Patents Examined by Madison Elizabeth Dittner
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Patent number: 11447252Abstract: An aircraft seat may include a seat back coupled to a shell of one or more passenger compartment shell sections of a passenger compartment installed within an aircraft cabin. The aircraft seat may include a seat pan coupled to a floor of the aircraft cabin proximate to an ottoman installed within the passenger compartment. The seat back may be in contact with a surface of the seat pan when the aircraft seat is in a first position. The seat back may be separated from the surface of the seat pan when the aircraft seat is in a second position. The seat back may be configured to move independently of the seat pan when the aircraft seat transitions between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Martin R. Darbyshire
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Patent number: 11401023Abstract: An aircraft cargo floor architecture comprises a plurality of aircraft keel frames. One or more longitudinal rails are attached directly to the aircraft keel frames. The one or more longitudinal rails are designed to provide structural support for an aircraft cargo floor.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael D. Spry, Mark A. Ulvin
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Patent number: 11352143Abstract: Transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and a seat connected to the seat support structure with a first hinge having a first axis of rotation. A back support structure is connected to the seat support structure with the back support structure positioned on a back side portion of the seat support structure and the first hinge is positioned on an opposing front side portion of the seat support structure. A wall member having a first end portion connected to the back support structure with a second hinge having a second axis of rotation, wherein the seat is rotatable about the first axis of rotation from an occupant support position to a deployed position and the wall member is rotatable about the second axis of rotation from an overlying position with respect to the back support structure to the wall member extending away from the back support structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: John G. Schultz, Haftom Y. Dessalegn
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Patent number: 11340633Abstract: A method of adjusting a center of gravity (CG) of an aircraft includes: inputting at least one load parameter into a flight computer, determining, via a processer of the flight computer, the CG of the aircraft. Responsive to a determination by the processor that the CG is outside of a CG envelope, moving at least a first movable ballast of a plurality of movable ballasts from a first ballast dock to a second ballast dock to move the CG toward the CG envelope. Each of the first and second ballast docks may include a housing and a first ballast tray secured within the housing and comprising a plurality of channels.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Derek William Heard, Richard Theodore Perryman, Nathan Craig Clark, Joshua Andrew Emrich, Yann Lavallee, Ralph Michael Gannarelli
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Patent number: 11305861Abstract: A wing assembly mount for mounting a wing to a fuselage of an aircraft. The wing assembly mount includes a spigot arrangement between a wing assembly and a fuselage assembly. The spigot arrangement is able to react a load between the wing assembly and the fuselage assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Henry Edwards
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Patent number: 11299255Abstract: A slat (50) for an aircraft wing comprises a leading edge (51) defining a leading edge line (61), a trailing edge (52) defining a trailing edge line (62), the leading and trailing edges line defining a slat plane, the chord distance (69) extending normal to the leading edge and measured along the slat plane; an inboard edge extending between the leading and trailing edges; and an outboard edge (56) extending between the leading and trailing edges. The outboard edge comprises a first side portion having a projection on the plane defining a first side line (63), and a second side portion having a projection on the plane defining a second side line (64), the second side line being disposed at a first angle to the first side line and at a second angle to the leading edge line as it extends toward the inboard and trailing edges. A wing assembly and an aircraft including the slat are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.Inventors: Fassi Kafyeke, Marc Langlois
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Patent number: 11299260Abstract: A fluid control system includes a deformable surface that covers a body in at least a first and second direction. The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. The deformable surface includes a bottom side that faces the body and a top side that is opposite the bottom side. The fluid control system also includes at least one deformer between the deformable surface and the body. The at least one deformer is configured to modify a boundary layer of a fluid that is flowing over the deformable surface by selectively deforming the top side of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Deep Science, LLCInventors: David William Wine, Roderick A. Hyde, Brian C. Holloway
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Patent number: 11286041Abstract: An aircraft wing assembly including a main wing portion, a high-lift device with a flow surface including an upper skin portion and a lower skin portion, wherein the flow surface of the high-lift device comprises a first flow surface portion, a second flow surface portion and a third flow surface portion, wherein the first flow surface portion is micro-perforated for an air inflow, wherein the first flow surface portion extends on the upper skin from the leading edge in chordwise direction for 2% or less of the local chord and extends on the lower skin from the leading edge in chordwise direction for 2% or less of the local chord, and wherein the second flow surface portion is not micro-perforated and extends over the rest of the upper skin portion, and wherein the third flow surface portion is not micro-perforated and extends over the rest of the lower skin portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Ching-Yu Hui, Christopher Bauer
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Patent number: 11273914Abstract: A cargo loading platform for an aircraft, with a plate-like supporting structure, which is configured to support or to receive cargo, and a lifting device. The lifting device is arranged asymmetrically on the plate-like supporting structure and can be moved from a stowage position to a lifting position. In the stowage position, the lifting device is arranged here above a lower side of the plate-like supporting structure and, in the lifting position, is at least partially arranged below the lower side of the plate-like supporting structure. This permits asymmetrical raising of the plate-like supporting structure by the lifting device, as a result of which steps during the transportation of the cargo loading platform can be easily and rapidly overcome. Furthermore, a cargo loading apparatus and a cargo container each with such a cargo loading platform, and also an aircraft with such a cargo loading apparatus are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Dirk Meiranke, Lars Uwe Hansen
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Patent number: 11267552Abstract: An aircraft portion includes a fuselage oriented in a longitudinal direction, an airfoil made up of at least one pair of wings arranged on either side of the fuselage in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and an airfoil-fuselage junction fairing at the interface between the airfoil and the fuselage. The junction fairing has, in a vertical plane, a lower profile and, in a horizontal plane, a horizontal profile at the junction of the outer surface of the junction fairing with the convex side of each wing. The horizontal profile and/or the lower profile successively has, in the longitudinal direction, a convex front segment, a concave intermediate segment, and a convex rear segment.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATIONInventors: Aurélien Merlet, Zdenek Johan, Ximun Loyatho, Gilbert Roge
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Patent number: 11267556Abstract: A method of using a split winglet includes providing an aircraft having a winglet attach fitting attaching a split winglet to a wing. The split winglet has an upper winglet and a lower winglet. The method additionally includes maintaining the winglet attach fitting and winglet at a first height relative to a fuselage when the aircraft is non-flying, and moving the winglet attach fitting and winglet to a second height relative to the fuselage when the aircraft is flying, the second height being higher than the first height.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philipp Witte, Darrell D. Campbell, Jr., Billy P. Tung, Fedor Kleshchev
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Patent number: 11267553Abstract: A kit of parts for forming an aerofoil structure including a torsion box for use in attaching a fixed leading or trailing edge structure to the torsion box, and a fixed leading or trailing edge structure attachable to the torsion box. The torsion box includes a first mounting feature. The fixed leading or trailing edge structure includes a second mounting feature configured to engage with the first mounting feature. The first mounting feature and the second mounting feature are mutually configured to permit the first and second mounting features to be moved into engagement with each other along a first direction, and to prevent relative movement of the first and second mounting features along a second direction when the first and second mounting features are engaged with each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: Alan McNaught, German Ibanez-Gil
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Patent number: 11220327Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe, a hollow member, and a plasma actuator. The hollow member has a body and an internal flow passage. The body extends from front of the airframe to rear of the airframe and has a hollow shape. The internal flow passage extends in the body from the front to the rear. The body has an introduction port configured to introduce a fluid into the internal flow passage, and a blow hole provided more toward the rear than the introduction port, and penetrating the body from an inner circumferential surface of the body to an outer circumferential surface of the body. The plasma actuator is provided at the outer circumferential surface of the body, and disposed on one or more sides, in a circumferential direction of the body, of the blow hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Kohei Nakano, Takayuki Oguri, Yukinobu Tomonaga, Akitoshi Sakaguchi, Maki Kikuchi, Hiroki Kato
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Patent number: 11208202Abstract: A flow body of an aircraft includes: a flow surface exposed to an airstream during flight of the aircraft, the flow surface generating at least one region of turbulent airflow during flight of the aircraft, at least one perforated area including a plurality of openings extending through the flow surface, a manifold positioned interior to the flow surface in fluid communication with the openings, and at least one suction duct having a first end and a second end, the first end being in fluid communication with the manifold, the second end including a suction opening and being arranged in the at least one region of turbulent airflow, wherein the suction opening is adapted for inducing a suction force in the at least one suction duct when the flow surface is exposed to an airstream during flight, thereby inducing a flow of air from through the plurality of openings.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Inventor: Peter Kreuzer
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Patent number: 11198503Abstract: An aircraft is disclosed having a structure at least part of which is capable of generating aerodynamic lift. A body having a mass is movably mounted to a portion of the structure by an active support. The active support includes an actuator to move the body relative to the portion of the structure, and a controller for controlling movement of the actuator in response to a dynamic input. The active support provides a range of movement for the body in at least one degree of freedom. The actuator moves the body across the entire range of movement in that one degree of freedom in a time period of less than 3 seconds. The actuator moves the body sufficiently rapidly to generate an inertial force that is equal to or greater than any aerodynamic force generated by the body during that movement of the body. The active support may be used to reduce loads on the aircraft structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: Francesco Gambioli, Henry Edwards
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Patent number: 11192631Abstract: A C-shaped connection assembly transmits loads in a load plane between a first and a second wing element. The connection assembly comprises a first and a second L-shaped load-bearing device. Each load-bearing device comprises a joint region and two legs extending parallel to the load plane and away from the joint region towards respective end regions. One leg of the first load-bearing device extends parallel to one leg of the second load bearing device. These legs are connected to one another. Two coupling portions which connect the connection assembly to the second wing element are formed in the respective joint regions of the load-bearing devices. Two further coupling portions which connect the connection assembly to the first wing element are formed in respective free end region of the load-bearing device and the joint region of the second load-bearing device.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Bernhard Schlipf, Florian Lorenz, Dennis Krey
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Patent number: 11175117Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bi-directional wing unfolding mechanism for unfolding and locking wings of air vehicle during deployment. The mechanism comprises one or more flexible member to enable lift and rotational movements of the wings of air vehicle about one or more axis. The mechanism also comprises one or more pairs of lock pins to lock undesired lift and rotational movement of the wings after the desired movements, thereby enabling minimum roll disturbance and near synchronous locking of all wings. Further, the mechanism also enables folding and unfolding of the wings having higher aspect ratio by folding and unfolding at mutually perpendicular axes. The mechanism also enables lower drag and results in high aerodynamic performance, low roll rate and better flight trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: CHAIRMAN, DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (DRDO)Inventors: Venkata Lakshmi Chennakeseva Rao Bavanari, Ismail Shaik, Prakash Jain, Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu Pamarthi, Naveed Ali, Ranajit Das, Kaikobad Erachshaw Kapadia
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Patent number: 11174032Abstract: An aircraft structure, for example a wing, including a skin. The skin has an external surface, on an outer face of the skin. The skin has an internal surface, located opposite the external surface on an inner face of the skin. The aircraft structure includes a laminar flow control system including a compressor. The aircraft structure is so arranged that the exhaust air from the compressor is directed onto the internal surface of the skin of the aircraft structure, for example thus providing hot exhaust air which function as an ice protection system (whether by de-icing or anti-icing). A method of providing ice protection on a surface of an aircraft using exhaust air from a laminar flow control compressor is also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Henry Edwards
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Patent number: 11174024Abstract: An aircraft pylon is provided, configured for mounting to the underside of an aircraft wing projecting from a fuselage and for carrying an external payload suspended therefrom. The pylon comprises an attachment mechanism configured for facilitating mounting of the pylon to the aircraft wing, and a carrying arrangement configured for carrying the payload and being pivotally articulated to the attachment mechanism. The pylon is configured to selectively pivot the carrying arrangement about a pylon axis between a vertical position in which it is suspended in a substantially vertical orientation, and a tilted position in which it is tilted toward the fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Yoav Herzig, Daniel Marom
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Patent number: 11161586Abstract: An insulation pack for thermally and acoustically insulating an aircraft has a mat formed from an insulation material, and a casing film which completely encases the mat. The casing film has drying openings, each closable a cover that is connected to the casing film. Each cover has a coating substance, the planar extent of which varying as a function of the relative air humidity of the air in the interior of the insulation pack such that each cover moves relative to the casing film, as a function of air humidity. The associated covers are adapted for assuming an orientation which, below a predetermined relative air humidity, closes the associated drying opening and which, at higher relative air humidity values, at least partially opens the associated drying opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Marc Wesseloh, Rainer Mueller, Markus Kerber