Patents Examined by Medhat Badawi
  • Unmanned coaxial rotor aerial vehicle for transport of heavy loads
    Patent number: 11649049
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for transporting items between locations includes a frame and a propulsion system coupled to the frame, the propulsion system including at least one transmission and at least one motor. The UAV also includes a load support area of the frame, the load support area comprising at least one of a different material than the frame or structural supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Justin Wesley Green
  • Satellite dispensing system
    Patent number: 11649074
    Abstract: Stacked satellite dispensing systems are described herein. The disclosed systems have diagonal struts that stabilize satellite stacks horizontally and vertically without adding performance-reducing mass. The diagonal struts increase the number of bracing points and improve stability. The improved stability can allow for the satellite stack to be made heavier and taller, such as by having more satellites than a dispensing system with vertical struts. The diagonal struts, which provide the improved stability, can also allow for sub-stacks to be used. The sub-stacks include batches of satellites retained by the stacked satellite dispensing system. Therefore, the stacked satellite dispending system can release single satellites batches at once, rather than all the satellites at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BLUE ORIGIN, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Eckstein
  • Control plate-based control actuation system
    Patent number: 11650033
    Abstract: The system and method of a steering a moving object using a control plate-based control actuation system on the moving object. The control plate-based control actuation system having a control plate with at least four fin linkages for connecting at least four fins to the control plate; and three actuators configured to move the control plate to produce movement in two or more of the at least four fins. The system produces roll, pitch, and yaw moments for the moving object using three actuators acting on the control plate and thus moving two or more of the at least four fins all with no loss of performance as compared to systems with four actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Jason H. Batchelder, Matthew F. Chrobak, Ryan Dippel
  • Aircraft landing gear assembly
    Patent number: 11643191
    Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly having a reinstating geometry in which a lock link can be moved to assume a first locking condition to inhibit movement of a stay when a main strut is in a deployed condition and a second locking condition to inhibit movement of the main strut when in a stowed condition. An unlock actuator is coupled between a first element of the stay and the lock link such that the actuator can break the lock link from the first locking condition and force it to assume the second locking condition by operational force in a single direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Ian Robert Bennett
  • Inflatable kite
    Patent number: 11639222
    Abstract: An inflatable kite includes a main tube and a sub tube. The inflatable kite includes: a first air chamber, which constitutes the sub tube; a second air chamber, which constitutes the sub tube and which is disposed at a position that is farther from the main tube than from the first air chamber in the sub tube; and a pressure regulator configured to adjust a pressure of the first air chamber and a pressure of the second air chamber. The sub tube cut by one plane that crosses in the direction of extension of the sub tube has a maximal cross-sectional area on a cross section of the first air chamber. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure of the first air chamber to be lower than the pressure of the second air chamber in a steady flight of the inflatable kite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taro Tsukada
  • System for an integral hybrid electric aircraft
    Patent number: 11639230
    Abstract: An integral hybrid electric aircraft system including a fuselage including an electrical energy source, wherein the electrical energy source includes a plurality of batteries and a fuel tank, and wherein the fuel tank contains fuel. The fuselage also including a generator in fluid communication with the fuel tank. The generator generates electricity using the fuel from the fuel tank. The system including a set of propulsors, wherein each propulsor of the set of propulsors is electrically connected to the electrical energy source and the generator and wherein the set of propulsors is configured to be powered by the generator during fixed-wing flight. The set of propulsors including at least a pusher propulsor configured to provide forward thrust and at least a lift propulsor configured to provide lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Tilting mechanism with telescoping actuator
    Patent number: 11639218
    Abstract: A tiltrotor has a range of motion between a forward flight position and a hovering position, where a pylon and the tiltrotor are coupled via a telescoping actuator, a rigid bottom bar, and a fixed hinge that is attached between the rigid bottom bar and the tiltrotor. The tiltrotor moves from the forward flight position to the hovering position includes extending the telescoping actuator so that the tilt rotor rotates about the fixed hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Pranay Sinha, Damon Vander Lind
  • Hybrid propulsion systems for an electric aircraft
    Patent number: 11634232
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for an electric aircraft, the system including an electric aircraft including a fuselage. The fuselage including an energy source containing electric power. The electric aircraft further including at least a laterally extending element attached to the fuselage and extending laterally from the fuselage. The electric aircraft further including at least a propulsor electrically connected to the energy source. The system also including at least a power unit pod attached to the at least a laterally extending element and including an auxiliary power unit configured to generate electric power. The power unit pod also including a fuel tank in fluid communication with the auxiliary power unit and a power output line electrically connected to the energy source of the electric aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Multicopter
    Patent number: 11628932
    Abstract: A multicopter is provided. The multicopter may include a main body part, a wing part having one end connected to the main body part, and the other end connected to a propeller assembly, and a foldable part disposed on the wing part to fold the wing part, wherein the wing part is located above the main body part with respect to a Z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN MOBILITY INNOVATION INC.
    Inventors: Myeong Hun Seung, Woo Tae Cheon, Dae Gone Nam, Han Kyun Jeong
  • Aerial utility meter read system and a custom utility meter read equipment carrying case configured to attach to an aerial drone while securely carrying operable wireless radio-based utility meter read equipment used to conduct aerial utility meter reads
    Patent number: 11623747
    Abstract: An aerial utility meter read system and a custom utility meter read equipment carrying case are disclosed. The custom utility meter read equipment carrying case is configured to attach to a drone while securely carrying operable wireless radio-based utility meter read equipment used to conduct aerial utility meter reads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventors: Daryl Back, Casey Thomas Carbone-Marron
  • Butterfly-inspired flapping-wing aerial robot and pull cord type turning mechanism thereof
    Patent number: 11613351
    Abstract: A pull cord type turning mechanism for a butterfly-inspired flapping-wing aerial robot includes a motor, a cord reel, a cord reel gear, a potentiometer gear, a potentiometer, a control module, and a power supply. The control module is connected to the motor and the potentiometer. A rotary shaft of the motor is connected to the cord reel, the cord reel is coaxially connected to the cord reel gear, the cord reel gear is meshed with the potentiometer gear, and the potentiometer gear is connected to a rotary shaft of the potentiometer. The cord reel gear is provided with two cord grooves and two pull cords. One ends of the two pull cords are fixed in the two cord grooves, respectively, and the other ends thereof are fixed at the tips of front wings of two sides of the butterfly-inspired flapping-wing aerial robot, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: University of Science and Technology Beijing
    Inventors: Wei He, Haifeng Huang, Jiubin Wang, Xinyue Tang, Xiuyu He, Qiang Fu, Yao Zou, Hui Zhang, Changyin Sun, Yaonan Wang
  • Near-space operation systems
    Patent number: 11613364
    Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: World View Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Taber K. MacCallum, Jacob H. Dang, Robert Alan Eustace, John Zaniel Maccagnano, Julian R. Nott, Sebastian A. Padilla, Sreenivasan Shankarnarayan, John Straus, Jared Leidich, Daniel Pieter Jacobus Blignaut
  • Hybrid propulsion system for multi-rotor rotary wing aircraft, comprising improved DC/AC conversion means
    Patent number: 11608184
    Abstract: In order to reduce the weight of a hybrid propulsion system for a multi-rotor rotary-wing aircraft, the system comprises at least one inverter configured to supply power in parallel to multiple electric motors intended to drive the corresponding propellers of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
    Inventors: Thomas Klonowski, Ludovic Meziere, Bernard Plissonneau
  • Flap actuation systems and related methods
    Patent number: 11608161
    Abstract: Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example flap actuation system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first drive arm coupled to the first actuator and to a flap, a second drive arm coupled to the second actuator and to the flap, a first cam, and a first output shaft. The first cam is to couple to the first drive to enable the first actuator to actuate the flap via the first drive arm. The example flap actuation system includes a second cam and a second output shaft. The first cam is to be uncoupled from the first drive arm in response to a failure of the first actuator. The second actuator is to actuate the flap via the first drive arm and the second drive arm in response to the failure of the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven Paul Walker
  • Pod launch and landing system for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS)
    Patent number: 11603218
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system, including: a UAV pod having an interior; and a telescoping UAV landing surface disposed in the interior of the UAV pod; where the telescoping UAV landing surface may translate up toward a top opening of the UAV pod, translate down into an interior of the UAV pod, or rotate relative to the UAV pod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher, Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee, William Arden Lott
  • Modular vehicle system
    Patent number: 11603197
    Abstract: A modular vehicle system includes at least one body module having at least one body connection interface, and a kit. The kit includes a plurality of utility modules including at least one first utility module (in the form of a fixed-wing utility module) and at least one second utility module (in the form of a rotor-wing utility module). Each first utility module includes at least one utility module connection interface in the form of a first utility module connection interface for coupling with the body connection interface. Each second utility module includes at least one utility module connection interface in the form of a second utility module connection interface, distinct from the first utility module connection interface, for coupling with the body connection interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Ron Bublitsky
  • Flying vehicle systems and methods
    Patent number: 11603219
    Abstract: A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Wei Wei, Haonan Zhang, Thaddeus Bort, Scott Wilson
  • System and method for securing battery in aircraft
    Patent number: 11600880
    Abstract: A system for rapid securement and disengagement of a battery assembly-type power source element is provided herein. The system can include a battery assembly that includes a battery element having opposite, opposing surfaces and configured to provide power to at least a portion of a vehicle. On the surface of the battery assembly a pin element can be disposed. The system also includes a receiver assembly configured to mechanically couple the battery assembly. The receiver assembly can include an insertion opening having a size configured to receive the battery assembly and a hook assembly. The hook assembly can include a hook configured to mechanically couple to the pin element of the battery assembly and shaft configured to drive the hook such that a distance between the insertion opening and the battery assembly is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: James Laughlin, Raffaello Verna
  • Methods for attitude control of a satellite in survival mode without a priori knowledge of the local time of the satellite's orbit
    Patent number: 11597539
    Abstract: A method for attitude control of a satellite in inclined low orbit in survival mode is disclosed, the satellite including at least one solar generator, at least one solar sensor, magnetic torquers capable of forming internal magnetic moments in a satellite reference frame having three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z, and inertial actuators capable of forming internal angular momentums in the satellite reference frame. The at least one solar sensor has a field of view at least 180° wide within the XZ plane around the Z axis, the method including a step of attitude control using a first control law, a step of searching for the sun by means of the at least one solar sensor, when a first phase of visibility of the sun is detected, and a step of attitude control using a second control law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS, AIRBUS ONEWEB SATELLITES SAS
    Inventors: Yannick Neubrand, Alexandre Jullien, Marie Sachot
  • Charging/re-charging drone assembly system and apparatus
    Patent number: 11597515
    Abstract: A charging and recharging drone assembly system and apparatus are provided. The system has a unique charging pad having a plurality of cones which direct the legs of a charging drone into a specific location on the charging pad for charging/re-charging. A QR code may be located in the middle of a cover of a charging pad so that the charging drone may detect the charging pad from the air and may direct the charging drone to land on a specific spot on the landing pad for charging. The movable cover may cover the charging pad when the charging pad is not in use to protect the charging pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: EPAZZ, INC.
    Inventor: Shaun Passley