Patents by Inventor ERIC JAMES AAGAARD
ERIC JAMES AAGAARD 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).
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Publication number: 20240152137Abstract: A method of targeting, which involves capturing a first video of a scene about a potential targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; transmitting the first video and associated potential targeting coordinate by the first aircraft; receiving the first video on a first display in communication with a processor, the processor also receiving the potential targeting coordinate; selecting the potential targeting coordinate to be an actual targeting coordinate for a second aircraft in response to viewing the first video on the first display; and guiding a second aircraft toward the actual targeting coordinate; where positive identification of a target corresponding to the actual targeting coordinate is maintained from selection of the actual targeting coordinate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Macdonald John Peebles, Andrew Martin, Charles Lawrence Baker, Daisy Wang, Kevin Jay Aguilar, Matthew Allen Hanna, Brian Young, Eric Sornborger, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20240129025Abstract: In one implementation, a method for a solar cell array is provided, the method includes emitting a communication message from the solar cell array by reverse biasing the solar cell array so as to cause at least a portion of the solar array to emit a detectable amount of radiation corresponding to the communication message.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: NADER MICHAEL LOTFY, ERIC JAMES AAGAARD
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Publication number: 20240059167Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 11876599Abstract: In one implementation, a method for a solar cell array is provided, the method includes emitting a communication message from the solar cell array by reverse biasing the solar cell array so as to cause at least a portion of the solar array to emit a detectable amount of radiation corresponding to the communication message. In one embodiment a solar cell array circuit is provided including a solar string comprising a plurality of solar cells coupled together, a charge storage device coupled to a power bus, and a bidirectional boost-buck converter having a first and second pair of MOSFETs connected in series between positive and negative rails of the power bus with an inductor coupled from between the first and second paired MOSFETs to a charging output of the solar string.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Nader Michael Lotfy, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 11840152Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 11714407Abstract: A method of targeting, which involves capturing a first video of a scene about a potential targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; transmitting the first video and associated potential targeting coordinate by the first aircraft; receiving the first video on a first display in communication with a processor, the processor also receiving the potential targeting coordinate; selecting the potential targeting coordinate to be an actual targeting coordinate for a second aircraft in response to viewing the first video on the first display; and guiding a second aircraft toward the actual targeting coordinate; where positive identification of a target corresponding to the actual targeting coordinate is maintained from selection of the actual targeting coordinate.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Macdonald John Peebles, Andrew Martin, Charles Lawrence Baker, Daisy Wang, Kevin Jay Aguilar, Matthew Allen Hanna, Brian Young, Eric Sornborger, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20230216578Abstract: In one implementation, a method for a solar cell array is provided, the method includes emitting a communication message from the solar cell array by reverse biasing the solar cell array so as to cause at least a portion of the solar array to emit a detectable amount of radiation corresponding to the communication message. In one embodiment a solar cell array circuit is provided including a solar string comprising a plurality of solar cells coupled together, a charge storage device coupled to a power bus, and a bidirectional boost-buck converter having a first and second pair of MOSFETs connected in series between positive and negative rails of the power bus with an inductor coupled from between the first and second paired MOSFETs to a charging output of the solar string.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: NADER MICHAEL LOTFY, ERIC JAMES AAGAARD
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Patent number: 11496209Abstract: In one implementation, a method for a solar cell array is provided, the method includes emitting a communication message from the solar cell array by reverse biasing the solar cell array so as to cause at least a portion of the solar array to emit a detectable amount of radiation corresponding to the communication message. In one embodiment a solar cell array circuit is provided including a solar string comprising a plurality of solar cells coupled together, a charge storage device coupled to a power bus, and a bidirectional boost-buck converter having a first and second pair of MOSFETs connected in series between positive and negative rails of the power bus with an inductor coupled from between the first and second paired MOSFETs to a charging output of the solar string.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Nader Michael Lotfy, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20220185133Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20220166496Abstract: In one implementation, a method for a solar cell array is provided, the method includes emitting a communication message from the solar cell array by reverse biasing the solar cell array so as to cause at least a portion of the solar array to emit a detectable amount of radiation corresponding to the communication message. In one embodiment a solar cell array circuit is provided including a solar string comprising a plurality of solar cells coupled together, a charge storage device coupled to a power bus, and a bidirectional boost-buck converter having a first and second pair of MOSFETs connected in series between positive and negative rails of the power bus with an inductor coupled from between the first and second paired MOSFETs to a charging output of the solar string.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: NADER MICHAEL LOTFY, ERIC JAMES AAGAARD
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Patent number: 11254229Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20210373554Abstract: A method of targeting, which involves capturing a first video of a scene about a potential targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; transmitting the first video and associated potential targeting coordinate by the first aircraft; receiving the first video on a first display in communication with a processor, the processor also receiving the potential targeting coordinate; selecting the potential targeting coordinate to be an actual targeting coordinate for a second aircraft in response to viewing the first video on the first display; and guiding a second aircraft toward the actual targeting coordinate; where positive identification of a target corresponding to the actual targeting coordinate is maintained from selection of the actual targeting coordinate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Macdonald John Peebles, Andrew Martin, Charles Lawrence Baker, Daisy Wang, Kevin Jay Aguilar, Matthew Allen Hanna, Brian Young, Eric Sornborger, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 11112787Abstract: A method of targeting, which involves capturing a first video of a scene about a potential targeting coordinate by a first video sensor on a first aircraft; transmitting the first video and associated potential targeting coordinate by the first aircraft; receiving the first video on a first display in communication with a processor, the processor also receiving the potential targeting coordinate; selecting the potential targeting coordinate to be an actual targeting coordinate for a second aircraft in response to viewing the first video on the first display; and guiding a second aircraft toward the actual targeting coordinate; where positive identification of a target corresponding to the actual targeting coordinate is maintained from selection of the actual targeting coordinate.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Macdonald John Peebles, Andrew Martin, Charles Lawrence Baker, Daisy Wang, Kevin Jay Aguilar, Matthew Allen Hanna, Brian Young, Eric Sornborger, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20200301449Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 10671095Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 10633113Abstract: Liquid dispensing assemblies including adhesive anchoring assemblies configured to adhere to a support surface external to a device such as a vehicle. An air vehicle includes (a) a fluid adhesive container assembly detachably attached to the air vehicle, wherein the fluid adhesive container assembly comprises: (i) an adhesive container comprising fluid adhesive; and (ii) one or more fibers, wherein the one or more fibers are configured, or a brush of fibers, or a fabric of fibers, is configured to conduct the fluid adhesive and to structurally support an adhesive bond between the one or more fibers and a surface; and (b) means for dispensing the fluid adhesive from the fluid adhesive container, to the one or more fibers.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, John Peter Zwaan, David R. Thompson, Marc L. Schmalzel, Karl R. Klingbiel, Tyson R. Jensen, Pavel Belik, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20180319513Abstract: Liquid dispensing assemblies including adhesive anchoring assemblies configured to adhere to a support surface external to a device such as a vehicle. An air vehicle includes (a) a fluid adhesive container assembly detachably attached to the air vehicle, wherein the fluid adhesive container assembly comprises: (i) an adhesive container comprising fluid adhesive; and (ii) one or more fibers, wherein the one or more fibers are configured, or a brush of fibers, or a fabric of fibers, is configured to conduct the fluid adhesive and to structurally support an adhesive bond between the one or more fibers and a surface; and (b) means for dispensing the fluid adhesive from the fluid adhesive container, to the one or more fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, John Peter Zwaan, David R. Thompson, Marc L. Schmalzel, Karl R. Klingbiel, Tyson R. Jensen, Pavel Belik, Eric James Aagaard
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Publication number: 20180239369Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 9977435Abstract: A method of migrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations between geographic survey areas, including: uploading a first plurality of flight missions into a first UAV pod; deploying the UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the first plurality of flight missions; providing first survey data from the UAV to the UAV pod; autonomously migrating the UAV from the first UAV pod to a second UAV pod; receiving a second plurality of flight missions in a second UAV pod; providing the UAV with one of the second plurality of flight missions from the second UAV pod; autonomously launching the UAV from the second UAV pod a plurality of times to perform the second plurality of flight missions; and providing a second survey data from the UAV to the second UAV pod; where the autonomous migrating of the UAV to accomplish the first and second survey data happens autonomously and without active human intervention.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: AEROVIROMENT, INC.Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott, Eric James Aagaard
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Patent number: 9957065Abstract: Liquid dispensing assemblies including adhesive anchoring assemblies configured to adhere to a support surface external to a device such as a vehicle. An air vehicle includes (a) a fluid adhesive container assembly detachably attached to the air vehicle, wherein the fluid adhesive container assembly comprises: (i) an adhesive container comprising fluid adhesive; and (ii) one or more fibers, wherein the one or more fibers are configured, or a brush of fibers, or a fabric of fibers, is configured to conduct the fluid adhesive and to structurally support an adhesive bond between the one or more fibers and a surface; and (b) means for dispensing the fluid adhesive from the fluid adhesive container, to the one or more fibers.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, John Peter Zwaan, David R. Thompson, Marc L. Schmalzel, Karl R. Klingbiel, Tyson R. Jensen, Pavel Belik, Eric James Aagaard