Patents by Inventor Michael Brian Ward

Michael Brian Ward 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).

  • One-time flare mechanism
    Patent number: 11434011
    Abstract: A one-time flare mechanism system for use with an aerial payload system is describe which uses minimal actuation force to produce a reliable flare with minimal shock to the payload, parafoil and rigging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Earthly Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Mark F Costello, Michael Brian Ward
  • Robotic landing gear for rotorcraft
    Patent number: 10676177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to robotic landing gear for a rotorcraft that is designed to allow for landing on sloped and irregular surfaces. The robotic landing gear consists of articulated legs with contact sensors. Once the contact sensor touches a landing surface, the articulated leg in which contact is detected retracts to maintain a certain amount of contact pressure with the surface. Each articulated leg does this independently until contact is detected on the sensors of all of the robotic legs, at which point the legs lock in position and the rotorcraft can safely land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventors: Mark F. Costello, Michael Brian Ward, R Matthew Tallent, Ryan Hofmeister, Ashish Bagai
  • One-time flare mechansim
    Patent number: 10137995
    Abstract: A one-time flare mechanism system for use with an aerial payload system is described which uses minimal actuation force to produce a reliable flare with minimal shock to the payload, parafoil and rigging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Earthly Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Mark F Costello, Michael Brian Ward, Edward James Scheuermann
  • In canopy bleed air actuator with mesh vent
    Patent number: 9573692
    Abstract: A system is described to control the flight path of a parafoil. The physical control mechanism is a series of actuators embedded within the parafoil canopy that open a series of meshed venting systems in the upper surface of the parafoil canopy. Opening and closing the meshed venting system changes the forces and moments acting on the parafoil canopy in a consistent manner such that it can be used for flight control. The meshed venting system includes an internal sealing flap and a mesh member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Earthly Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Mark F Costello, Michael Brian Ward, Edward James Scheuermann, Keith Bergeron, Michael Wayne Shurtliff, Gregory Michael Noetscher
  • In canopy bleed air actuator
    Patent number: 9428277
    Abstract: A system is described to control the flight path of a parafoil. The physical control mechanism is a series of actuators embedded within the parafoil canopy that open a series of holes via slits in the upper surface of the parafoil canopy. Opening and closing the holes changes the forces and moments acting on the parafoil canopy in a consistent manner such that it can be used for flight control. The embedded actuator is attached to a structural cell wall of the parafoil canopy. A control line from the actuator extends through a ring attached to the leading edge of the slit in the upper surface of the parafoil canopy and back down to the lower surface of the parafoil canopy along the opposite side non-structural cell wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Earthly Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Mark F Costello, Keith Bergeron, Michael Wayne Shurtliff, Gregory Michael Noetscher, Michael Brian Ward, Edward James Scheuermann