Patents Examined by Ka Chun Leung
  • Patent number: 11623758
    Abstract: An exemplary cushion for a fuel system is constructed of a lattice structure formed of a material that is substantially nonabsorbent of fuel and has a network of nodes and beams defining cells, an exterior surface of the lattice structure is configured to be oriented toward a fuel cell and an interior surface of the lattice structure is configured to fit to a mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Christopher Terry, Timothy Brian Carr
  • Patent number: 11618552
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling aircraft roll operations are disclosed. An example system includes a wing actuator coupled to an aileron of an aircraft, an alternate power unit (APU), a control wheel position sensor to measure a control wheel position of a control wheel of the aircraft, a flight control computer (FCC) coupled to the APU and the control wheel position sensor, the FCC to invoke the APU to provide power to the wing actuator, and transmit a control signal to the wing actuator, the control signal to invoke the wing actuator to control the aileron based on the control wheel position, and a differential linkage coupled to the wing actuator and the aileron, the differential linkage to convert first movement of the wing actuator into second movement to control the aileron, the first movement of the wing actuator based on the control wheel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Neal Van Huynh
  • Patent number: 11618568
    Abstract: An aircraft seat may include an integrated control panel at least partially embedded within an armrest of the aircraft seat. The integrated aircraft seat control panel may include at least one signal path for communicatively coupling the user interface device to at least one component of the aircraft seat. The user interface device may generate signals for at least one control function of the at least one component following an input being received. The integrated aircraft seat control panel may include a textile covering coupled to the armrest and positioned above the user interface device, the textile covering including a plurality of icons configured to indicate the location of the at least one control function on a respective portion of the user interface device. At least one icon is configured to illuminate following a receipt by at least one of a power signal or a light source output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Martin Hansson, John Iossifidis, Fabian Panesso
  • Patent number: 11618571
    Abstract: Disclosed is a door assembly for enclosing a compartment, for instance a cabin attendant seat (CAS) compartment. The assembly generally includes spaced guides for guiding opening and closing movement of a bi-fold door including coupled upper and lower door sections. The door sections are coupled through an interface that allows vertical displacement of the lower door section relative to the upper door section when the door assembly is in the closed condition to engage or disengage latches from respective catches. In some embodiments, the assembly further includes cam latches and a biasing mechanism for driving bi-fold door movement toward the open condition, among other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Pradeep Acharya, Sreekanth Koti Ananda Rao, Yashashree Umakant Khachane
  • Patent number: 11603180
    Abstract: An aircraft with a fuselage and at least one emergency exit system, the at least one emergency exit system including a jettisonable component that is accommodated and locked in an associated frame structure of the aircraft in normal operation mode to form a portion of the fuselage and that is releasable from the associated frame structure for being jettisoned from the aircraft in an emergency mode; and further including an emergency evacuation assistance device that is adapted to assist in an emergency evacuation of the aircraft via the associated frame structure in the emergency mode; wherein the emergency evacuation assistance device is attached to the jettisonable component such that the emergency evacuation assistance device is deployed by means of the jettisonable component when the jettisonable component is jettisoned from the aircraft in the emergency mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Aurelien Vayssiere, Bernhard Rein, Sven Laessig, Hubert Neukirch, Pierre Fruitet
  • Patent number: 11591089
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin includes an upper deck, and a cargo area. The cargo area is configured to accommodate at least one passenger and is situated at a different level than the upper deck. An accessway provides access between the upper deck and the cargo area. The upper deck has, at least locally, a raised floor in the vicinity of the accessway so that at least one part of the cargo area has a ceiling height higher than the ceiling height of the rest of the area cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Sébastien Sivignon, Etienne Marecal, Claude Martin, Ramon Blauwhoff
  • Patent number: 11560212
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an aircraft door including an airstair are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a hinge configured to pivotally couple a lower portion of the door to a fuselage of an aircraft, a lift mechanism and an interlock. The lift mechanism causes a movement of the door relative to the hinge between a lowered position and a lifted position. The interlock is configurable between: a locked configuration where the movement of the door relative to the hinge is prevented; and an unlocked configuration where the movement of the door relative to the hinge is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: John Richard Savidge, Peter Lyver, Jean-Philippe Demers, David Riviere, Remi Crozier, Goran Kalaba, Patrick Serres
  • Patent number: 11560222
    Abstract: A duct for a ducted-rotor aircraft may include an internal structure and an aerodynamic exterior skin that is adhesively bonded to the internal structure. The skin may include a leading-edge portion disposed at an inlet of the duct and an inner portion disposed along an interior of the duct. The inner portion of the skin may be bonded to the internal structure with a first bondline of adhesive and the leading-edge portion of the skin may be bonded to the inner portion of the skin with a second bondline of adhesive. One or both of the first and second bondlines of adhesive may be of non-uniform thickness to take up tolerance stackups between the inner portion of the skin, the leading-edge portion of the skin, and the internal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Timothy Brian Carr, David G. Carlson, Kevin Stump, William Anthony Amante, Joseph Richard Carpenter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11548636
    Abstract: Presented are passive-release, snap-fit coupling devices for attaching cargo to cargo suspension systems, methods for making/using such devices, and aircraft equipped with underbody suspension systems using passive-release, snap-fit coupling devices for securing payloads. An object mounting device is presented for securing an object, such as a cargo container, to a tether hook of a suspension system, such as an aircraft's payload suspension system. The object mounting device includes a base plate that affixes to the object, and a hook latch mounted onto the base plate. The hook latch includes a guide surface adjacent a catch cavity. The catch cavity releasably receives therein the tether hook. The guide surface is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the base plate in order to slidably engage the tether hook, upon release from the catch cavity and under the force of gravity, to thereby eject the tether hook from the hook latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel W. Dichter
  • Patent number: 11511859
    Abstract: A suspension lug arrangement for a store suitable for aerial deployment has an outer surface and includes at least one lug region including a lug disposed in a body of the store. The lug includes a base portion embedded within and joined to the body of the store and a head portion extending outward from the base portion to the outer surface of the store, the head portion including an outer surface aligned with an adjacent portion of the outer surface of the body. The at least one lug region further includes a well at least partially surrounding the lug, a compressible member disposed within the well, and a plug retained within the well and engaging the compressible member disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Christopher D. Remy
  • Patent number: 11421593
    Abstract: An air intake system for an aircraft engine includes an air duct having an inlet port to provide fluid communication between the inlet port and the engine and a removable air filter assembly configured to interface with the inlet port of the air duct and a skin of the aircraft. The air filter assembly includes an air filter frame having an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall of the air filter frame forming an air filter slot. The air filter assembly also includes a bypass door forward of the air filter slot and an air filter insertable into the air filter slot. The bypass door is movable between a closed door position and an open door position, air flowing to the inlet port of the air duct via the air filter in the closed door position and bypassing the air filter in the open door position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: William Mathisen Gons
  • Patent number: 7735834
    Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine having a seal assembly disposed between a piston and a running surface. The seal both lubricates and prevents exhaust of combustion gases. A first element, which ensures gas tightness, is received in a countersunk portion of the running surface. A second element, which ensures oil tightness, is partially embedded into the first element. A biasing element presses the second element against the first element so that the second and third elements are at least partially held within the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: FEV Engine Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Hofbauer
  • Patent number: 7644687
    Abstract: An two-stroke internal combustion engine includes a cooling circuit having at least one passageway on the exhaust side of the engine for cooling the exhaust side of the engine and at least one passageway on the intake side of the engine for cooling at least a portion of the intake side of the cylinder. The engine also includes at least one cooling channel traversing the engine located in the vicinity of one of the bearings supporting the crankshaft for cooling the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Günther Zauner
  • Patent number: 7634981
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes controlling opening of intake or exhaust valves, via a step of generating a control current in a control circuit for an electrical actuator coupled with the valve. The control circuit is then monitored for an induced current that differs from the control current, and a signal outputted that is indicative of valve performance responsive to monitoring the control circuit. Another operating method includes determining engine valve performance and also trimming an engine valve based on one signal which is indicative of valve performance. An internal combustion engine includes an electrical actuator configured to control opening or closing of one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Patent number: 7634978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (D) which is intended to control the temperature of first and second fluids formed by the lubricating oil of the heat engine (12) of the vehicle and the recirculated exhaust gases respectively. The inventive device (D) comprises a first heat transfer liquid/lubricating oil exchanger (14) and a second heat-transfer liquid/recirculated exhaust gases exchanger (16), said first and second exchangers being connected to the same heat transfer liquid circuit (10). Preferably, the heat-transfer liquid circuit (10) is connected to a heat source or a heat sink (18) comprising, for example, heat storage means (18) which can exchange heat with the heat-transfer liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Emmanuel Boudard, Armel Le Lievre, Mathieu Bartoletti
  • Patent number: 7631625
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a temperature of a combustion chamber heater of an engine includes a calculation module that determines a temperature of the combustion chamber heater based on an effective resistance of the combustion chamber heater, and a control module that controls the temperature of the combustion chamber heater by commanding a duty cycle of the combustion chamber heater based on an operating temperature signal of the combustion chamber heater and a desired temperature of the combustion chamber heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley E. De Pottey
  • Patent number: 7628131
    Abstract: An engine for a vehicle includes a crankcase and a starting system having a starting motor arranged above a top wall of the crankcase and a starting gear train. The crankcase is divided into left and right crankcase members. For example the left crankcase member has a first motor mounting portion protruded upward from a top wall thereof, and having a motor mounting hole. The right crankcase member has a second motor mounting portion on a top wall thereof. One end of the starting motor is fitted in the first motor mounting hole and other end of the starting motor is fastened on the second mounting portion by bolts. The starting gear train includes two or more starting idle shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyohito Takano, Yasutaka Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7628142
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided having an accessory drive system. A high-pressure fuel pump assembly is mounted with respect to the engine and driven by the accessory drive system. Additionally, the internal combustion engine includes an engine block and at least one cylinder head mounted thereto. The engine block and the at least one cylinder head delineate a plane. The high-pressure fuel pump assembly includes a high-pressure fuel pump that is mounted substantially behind the plane. The high-pressure fuel pump is driven by a drive shaft which is configured to collapse and/or telescope in the presence of an axial force of sufficient magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, James J. Mazzola, III, David P. Sczomak
  • Patent number: 7630826
    Abstract: A diagnostic cold start emissions control system for an internal combustion engine includes a control module having a calculated engine-out energy module, an engine-out energy residual module, and a diagnostic system evaluation module. The calculated engine-out energy module is in communication with the engine-out energy residual module and is configured to determine an operating engine-out energy flow based on an operating engine torque. The engine-out energy residual module is in communication with the diagnostic system evaluation module and is configured to determine an engine-out energy residual based on the determined engine-out energy flow and an expected engine-out energy flow. The diagnostic system evaluation module is configured to determine whether the determined engine-out energy residual meets a predetermined value indicative of proper cold start emissions control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, John L. Lahti, Christopher A Gillanders, Robert J. Genslak, John F. Van Gilder
  • Patent number: 7617809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a work implement including a drive which can be started by a cable pull starter, wherein the cable pull starter has a starter handle which is located in a holder in a rest position and which can be removed from the holder by a user for starting the drive. The work implement also includes a starting brake for a tool which prevents tool movements hazardous to the user directly after starting the drive, wherein a tripping mechanism disposed on the holder is provided for the starting brake, which by removing the starter handle from the holder automatically tightens the starting brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Dolmar GmbH
    Inventor: Mark Jesse