Patents by Inventor Neal H. Willford

Neal H. Willford 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).

  • UAV with wing-plate assemblies providing efficient vertical takeoff and landing capability
    Patent number: 10633092
    Abstract: A technique is directed to operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage defining a flight direction of the UAV and wing-plate assemblies that propel the UAV in the flight direction defined by the fuselage. The technique involves providing, while the flight direction defined by fuselage of the UAV points vertically from a takeoff location on the ground, thrust from propulsion units of the wing-plate assemblies to fly the UAV along a vertical takeoff path. The technique further involves maneuvering, after the UAV flies along the vertical takeoff path, the UAV to align the flight direction along a horizontal flight path that is perpendicular to the vertical takeoff path. The technique further involves providing, after the UAV flies along the horizontal flight path, thrust from the propulsion units of the wing-plate assemblies to land the UAV along a vertical landing path that is perpendicular to the horizontal flight path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: Neal H. Willford
  • UAV WITH WING-PLATE ASSEMBLIES PROVIDING EFFICIENT VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING CAPABILITY
    Publication number: 20170158327
    Abstract: A technique is directed to operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage defining a flight direction of the UAV and wing-plate assemblies that propel the UAV in the flight direction defined by the fuselage. The technique involves providing, while the flight direction defined by fuselage of the UAV points vertically from a takeoff location on the ground, thrust from propulsion units of the wing-plate assemblies to fly the UAV along a vertical takeoff path. The technique further involves maneuvering, after the UAV flies along the vertical takeoff path, the UAV to align the flight direction along a horizontal flight path that is perpendicular to the vertical takeoff path. The technique further involves providing, after the UAV flies along the horizontal flight path, thrust from the propulsion units of the wing-plate assemblies to land the UAV along a vertical landing path that is perpendicular to the horizontal flight path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: Neal H. Willford