Patents by Inventor William J. Fredericks

William J. Fredericks 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).

  • Publication number: 20230202654
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle capable of VTOL operation can include: a vehicle body defining longitudinal and transverse directions and opposing longitudinal sides; a first support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a second support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a second transverse axis positioned rearward from the first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a plurality of electric motors coupled to a one of the first and second support booms, at least two electric motors of the plurality of electric motors positioned on each of the first and second support booms, a rotation axis of each of the at least two electric motors coupled to the second support boom offset in a transverse direction from a rotation axis of each of the at least two adjacent electric motors coupled to the first support boom; a plurality of rotors; and a propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, Weston M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11603202
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle capable of VTOL operation can include: a vehicle body defining longitudinal and transverse directions and opposing longitudinal sides; a first support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a second support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a second transverse axis positioned rearward from the first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a plurality of electric motors coupled to a one of the first and second support booms, at least two electric motors of the plurality of electric motors positioned on each of the first and second support booms, a rotation axis of each of the at least two electric motors coupled to the second support boom offset in a transverse direction from a rotation axis of each of the at least two adjacent electric motors coupled to the first support boom; a plurality of rotors; and a propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Aircraft Company
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, Weston M. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20210371102
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle capable of VTOL operation can include: a vehicle body defining longitudinal and transverse directions and opposing longitudinal sides; a first support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a second support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a second transverse axis positioned rearward from the first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a plurality of electric motors coupled to a one of the first and second support booms, at least two electric motors of the plurality of electric motors positioned on each of the first and second support booms, a rotation axis of each of the at least two electric motors coupled to the second support boom offset in a transverse direction from a rotation axis of each of the at least two adjacent electric motors coupled to the first support boom; a plurality of rotors; and a propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, Weston M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11117660
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle capable of VTOL operation can include: a vehicle body defining longitudinal and transverse directions and opposing longitudinal sides; a first support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a second support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a second transverse axis positioned rearward from the first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a plurality of electric motors coupled to a one of the first and second support booms, at least two electric motors of the plurality of electric motors positioned on each of the first and second support booms, a rotation axis of each of the at least two electric motors coupled to the second support boom offset in a transverse direction from a rotation axis of each of the at least two adjacent electric motors coupled to the first support boom; a plurality of rotors; and a propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, Weston M. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20200324894
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle capable of VTOL operation can include: a vehicle body defining longitudinal and transverse directions and opposing longitudinal sides; a first support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a second support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a second transverse axis positioned rearward from the first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a plurality of electric motors coupled to a one of the first and second support booms, at least two electric motors of the plurality of electric motors positioned on each of the first and second support booms, a rotation axis of each of the at least two electric motors coupled to the second support boom offset in a transverse direction from a rotation axis of each of the at least two adjacent electric motors coupled to the first support boom; a plurality of rotors; and a propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, Weston M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10538321
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices provide a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with rotors configured to function as a tri-copter for vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and a fixed-wing vehicle for forward flight. One rotor may be mounted at a front of the vehicle fuselage on a hinged structure controlled by an actuator to tilt from horizontal to vertical positions. Two additional rotors may be mounted on the horizontal surface of the vehicle tail structure with rotor axes oriented vertically to the fuselage. For forward flight of the vehicle, the front rotor may be rotated down such that the front rotor axis may be oriented horizontally along the fuselage and the front rotor may act as a propeller. For vertical flight, the front rotor may be rotated up such that the front rotor axis may be oriented vertically to the fuselage, while the tail rotors may be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: David D. North, Mark J. Aull, William J. Fredericks, Mark D. Moore, Paul M. Rothhaar, William T. Hodges, Zachary R. Johns
  • Patent number: 10370100
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a wing and a control surface pivotably coupled to the wing and configured to pivot about a range of motion. A propulsor is coupled to the control surface and configured to rotate between a first position associated with a hover flight mode and a second position associated with a forward flight mode. The propulsor is aerodynamically actuated between the first position and the second position due to aerodynamics about the wing. The propulsor may rotate from an initial flight mode, such as a takeoff mode, to a second flight mode, such as a forward flight mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Paul M. Rothhaar, William J. Fredericks, David D. North
  • Publication number: 20190136515
    Abstract: Systems and methods for making a waterproofed concrete wall assembly, such as for a basement wall. A waterproof liner is present at the pouring of the concrete of the wall assembly, and has a fibrous layer into which concrete can infuse before hardening. The waterproof liner may include one or more boards including a polymer foam. The boards may line a form used to make the wall assembly, or may make up part of the form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, II, Ralph Michael Fay, Diana Fisler, ChangQing Shen, Guodong Zheng, Zebonie Sukle, Dennis A. Kopp
  • Patent number: 10189565
    Abstract: A modular Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) parent module and UAV child modules. A main wing extends from a respective fuselage of the modules. The UAS includes docking mechanisms coupled to wingtips of the main wings. The child modules dock with the wingtips of the parent or an adjacent child module. Docking forms a linked-flight configuration, with undocking and separation from the parent or adjacent child module achieving an independent-flight configuration. The modules have booms arranged transverse to the main wings and parallel to the longitudinal axis, as well as front and rear rotors/propellers. The front and rear propellers have axes of rotation that are normal to a plane of the longitudinal axis in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration, with the axis of rotation of the rear propellers parallel to the longitudinal axis in a forward-flight configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    Inventors: Michael D. Patterson, Jesse R. Quinlan, William J. Fredericks
  • Publication number: 20190016459
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices provide a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with rotors configured to function as a tri-copter for vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and a fixed-wing vehicle for forward flight. One rotor may be mounted at a front of the vehicle fuselage on a hinged structure controlled by an actuator to tilt from horizontal to vertical positions. Two additional rotors may be mounted on the horizontal surface of the vehicle tail structure with rotor axes oriented vertically to the fuselage. For forward flight of the vehicle, the front rotor may be rotated down such that the front rotor axis may be oriented horizontally along the fuselage and the front rotor may act as a propeller. For vertical flight, the front rotor may be rotated up such that the front rotor axis may be oriented vertically to the fuselage, while the tail rotors may be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: DAVID D. NORTH, MARK J. AULL, WILLIAM J. FREDERICKS, MARK D. MOORE, PAUL M. ROTHHAAR, WILLIAM T. HODGES, ZACHARY R. JOHNS
  • Patent number: 10071801
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices provide a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with rotors configured to function as a tri-copter for vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and a fixed-wing vehicle for forward flight. One rotor may be mounted at a front of the vehicle fuselage on a hinged structure controlled by an actuator to tilt from horizontal to vertical positions. Two additional rotors may be mounted on the horizontal surface of the vehicle tail structure with rotor axes oriented vertically to the fuselage. For forward flight of the vehicle, the front rotor may be rotated down such that the front rotor axis may be oriented horizontally along the fuselage and the front rotor may act as a propeller. For vertical flight, the front rotor may be rotated up such that the front rotor axis may be oriented vertically to the fuselage, while the tail rotors may be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: David D. North, Mark J. Aull, William J. Fredericks, Mark D. Moore, Paul M. Rothhaar, William T. Hodges, Zachary R. Johns
  • Publication number: 20180155021
    Abstract: A modular Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) parent module and UAV child modules. A main wing extends from a respective fuselage of the modules. The UAS includes docking mechanisms coupled to wingtips of the main wings. The child modules dock with the wingtips of the parent or an adjacent child module. Docking forms a linked-flight configuration, with undocking and separation from the parent or adjacent child module achieving an independent-flight configuration. The modules have booms arranged transverse to the main wings and parallel to the longitudinal axis, as well as front and rear rotors/propellers. The front and rear propellers have axes of rotation that are normal to a plane of the longitudinal axis in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration, with the axis of rotation of the rear propellers parallel to the longitudinal axis in a forward-flight configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Patterson, Jesse R. Quinlan, William J. Fredericks
  • Patent number: 9896200
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided that combine an advance vehicle configuration, such as an advanced aircraft configuration, with the infusion of electric propulsion, thereby enabling a four times increase in range and endurance while maintaining a full vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and hover capability for the vehicle. Embodiments may provide vehicles with both VTOL and cruise efficient capabilities without the use of ground infrastructure. An embodiment vehicle may comprise a wing configured to tilt through a range of motion, a first series of electric motors coupled to the wing and each configured to drive an associated wing propeller, a tail configured to tilt through the range of motion, a second series of electric motors coupled to the tail and each configured to drive an associated tail propeller, and an electric propulsion system connected to the first series of electric motors and the second series of electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, Mark D. Moore, Ronald C. Busan, Paul M. Rothhaar, David D. North, William M. Langford, Christopher T. Laws, William T. Hodges, Zachary R. Johns, Sandy R. Webb
  • Publication number: 20170057631
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided that combine an advance vehicle configuration, such as an advanced aircraft configuration, with the infusion of electric propulsion, thereby enabling a four times increase in range and endurance while maintaining a full vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and hover capability for the vehicle. Embodiments may provide vehicles with both VTOL and cruise efficient capabilities without the use of ground infrastructure. An embodiment vehicle may comprise a wing configured to tilt through a range of motion, a first series of electric motors coupled to the wing and each configured to drive an associated wing propeller, a tail configured to tilt through the range of motion, a second series of electric motors coupled to the tail and each configured to drive an associated tail propeller, and an electric propulsion system connected to the first series of electric motors and the second series of electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: William J. FREDERICKS, Mark D. MOORE, Ronald C. BUSAN, Paul M. ROTHHAAR, David D. NORTH, William M. LANGFORD, Christopher T. LAWS, William T HODGES, Zachary R. JOHNS, Sandy R. WEBB
  • Patent number: 9475579
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided that combine an advance vehicle configuration, such as an advanced aircraft configuration, with the infusion of electric propulsion, thereby enabling a four times increase in range and endurance while maintaining a full vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and hover capability for the vehicle. Embodiments may provide vehicles with both VTOL and cruise efficient capabilities without the use of ground infrastructure. An embodiment vehicle may comprise a wing configured to tilt through a range of motion, a first series of electric motors coupled to the wing and each configured to drive an associated wing propeller, a tail configured to tilt through the range of motion, a second series of electric motors coupled to the tail and each configured to drive an associated tail propeller, and an electric propulsion system connected to the first series of electric motors and the second series of electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William J. Fredericks, Mark D. Moore, Ronald C. Busan, Paul M. Rothhaar, David D. North, William M. Langford, Christopher T. Laws, William T. Hodges, Zachary R. Johns, Sandy R. Webb
  • Publication number: 20160288903
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a wing and a control surface pivotably coupled to the wing and configured to pivot about a range of motion. A propulsor is coupled to the control surface and configured to rotate between a first position associated with a hover flight mode and a second position associated with a forward flight mode. The propulsor is aerodynamically actuated between the first position and the second position due to aerodynamics about the wing. The propulsor may rotate from an initial flight mode, such as a takeoff mode, to a second flight mode, such as a forward flight mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: PAUL M. ROTHHAAR, WILLIAM J. FREDERICKS, DAVID D. NORTH
  • Publication number: 20160244158
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided that combine an advance vehicle configuration, such as an advanced aircraft configuration, with the infusion of electric propulsion, thereby enabling a four times increase in range and endurance while maintaining a full vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and hover capability for the vehicle. Embodiments may provide vehicles with both VTOL and cruise efficient capabilities without the use of ground infrastructure. An embodiment vehicle may comprise a wing configured to tilt through a range of motion, a first series of electric motors coupled to the wing and each configured to drive an associated wing propeller, a tail configured to tilt through the range of motion, a second series of electric motors coupled to the tail and each configured to drive an associated tail propeller, and an electric propulsion system connected to the first series of electric motors and the second series of electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: WILLIAM J. FREDERICKS, Mark D. Moore, Ronald C. Busan, Paul M. Rothhaar, David D. North, William M. Langford, Christopher T. Laws, William T. Hodges, Zachary R. Johns, Sandy R. Webb
  • Publication number: 20160200436
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices provide a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with rotors configured to function as a tri-copter for vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and a fixed-wing vehicle for forward flight. One rotor may be mounted at a front of the vehicle fuselage on a hinged structure controlled by an actuator to tilt from horizontal to vertical positions. Two additional rotors may be mounted on the horizontal surface of the vehicle tail structure with rotor axes oriented vertically to the fuselage. For forward flight of the vehicle, the front rotor may be rotated down such that the front rotor axis may be oriented horizontally along the fuselage and the front rotor may act as a propeller. For vertical flight, the front rotor may be rotated up such that the front rotor axis may be oriented vertically to the fuselage, while the tail rotors may be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: David D. North, Mark J. Aull, William J. Fredericks, Mark D. Moore, Paul M. Rothhaar, WILLIAM T. Hodges, Zachary R. Johns