Patents by Inventor Carl G. Schaefer, Jr.

Carl G. Schaefer, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Hybrid propulsion vertical take-off and landing aircraft
    Patent number: 10926874
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion aircraft is described having a distributed electric propulsion system. The distributed electric propulsion system includes a turbo shaft engine that drives one or more generators through a gearbox. The generator provides AC power to a plurality of ducted fans (each being driven by an electric motor). The ducted fans may be integrated with the hybrid propulsion aircraft's wings. The wings can be pivotally attached to the fuselage, thereby allowing for vertical take-off and landing. The design of the hybrid propulsion aircraft mitigates undesirable transient behavior traditionally encountered during a transition from vertical flight to horizontal flight. Moreover, the hybrid propulsion aircraft offers a fast, constant-altitude transition, without requiring a climb or dive to transition. It also offers increased efficiency in both hover and forward flight versus other VTOL aircraft and a higher forward max speed than traditional rotorcraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Giannini, Martin Gomez, Daniel Cottrell, Jean-Charles Lede, Thomas Roberts, Carl G. Schaefer, Jr., Dorian Colas, Brian Whipple, Timothy Nuhfer, Herbert E. Hunter, Jonathan Grohs, Steve Petullo
  • Hybrid Propulsion Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft
    Publication number: 20170203839
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion aircraft is described having a distributed electric propulsion system. The distributed electric propulsion system includes a turbo shaft engine that drives one or more generators through a gearbox. The generator provides AC power to a plurality of ducted fans (each being driven by an electric motor). The ducted fans may be integrated with the hybrid propulsion aircraft's wings. The wings can be pivotally attached to the fuselage, thereby allowing for vertical take-off and landing. The design of the hybrid propulsion aircraft mitigates undesirable transient behavior traditionally encountered during a transition from vertical flight to horizontal flight. Moreover, the hybrid propulsion aircraft offers a fast, constant-altitude transition, without requiring a climb or dive to transition. It also offers increased efficiency in both hover and forward flight versus other VTOL aircraft and a higher forward max speed than traditional rotorcraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Francesco Giannini, Martin Gomez, Dan Cottrell, Jean-Charles Lede, Tom Roberts, Carl G. Schaefer, JR., Dorian Colas, Brian Whipple, Tim Nuhfer, Herb Hunter, Jonathan Grohs, Steve Petullo
  • Neural network based helicopter low airspeed indicator
    Patent number: 5901272
    Abstract: The invention is directed to means, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed at speeds below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Carl G. Schaefer, Jr., Kelly M. McCool, David J. Haas
  • Neural network based method for estimating helicopter low airspeed
    Patent number: 5890101
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed in the low airspeed flight range of below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Carl G. Schaefer, Jr., Kelly M. McCool, David J. Haas
  • Neural network based method for estimating helicopter low airspeed
    Patent number: 5751609
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed in the low airspeed flight range of below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Carl G. Schaefer, Jr., Kelly M. McCool, David J. Haas