Patents Examined by Michael H Wang
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Patent number: 11964783Abstract: Examples include an apparatus for delivering a payload. The apparatus includes a first autonomous vehicle and a second autonomous vehicle that are configured to be coupled to an aircraft. The first autonomous vehicle includes a wing and a first propulsion system configured to deliver the second autonomous vehicle to a first destination. The second autonomous vehicle includes a payload and a second propulsion system configured to deliver the payload to a second destination.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences CorporationInventor: Tony Shuo Tao
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Patent number: 11957112Abstract: Example hay nets for providing hay to horses are disclosed. A disclosed example hay net includes a mesh body forming a bag, having a securing member at a first position relative to the body of the net, a mouth formed at a second position relative to the body of the net, the first position being spaced from the second position, and a strap engaging the net adjacent the first position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the first position, and engaging the net adjacent the second position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the second position, wherein the length of the strap between the first and second positions is variable whilst maintaining engagement between the strap and the net adjacent both the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Inventor: Jane Butt
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Patent number: 11957096Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to fully or partially autonomous or remotely operated aerial pollination vehicles that use computer vision and artificial intelligence to automatically detect plants, orient the vehicle to a pollen dispensing position above each plant, and pollinate the individual plants.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONAInventors: Kyle Tabor Norland, Mitzy Oros, Evan Westman
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Patent number: 11952106Abstract: An aerial vehicle control surface actuation system comprises a rotary actuator having opposing output shaft ends that are coupled to first and second torque tubes via actuator universal joints. The first and second torque tubes extend angularly from the rotary actuator. The system further comprises first and second pivot joints that are coupled to a hinged end of a control surface. The first and second pivot joints are coupled to the first and second torque tubes, respectively, via control surface universal joints. In this configuration, rotation of the first and second torque tubes causes rotation of the control surface relative to a hinge axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Joli K. Umetsu, Kevin Tsai
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Patent number: 11952099Abstract: Aircraft window assemblies and methods. The aircraft window assemblies comprise a window frame configured to support a window pane on an aircraft skin about a window aperture defined in an aircraft skin. The window frame includes a base formed of a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite and at least one overmolded feature molded to the base. The base defines a central aperture and includes circumferential flange portion configured to support the base on the aircraft skin surrounding the window aperture and a skirt portion extending inwardly from the circumferential flange portion and surrounding the central aperture. The skirt portion is non-planar with the circumferential flange portion and comprises a support surface for the window pane. The methods comprise forming the window frame, which comprises stamp-forming the base of the window frame from a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite sheet and overmolding the at least one overmolded feature to the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Adriana Willempje Blom-Schieber, Gabriela DeFrancisci
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Patent number: 11946413Abstract: Provided is an inlet bulkhead for large diameter aircraft engines. The inlet bulkhead, in certain examples, includes an annular body having an outer flange, an inner flange, and a web having a first side and an opposing second side. The web extends from the outer flange to the inner flange. The bulkhead also includes at least one annular stiffener disposed on the first side, and multiple radial stiffeners disposed on the first side, each of which extend from the outer flange to the inner flange. The annular and radial stiffeners may be integrally formed with the web.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Janaka Wijesinghe, Andrew G. Rocha, Eric J. Zimney
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Patent number: 11939066Abstract: Thermo-pneumatic anti-icing systems include port and starboard anti-icing subsystems operatively interconnecting heated engine bleed air discharged from port side and starboard side turboprop engines with port and starboard airfoils, respectively, associated with an aircraft to thereby provide in-flight anti-icing protection to the port and starboard airfoils, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) capable of discharging a supply of heated APU bleed air to the port and starboard anti-icing subsystems during an abnormal single engine or a single pneumatic bleed air operational condition. A controller may command respective port and starboard cross bleed valves to open and thereby allow the APU bleed air to be supplied to the one port or starboard anti-icing subsystem that is incapable of delivering heated engine bleed air from the port side turboprop engine or the starboard side turboprop engine, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.Inventors: Daniel Parrode Fraia De Souza Santos, Nicolau Braga Santos, Daniel Martins Da Silva
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Patent number: 11930749Abstract: An automated plant training system and related methods are designed to train medium to tall plants to grow in a height restricted space by adjusting the plant's direction of growth through the use of phototropism. The device can physically control the plant's main stem, branches and foliage from excessive vertical growth.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: TRELLA TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Aja N. Atwood, Andres Chamorro, III
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Patent number: 11919647Abstract: Thermal control system for aircraft main landing gear wheel wells and related methods are disclosed. An example thermal control system includes a conduit defining a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the conduit positioned in fluid communication with a landing gear wheel well and the outlet of the conduit positioned in fluid communication with the atmosphere. The conduit generates a pressure differential through the fluid passageway between the inlet and the outlet to exhaust heat from the landing gear wheel well to the atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Andrew David Clark, Thamir Rauf Al-Alusi, David William Kirkbride, Frederick T. Calkins, Bradley J. Mitchell
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Patent number: 11920519Abstract: A fire resistance device intended to be placed between a mounting strut of a double-flow aircraft turbomachine and a connecting cowling equipping this turbomachine, the connecting cowling being intended to connect an upstream ring delimiting an inter-flow compartment, to an arm that extends radially across a secondary flow of the turbomachine. The device includes two contacting lips extending along different lines, of which a first lip with a C-shaped section is integrated within a contact structure, and a second lip including at its end a protruding blocking portion protecting the contact structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Bruno Alexandre Didier Jacon, Hervé Simonotti
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Patent number: 11884405Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of either or both of water and ice within a system, more specifically, but not exclusively, the detection of either or both of water or ice crystal ingestion, or ice accretion on an aerofoil, within a gas turbine engine. The apparatus and method compares the measured temperature of the first region with a second temperature value, measured at a distinct second region of the aerofoil, wherein the second radial position of the second sensor is radially offset from the first radial position of the first sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Geoffrey B Jones, Edward J Spalton, Steven P Culwick
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Patent number: 11878796Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) a fixed frame and a rotating arm pivotably coupled to the fixed frame at a central axis. The fixed frame includes peripheral propellers and corresponding motors for flying the UAV, and a central electronics enclosure for housing electronics used to control the UAV. The rotating arm is between the propellers and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed frame about the central axis. The rotating arm includes magnetic feet at a first end of the rotating arm and configured to perch and magnetically attach the UAV to a ferromagnetic surface, a docking station at the first end and configured to release and dock a releasable crawler, and a battery at a second end of the rotating arm opposite the first end and configured to supply power to the motors and the housed electronics, and to counterbalance the first end about the central axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Maksims Ceborahs, Fadl Abdellatif
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Patent number: 11873111Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a fuel cell protection system comprising an aircraft fuselage having an inner surface and an outer surface, an attachment point mounted on the outer surface, an aircraft fuel cell spaced apart from the inner surface, and a plate positioned between the inner surface and the aircraft fuel system, the plate spaced apart from the inner surface to create a void space. The attachment point may be a cargo hook. The void space is configured to receive all or a portion of the cargo hook after a crash. The plate creating the void space may be a rigid material or may be a ballistic fabric material.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Timothy Brian Carr, Douglas Howard Hamelwright, Joshua Andrew Emrich
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Patent number: 11873084Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing that is extended through by a ducted fan having movable louvers.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Inventors: Guan Chew, Stefan Bender, Michael Fuerstner, Mikel Fauri
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Patent number: 11873113Abstract: A fastening structure includes a first structural member, a second structural member, and a fastening member. The first structural member includes a composite material, and has a first electrically-conductive surface having electric conductivity. The second structural member has a second electrically-conductive surface. The second electrically-conductive surface is in contact with the first electrically-conductive surface and has electric conductivity. The fastening member penetrates the first electrically-conductive surface and the second electrically-conductive surface, and fastens the first structural member and the second structural member.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Keisuke Tajiri, Hiroyuki Tsubata
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Patent number: 11864542Abstract: The disclosed fishing lure systems have a fishing lure, bead sleeve, and a stop that can be used in combination with a fishing line and hook. The fishing lure has a pliable body and a pre-formed hole. The bead sleeve can be fitted within the pre-formed hole with an interference fit because the pliable body expands to fit around the bead sleeve to hold it in place within the pre-formed hole. The stop is positioned on one side of the fishing lure and bead sleeve to prevent it from sliding down towards the hook or possibly over some portion of the hook. The stop can be positioned spaced apart from the hook on a fishing line so that the distance between the fishing lure and the hook remains at a desirable spacing while in use.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: BNR TACKLE LLCInventor: Brandon G Wedam
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Patent number: 11858620Abstract: A system for driving a tilt rotor between vertical and horizontal using a variable displacement motor controlled in response to a swash angle of the motor measured in a feedback loop.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITEDInventor: Antony Morgan
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Patent number: 11858610Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a load to a desired altitude using an evacuated hollow lift body is disclosed. Once evacuated, the apparatus is lighter than the surrounding atmosphere. The lift body can be formed as a hollow fluid tight structure with a tube wound and sealed in a helical pattern or a dual membrane structure with a pressurized intermediate volume sandwiched between inner and outer membranes. A load can be attached to the apparatus and lifted to an altitude where the effective density of the apparatus and load is equivalent to the density of the surrounding atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Ruben Adorno, Anthony Palazotto
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Patent number: 11851193Abstract: An optical ice detector and airspeed probe includes an ice detection module and an airspeed module. The ice detection module detects the presence or absence of ice, water, or ice and water particles, and the airspeed module determines a line-of-sight speed along a directional vector, each based on backscatter light returns emitted from a common collimated light source. An electronics module determines an airspeed of an aircraft based on the line-of-sight speed determined by the airspeed module and at least one aircraft parameter received from the air data system.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.Inventors: Jaime Sly, Brian Daniel Matheis, Kaare Josef Anderson
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Patent number: 11827365Abstract: A method of operating an optical icing conditions sensor includes transmitting a first light beam with a first transmitter and a second light beam with a second transmitter, thereby illuminating two illumination volumes. A first receiver receives the first light beam. A second receiver receives the second light beam. A controller measures the intensity of light received by the first and second receivers. The controller compares the intensities to threshold values and determines if either intensity is greater than the threshold values. The controller determines a cloud is present if either intensity is greater than the threshold values. The controller calculates a ratio of the intensities if a cloud is present. The controller determines, using the ratio, whether the cloud contains liquid water droplets, ice crystals, or a mixture of liquid water droplets and ice crystals.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.Inventors: Kaare Josef Anderson, Mark Ray, Kent Allan Ramthun