Patents Assigned to Airbus Defence and Space
  • Patent number: 9625216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat transfer system with one main capillary pumped diphasic fluid loop and a secondary capillary pumped diphasic fluid loop suitable for cooling at least one hot source. The main fluid loop and the secondary fluid loop have one evaporator, a vapor pipe capable of conveying the cooling fluid in the vapor state from the evaporator to a condenser, a condenser and a liquid pipe capable of conveying the cooling fluid in the liquid state from the condenser to the evaporator-so that the cooling fluid of the main fluid loop is in heat exchange with the cooling fluid of the secondary fluid loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space SAS
    Inventor: Christophe Figus
  • Patent number: 9612922
    Abstract: A computer system includes at least two COTS processor cores and an evaluating device connected to the at least two COTS processor cores for evaluating output signals output by means of the at least two COTS processor cores. The evaluating device includes a comparator for pair-wise comparison of the respective generated output signals with each other. The comparator also outputs a comparison signal corresponding to the respective comparison of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Geiger, Michael Paulitsch
  • Patent number: 9607790
    Abstract: An operating device with a number of actuating elements, such as switches and/or pushbuttons, arranged next to one another and/or one below the other is provided. The actuating elements are delimited, at least in part, by at least one frame element. The frame element is provided, at least in some regions, with surface sections that are shaped such that they can be detected haptically. One actuating element is respectively assigned to at least a part of the haptically detectable surface sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Kellerer, Josef Ritzer
  • Patent number: 9602155
    Abstract: A transceiver element for an active, electronically controlled antenna system includes a transmit path, a receive path and single-pole change-over switches having a common central connection and two connections for switching between the transmit path and the receive path. An amplitude controller and a phase adjuster are arranged between the common center connections of a first and second single-pole change-over switch. Single-pole multiple toggle switches having a common central connection and a number N of connections are present. The common central connection of the first and second single-pole change-over switch is connected to the common central connection of a first and a second single-pole multiple toggle switch respectively, and an amplitude controller and a phase adjuster are connected between each connection of the number N of connections of the first multiple toggle switch and the second multiple toggle switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastien Chartier
  • Patent number: 9595172
    Abstract: A data glove for generating tactile feedback at a finger upon interaction of the finger with an interaction element on an infrared touchscreen includes receiving elements for receiving the fingers of an operator and stimulators for generating tactile feedback attached on the finger-receiving elements. The date glove also includes elements for identifying the finger interacting with the infrared touchscreen and a signal generator for exciting the stimulator of the interacting finger upon successful actuation of an interaction element on the infrared touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Moeller, Marco Opitz, Alexander Kostka, Nils Kornau
  • Publication number: 20170064049
    Abstract: A network module for sending and/or receiving of data packages from a network arrangement located in a network with ring structure, wherein the data package includes at least one data package segment, a source address, a destination address and an identification number. The network module includes a first network interface and a second network interface, for receiving and/or sending of data packages via the ring structure, a processor configured to determine, based on the destination address, if data packages received are directed to the network module and to determine if the source address and/or the destination address are contained in a predefined list of the network participants, to determine, based on the source address and the identification number, if a copy of a data package directed to the network module is already created in a memory, to create a copy of the data package in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Schneider, Jürgen Meilinger
  • Publication number: 20170063296
    Abstract: A solar array (50) for a spacecraft (10), comprising a solar concentrator that is provided with photovoltaic cells and reflective areas configured for reflecting solar radiation towards the photovoltaic cells, wherein the reflective areas and the photovoltaic cells are provided on opposite surfaces of concentrator reflector sheet members (56) that are repositionable from a retracted state wherein the concentrator reflector sheet members are in a substantially flat arrangement, to a extended state wherein the concentrator reflector sheet members are raised to allow the reflective areas to reflect solar radiation towards the exposed photovoltaic cells. Alternatively or in addition, the solar array may comprise a support panel, which may be at least partially flexible for retaining the support panel in a bent panel shape when the solar array is in the stowed state fixed at a position near a body of the spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Johan Hendrik CRUIJSSEN, Petrus Cornelis DATEMA
  • Patent number: 9573682
    Abstract: A control and/or management system for a vehicle includes at least one of: (A) at least two redundant vehicle management computers configured to generate system control commands for each maneuvering actuators and for each system actor based on the data acquired by the sensors; (B) at least two redundant remote interface units for interconnecting a sensor or a system actor with a vehicle management computer; (C) at least two redundant actuator control computers configured to generate control commands for each maneuvering actuator based on received maneuvering commands; and (D) a common interface for connecting an external computer, the common interface being directly connected to at least two redundant computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, SA
    Inventors: Hugo Heusinger, Winfried Lohmiller, Reinhard Reischl, Gregor Jarasch, Rosa Maria Delgado Romero
  • Patent number: 9569668
    Abstract: A method and a device for runway localization on the basis of a feature analysis of at least one image of the runway surroundings taken by a landing aircraft is characterized in that, in order to determine the central axis of the runway, feature matching between image features of the image and mirrored image features of the image is carried out, wherein features of the one runway side are made to be congruent with features of the other runway side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Schertler
  • Patent number: 9571802
    Abstract: Method for detecting pulsed laser radiation having two-dimensional resolution of the direction of incidence with a CCD sensor having an imaging optic. Method includes generating, in signal processing having sampling frequency of at least 5 kHz, single images by comparing each pixel of CCD sensor to respective threshold values and by storing a pixel value exceeding the respective threshold value for an image processing, ascertaining, in the signal processing, a mean or peak value of stored pixel values of the single image pixel-by-pixel over at least 10 samples, forwarding a signal image obtained in signal processing for image processing at image frequency of 10 Hz to 500 Hz, and identifying from signal image, in an image processing, at least one signal pixel representing incident laser radiation. Method further includes determining direction of incidence of laser radiation from position of signal pixels on signal image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Scherbarth, Oliver Rudow
  • Patent number: 9565723
    Abstract: A lighting device and method with a lighting unit which includes several light sources having different color spectra, with a sensor for determining the spectral power distribution emitted by the lighting unit, with a control unit which, as a function of a predetermined spectral power distribution as well as of the spectral power distribution measured by the sensor, acts on a drive unit which individually energizes the light sources of the lighting unit, so that the emitted light has predetermined spectral power distribution, wherein the lighting unit includes at least four light sources, and the control unit uses an optimization algorithm which, as an optimization goal, maximizes a coefficient of weighted sensor values, the coefficient being calculable from individual drive data of the light sources. A secondary condition is met when error between the predetermined spectral power distribution and the measured spectral power distribution is smaller than a limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Cappitelli, Sönke Klostermann, Dietmar Vogt, Michael Olbert
  • Publication number: 20170029131
    Abstract: A vertical take-off aircraft with a propulsion drive for generating a driving force being effective in a horizontal direction and with a lift drive for generating a lifting force being effective in a vertical direction includes a motor for providing mechanical energy for the propulsion drive and a first generator for providing electrical energy for the lift drive. Moreover, the aircraft includes an exhaust gas turbocharger for the motor with a first turbine being driven by an exhaust gas flow of the motor, wherein the first turbine is configured to provide mechanical energy for the propulsion drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Steinwandel, Ning Wang, Michael Judas, Jan Van Toor
  • Publication number: 20170021911
    Abstract: A coupling device for supporting a first wing section against a second wing section of an aircraft, and configured for passive flight load alleviation includes a housing including a chamber including a first portion and a second portion and filled with a fluid, a piston device movably arranged in the chamber and separating the first portion from the second portion in a fluid tight manner, a first fluid pathway connecting the first portion to the second portion, a first pressure relief valve arranged in the first fluid pathway and blocking the first fluid pathway, if the pressure in the second portion is smaller than a first relief pressure and opening the first fluid pathway, if the pressure in the second portion is greater than the first relief pressure. In addition, the coupling device can be used to actuate the second wing section against the first wing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicants: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Airbus Group Limited
    Inventors: Andreas Wildschek, Stefan Storm, Stephen Rolston, Martin Herring
  • Patent number: 9554065
    Abstract: An image capture instrument implements an addition of accumulation signals for photodetectors which are adjacent within a row of photodetectors. Segments are defined in the row with one and the same common length of segment, while being progressively offset by an offset length which is constant. The accumulation signals are added together for photodetectors which belong to one and the same segment. The offset length is less than the segment length, and greater than half said segment length. Artifacts in the image captured, which are due to spectrum aliasing, are thus decreased. The signal-to-noise ratio of the image is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Luquet
  • Publication number: 20170015070
    Abstract: A testing arrangement serves for controlling the manufacturing of a fiber reinforced component. The testing arrangement includes an inspection device with a sensor system, with the inspection device being configured to move on and/or above one or more material layer(s) and/or a surface of the component and to examine the material layer(s) or the surface with the sensor system. A device serves for automated manufacturing of a fiber reinforced plastic laminate. The device includes a forming tool, a laying head for automated laying of material layers in the forming tool as well as a testing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Franz Engel, Tilman Orth, Christian Weimer
  • Patent number: 9548531
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a radome. The method has the following steps: creation of a contoured fit of at least one section of an inner surface of a wall of the radome; arrangement of a plurality of planar photosensitive semiconductor elements on an outer surface of the contoured fit; placement of the contoured fit with the plurality of planar photosensitive semiconductor elements on the at least one section of the inner surface of the wall; establishing of a connection between the plurality of planar photosensitive semiconductor elements and the wall; and removal of the contoured fit from the radome. This method enables the simple manufacture of a radome with a layer having several semiconductor elements for the electromagnetic shielding of the interior of the radome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Schoenlinner, Ulrich Prechtel, Thomas Schuster, Michael Sabielny, Herbert Zippold, Kay W. Dittrich, Franz Stadler, Markus Rothenhaeusler, Wilhelm Wulbrand, Thomas Koerwien
  • Patent number: 9548575
    Abstract: A device for fixing and electrical contacting of a facing element of an aircraft on a support structure, which is attached to an aircraft structure including a fixing device for detachable fixation of the facing element on the support structure and a contacting device for providing multiple electrical contacts between facing element leads and connecting leads on the support structure, wherein the fixing device can be placed into positive engagement by a transitory relative movement between the facing element and the support structure, and the contacting device includes at least two first contacts on the facing element and the same number of second contacts on the support structure cooperating therewith, which can be respectively brought into contact with one another electrically during the transitory relative movement, wherein the first contacts are connected with the facing element leads and the second contacts are connected with the connecting leads on the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Leonardo Wulfhorst, Nils Ischdonat, Patrick Rollfink
  • Patent number: 9542464
    Abstract: In a method for identifying and classifying an object, an object is detected by at least one physical detector tuned for it, the object is evaluated from the output signal of the detector and by an evaluation unit, and the object is identified and/or classified on the basis of predefinable properties from the output signal. A number of different physical features of the object are derived from the output signal, and the object is assigned to one of N predetermined basic classes on the basis of the derived physical features. The N basic classes are arranged in a predetermined order to form an N-dimensional vector V, which is assigned to the object, such that the elements v1, . . . , vN of the vector V indicate that the object belongs to the respective basic class. The object is then assigned to a derived class, which is taken from a reference data base, as a function of the vector V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Hiebl
  • Publication number: 20170002147
    Abstract: A polymerizable thermoset composition including a polymerizable organic cyanate ester resin and a polymerizable aryl ethynyl-terminated polyimide, a polymerized thermoset, a process for the production of the polymerized thermoset as well as the use of the polymerizable thermoset composition for the production of lightweight construction components, preferably carbon fibre composite materials (CFC), and a lightweight construction component, preferably carbon fibre composite material (CFC), containing the polymerized thermoset are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Meier, Patricia Parlevliet, Manfred Doering
  • Publication number: 20170002459
    Abstract: A composite material includes a magnesium alloy and a layer consisting of nanoscale graphene platelets on at least a part of the surface of the magnesium alloy. A process for manufacturing such a composite material includes providing a magnesium alloy, providing nanoscale graphene platelets and applying the nanoscale graphene platelets to at least a part of the surface of the magnesium alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Blanka Lenczowski, Christian Karch, Ilya Ostrovsky