Patents Examined by Cindi M Curry
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Patent number: 11970276Abstract: In an aspect, a modular battery configuration with a centralized bus on an electric aircraft, including an electric aircraft which comprises a propulsor configured to generate thrust and a centralized electrical bus connected to the propulsor. A plurality of modular battery packs is configured to provide electricity to the centralized electrical bus, wherein the plurality of modular battery packs is arranged about a center of gravity of the electric aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: BETA AIR, LLCInventor: Herman Wiegman
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Patent number: 11964754Abstract: A gear box includes a housing, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a bearing assembly pivotably coupled to the actuator. The bearing assembly including an outer raceway, a cylindrical housing positioned within the outer raceway, and an annular bearing positioned between the outer raceway and the housing. The cylindrical housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A sensor is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical housing and configured to monitor an operating condition of the annular bearing. A linkage couples the actuator to the second end of the cylindrical housing and an output shaft is rotatably coupled to the bearing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Michael F. Mullen, Jimmy Yeung, Noah McCreight
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Patent number: 11952098Abstract: A system for protection of at least one aircraft door sill, including a rigid panel having shape and dimensions configured to cover and to protect the sill at least partially having an attachment face oriented toward the sill of the aircraft and configured to come to rest on the latter and a step face oriented in the direction away from the attachment face. The panel includes, on one transverse side, at least one cavity forming a housing and, on the other side, an arrangement for removably fixing to the sill. The protection system equally includes at least one bar having a shape at least partially complementary to the cavity to assure the nesting thereof. In this way the panel protects the sill and can easily be replaced: the sill is provided with a rapidly interchangeable protection system.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SASInventors: Christophe Chalons, Laurent Talou, Sylvain Peyraud
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Patent number: 11939069Abstract: A transportation system and method serve passenger-conveying VTOL air vehicles (AVs) at a vertiport. The vertiport has a flight deck including at least one landing pad, a passenger terminal, and a dynamic partition arrangement that defines a capsule for receiving one of the AVs at a time. The dynamic partition arrangement assumes a first open state in which it is open to the flight deck and closed to the passenger terminal and a second open state in which it is closed to the flight deck and open to the passenger terminal. A robotic system includes a handling robot that automatically approaches and docks with the AV after landing, and conveys the AV between the landing pad and the capsule via an opening provided by the first open state of the dynamic partition.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2023Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: FLYON AEROSYSTEMS LTD.Inventors: Oren Tal, Reuven Tal
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Patent number: 11939040Abstract: A hinge assembly of a system for operating a door of an aircraft includes a bracket secured to a structure of the aircraft. The bracket includes a first forward joint and a first aft joint separated by a first distance along a first line. A forward link is coupled to the first forward joint. An aft link is longer than the forward link, and is coupled to the first aft joint. A door coupler is secured to a door. The door coupler includes a second forward joint and a second aft joint separated by a second distance that is less than the first distance. The second distance is along a second line that is parallel to the first line in a stowed position. The forward link is further coupled to the second forward joint, and the aft link is further coupled to the second aft joint.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John K. Foster, Ryan Binkholder, Thaddeus Jakubowski, Jr.
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Patent number: 11920386Abstract: Aircraft door including a support arm (10) connecting a door leaf (5) and a door frame (13), the locking/unlocking mechanism of which includes: a control shaft (17) extending along a substantially vertical axis; a guide track (29); an actuating finger (32) attached to the support arm (10); the locking/unlocking mechanism having: an actuating configuration in which the actuating finger (32) is inserted into the guide track (29), the rotation of the control shaft (17) causing the actuating finger (32) to move along the guide track (29); a release configuration in which the actuating finger (32) is outside the guide track (29).Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: LATECOEREInventor: Gregory Dubosc
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Patent number: 11919618Abstract: An aircraft pressurized cabin door (1) having an outer panel (2) and a door structure (3) including: two circumferential beams (4) fastened to the lateral edges of the door; a plurality of longitudinal beams (5a, 5b) which are arranged substantially perpendicularly between the circumferential beams (4) and are fastened to the outer panel (2), each longitudinal beam (5a, 5b) extending from one circumferential beam (4) to the other. At least one longitudinal beam (5b) is a beam that has a variable cross-section which increases from the ends (B, M) of the beam to the center (H, L) of the beam, with two bent support bars.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: LATECOEREInventors: Miloslav Klisky, Jean Michel Borlot, Josef Krena
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Patent number: 11905010Abstract: An aircraft has a pilot compartment and a power source, apparatus adapted to control attitude and direction, apparatus adapted to vary power of the power source, sensors sensing at least altitude, airspeed, power level, and aircraft attitude, a CPU coupled to a data repository, to the sensors and to actuators adapted to change the flight attitude and direction and to vary power, and safe flight envelope data and conditions stored in the data repository defining flight conditions at boundaries of safe and unsafe operation. The CPU monitors the sensors while the aircraft is in operation, determines if flight status is outside the safe flight envelope, and if so, drives appropriate actuators to manipulate the apparats adapted to control flight attitude and direction and/or the apparatus adapted to vary power of the power source in a programmed manner until the flight status is within the safe flight envelope.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventors: Chip West Erwin, Marinus Bernard Bosma
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Patent number: 11891163Abstract: A ducted fan propulsion comprises a duct with a cutout and a movable duct section that is moved between a retracted position within the cutout and am extended position relative to the duct. An actuator is disposed within the duct wall and is connected to the movable duct section with actuating linkage. A control linkage connects the movable duct section to the cutout edges. The movable duct section is extended when the ducted fan propulsion transitions from vertical takeoff to a level flight or transitions from level flight to a vertical landing. The movable duct section is retracted into cutout an becomes integrated with the duct during level flight.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2023Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: SUPRA LUMINA TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Ayorinde Olusola Ajumobi
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Piccolo tube for de-icing an airfoil structure of an aircraft, de-icing system and airfoil structure
Patent number: 11873107Abstract: A piccolo tube for de-icing an airfoil structure of an aircraft is disclosed having a shape extending in a longitudinal direction and is configured for installation in an airfoil structure of an aircraft in the longitudinal direction of the airfoil structure. The piccolo tube includes a connector element for receiving heated air from a supply source, and a longitudinally extending air duct having a plurality of outlet openings arranged along the air duct, for supplying and distributing the heated air along the inner side of the airfoil structure. The piccolo tube is curved and its curvature is adapted to a curvature of the airfoil structure in its longitudinal direction. A de-icing system includes the piccolo tube and a supply source for supplying heated air to the piccolo tube. An airfoil structure includes the piccolo tube and/or the de-icing system.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GmbHInventors: Stefan Bensmann, Marcus Erban, Martin Fees -
Patent number: 11866171Abstract: An aerodynamic device includes a main aerodynamic body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a flight control surface coupled to the main aerodynamic body near the trailing edge of the main aerodynamic body, and a rotating body coupled to the flight control surface. The rotating body is rotatable relative to the flight control surface between a stowed position and a deployed position to define a gap. The rotating body is rotated toward the main aerodynamic body while in the stowed position to close the gap. The rotating body is rotated away from the main aerodynamic body while in the deployed position to widen the gap. The gap adjusts an airflow flowing between the main aerodynamic body and the flight control surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Hubbard, Richard C. Potter
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Patent number: 11827345Abstract: A joint for an actuator of a rotorcraft includes a housing configured to be coupled to an input lever of the actuator; and a rotary bearing coupled to the housing, the rotary bearing comprising an inner race and an outer race and configured to be coupled to a control rod, wherein the inner race and outer race are rotationally fixed relative to each other until a torque applied to the joint exceeds a threshold torque value, upon which there is a relative rotatability between the inner race and the outer race.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: MICROTECNICA S.R.L.Inventors: Dario Molinelli, Michele Restuccia, Franco Maino
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Patent number: 11794903Abstract: A system for providing temperature-controlled water in an aircraft has a tank, a water temperature-controlling unit, a control unit, and a power supply terminal. The water temperature-controlling unit can be coupled to the tank to heat or to cool water situated therein. The control unit is connected to the water temperature-controlling unit to activate the water temperature-controlling unit for controlling the temperature of water in the tank to a predefined temperature. The power supply terminal can be connected to an on-board voltage source for the water temperature-controlling unit and the control unit to be supplied with electrical voltage. The system is in the form of a coherent and self-contained unit which can be integrated into a standard parking place of a galley of the aircraft. The tank is mounted so as to be exchangeable or the system has a water discharge connection which is coupled to the tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Inventors: Rafael Mortensen Ernits, Oliver Kiehne, Matthias Reiss, Oliver Delaplanche, Markus Tiemann, Dennis Keiser
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Patent number: 11760474Abstract: A VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) box-wing aerial vehicle with multirotor to provide VTOL flight includes a detachable cabin, centered fuselage, a pair of first wings extending outward from the upper portion of the fuselage and a pair of second wings extending outwardly and from the lower portion of the fuselage. The first and second wings are spaced apart longitudinally and vertically. The pylon joints the first wing and second wing at the tip to form the box-wing. The pylon includes heading control rudder. Secured to the wing or pylon or both wing and pylon, an overhead boom extending longitudinally to support a plurality of lift rotors or tiltable rotors for VTOL flight. Finally, the overhead boom mounted tiltable rotors propel the vehicle forward to generate lift from the wings. Furthermore, the wings are equipped with elevators and ailerons for flight control.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Inventor: Xi Wang
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Patent number: 11753139Abstract: An aircraft pressurized cabin door (1) having a fuselage panel (2) and a door structure (3) that includes: two circumferential beams (4) arranged on the lateral edges of the door (1); a plurality of longitudinal beams (5). Each longitudinal beam (5) is an open profile having an outer face to which the fuselage panel (2) is fixed and an inner face, the door structure (3) further including an internal force-absorbing frame (12) fixed to the inner face of each longitudinal beam (5), this internal force-absorbing frame (12) having a plurality of uprights (13) each extending opposite a circumferential beam (4), each upright (13) being fixed to several longitudinal beams (5).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: LATECOEREInventor: Sabastien Devillez
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Patent number: 11745853Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Kyle Thomas Cravener
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Patent number: 11745854Abstract: A foldable propeller for air mobility includes a link assembly including a plurality of links facilitating blades to be rotated around a hub as a moving portion vertically slides such that the blades are folded to each other or unfolded from each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Jae Young Choi, Sang Hyun Jung, Chung Sik Yim, Kyu Hoon Cho
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Patent number: 11745884Abstract: A transportation system and method serve passenger-conveying VTOL air vehicles (AVs) at a vertiport. The vertiport has a flight deck including at least one landing pad, a passenger terminal, and a dynamic partition arrangement that defines a capsule for receiving one of the AVs at a time. The dynamic partition arrangement assumes a first open state in which it is open to the flight deck and closed to the passenger terminal and a second open state in which it is closed to the flight deck and open to the passenger terminal. A robotic system includes a handling robot that automatically approaches and docks with the AV after landing, and conveys the AV between the landing pad and the capsule via an opening provided by the first open state of the dynamic partition.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2023Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: FLYON AEROSYSTEMS LTD.Inventors: Oren Tal, Reuven Tal
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Patent number: 11745891Abstract: A propulsion system according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a fuel storage tank that is configured to store a fuel in a compressed state, a power generation device that is configured to consume the fuel and generate an output, a fuel system that is configured to provide the fuel from the fuel storage tank to the power generation device, and an electrochemical compressor that is in communication with the fuel system. The electrochemical compressor is configured to gather residual fuel from the fuel system and communicate the gathered residual fuel to at least one of the power generation device and the fuel storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan Rheaume, Robert Mason Darling
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Patent number: 11738874Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage defining a longitudinal axis between a forward end and an aft end. The aircraft includes an electrical system having an electric storage. The electric storage is positioned within the fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Frank Becker, Xi Wang, Antonio Pizzi, Charles E. Lents