Patents Examined by Michael Kreiner
  • Seal assembly
    Patent number: 9242718
    Abstract: A seal assembly for closing an aperture in an aerodynamic surface of a structure, the seal assembly comprising: a track for attachment to the structure; and a retractable seal including a flexible substrate and a plurality of rods connected to the substrate, wherein at least one of the rods is mounted for running movement along the track, and the seal is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by moving the at least one rod along the track accompanied by folding/unfolding of the seal substrate, and wherein the seal is biased to its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: James Wilson, Alan Quayle, Paul Hadley
  • Transformable aerial vehicle
    Patent number: 9242714
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a transformable aerial vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a transformable aerial vehicle includes: a central body and at least two transformable frames assemblies respectively disposed on the central body, each of the at least two transformable frame assemblies having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the central body and a distal portion; an actuation assembly mounted on the central body and configured to pivot the at least two frame assemblies to a plurality of different vertical angles relative to the central body; and a plurality of propulsion units mounted on the at least two transformable frame assemblies and operable to move the transformable aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., Ltd
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao, Hao Du, Mingxi Wang
  • Bellows synthetic jet
    Patent number: 9243622
    Abstract: A device for generating a synthetic jet is described. The device can include a flap, an actuator coupled to the flap and a chamber including an aperture. The flap forms a portion of the chamber. The flap is configured to oscillate in a flapping motion such that fluid is alternately drawn into the chamber via the aperture and expelled from the chamber via the aperture to form the synthetic jet. In some embodiments, multiple flaps can be used on a device to generate the synthetic jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven Griffin, Edward A. Whalen, Shawn Haar
  • Transformable aerial vehicle
    Patent number: 9242729
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a transformable aerial vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a transformable aerial vehicle includes: a central body and at least two transformable frames assemblies respectively disposed on the central body, each of the at least two transformable frame assemblies having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the central body and a distal portion; an actuation assembly mounted on the central body and configured to pivot the at least two frame assemblies to a plurality of different vertical angles relative to the central body; and a plurality of propulsion units mounted on the at least two transformable frame assemblies and operable to move the transformable aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., Ltd
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao, Hao Du, Mingxi Wang
  • Highly efficient supersonic laminar flow wing structure
    Patent number: 9233755
    Abstract: Improved supersonic laminar flow wing structure, on a supersonic aircraft, having strake extending forwardly of the wing inboard extent, and reversed fillet at strake junction with the wing leading edge. Plain and split flap structures may also be provided at each laminar flow wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Aerion Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Chase, Michael Henderson, Sturdza Peter
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle and operations thereof
    Patent number: 9233754
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao, Shaojie Chen, Zhigang Ou
  • Automatic dual rotor speed control for helicopters
    Patent number: 9235217
    Abstract: A flight control system for a helicopter having a main rotor and a tail rotor is provided. The flight control system includes an automatic rotor speed control being configured to transition the main rotor and the tail rotor between a high speed and a low speed based upon a plurality of received information without requiring any pilot action, the plurality of received information comprising height above ground level, knot indicated air speed, outside air temperature, barometric altitude, pressure altitude, density altitude, and an engine operational status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Greg W. Barnes, Eileen F. Horbury, Eric W. Jacobs, Kenneth J. Buckman
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle and operations thereof
    Patent number: 9221537
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao, Shaojie Chen, Zhigang Ou
  • Rotorcraft with integrated light pipe support members
    Patent number: 9221539
    Abstract: A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving ease of flight and flight performance by increasing structural stability, increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components, while also increasing resistance to damage from crashes through use of impact and vibration absorbing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TRAXXAS LP
    Inventors: Casey Christen Jens Christensen, Otto Karl Allmendinger, Richard Douglas Hohnholt, Kent Poteet, Scott Rollin Michael Schmitz, Thomas Blackwell
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle and operations thereof
    Patent number: 9221536
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY, CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao, Shaojie Chen, Zhigang Ou
  • Aircraft fuselages
    Patent number: 9216807
    Abstract: Aircraft fuselages are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fuselage of an aircraft having a first section and a second section to which a tail assembly is to be coupled. The second section is aft of the first section and is to extend to at least a trailing edge of a horizontal stabilizer of the tail assembly. A first width of the first section decreases from a front to a rear of the first section, and a second width of the second section is substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bruce Raymond Detert
  • Winglet system and method
    Patent number: 9216817
    Abstract: A winglet system for an aircraft wing may include an upper winglet and a lower winglet mounted to a wing tip. The lower winglet may have a static position when the wing is subject to an on-ground static loading. The lower winglet may be configured such that upward deflection of the wing under an approximate 1-g flight loading causes the lower winglet to move upwardly and outwardly from the static position to an in-flight position resulting in an effective span increase of the wing under the approximate 1-g flight loading relative to the span of the wing under the on-ground static loading. The lower winglet may have a length of approximately 50-80 percent of a length of the upper winglet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dino L. Roman, John C. Vassberg, Douglas M. Friedman, Adam P. Malachowski, Christopher A. Vegter
  • Impact protection apparatus
    Patent number: 9216818
    Abstract: An impact protection apparatus is provided, comprising a gas container configured to hold a compressed gas and an inflatable member configured to be inflated by the gas and function as an airbag of a movable object, such as an aerial vehicle. A valve controls flow of gas from the container to the inflatable member in response to a signal from a valve controller. The valve and valve controller are powered by an independent power source than one or more other systems of the movable object. A safety mechanism may also be provided that, unless deactivated, prevents inflation of the inflatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Mingyu Wang
  • Locking mechanism for use in a decompression arrangement
    Patent number: 9205908
    Abstract: A locking mechanism, in particular suitable for use in a decompression arrangement, includes a pressure chamber surrounded by a delimiting wall, wherein at least a section of the pressure chamber delimiting wall is formed by an actuating element which is in a rest position when the pressure in the interior of the pressure chamber corresponds to the ambient pressure and moves into a differential pressure position when the pressure in the interior of the pressure chamber exceeds the ambient pressure by a predetermined differential value. The locking mechanism further includes a locking bar which is kept in a locked position when the actuating element is in its rest position and is movable into an unlocked position when the actuating element is in its differential pressure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Ingo Roth
  • Electronic flight controls with parallel processed torque and positioning for pilot or astronaut touch feedback
    Patent number: 9199722
    Abstract: Cockpit controls designed for a at least two pilots and automation. Duplications of controls: sticks and control columns move along the same position path in unison with other sets of controls electronically based on a plurality of parallel processed parameters allowing two pilots to assist each other effectively with the ability of one pilot to override the other for effective monitoring and control in normal and emergency situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Dennis Kennedy
  • Keel beam of an aircraft
    Patent number: 9199719
    Abstract: A keel beam connected to a central wing box of an aircraft and ensuring the connection between a front structure and a rear structure of an aircraft is characterized in that it includes, on the one hand, a U-shaped body with a horizontal base and two solid lateral walls, and on the other hand, a cover which has a U shape oriented in the same manner as the body, with a base in the lower portion and curved edges, the ends of which are oriented upward so that each curved edge includes an outer surface flattened against and fixed to the inner surface of the lateral walls in order to define, with the body, a closed section, the cover including openings for accessing the inside of the keel beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Yves Durand, Denis Soula, Jérôme Colmagro
  • Aircraft having a recessed cavity in an aft pressure bulkhead wall surface and a galley moved rearwardly into the recessed cavity increasing floor space in front of the galley
    Patent number: 9193464
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin has been reconfigured with a rear fuselage galley and a modified aft pressure bulkhead that enables the galley to be moved rearwardly to provide additional floor space in the aircraft cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kelly L. Boren, Lowell B. Campbell, Alan K. Prichard
  • Method of forming a window cutout in an airframe
    Patent number: 9193483
    Abstract: A method of forming cutouts in an aircraft fuselage may include forming a first cutout and a second cutout in side-by-side relation to one another in a side region of the fuselage. The method may further include configuring the first cutout and the second cutout such that a direct load path extends along the side region substantially continuously from a lower portion of the side region generally under the first cutout to an upper portion of the side region generally over the second cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Max U. Kismarton
  • Thermal pneumatic deicing system for an aircraft RAM air heat exchanger
    Patent number: 9187180
    Abstract: A thermal pneumatic deicing system for deicing a RAM air heat exchanger includes an environmental control system (ECS) including a RAM air heat exchanger and an outlet, an electronics housing including a plurality of electronic components, and a duct fluidically connecting the RAM air heat exchanger and the electronics housing. The duct includes a valve. A controller is operatively connected to the valve. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively fluidically connect the RAM air heat exchanger and the electronics housing to facilitate deicing of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Laura Jean Coates
  • Pod for space or near-space flights
    Patent number: 9180981
    Abstract: A pod for flights to and/or from space or near-space, including a pressurized body for hosting passengers, the pressurized body having a substantially ring-like shape provided around a central axis and having a central opening, wherein the pressurized body includes one or more windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ZERO2INFINITY, S.L.
    Inventor: José Mariano López Urdiales