZ, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701220

Abstract:

A housing comprises at least first and second portions. The first and second portions mate with each other at respective joining regions. The first and second portions each comprise a respective tapered flange along the joining region. The first and second portions of the housing are connected to each other by placing a plurality of collars over the tapered flanges of the first and second portions of the housing. Each of the collars has a respective groove formed therein. The grooves of the plurality of collars are placed over the tapered flanges of the first and second portions of the housing. A plurality of fasteners causes the plurality of collars to press the first and second portions of the housing together. In one embodiment, the housing is used in a sensor block assembly that is part of an inertial measurement unit.