Patents Examined by Medhat Badawi
  • Patent number: 11772772
    Abstract: Several embodiments of buffer zones are provided that are contemplated to be disposed with respect to two or more adjacent elements on an aircraft. The buffer zones adjust for dynamic spacing between the elements to help control different gapping requirements between the elements installed in the aircraft. Embodiments include an aircraft interior panel configuration, an aircraft interior wall panel configuration, an adjustable width aircraft bulkhead, and an aircraft personal service unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Malek, Stefan Holowka, Nikolas Beaudin
  • Patent number: 11772787
    Abstract: The unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, has a fuselage (1) with at least one rotating shaft (2) and one wing (3) positioned on the rotating shaft (2), protruding from either side of the fuselage (1). Preferably, the UAV has at least one rotor propeller (4) arranged on each rotating shaft (2), on either side of the fuselage (1), with one or more rotor blades (4a) and a housing (4b), which includes an actuator. The UAV is capable of shifting between a first flight mode using rotatable wings that rotate freely around the rotating shaft (2) only due to a direction and strength of wind impinging against a surface of the wings (3) and a downstream flow generated by the rotor propellers (4), and a second flight mode using fixed wings, kept in a predetermined position by a wing-locking mechanism, preferably a substantially horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FUVEX CIVIL, SL
    Inventors: Jesús Carlos Castellano Aldave, Jesús Villadangos Alonso, José Javier Astrain Escola
  • Patent number: 11772783
    Abstract: According to an aspect, an ejector member includes an annular member; a vent arranged at the annular member, the vent having an inlet at a first surface of the annular member, the vent further having an outlet arranged radially inward from a second surface of the annular member; and a vane extending radially inward from the second surface of the annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald W. Lamb, Jr., Patrick Ormande Bowles
  • Patent number: 11772827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for unfolding a rolled-up elongate hollow member having: at least one elongate hollow member which has two elongate shell member halves, and an unfolding mechanism which has a fixed base structure and a winding core which is rotatably supported on the base structure and on which the at least one elongate hollow member in a first state is rolled up and compressed and which by rotating moves and unfolds the elongate hollow member from the first state into an unrolled and unfolded second state so that an elongate hollow space is formed between the two shell member halves of the at least one elongate hollow member, wherein the at least one elongate hollow member has as a first end a hollow member root, via which the elongate hollow member is secured to the rotatably supported winding core, wherein the first shell member half of the at least one elongate hollow member is secured in the region of the hollow member root to the rotatably supported winding core, and the unfolding m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT E.V.
    Inventor: Marco Straubel
  • Patent number: 11772775
    Abstract: An example aircraft wing includes a skin, a composite shear tie, a stringer base charge overlaying the skin, and a stringer overlaying the stringer base charge. The composite shear tie includes a shear-tie web, a first shear-tie flange extending from a first side of the shear-tie web, a second shear-tie flange extending from a second side of the shear-tie web, and a first shear-tie tab extending from an end of the first side of the shear-tie web. The stringer includes a stringer web, a first stringer flange extending from a first side of the stringer web, and a second stringer flange extending from a second side of the stringer web. The first stringer flange is stitched to and integrated with the stringer base charge and the skin. Further, the first shear-tie flange is stitched to and integrated with the first stringer flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kim A. Linton, Jaime E. Baraja, Hsi-Yung T. Wu
  • Patent number: 11772795
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for midair deployment of payload may include an aerostat including an inflatable structure, at least one tether, and a trigger, the at least one tether extending between the inflatable structure and the trigger, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including wings, the at least one tether mechanically coupling the at least one UAV to the inflatable structure, and the trigger actuatable to release mechanical coupling of the at least one tether between the at least one UAV and the inflatable structure in midair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LTAG Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Jonathan T. Slocum
  • Patent number: 11772817
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a ground support system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including: at least one handling fixture, where each handling fixture is configured to support at least one wing panel of the UAV; and at least one dolly, where each dolly is configured to receive at least one landing pod of the UAV, and where each landing pod supports at least one wing panel of the UAV; where the at least one handling fixture and the at least one dolly are configured to move and rotate two or more wing panels to align the two or more wing panels with each other for assembly of the UAV; and where the at least one dolly further allows for transportation of the UAV over uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Tom Millspaugh
  • Patent number: 11772826
    Abstract: An actively controlled deployment mechanism with a plurality of centrally controlled rollers as well as outer rollers that are configured to apply a pressure across the compactable portion of the deployable structure. The active control can be implemented though control motors and control loops programed to control the rotation of the rollers. Additionally, the actively controlled deployment reduces the need for bulky and heavy booms with high tension guide wires for the deployment of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sergio Pellegrino, Eleftherios E. Gdoutos, Antonio Pedivellano
  • Patent number: 11767129
    Abstract: A device and a method for introducing a drone (3) to an area of interest (10) are presented. The drone delivery system (1) may include a housing (2), a drone (3), either a timer (4) or a receiver (49), a lock mechanism (8), and a biasing mechanism (48). The housing (2) further includes a pair of parts (6) with or without subparts (13). At least one sensor (7) is attached to the drone (3). The timer (4) or the receiver (49) is secured to the housing (2) and communicable with the lock mechanism (8) to control function thereof. The lock mechanism (8) is adapted to releasably secure the parts (6) or the subparts (13). The drone (3) is enclosed within the housing (2) in a CLOSED configuration (9) when the lock mechanism (8) is locked. The biasing mechanism (48) separates the parts (6) or the subparts (13) to an OPEN configuration (11) when the lock mechanism (8) is unlocked so that the drone (3) is not surrounded by the housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph W. Warwick, Jason T. Erdreich
  • Patent number: 11767105
    Abstract: One example of a mount for a rotorcraft comprises a structural support member, a bracket, and an elastomer. The bracket is configured to attach to a component of the rotorcraft. The component of the rotorcraft produces vibrations at a first frequency. The structural support member configured to transfer a weight of the component of a rotorcraft to an airframe of the rotorcraft. A rotor system of the aircraft vibrates the airframe of the rotorcraft at a second frequency. The elastomer is located between a structural support member and a bracket. The elastomer is configured to attenuate noise caused by the vibrations at the first frequency by isolating the vibrations at the first frequency from reaching the airframe of the rotorcraft while the airframe vibrates at the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Jon Damon Bennett, Joshua Allan Edler, Matthew Wade Hendricks
  • Patent number: 11767133
    Abstract: A deployment system for a spacecraft may include a fitting for coupling a deployable device to the spacecraft, and a moment bearing shear ball assembly. The moment bearing shear ball assembly may include a shear ball engaged within the fitting, and a moment collar mounted onto the shear ball. The moment collar may have a planar surface engaged with a planar surface of the fitting. A separation interface may be defined between at least one of (1) mating surfaces of the fitting and the shear ball and (2) mating surfaces of the fitting and the moment collar. Engagement of the shear ball within the fitting constrains shear forces in at least two axes and axial forces in at least a third axis. Engagement of the moment collar with the shear ball and the fitting constrains overturning moments of the shear ball about at least two axes, and axial forces in at least a third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Spencer Keith Connor, Joseph C. Munder, Jeffrey John Bank, Timothy ONeill
  • Patent number: 11767117
    Abstract: A room for an aircraft cabin is a hollow box shaped room and installed in the aircraft cabin. The room includes a floor wall portion that is configured to face a seat of the cabin, a side wall portion that extends from the floor wall portion in a direction away from the seat and has an opening portion for entering and leaving the room, a ladder portion extending in a direction toward the seat from a periphery of the opening portion, and a ceiling wall portion that extends to couple the floor wall portion and the side wall portion and has an engagement structure with an inner wall of the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Enoch Morishima
  • Patent number: 11753165
    Abstract: Examples relate to modular cargo handling. An example system for positioning and securing cargo includes a pair of rails extending longitudinally in a parallel configuration. The system includes floor beams coupled between coupling links (e.g., sets of wheels) that removably couple to the pair of rails such that each floor beam can move along the length of the rails with less friction. Each floor beam can include one or more coupling points that can be used to secure units of cargos to the floor beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, Robert Erik Grip, Ted K. Rothaupt
  • Patent number: 11745877
    Abstract: A biplane flying device includes a fuselage, an upper wing, a lower wing, a first propulsion assembly and a second propulsion assembly. The upper wing is connected to one side of the fuselage. The upper wing has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The lower wing is connected to the fuselage and opposite to the upper wing. The lower wing has a third end and a fourth end opposite to each other. The first end is opposite to the third end, and the second end is opposite to the fourth end. The first propulsion assembly is connected between the first end, the third end and the fuselage. The second propulsion assembly is connected between the second end, the fourth end and the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Yao-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 11745875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of the unmanned aerial vehicles, in particular to a suspended landing and take-off and management base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: DRONUS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Marco Ballerini
  • Patent number: 11738867
    Abstract: A system comprises a drone having autonomous drive capability and an assist vehicle (AV) for transporting the drone in an assisted drive mode in which the drone is held at, and transported by, the assist vehicle. Control hardware and software are programmed to determine drone travel over a route having a first route section in which the drone travels autonomously and a second route section in which the drone travels in the assisted drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventors: Ronan Xavier Ehasoo, Stuart Leslie Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11724828
    Abstract: An example system for extraterrestrial deployment of a flexible membrane surface includes a flexible membrane having a periphery and an interior. The flexible membrane is rolled about a roll axis into a cylindrical geometric shape in an undeployed state. A payload base has extendable radial booms, wherein the distal end of each extendable radial boom is attached to the periphery of the flexible membrane and the interior of the flexible membrane is free of attachment to the extendable radial booms. The payload base and the extendable radial booms are positioned to one side of the flexible membrane along the roll axis. The extendable radial booms are configured to extend orthogonally to the roll axis from the payload base to unroll the flexible membrane about the roll axis to form the flexible membrane surface in a deployed state, wherein the roll axis is substantially orthogonal to the flexible membrane surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: M.M.A. DESIGN, LLC
    Inventors: Lyn Eric Ruhl, Mitchell Todd Wiens
  • Patent number: 11724836
    Abstract: A spacecraft reaction control system comprising: a spacecraft having a center of mass; a length of tether extending from said spacecraft and offset from said spacecraft's center of mass and means for controllably changing said extension of said offset such that a variable force is exerted upon said spacecraft by said tether, said force being offset from said center of mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Arthur M Dula
  • Patent number: 11724835
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a locking and separating mechanism capable of achieving sequential release of multiple satellites and a working method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HARBIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Honghao Yue, Fei Yang, Huaiyu Li, Yifan Lu
  • Patent number: 11724804
    Abstract: A male part and a female part can reversibly couple aircraft to one another using an attachment mechanism. The male part includes a wall forming a shaft and is operable to attach to a first aircraft. The female part includes a wall forming a cavity and is operable to attach to a second aircraft. The attachment mechanism can regulate a mechanical engagement between the shaft on the male part and the cavity on the female part while the first aircraft and the second aircraft are airborne or on land. The attachment mechanism is operable to switch between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the attachment mechanism initiates the mechanical engagement to rigidly attach the first and the second aircraft to one another. In the disengaged position, the attachment mechanism discontinues the mechanical engagement to detach the first and the second aircraft from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Nathan Alexander Mills, Nitin Susendran, Monty Don Bruckman, II, Adam Bergamini