Patents Assigned to Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
  • Patent number: 11772809
    Abstract: A fuselage for an aircraft. The fuselage has a control element with an integrated engine outlet. The control element is integrated at a rear end of the fuselage, so that the control element terminates flush with an outer skin of the fuselage in a circumferential direction of the fuselage. An outer wall of the control element surrounds the engine outlet wherein the engine outlet is directed towards an open rear side of the control element. The control element is connected to the fuselage such that the control element jointly the engine outlet is pivotable about a rotation axis with respect to the fuselage. The rotation axis runs transversely to a longitudinal direction of the fuselage and the control element functions as a tailplane when pivoting about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Stangl, Robert Osterhuber, Philipp Ernstberger
  • Patent number: 11753147
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the state of an unmanned aircraft includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit that can be integrated within the aircraft, a state transmission unit that can be integrated within the aircraft for transferring state data of the aircraft, a receiving unit integrated within the aircraft for receiving control commands, a computing unit assigned to the aircraft for validating the state of the aircraft, and an external control and monitoring unit connected to the computing unit. The computing unit executes a simulation model of the aircraft, which is based on numerical integration of a system of equations with a simulation state vector. The computing unit sends a warning signal to the control and monitoring unit on the occurrence of one or repeated instances of a model error correction term exceeding specified interval limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Hunkel
  • Patent number: 11757631
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasing received command data includes a processor unit with a code generator, a cryptography module, and a comparison module. The code generator generates a transaction code. The apparatus has a transmitting unit which provides the transaction code via an unsecured data connection, a receiving unit which receives an external authentication code and command data via the unsecured data connection, and a memory unit which stores data of a predefined private key. Also disclosed is a transmission apparatus for command data. The transmission apparatus has a basic receiving unit which receives the transaction code, an input unit which receives the command data, a basic memory unit which stores the data of the predefined private key, a basic processor unit which has a basic cryptography module, and a basic transmitting unit which provides the external authentication code and the command data via the unsecured data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heuer, Riqaq Woolnough
  • Patent number: 11729730
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing wireless network nodes of a wireless communication network involves a base station of the wireless communication network to determine or obtain a maximum value for a frequency content per unit of time of an FMCW radio-frequency signal interfering with the wireless communication network, transmit a first synchronization frame containing a first synchronization sequence in a first wireless communication frequency bandwidth, and transmit a second synchronization frame simultaneously to the first synchronization frame, the second synchronization frame containing a second synchronization sequence in a second wireless communication frequency bandwidth that is spaced apart from the first wireless communication frequency bandwidth by a spectral distance larger or equal to the product of the determined maximum value for the frequency content per unit of time of the FMCW radio-frequency signal and duration of the first and second synchronization sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Meyerhoff
  • Patent number: 11715835
    Abstract: An interconnector plate for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system for an aircraft. For better extraction of the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector plate can be attached by form fit to fixing studs of the fuel cell by retaining eyes. The interconnector plate may additionally be secured using glass solder. In preparation for a higher power density, a fuel cell can be produced in ceramic by 3D-printing and has an improved power density because of its helical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Kristian Zimmermann, Stephan Friedl
  • Patent number: 11704823
    Abstract: A preprocessing technique for synthetic radar images. An embodiment of a method for preprocessing synthetic aperture radar images includes: receiving range-compressed radar data generated from raw radar image data on-board a satellite or an airborne vehicle; generating a preliminary SAR image by performing a pre-focusing on the range-compressed radar data; extracting image subsectors from the preliminary SAR image; transmitting the extracted image subsectors to an on-ground portion; reconstructing the range-compressed radar data pertaining to the extracted image subsectors; and making the range-compressed radar data pertaining to the extracted image subsectors available for a Nominal synthetic aperture radar processor, wherein the Nominal synthetic aperture radar processor is configured to generate a focused SAR image having a nominal value of image resolution that is higher than the resolution of the preliminary SAR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Schaefer, Jörg Hippler, Andrea Federico Loinger, Christoph Heer
  • Patent number: 11706201
    Abstract: A system and method for secure cloud computing. The cloud based processing system comprises a user interface, allowing a user to enter and edit data, a proxy server, and a cloud based processing server. The user interface sends data entered by a user to the proxy server, which sends the encrypted data to the cloud based processing server. The proxy server receives editing commands from the user interface, and sends those commands to the cloud based processing server along with the encrypted data. The cloud based processing server receives the encrypted data and editing commands, applies the editing commands to the encrypted data, and sends the edited encrypted data back to the proxy server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: Airbus Defence and Space Limited, Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Francis, Simon Bourne, Erik Oliver Blass
  • Patent number: 11702219
    Abstract: An air direction arrangement for an aircraft. The air direction arrangement contains an inlet opening and an inlet channel connected thereto and which is at least partially surrounded by an outer wall. The inlet channel is configured to guide air to an engine of the aircraft. The outer wall contains at least one outlet channel and at least one outlet element. The outlet element is configured to selectively release or close the outlet channel for an air flow from the inlet channel into the environment of the aircraft. The air direction arrangement contains a heat exchanger in the outlet channel to discharge thermal energy to the air flow which is flowing from the inlet channel into the environment of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Pfefferkorn, Robert Ehrmayr
  • Patent number: 11695131
    Abstract: A fuel cell to provide a higher power density. The fuel cell can be produced by 3D printing in ceramic and has an improved power density by virtue of its spiral shape. In order to better extract the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector sheet can be fastened positively to fastening knobs of the fuel cell by holding eyes. In addition, the interconnector sheet can be fixed by glass solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Kristian Zimmermann, Frank Hermle, Stephan Friedl
  • Patent number: 11658859
    Abstract: A wireless network includes access points with at least pairwise overlapping wireless coverage, each access point including an OFDMA modulation system and a channel scheduler coupled to the OFDMA modulation system configured to set up a number of virtual wireless interfaces of the access point, each virtual wireless interface being associated with a dedicated set of subcarriers within the OFDMA spectrum. At least one first of the virtual wireless interfaces is configured to host all communication links between the access point and local mobile clients to the access point. A least one second of the virtual wireless interfaces is configured to host communication links between the access point and one of the neighboring access points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Paulo Mendes
  • Publication number: 20230150689
    Abstract: A structural part for lightning strike protection, preferably of an aircraft includes a first structure element, wherein the first structure element includes a conducting material and is adapted to conduct electric currents into a grounded conducting airframe structure, and a second structure element, wherein the second structure element includes an outer layer with a first surface, wherein the outer layer includes a composite, preferably carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, CFRP or glass-fibre reinforced plastic GFRP. The structural part further includes a first elongated, preferably wedge-shaped, electrical conductor, with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first elongated electrical conductor is connected to the first structure element and extends through the second structure element to the first surface, so that the second end of the first elongated electrical conductor serves as a lightning receptor without impairing the radar cross section of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Karch, Kay Dittrich, Matthias Bleckmann, Thomas Schuster
  • Patent number: 11649809
    Abstract: A neutralizer suitable for use in an ion engine comprises a halogen gas source and an electrode tube comprising an inlet opening connected to the halogen gas source for supplying a halogen gas provided by the halogen gas source into the electrode tube, a discharge space for generating a plasma from the halogen gas supplied into the electrode tube, and an outlet opening for discharging the plasma generated in the discharge space and free electrons from the electrode tube. An electron emitter is arranged in the discharge space of the electrode tube, which is at least partially made of tungsten, a tungsten alloy or a tungsten composite material containing at least one of iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Georg Hey, Nils Gerrit Kottke, Günter Kornfeld
  • Publication number: 20230141562
    Abstract: An aircraft has a first antenna arrangement, a payload and a processing unit. The first antenna arrangement is designed to wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals. The processing unit is coupled to the first antenna arrangement, on the one hand, and to the payload, on the other hand. The processing unit is designed to modulate an electromagnetic signal received by the first antenna arrangement and thereby to generate a first modulated signal and to forward it to the payload. The payload is designed to use the first modulated signal as working signal. A radiofrequency power signal on an uplink is thus remodulated into a payload working signal, such that the payload working signal is able to be used directly by the payload without rectification into a DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Daniel
  • Publication number: 20230131327
    Abstract: A system for extracting oxygen from powdered metal oxides, the system comprising a container comprising an electrolyte in the form of meltable or molten salt, at least one cathode, at least one anode, a power supply, and a conducting structure, wherein the cathode is shaped as a receptacle having a porous shell, which has an upper opening, the cathode being arranged in the electrolyte with the opening protruding over the electrolyte, wherein the conducting structure comprises a plurality of conducting elements and gaps between the conducting elements, wherein the power supply is connectable to the at least one cathode and the at least one anode to selectively apply an electric potential across the cathode and the anode, wherein the conducting structure is insertable into the cathode, such that the conducting elements reach into an inner space of the cathode, wherein the conducting structure is electrically connectable to the cathode, and wherein the system is adapted for reducing at least one respective metal
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicants: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Uday B. Pal, Achim O. Seidel, Peter Quadbeck, Astrid Adrian
  • Publication number: 20230131891
    Abstract: A method for extracting metal and oxygen from powdered metal oxides in electrolytic cell is proposed, the electrolytic cell comprising a container, a cathode, an anode and an oxygen-ion-conducting membrane, the method comprising providing a solid oxygen ion conducting electrolyte powder into a container, providing a feedstock comprising at least one metal oxide in powdered form into the container, applying an electric potential across the cathode and the anode, the cathode being in communication with the electrolyte powder and the anode being in communication with the membrane in communication with the electrolyte powder, such that at least one respective metallic species of the at least one metal oxide is reduced at the cathode and oxygen is oxidized at the anode to form molecular oxygen, wherein the potential across the cathode and the anode is greater than the dissociation potential of the at least one metal oxide and less than the dissociation potential of the solid electrolyte powder and the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicants: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Achim O. Seidel, Uday B. Pal, Peter Quadbeck, Astrid Adrian
  • Patent number: 11616569
    Abstract: A method for establishing a free-space data transmission channel between movable and/or spatially fixed network nodes. Dynamic position information is collected regarding movable network nodes and static position information relating to spatially fixed network nodes. Specific and node-dependent parameters for the fixed network nodes is collected, based on collected dynamic and static position information. A prioritization list is created of the fixed network nodes. Checking occurs, for the network node having the highest priority of the multiplicity of movable or spatially fixed network nodes in the created prioritization list, which of a selection of movable or spatially fixed network nodes are possible for setting up a directional free-space data transmission channel with the network node having the highest priority of the fixed network nodes. A directional free-space data transmission channel is set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin Shortt, Sergio Feo-Arenis, Philipp Helle, Carsten Strobel
  • Publication number: 20220388658
    Abstract: A fluid tank for integration into a structure of an unmanned aircraft includes a shell having a first axial wall, an oppositely arranged second axial wall, an upper side, a lower side, and an enclosed interior, at least one receiving chamber in the interior for storing fluid, and a collection chamber, which is arranged on the lower side and which is fluidically connected to the at least one receiving chamber. The collection chamber includes a bottom surface, through which there extends a drain, wherein a covering surface is arranged above the bottom surface and covers at least a portion of the collection chamber. At least one flow opening could be arranged on an upper side of the collection chamber, which flow opening allows gas bubbles to escape in the direction of the upper side of the fluid tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Borja Sanz Lopez, Clemens Brand, Michael Jost, Winfried Lohmiller, Georg Söllinger, Dieter Grebner, Oliver Motlik
  • Publication number: 20220361638
    Abstract: A storage system has a first pouch for receiving an electronic device, and a second pouch for receiving the first pouch. The first pouch is at least partially surrounded by the second pouch when the first pouch is received in the second pouch. The first pouch has a first fabric layer. Furthermore, the first pouch has an insulating layer which is adjacent to the first fabric layer and is designed to absorb material arising in the event of combustion. The second pouch is closable in such a manner that, in the closed state of the second pouch, an opening for dissipating heat energy remains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicants: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Hadidom, Jana Schuett, Thomas Vielhaben
  • Patent number: 11491701
    Abstract: A method for producing a tubular body with reduced internal stress uses 3D printing. The tubular body has an outer wall with a stiffening structure extending along at least part of the outer wall. The method sets a printing plane for 3D printing with a 3D printer, and prints a tubular body layer in the printing plane with the 3D printer. The tubular body layer has an outer wall layer and a stiffening structure layer extending in the printing plane along a periphery of the outer wall layer. The stiffening structure layer has at least two portions spaced apart from one another. The method produces an outer wall with a stiffening structure for a tubular body with reduced internal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Napp
  • Patent number: 11479869
    Abstract: An electrolysis apparatus for the electrolytic production of oxygen from oxide-containing starting material includes at least one cathode which at least partly delimits a receiving region which in at least one operation state is configured for receiving the oxide-containing starting material and at least one anode, wherein the electrolysis apparatus has at least one selective oxygen pump which is at least partly realized integrally with the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Haeming, Achim Seidel, Uwe Zell