Patents Assigned to Hawk Corporation
  • Aircraft hand controller with decoupled throttle
    Patent number: 10967952
    Abstract: An aircraft hand controller is disclosed. The hand controller includes a set of finger controls on a single hand grip structure, the set of finger controls including a first finger control configured to control throttle of the aircraft and a second finger control, separate from the first, configured to control rotation about a first rotational axis of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Roop
  • Modular personal transportation system
    Patent number: 10946964
    Abstract: A vertical landing of an aircraft is performed using the first battery where the aircraft is unoccupied when the vertical landing is performed, the unoccupied aircraft includes the first battery, and the unoccupied aircraft excludes a second, removable battery. In response to detecting that the second, removable battery is detachably coupled to the aircraft, a power source for the aircraft is switched from the first battery to the second, removable battery. After switching the switch power source, a vertical takeoff of the aircraft is performed using the second, removable battery, wherein the aircraft is occupied when the vertical takeoff is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thrun, Damon Vander Lind
  • In-ear noise dosimetry system
    Patent number: 10940044
    Abstract: An in-ear noise dosimeter in the form of an earplug which senses sound in the ear canal using an eartip which has a sound delivery channel that couples sound at the end closest to the eardrum to an earplug microphone. The earplug can communicate wirelessly with a remote data collection and processing system. A dock unit for storing the earplugs when not worn can compensate for differences in unoccluded-ear versus occluded-ear responses by an acoustic compensator. An electronic compensation filter can be modified by a proximity switch in the earplug which changes state when the earplug is worn in the ear versus stored in a dock unit. The dosimeter can also have a temperature sensor for sensing human body temperature and remotely-located wireless LEDs used to alert the user of high noise dosage. Data can also be downloaded from the earplug using a reader unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Red Tail Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Parkins
  • Sealed float with batteries
    Patent number: 10940943
    Abstract: A float has a front-to-back length, a width, and a height where the front-to-back length of the float is strictly greater than the height of the float which in turn is strictly greater than the width of the float. At least a bottom portion of the float is watertight. The float includes an access panel to access the inside of the float. A battery is inside the float and is accessible via the access panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Todd Reichert
  • Bistable pitch propeller system with unidirectional propeller rotation
    Patent number: 10933989
    Abstract: A propeller includes a blade free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the blade. The propeller also includes a mechanical stop positioned to engage mechanically a first portion of the blade and/or a first structure coupled mechanically to the blade when the blade is in a first position. The propeller also includes a magnetic stop positioned to engage magnetically a second portion of the blade and/or a second structure coupled mechanically to the blade when the blade is in a second position. The blade rotates to the first position against the mechanical stop when the propeller is rotated at a first rotational speed and the blade rotates to the second position against the magnetic stop when the propeller is rotated at a second rotational speed in a same direction as when the blade is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Damon Vander Lind, Todd Reichert
  • Electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle with wind turbine
    Patent number: 10926654
    Abstract: An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle is positioned to be in a charging position on the ground, wherein the eVTOL vehicle is capable of performing vertical take-offs and landings. The battery is charged while in the charging position on the ground using a wind turbine that includes the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thrun, Benjamin Otto Berry
  • Charging station for self-balancing multicopter
    Patent number: 10913547
    Abstract: A vertical landing is performed by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle above a charger where the eVTOL vehicle includes a rotor that is configured to rotate during an occupant change state to keep the eVTOL vehicle stationary during the occupant change state. A vertically-oriented male charging port that is part of the eVTOL vehicle and a female charging port that is part of the charger are detachably coupled and a battery in the eVTOL vehicle is charged using the charger while the vertically-oriented male charging port and the female charging port are detachably coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thrun, Benjamin Otto Berry
  • User interfaces for mutually exclusive three dimensional flying spaces
    Patent number: 10909862
    Abstract: Boundary information associated with a three-dimensional (3D) flying space is obtained, including a boundary of the 3D flying space. Location information associated with an aircraft is obtained, including a location of the aircraft. Information is presented based at least in part on the boundary information associated with the 3D flying space and the location information associated with the aircraft, including by presenting, in a display, the boundary of the 3D flying space and an avatar representing the aircraft at the location of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Alex Roetter
  • Distributed flight control system
    Patent number: 10901434
    Abstract: A set of commands for each of a plurality of actuators to alter an aircraft's state responsive to one or more inputs is produced. The set of commands is provided to fewer than all actuators comprising the plurality of actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Johnson Cutler, Todd Reichert, James Jackson
  • Distributed parachute system
    Patent number: 10882626
    Abstract: A distributed parachute system is disclosed. In various embodiments, a parachute is at least partially deployed along one or more dimensions. A deployment mechanism configured to deploy the parachute is provided. The distributed parachute system is configured to be deployed in an aircraft that comprises a channel oriented along the one or more dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Damon Vander Lind
  • Multicopter with wide span rotor configuration
    Patent number: 10870485
    Abstract: A multicopter aircraft with a wide span rotor configuration is disclosed. In various embodiments, a multicopter as disclosed herein includes a fuselage and a plurality of rotors. The plurality of rotors includes inner rotors and outer rotors, with the inner rotors being substantially surrounded by the outer rotors or the fuselage. The inner rotors and the outer rotors may be tilted based at least in part on their arrangement in relation to the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Reichert, Cameron Robertson
  • Distance sensor test system
    Patent number: 10852158
    Abstract: A distance sensor and a measured object are positioned at a known distance from each other. A measured distance between the distance sensor and the measured object is obtained from the distance sensor, where the distance sensor uses a plurality of signals at a plurality of angles to generate the measured distance. The known distance and the measured distance are compared in order to test the distance sensor and produce a test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. Schlangen, Sharbel Karam
  • Bistable pitch propeller system with bidirectional propeller rotation
    Patent number: 10843790
    Abstract: A propeller includes a blade free to rotate. A first stop is positioned to mechanically engage one or both of a first portion of the blade and a first structure coupled to the blade when the blade is in a first position at a first end of the rotational range of motion. A second stop is positioned to mechanically engage one or both of a second portion of the blade and a second structure coupled to the blade when the blade is in a second position at a second end of the defined rotational range. The blade rotates to the first position against the first stop when the propeller is rotated in a first direction and to the second position against the second stop when the propeller is rotated in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Damon Vander Lind, Todd Reichert
  • Supplemental attitude with engaged and disengaged input device modes
    Patent number: 10845824
    Abstract: An input attitude associated with an input device of an aircraft is received. A supplemental attitude is generated, including by selecting a position-based supplemental attitude to be the supplemental attitude in the event the input device is in a disengaged state and selecting a velocity-based supplemental attitude to be the supplemental attitude in the event the input device is in an engaged state. The input attitude and the supplemental attitude are combined in order to obtain a combined attitude. The aircraft is controlled using the combined attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander David Selwa, Mark Johnson Cutler
  • Actuator monitoring system using inertial sensors
    Patent number: 10822113
    Abstract: Sensor data is received from an inertial measurement unit on a vehicle. An observed attitude and an observed attitude rate of the vehicle are determined based on the sensor data. Using a model associated with a vehicle failure mode, an expected attitude and an expected attitude rate of the vehicle are determined. A malfunctioning rotor is determined based on the observed attitude, the observed attitude rate, the expected attitude, and the expected attitude rate. In response to identifying the malfunctioning rotor, a responsive action is performed, including by updating a geometry matrix so that at least one non-malfunctioning rotor in the plurality of rotors compensates for the malfunctioning rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Johnson Cutler
  • Method for vehicle data collection
    Patent number: 10819771
    Abstract: A vehicle data collection method is disclosed. The method comprises receiving vehicle data, determining that an internet connection is not available, storing the vehicle data, determining that an internet connection has become available, and transmitting the vehicle data based at least in part on the determination that an internet connection has become available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Preissl, Kosuke Hata
  • Propeller impact detection and force reduction
    Patent number: 10814964
    Abstract: A commanded control signal is compared against an adaptive control signal in order to detect a rotor strike by a rotor included in an aircraft, wherein the adaptive control signal is associated with controlling the rotor and the adaptive control signal varies based at least in part on the commanded control signal and state information associated with the rotor. In response to detecting the rotor strike, a control signal to the rotor is adjusted in order to reduce a striking force associated with the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Scott Saunders
  • Site local servers for vehicle management
    Patent number: 10802481
    Abstract: An electronic vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) multicopter which includes a communications interface configured to establish a communication channel between a site local server and the eVTOL multicopter and send a vehicle identifier and vehicle state information from the eVTOL multicopter to the site local server. The eVTOL multicopter also includes a processor configured to perform a management operation received from the site local server, wherein the site local server is configured to determine the management operation based at least in part on the vehicle identifier and the vehicle state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Kizhedath Rohith Menon, Kosuke Hata, Kentaro Kawamoto
  • Maintaining a stable phase difference between multiple tethered vehicles lifting a payload
    Patent number: 10782707
    Abstract: A system to maintain a phase difference is disclosed. Two or more aircraft fly in a continuous periodic trajectory. The system maintains a phase difference between the two or more aircraft. Telemetry information for a reference aircraft moving in a first periodic trajectory is received. A phase difference between a primary aircraft and the reference aircraft with respect to the first periodic trajectory is determined. A variance in the phase difference between the primary aircraft and the reference aircraft from the target phase difference is determined. A new trajectory for the primary aircraft that decreases the variance in the phase difference with respect to the new periodic trajectory is determined, and the primary aircraft is maneuvered to follow the new trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Damon Vander Lind, Gregory Mainland Horn
  • Vertically-tethered multicopters
    Patent number: 10773799
    Abstract: A system includes a higher unmanned multicopter, a lower unmanned multicopter, and a flexible connector. The flexible connector connects the higher unmanned multicopter and the lower unmanned multicopter. The VTM system is configured to carry a payload, including by having the higher unmanned multicopter fly above the lower unmanned multicopter with the flexible connector taut such that both the higher unmanned multicopter and the lower unmanned multicopter contribute to carrying the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thrun, Damon Vander Lind