Patents Examined by Shanna Danielle Glover
  • Patent number: 11975832
    Abstract: A flow body for an aircraft, in particular for a wing leading edge device, is proposed, the flow body having a curved front skin having a leading edge and at least one trailing-edge component coupled with at least one spanwise edge of the front skin, wherein the trailing-edge component comprises a constant cross-sectional profile that tapers in a chordwise direction to form two spanwise flow surfaces that end in a trailing edge, and wherein the trailing-edge component is designed for providing a flush transition between the front skin and at least one of the two spanwise flow surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Marcus Erban
  • Patent number: 11975820
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for managing airflow comprising flow control actuators in an aircraft. The flow control actuators comprise channels having inlets and outlets, wherein the channels are located under a surface of the aircraft and the outlets are in communication with the surface of the aircraft. Pressurized air applied to the inlets causes steady air jets to be emitted at the outlets in which the steady air jets add a momentum to airflow over the surface on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Yoram Yadlin
  • Patent number: 11970269
    Abstract: Assemblies for air vehicle control surfaces and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a control surface; a bullnose carried by the control surface, the bullnose moveable relative to the control surface; a first actuator operatively coupled to the control surface to cause the control surface to rotate; and a second actuator operatively coupled to the control surface, the second actuator to cause the bullnose to move from a first position to a second position to cause an opening to be formed relative to the control surface, the movement of the bullnose independent of rotation of the control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Good, Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11945588
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal cabin, a plurality of stowage bin assemblies within the internal cabin, a plurality of passenger service units (PSUs) within the internal cabin, and an emergency oxygen system within the internal cabin. The plurality of stowage bin assemblies are uncoupled (for example, separate and distinct) from one or both of the plurality of PSUs or the emergency oxygen system. In an example, the plurality of stowage bin assemblies are uncoupled from the emergency oxygen system. In another example, the plurality of stowage bin assemblies are uncoupled from the plurality of PSUs. In another example, the plurality of stowage bin assemblies are uncoupled from both the plurality of PSUs and the emergency oxygen system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Franco Marino Cagnina, Andrew Leo Fabry, Gary Evans Liljebeck
  • Patent number: 11945590
    Abstract: A seat base assembly for an aircraft seat includes parallel rails attached to an aircraft bulkhead, each rail including a slot extending vertically within the rail. The seat (e.g., seatback and seat frame) is attached to a sled capable of vertical translation relative to the bulkhead via slidable members that translate along the slots. The sled includes a hole for accommodating a locking pin controllable by the seat occupant. A metering plate attached to the seat base behind the sled is folded over a lateral axis into a forward and rear layer, the forward layer including holes for the locking pin wherein each hole corresponds to a desired seat height to which the seat may be adjusted by securing the locking pin through the sled hole and metering hole. In response to an impact event, the metering plate deforms to absorb impact energy and control downward deceleration of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad R. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 11939039
    Abstract: An aircraft door drainage system includes a precipitation receptacle disposed longitudinally along an upper edge of an aircraft door opening. The receptacle is mounted along the upper edge of the door opening by a plurality of brackets that connect the receptacle to an inside ceiling panel of the aircraft. The receptacle protrudes outward from the upper edge of the door opening into a path followed by precipitation falling off of an outer peripheral surface of a fuselage of the aircraft from locations above, forward, and aft of the door opening into the door opening when the aircraft door is in an open position. The receptacle remains clear of the aircraft door when the aircraft door is closed into the door opening. Drain hoses are connected at first and second ends of the receptacle to direct precipitation collected in the receptacle to an outside of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Arnold, Brittany M. Govan, Muhammad Jamal, Danny Jay Reed, Ronald Wayne Thomas, John Alan Yerger
  • Patent number: 11932373
    Abstract: In an example, a method for installing a decoration panel in a ceiling assembly in an aircraft is disclosed. The method comprises removing a generic panel from the ceiling assembly to produce an opening in the ceiling assembly. The method also comprises inserting the decoration panel through the opening in the ceiling assembly. The method also comprises coupling the decoration panel to the ceiling assembly using a plurality of fasteners such that the decoration panel extends across the opening in the ceiling assembly. The plurality of fasteners includes a first type of fastener and a second type of fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jordan R. Brunner, Justin L Tabora
  • Patent number: 11932377
    Abstract: An actuation mechanism includes a control surface having a hinged end pivotally coupled to a wing structure, a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm coupled to the control surface, a first drive rod coupled to the first pivot arm, and a second drive rod coupled to the second pivot arm. A first bell crank is coupled via a first pivot pin to the wing structure at a first position and to the first drive rod. A second bell crank is coupled via a second pivot pin to the wing structure at a second position spaced apart from the first position and to the second drive rod. A coupling rod extends between the first bell crank and the second bell crank such that a rotation of the first bell crank is synchronized with a rotation of the second bell crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Noah W. Gibson, Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 11926439
    Abstract: A recoverable rocket stage (2) for propelling a rocket (100) towards space includes a rocket propellant tank assembly (4) having a generally cylindrical outer shape; at least one engine (6), coupled to the rocket propellant tank assembly (4); and a plurality of drag enhancing elements (8), the plurality of drag enhancing elements (8) forming longitudinal extensions of the generally cylindrical outer shape of the rocket propellant tank assembly (4) in their launch positions and being inclinable with respect to the generally cylindrical outer shape of the rocket propellant tank assembly (4) for return of the recoverable rocket stage (2) to earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ORBITAL EXPRESS LAUNCH LIMITED
    Inventor: Jonas Baekby Bjarnoe
  • Patent number: 11912441
    Abstract: A stage for a space launch vehicle is provided. The space launch vehicle has a main body including a first end and a second end, and defines a central longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The stage comprises a stage rocket engine arranged at or near the first end of the stage to propel the launch vehicle vertically upwards at take-off. The stage furthermore comprises a plurality of fans for providing lift during a landing procedure of the stage, wherein the fans have a rotational axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Also provided are space launch vehicles and methods for transporting a payload into space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PANGEA AEROSPACE, S.L.
    Inventors: Adria Argemi Samso, Rasmus Bergstrom, Federico Rossi, Nicola Palumbo
  • Patent number: 11897605
    Abstract: The invention discloses a light kite comprising a body. The body includes a wing, a supporting member, and a tying place, the supporting member is arranged on the wing and integrally formed with the wing, the body of the kite is made of a blister material or a material capable of being embossed or indented, and the supporting member is made by blistering or embossing or indenting on the wing, so that the supporting member is integrally formed with the wing and maintains a shape of the body. The kite is made of a blister material or composite paper, the durability and plasticity are high; moreover, the support member is made by means of plastic package, some existing kite production processes can be omitted, and the local production in large scale can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Chi Kong Pang
  • Patent number: 11898368
    Abstract: A modular housing structure for housing a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a plurality of housing segments and a plurality of landing pads. The plurality of housing segments are shaped to mechanically join together to define an interior of the modular housing structure. The individual housing segments have a common structural shape that repeats when assembled to form the modular housing structure. The plurality of landing pads are positioned within the individual housing segments, each of the landing pads sized to physically support and charge a corresponding one of the UAVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: WING Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Jesse Blake, James Schmalzried, Evan Twyford
  • Patent number: 11891179
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for remote egg oiling to control avian pest species population through reduction in nesting success. A fluid application system including an oil reservoir, an oil nozzle, a pressurization source, a camera and a targeting laser is provided for accurately dispensing oil onto a clutch of eggs in a nest that is located in hard-to-reach areas such as cliff faces, rock outcrops and artificial structures. Two aerial embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: HARDSHELL LABS, INC., SUNDANCE BIOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Allyn Shields, Roy Adair Haggard, Mercy Lynn Vaughn
  • Patent number: 11891170
    Abstract: An air transport vehicle that capitalizes on the strengths and complexities of a fixed and rotary winged aircraft. The air transport vehicle comprises a body aerodynamically designed to avoid substantial drag. The vehicle has a plurality of rotors configured to generate vertical thrust with a rear rotor configured to generate forward thrust. Additionally, each of the rotors are connected to the fixed wing elements and the fixed wing is positioned about the center of mass of the fuselage. Furthermore, each of the rotors are positioned at a fixed tilt angle such that the stability of the vehicle is maintained in a number of different flight configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ellande Tang, Patrick Spieler, Matthew J Anderson, Soon-Jo Chung
  • Patent number: 11884399
    Abstract: A storage compartment arrangement for a cabin of a vehicle has a storage compartment, housing, storage compartment opening, lower compartment, and upper compartment. The compartments are directly above each other and separated by an intermediate base pivotable at least in sections into the upper compartment. Items of luggage can be placed onto a lower horizontal pivoting edge and pushed into the lower compartment. Adjacent to a lower delimitation of the upper compartment, when the intermediate base is not pivoted, an upper horizontal pivoting edge is formed, onto which items of luggage can be placed and pushed into the upper compartment. The upper compartment has an upper opening edge adjoined by an auxiliary surface extending over the upper compartment, is at an angle in a range of 10° to 50° to the intermediate base and, as the distance from the upper delimitation increases, encloses an increasing distance from the intermediate base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Claus-Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 11873077
    Abstract: An aerodynamic element includes at least one first, fixed aerodynamic part including a box section that is covered at least partly by a plate with an extreme part, and one second aerodynamic part including a peripheral surface with an end and at least one holding element provided with a shoulder which forms, with the extreme part of the plate, a groove in which the end of the peripheral surface can be housed, such that the peripheral surface and the plate form a junction having an ascending profile. The presence of the groove makes it possible to obtain a continuous ascending junction with favors a laminar airstream on the upper surface of the aerodynamic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Airbus SAS
    Inventor: Mathias Farouz-Fouquet
  • Patent number: 11873094
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for hingedly coupling a flight control member having a top surface to an aircraft component having a top surface includes a first hinge member pivotably coupled to the flight control member about a first axis and slidingly coupled to the aircraft component and a second hinge member pivotably coupled to the aircraft component about a second axis and slidingly coupled to the flight control member. The first hinge member is pivotably coupled to the second hinge member about a central axis. The first hinge member and the second hinge member are configured to cooperatively facilitate movement the flight control member relative to the aircraft component between at least a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kevin R. Tsai
  • Patent number: 11866158
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for reducing or eliminating the nose-down pitching moment during water landings of amphibious aircraft when the landing gear is in the down position. Shielding struts forward of the wheels generate hydrodynamic lift and reduce hydrodynamic drag in order to alter the pitching moment about the aircraft center of mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Edward Breidenthal
  • Patent number: 11845561
    Abstract: A stabilizer system for an ejection seat may comprise a collapsible support structure configured to be coupled to a seat back or a seat bucket of the ejection seat, an airfoil coupled to the collapsible support structure, and a deployment system operatively coupled to the collapsible support structure and configured to expand the collapsible support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kersi Charles Bharucha, Steven Andrew Holstine, Casey Andrew Stribrny
  • Patent number: 11845574
    Abstract: A landing apparatus for a reusable launch vehicle is provided, including a landing leg pivotably mounted at one end to the reusable launch vehicle, for example, to a propellant tank part, and mounted at the other end to the propellant tank part by a detaching means such as a pyro bolt for example, a cover mounted to an outside of the landing leg along a longitudinal direction of the landing leg, and a leg landing plate mounted to a distal end of the landing leg and relatively pivotable with respect to the landing leg by its own weight when the other end of the landing leg is separated from the propellant tank part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventor: Dong Ho Jung