Patents Examined by Terri L Filosi
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Patent number: 11981421Abstract: A system and method for controlling boundary layer transition for a high-speed vehicle are disclosed. The method includes determining a location of onset of boundary-layer transition that naturally develops during high-speed flight of the high-speed vehicle, and providing a pair of flow control strips at a surface/wall/skin of the high-speed vehicle such that the boundary-layer transition is delayed or prevented during high-speed flight of the high-speed vehicle. The delayed or prevented locations of the transition result in a change in the high-speed boundary layer during the high-speed flight of the high-speed vehicle. The change in the high-speed boundary layer transition affects skin friction drag, aero-thermodynamic heating, and pressure fluctuations in the boundary layer of the high-speed vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of ArizonaInventors: Hermann F. Fasel, Christoph Hader
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Patent number: 11970264Abstract: An electrically-powered VTOL aircraft has a fuselage with a cabin flexibly connected to a powerplane assembly that includes a plurality of electrically-powered rotors and booms. The powerplane assembly can pitch and roll relative to and independently of the cabin, thereby generating efficient fore, aft and lateral thrust while the cabin attitude remains unchanged. This provides a stable passenger experience and enhanced performance and controllability with reduced cost and complexity. In some embodiments, the fuselage is vertically elongated and the powerplane assembly mounts above the fuselage such that a person may walk beneath the rotors completely erect without the fear of being struck by any of the rotors. Using a vertically elongated cabin in conjunction with a relatively high powerplane provides various performance benefits that improve controllability and maneuverability particularly in congested environments, reduce complexity and costs, and enhance passenger safety and experience.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Inventor: William Swindt Butterfield
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Patent number: 11958629Abstract: Described herein is an elevated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) station. The elevated UAV station includes an elevated platform and a conveyance device configured to raise a payload to the elevated platform. The elevated unmanned UAV station may further include a launch device configured to cause a takeoff of a UAV from the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may further include a recovery device configured to cause a controlled landing of the UAV at the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may be associated with a payload housing structure to establish a system for payload storage and launch.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Zipline International Inc.Inventors: Tyler P. McNish, Stefan C. Aprodu, Keenan A. Wyrobek, William Hetzler, Bijal Mehta, Ryan Alam
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Patent number: 11945578Abstract: Apparatus and methods for limiting trailing edge deflection in aircraft folding wing tips are disclosed herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a fixed wing portion. The fixed wing portion includes an outboard rib. The aircraft wing also includes a wing tip moveably coupled to the fixed wing portion. The wing tip is moveable between an extended position and a folded position. The wing tip includes an inboard rib that is disposed in a trailing edge section of the wing tip. The wing tip includes a stop plate coupled to the inboard rib. The stop plate extends inboard from the inboard rib such that when the wing tip is in the extended position, the stop plate is disposed below a portion of the outboard rib of the fixed wing portion to limit upward deflection of the trailing edge section of the wing tip relative to the fixed wing portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Michael Olds, Eric George Gruner, Billy P. Tung, Eric Dwight Blohm
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Patent number: 11939072Abstract: A method of optimizing the noise generated by a rotorcraft on the ground, said rotorcraft including a hybrid power plant, at least one rotor, and an electrical energy source. Said method makes it possible to monitor whether each engine of said power plant is on or off, and to monitor the state of each electric machine of said hybrid power plant. Said method also makes it possible to monitor whether said rotorcraft is on the ground. Then, each engine that is on is controlled to reach an idling speed, or indeed to be caused to stop by being switched off, and said electric machine Is regulated on a setpoint speed of rotation of a rotor so as to drive each rotor while also limiting the noise generated by said hybrid power plant.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERSInventor: Nayibe Gomez
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Patent number: 11926417Abstract: A flight vehicle capable of improving the accuracy of the arrival position of baggage. The flight vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a mounting unit that holds a mounted object, holds the mounting unit via a string member, and has a moving means including a rotor blade provided between the upper end and the lower end of the mounting unit, when the mounting unit is viewed from the side.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: AERONEXT INC.Inventor: Yoichi Suzuki
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Patent number: 11897598Abstract: An aircraft includes a plurality of takeoff and landing rotors each generating a first airflow below the takeoff and landing rotor, and a cruise rotor generating a second airflow behind the cruise rotor, the plurality of takeoff and landing rotors including a rear rotor disposed behind the cruise rotor. The aircraft further includes an airflow deflection mechanism capable of changing a direction of the second airflow, and a controller for controlling the airflow deflection mechanism to suppress interference between the first airflow generated by the rear rotor and the second airflow.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Masahiko Asanuma
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Patent number: 11866152Abstract: A system of an electric aircraft with pitch control using an elevator is presented. In some embodiments, the electric aircraft may include an elevator configured to deflect. In some embodiments, the electric aircraft may further include a lift lever configured to generate a lift command upon activation by a pilot. In some embodiments, the electric aircraft may further include a flight controller communicatively connected with the lift lever and the elevator, wherein the flight controller is configured to receive the lift command from the lift lever and adjust the elevator as a function of the lift command.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2023Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: BETA AIR, LLCInventors: Nicholas Moy, Collin Freiheit, Riley Griffin
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Patent number: 11858639Abstract: An aircraft includes at least one passenger room (3). The room has a passenger chair (5) and a bed (7). These are separate units and can be used at the same time without one unit interfering with or restricting the full range of operations of the other unit and vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: SINGAPORE AIRLINES LIMITEDInventor: Yung Han Ng
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Patent number: 11858616Abstract: An actuator system for controlling movement of a plurality of panels. The system includes two lifting mechanisms connected to each panel at two separate locations on the panel, and, for each panel: an actuator in engagement with a first of the lifting mechanisms to drive the lifting mechanism to move the panel, and a torque tube having a first end in engagement with the actuator so as to be rotated by the actuator as the actuator drives the lifting mechanism, the torque tube having a second end in engagement with the other of the two lifting mechanisms to drive the lifting mechanism due to rotation of the torque tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITEDInventor: Jeremy Kracke
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Patent number: 11858659Abstract: An integrated pushback guidance system and method is provided for guiding pushback travel of electric taxi system-driven aircraft. The pushback guidance system may be integrated with existing ramp monitoring systems to monitor reverse pushback travel of pilot-controlled electric taxi system-driven aircraft along an optimum pushback path from a stand to a pushback end location. Visual signals relating to pushback travel safety as the pilot drives the aircraft along the pushback path are generated in real time by the system and transmitted to a range of display devices viewable by the aircraft pilot and airport personnel responsible for guiding aircraft pushback. The pilot may be guided by visual signals on only display devices or with guidance from airport personnel also viewing the visual signals on display devices to drive the aircraft safely in reverse with the electric taxi system along the pushback path to the pushback end location.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: BOREALIS TECHNICAL LIMITEDInventor: Jan Vana
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Patent number: 11858633Abstract: Example implementations may relate to door-enabled loading and release of payloads in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which could be a type of UAV in a group of UAVs that is assigned to carry out certain transport tasks. In particular, the UAV may include a fuselage having a first side and a second side, as well as a chamber formed within the fuselage and arranged to house a payload. A first door may be arranged on the first side of the fuselage, such that an opening of the first door enables loading of the payload into the chamber. And a second door may be arranged on the second side of the fuselage, such that an opening of the second door enables release of the payload from the chamber. Moreover, the UAV may include a control system configured to control flight of the UAV, and possibly opening and/or closing of door(s).Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: WING AVIATION LLCInventors: Andre Prager, Adam Woodworth
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Patent number: 11846341Abstract: A drive unit includes an actuator from which an output rod protrudes at one end of a cylinder and being coupled to a flap of an aircraft, an attachment disposed on the other side of the cylinder, a reaction link coupled to the flap at one end and to the attachment at the other end, and a connection-disconnection section allowing the cylinder and the attachment to be coupled to and separated from each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Ito, Toshiaki Tanaka
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Patent number: 11801932Abstract: Systems and methods for mechanically rotating an aircraft about its center-of-gravity (CG) are disclosed. The system can enable the rear, or main, landing gear to squat, while the nose landing gear raises to generate a positive pitch angle for the aircraft for takeoff or landing. The system can also enable the nose gear and main gear to return to a relatively level fuselage attitude for ground operations. The system can include one or more hydraulically linked hydraulic cylinders to control the overall height of the nose gear and the main gear. Because the hydraulic cylinders are linked, a change on the length of the nose cylinder generates a proportional, and opposite, change in the length of the main cylinder, and vice-versa. A method and control system for monitoring and controlling the relative positions of the nose gear and main gear is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: JETZERO, INC.Inventors: Ewald Schuster, Jennifer Whitlock, Joshua B Long, Cristina Donastorg, Brendan Kennelly, Mark A. Page
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Patent number: 11745897Abstract: Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with kites are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to recover a UAV during flight includes a tether line, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for recovery of the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Insitu, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Brown, Alice Fockele, Kelly A. Comstock, John Wong, Jacob Allen, Daniel L. Shaw, Jesse D. Kiewit
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Patent number: 11738855Abstract: An electronic control system for a turbopropeller engine having a gas turbine and a propeller assembly coupled to the gas turbine is provided. The control system implements a propeller control unit to control propeller operation using an actuation assembly designed to adjust a pitch angle of propeller blades. The control unit engages a mechanical lock determining a minimum flight value for the pitch angle during a flight operating mode, and disengages the mechanical lock and controls the pitch angle below the minimum flight value, up to a minimum ground value lower than the minimum flight value, during a ground operating mode. The propeller control unit, during a transition from the ground operating mode to the flight operating mode, engages the mechanical lock. The control unit anticipates the increase of the pitch angle before the mechanical lock engagement when transitioning from the ground operating mode to the flight operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: GE Avio S.r.l.Inventors: Pierpaolo Forte, Stefano Ettorre, Giuseppe Donini
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Patent number: 11724825Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites in orbits such as highly inclined eccentric geosynchronous orbits and low earth orbits. To place satellites in inclined eccentric geosynchronous orbits, a series of launch vehicles may be launched. Each launch vehicle may be used to place a set of satellites, such as a set of three satellites, into a common orbital plane with distinct longitude of ascending node values. To place satellites in low earth orbits, a series of launch vehicles may be launched, each of which releases satellites in sequence from a stack of satellites into a common orbital plane. After desired separations have been produced between the released satellites, circularization procedures may be performed using the propulsion systems of the satellites to place the satellites into final orbit.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Inventors: Robert Hawkins, Peterson Browning
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Patent number: 11718402Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a thrust-vector controlled unmanned aerial and ground vehicle are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State UniversityInventors: Wenlong Zhang, Yizhuang Garrard, Shatadal Mishra, Karishma Patnaik, Zachary Chase, Michael Ploughe
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Patent number: 11713140Abstract: A de-orbiting system for a space vehicle may include one or more lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries configured to release hot gases to be used for thrusting during de-orbiting of the apparatus. The system may also include one or more heaters surrounding each of the one or more Li-ion batteries, which are configured to send each of the one or more Li-ion batteries into a thermal runaway. The thermal runaway causes the one or more Li-ion batteries to release stored electrochemical energy within each of the one or more Li-ion batteries.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Inventors: Eric Joseph Nemanick, John H. Schilling, John D. Desain, Andrea G. Hsu, Brian B. Brady, Andrew C. Cortopassi
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Patent number: 11713119Abstract: A rotorcraft includes a body and a plurality of rotary-wing parts. The body has a front-end portion, a rear-end portion, two side portions, and a reference plane passing through the front-end portion, the rear-end portion, and the two side portions. The plurality of rotary-wing parts are disposed to the body. Each of the rotary-wing parts includes at least one blade and a shaft coupled to the at least one blade. The at least one blade is rotated around an axis of the shaft. An angle between the axis of the shaft and a normal line of the reference plane is between 5 and 30 degrees. The rotorcraft can provide additional lift force, to help reduce the weight of the rotorcraft.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Coretronic Intelligent Robotics CorporationInventors: I-Ta Yang, Ying-Chieh Chen, Chi-Tong Hsieh, Hsu-Chih Cheng