Patents Examined by Joshua J Michener
  • Patent number: 11745854
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Young Choi, Sang Hyun Jung, Chung Sik Yim, Kyu Hoon Cho
  • Patent number: 11745898
    Abstract: A docking system for drones and a method for operating the same include: a seat part configured to land a drone thereon; a wire provided on the seat part and configured to allow the landing drone to be hung on the wire so that the drone may land on the seat part; and tension adjusters configured to adjust tension of the wire so as to allow the drone to land at a target position of the seat part when the drone is hung on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Ho Hwang, Dong Eun Cha, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 11745884
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FLYON AEROSYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Oren Tal, Reuven Tal
  • Patent number: 11744233
    Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 11745853
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11744232
    Abstract: A beehive providing improved humidity and moisture control within the hive box through incorporation of a condensation chamber, improved temperature stability through enhanced airflow, enhanced colony health through improved control of temperature and humidity, and reduction of physical damage to bees during routine maintenance and harvesting tasks through novel construction geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Waring
  • Patent number: 11738874
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Becker, Xi Wang, Antonio Pizzi, Charles E. Lents
  • Patent number: 11737423
    Abstract: A securement system for securing one or more calf hutches is provided. The securement system includes latch assemblies and a line. The latch assemblies are configured to be attached to the calf hutches and comprise receiver flanges and latch arms. Each receiver flange includes a vertically-extending plate defining a locking slot with an open end. Each latch arm may be shifted between a closed position in which it blocks the open end of the locking slot and an open position in which it does not block the open end of the locking slot. Each latch arm is biased to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: MJE, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen L. Deges
  • Patent number: 11737449
    Abstract: The combination of infrared light, ultraviolet light and near ultraviolet or blue light has been found to repel insects, and particularly flying insects. Electric lights powered by batteries, solar cells or line voltage are arranged in mutual proximity on virtually any desired substrate to repel insects and prevent insects from closely approaching and landing around the substrate. In one example, the substrate can take the form of an article of clothing, such as a hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Glenn C Bushee
  • Patent number: 11738850
    Abstract: An airframe 1 or part thereof comprises a set of modular cells 10, including a first cell 10A comprising a set of profiles 100 including: a first structural profile 100A, having a first length L1 and enclosing a first volume V1 providing a first passageway P1; and a second profile 100B, having a second length L2 and enclosing a second volume V2, wherein the first passageway P1 is arranged to receive the second profile 100B therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Gregory Warren Thompson
  • Patent number: 11737424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rain and sun shield device for pet crates/cages that prevents rainwater from accumulating inside the crates. More specifically, the rain and sun shield device includes multiple lip structures designed to be mounted on the top surface of the crate, such that the lip structures deflect any rainwater pouring over the crate and prevent any rainwater from entering inside the crate. The rain and sun shield device can be retrofitted to existing animal crate/cage designs or incorporated into the manufacturing of new models to provide protection against rainwater and sunlight. The device protects pets from the elements while being kept in a crate or cage placed in outdoor settings or while being transported in the bed of a pickup truck. The device ensures that pets remain safe, shaded, and dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: John Thompson
  • Patent number: 11738862
    Abstract: In one aspect, described herein is an aircraft capable of carrying at least 400 pounds of payload. An embodiment has four rotors systems, each of the rotor systems being independently driven by an electric motor or other torque-producing source. Each of the rotor systems provide sufficient thrust such that the aircraft is capable of controlled vertical takeoff and landing, even if one of the variable pitch rotor systems is inoperable. An electronic control system is configured to control the rotational speed and pitch of at least one of the rotor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Overair, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Karem, Ryan Doss, William Martin Waide, Benjamin Tigner
  • Patent number: 11731753
    Abstract: A wing for an aircraft, including a main wing, a slat, and a connection assembly movably connecting the slat to the main wing. The connection assembly includes an elongate slat track with a front end mounted to the slat and a rear end and an intermediate portion mounted to the main wing by a roller bearing, and includes a guide rail mounted to the main wing and a first roller unit mounted to the slat track rear end and engaging the guide rail. The roller bearing includes a second roller unit mounted to the main wing and engaging a slat track intermediate portion engagement surface. The slat track has an upper and lower flange and at least one web. The second roller unit is arranged in a recess between the upper and lower flanges and engages the engagement surface provided at the upper and/or lower flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Krey, Alexander Huber, Bernhard Schlipf, Florian Lorenz, Dustin Shapi, Robert Grahs
  • Patent number: 11730138
    Abstract: A food or water container for use by animals. The container may be formed from a flexible and thus collapsible material for safety and portability. The container may be further provided with a strap for hanging the container during use and may be especially adapted for use in a moving vehicle, with the strap enabling pendular movement of the container to lessen the effect of movement of the vehicle and reduce spillage. Additional features such as a spill guard, and a removable, multi-purpose strap are also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: RocKur Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Lynne Ellen Namerow
  • Patent number: 11724791
    Abstract: A stringer runout configuration has a pair of fittings with each fitting having a fitting web that is configured for attachment to a stringer web of a stringer on opposite sides of a terminating end of the stringer. The stringer web has a terminating end with a curved configuration and base flanges with rounded terminating ends. Each fitting has a base flange that has a bottom surface with a first surface area and a second surface area positioned at different heights. The first surface area of each of the fittings is configured for attachment to a stringer base flange on opposite sides of a terminating end of the stringer. The second surface area of each of the fittings is configured for attachment to a composite panel surface adjacent the terminating end of the stringer. These and other detailed design features described herein enhance the capability of the runout configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrew M. McLean, Clinton L. Johnson, Ryan S. McClarty, Andreas Panayi
  • Patent number: 11718412
    Abstract: A propellant-handling module for installation in a host aircraft comprises: a motorised drum unit comprising a line and drogue for engagement with a propellant supply line of a propellant supply aircraft and for drawing the propellant supply line from the propellant supply aircraft to the host aircraft when the propellant supply aircraft is located behind the host aircraft; a propellant inlet configured for connection with the propellant supply line; a propellant outlet in communication with the propellant inlet and configured for connection with a propellant system of the host aircraft; an electrical power unit for powering the propellant-handling module; and a communication and control system for receiving a deploy command signal and a return command signal from the supply aircraft and configured to: receive said deploy command signal and in response control the motorised drum unit to deploy the line and drogue for said engagement with the propellant supply line; and receive said return command signal and i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Brulic Ltd.
    Inventor: James Pitman
  • Patent number: 11718386
    Abstract: A cupola fairing (250) for reducing drag and increasing lift on an aircraft fuselage (210) and wings (220). The fairing includes a housing length extending along a longitudinal axis, and a variable width extending normal to the longitudinal axis. The housing width is variable and defined by a plurality of cross-sectional areas of the cupola fairing. The fairing has a substantially smooth exterior surface that is curved along the length and the variable width of the housing. The housing surface has its longitudinal and transverse curvatures being defined by metrics corresponding to a reference wing root chord of the aircraft (200), a cross-sectional area of the fuselage, a percentage of the cross-sectional area to be covered by the fairing, and positioning of the cupola fairing on the crown portion of the fuselage (210). The housing has a lower surface configured to conform to a shape of the crown at which the cupola fairing (250) is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Aero Design Labs LLC
    Inventor: Eric A. Ahlstrom
  • Patent number: 11712034
    Abstract: An animal repelling device includes a container, an end cap provided with through holes, a liquid level sensor and a wireless communication component. An animal repelling method includes: injecting volatile liquid for repelling animals in the container, and closing the end cap, in which the volatile liquid is vaporized to the outside; and detecting the liquid level through a liquid level sensor, and transmitting liquid level information to a wireless communication component, and controlling the vaporization of the volatile liquid via the wireless communication component. the vaporization of drugs for repelling animals can be intelligently controlled; and the remaining amount of the drugs for repelling animals can be automatically monitored to replenish the drugs in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng Xing, Yingchun Xie
  • Patent number: 11713136
    Abstract: Disclosed are unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) positioning mechanisms for moving a UAV across a surface. The positioning mechanisms comprise a first guide assembly arranged opposite to a second guide assembly. A drive system is arranged to move the first guide assembly towards the second guide assembly and guide the UAV from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Flirtey Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John R Foggia, Jess Hayden, Joseph Rinaldi, Matthew Sweeny
  • Patent number: 11713103
    Abstract: An aircraft fuselage includes an element forming a skin and a load-carrying structure supporting the element forming the skin. The load-carrying structure includes a plurality of elements forming a spar disposed parallel to an axial direction defined by the fuselage and a plurality of elements forming a frame disposed spaced apart along the axial direction. Each element forming a frame being arranged substantially perpendicularly to the elements forming a spar, where the element forming the skin is fastened on an external perimeter of each element forming a frame by means of fastening elements configured to keep the element forming the skin away from the external perimeter and where the element forming the skin is made of a transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Projets et Réalisations Sàrl
    Inventor: Jean-François Cattin