Patents by Inventor Nicholas Hampel Roberts
Nicholas Hampel Roberts 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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Patent number: 11884393Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, Jr., Gur Kimchi, Louis Leroi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Publication number: 20230322380Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, Jr., Gur Kimchi, Louis Leroi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Patent number: 11639220Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that transitions in-flight between vertical flight configuration and horizontal flight configuration by changing an orientation of the UAV by approximately ninety degrees. The UAV may include propulsion units that are coupled to a wing. The wing may include wing segments rotatably coupled together by pivots that rotate to position the propulsion units around a center of mass of the UAV when the fuselage is oriented perpendicular with the horizon. In this vertical flight configuration, the UAV may perform vertical flight or hover. During the vertical flight, the UAV may cause the wing to extend outward via the pivots such that the wing segments become positioned substantially parallel to one another and the wing resembles a conventional fixed wing. With the wing extended, the UAV assumes a horizontal flight configuration that provides upward lift generated from the wing.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jack Erdozain, Jr., Berk Ozturk, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Brian C. Beckman
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Patent number: 11565808Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, Jr., Gur Kimchi, Louis Leroi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Patent number: 11390381Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that transitions in-flight between vertical flight configuration and horizontal flight configuration by changing an orientation of the UAV by approximately ninety degrees. The UAV may include propulsion units that are coupled to a wing. The wing may include wing segments rotatably coupled together by pivots that rotate to position the propulsion units around a center of mass of the UAV when the fuselage is oriented perpendicular with the horizon. In this vertical flight configuration, the UAV may perform vertical flight or hover. During the vertical flight, the UAV may cause the wing to extend outward via the pivots such that the wing segments become positioned substantially parallel to one another and the wing resembles a conventional fixed wing. With the wing extended, the UAV assumes a horizontal flight configuration that provides upward lift generated from the wing.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jack Erdozain, Jr., Berk Ozturk, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Brian C. Beckman
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Patent number: 10661894Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that transitions in-flight between vertical flight configuration and horizontal flight configuration by changing an orientation of the UAV by approximately ninety degrees. The UAV may include propulsion units that are coupled to a wing. The wing may include wing segments rotatably coupled together by pivots that rotate to position the propulsion units around a center of mass of the UAV when the fuselage is oriented perpendicular with the horizon. In this vertical flight configuration, the UAV may perform vertical flight or hover. During the vertical flight, the UAV may cause the wing to extend outward via the pivots such that the wing segments become positioned substantially parallel to one another and the wing resembles a conventional fixed wing. With the wing extended, the UAV assumes a horizontal flight configuration that provides upward lift generated from the wing.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jack Erdozain, Jr., Berk Ozturk, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Brian C. Beckman
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Patent number: 10618649Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, Jr., Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Patent number: 10392108Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that transitions in-flight between vertical flight configuration and horizontal flight configuration by changing an orientation of the UAV by approximately ninety degrees. The UAV may include propulsion units that are coupled to a fuselage or wing. The UAV may include a tail and/or a swing arm that is rotatably coupled to the fuselage and that rotate between different positions. The swing arm may be selectively coupled to cargo. The wing may include wing segments rotatably coupled together by pivots that rotate to position the propulsion units around a center of mass of the UAV when the fuselage is oriented perpendicular with the horizon.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jack Erdozain, Jr., Berk Ozturk, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Brian C. Beckman
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Publication number: 20190248491Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, JR., Gur Kimchi, Louis Leroi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Patent number: 10377483Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, Jr., Gur Kimchi, Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Publication number: 20190161168Abstract: Multiple propeller blades may be joined by tip connectors to form a closed propeller apparatus. The tip connectors may create continuous structure between adjacent tips of a first propeller and a second propeller. Use of the tip connectors may reduce vortices created near the tips of the propeller blades, which cause drag and slow the rotation of the propeller blades. The tip connectors may also reduce noise caused by rotation of propeller blades. Further, the tip connectors reduce or eliminate deflection of the propeller blades by creating a support structure to counteract forces that would otherwise cause deflection of the propeller blades, thereby improving propeller blade loading. In some embodiments, the tip connectors may be formed of a malleable material and/or include one or more joints that enable at least one of the propellers to modify a pitch of blades of the propeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Dominic Timothy Shiosaki, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Patent number: 10232933Abstract: Multiple propeller blades may be joined by tip connectors to form a closed propeller apparatus. The tip connectors may create continuous structure between adjacent tips of a first propeller and a second propeller. Use of the tip connectors may reduce vortices created near the tips of the propeller blades, which cause drag and slow the rotation of the propeller blades. The tip connectors may also reduce noise caused by rotation of propeller blades. Further, the tip connectors reduce or eliminate deflection of the propeller blades by creating a support structure to counteract forces that would otherwise cause deflection of the propeller blades, thereby improving propeller blade loading. In some embodiments, the tip connectors may be formed of a malleable material and/or include one or more joints that enable at least one of the propellers to modify a pitch of blades of the propeller.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Dominic Timothy Shiosaki, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Patent number: 10086933Abstract: Multiple motors may drive (rotate) a single shaft coupled to a propeller. The motors may be selected such that a first motor is capable of rotating the drive shaft in an event of a failure of a second motor coupled to the drive shaft. A one-way clutch bearing, or similar device, may interface between a motor and the drive shaft to enable free rotation of the drive shaft in an event of the motor becoming inoperable, such as the motor freezing or locking in a position due to failure caused by overheating or caused by other conditions or events. Use of the second motor may secure a position of the drive shaft which may support the propeller in radial eccentric loading.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Dominic Timothy Shiosaki, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Publication number: 20170253329Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, JR., Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Publication number: 20170253332Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, JR., Gur Kimchi, Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Publication number: 20170174337Abstract: Multiple motors may drive (rotate) a single shaft coupled to a propeller. The motors may be selected such that a first motor is capable of rotating the drive shaft in an event of a failure of a second motor coupled to the drive shaft. A one-way clutch bearing, or similar device, may interface between a motor and the drive shaft to enable free rotation of the drive shaft in an event of the motor becoming inoperable, such as the motor freezing or locking in a position due to failure caused by overheating or caused by other conditions or events. Use of the second motor may secure a position of the drive shaft which may support the propeller in radial eccentric loading.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Dominic Timothy Shiosaki, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Publication number: 20170174323Abstract: Multiple propeller blades may be joined by tip connectors to form a closed propeller apparatus. The tip connectors may create continuous structure between adjacent tips of a first propeller and a second propeller. Use of the tip connectors may reduce vortices created near the tips of the propeller blades, which cause drag and slow the rotation of the propeller blades. The tip connectors may also reduce noise caused by rotation of propeller blades. Further, the tip connectors reduce or eliminate deflection of the propeller blades by creating a support structure to counteract forces that would otherwise cause deflection of the propeller blades, thereby improving propeller blade loading. In some embodiments, the tip connectors may be formed of a malleable material and/or include one or more joints that enable at least one of the propellers to modify a pitch of blades of the propeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Dominic Timothy Shiosaki, Ricky Dean Welsh
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Patent number: 9550567Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that transitions in-flight between vertical flight configuration and horizontal flight configuration by changing an orientation of the UAV by approximately ninety degrees. The UAV may include propulsion units that are coupled to a wing. The wing may include wing segments rotatably coupled together by pivots that rotate to position the propulsion units around a center of mass of the UAV when the fuselage is oriented perpendicular with the horizon. In this vertical flight configuration, the UAV may perform vertical flight or hover. During the vertical flight, the UAV may cause the wing to extend outward via the pivots such that the wing segments become positioned substantially parallel to one another and the wing resembles a conventional fixed wing. With the wing extended, the UAV assumes a horizontal flight configuration that provides upward lift generated from the wing.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jack Erdozain, Jr., Berk Ozturk, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Brian C. Beckman