Patents Examined by Michael Kreiner
  • Modular miniature unmanned aircraft with vectored-thrust control
    Patent number: 8951086
    Abstract: An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust-vectoring (“T/V”) module and a second T/V module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two T/V modules. The two T/V modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as T/V modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Adam John Woodworth, James Peverill, Greg Vulikh, Jeremy Scott Hollman
  • Mechanisms for deploying and actuating airfoil-shaped bodies on unmanned aerial vehicles
    Patent number: 8946607
    Abstract: Deployment and control actuation mechanisms are incorporated in unmanned aerial vehicles having folding wings and/or folding canards and/or a folding vertical stabilizer. The folding canards and folding vertical stabilizer can be deployed using respective four-bar over-center mechanisms. Elevators pivotably mounted to the folding canards and a rudder pivotably mounted to the folding vertical stabilizer can be controlled by means of respective twist link mechanisms. The folding wings have respective wing roots that are driven by respective gas springs to pivot on bearings about a wing root hub having control servo wire paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jonathan David Gettinger
  • Luggage storage compartment for an aircraft, and aircraft comprising the luggage storage compartment
    Patent number: 8944375
    Abstract: Luggage storage compartment for an aircraft, comprising a housing and a luggage container being mounted pivotably in the housing about a pivot axis A, and being transferrable with a first pivoting motion S1 from a closed position G into an open position Ö and the luggage storage compartment being opened, and being transferrable with a second pivoting motion S2 from the open position Ö into the closed position G and the luggage storage compartment being closed, the luggage storage compartment having a pivoting apparatus, comprising a cable winding device with a winding roll and with a winding medium, the pivoting apparatus comprising a drive device with a drive motor for driving the winding roll, an axis of rotation D of the winding roll running in the same direction as and/or parallel to the pivot axis A of the luggage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Diehl Aircabin GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Merz, Michael Zinke, Oleg Graf, Max Failenschmid, Ulrich Evers, Annica Dieterich
  • Transmission of a control force
    Patent number: 8944371
    Abstract: A control force transmission arrangement for an aircraft is provided. A transmission device has a first and a second force transmission point, and a coupling unit disposed between them. The coupling unit has a first and a second side element and a connecting element. The first and the second side elements are each connected to the first force transmission point and to the connecting element. At least the first side element has an element for altering the length of the side element. The second force transmission point is provided on the connecting element and is adjustable at least between a first and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Jost Seifert
  • Pressure fuselage of an aircraft with dome-shaped pressure bulkhead
    Patent number: 8939404
    Abstract: A pressure fuselage of an aircraft, which fuselage in longitudinal direction comprises several fuselage sections, wherein at least one rear dome-shaped pressure bulkhead is provided to form an aircraft-internal pressurized region, with a ring-shaped frame element profile being provided for radially outward attachment of said dome-shaped pressure bulkhead to at least one fuselage section, wherein the frame element profile on the side of the dome-shaped pressure bulkhead comprises a U-shaped profile section whose first end-side limb is attached towards the back on the dome-shaped pressure bulkhead by way of connecting means, and whose elongated radially outward extending second limb establishes a connection to the at least one fuselage section in such a manner that it is possible for the connecting means to be installed solely from the aircraft-internal pressurized region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Cihangir Sayilgan, Martin Beckmann
  • Performance-enhancing winglet system and method
    Patent number: 8936219
    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 a 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 from the static position to an in-flight position and resulting in a relative span increase of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dino L. Roman, John C. Vassberg, Douglas M. Friedman, Adam P. Malachowski, Christopher A. Vegter
  • Temporary clamp-on landing gear wheel safety zone fence
    Patent number: 8931735
    Abstract: A safety device to separate personnel from landing gear tires which incorporates a clamping collar configured to wrap around a landing gear post. A support frame extends outward from the clamping collar and defines a perimeter around the landing gear. A mesh skirt extends downward from the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Johnathan M. Jones
  • Transformable aerial vehicle
    Patent number: 8931730
    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: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao, Hao Du, Mingxi Wang
  • Dual frequency hub mounted vibration suppressor system
    Patent number: 8920125
    Abstract: A vibration suppressor system includes an annular electric motor system which independently controls rotation of at least two masses about the axis of rotation to reduce in-plane vibration of the rotating system. A method of reducing vibrations in a rotary-wing aircraft includes independently controlling a relative angular position of a multiple of independently rotatable masses to reduce vibrations of a main rotor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Welsh
  • Morphing aircraft
    Patent number: 8888035
    Abstract: A morphing aircraft that is achieves multi-modality location and camouflage for payload emplacement The morphing aircraft includes a substantially cylindrical fuselage including a shape configured as a packaging container with a first end and a second end A set of wings is coupled to the fuselage The set of wings includes a first position where the set of wings is extended outwards from the fuselage and a second position where the set of wings is retracted inwards towards the fuselage A tail is coupled to the second end of the cylindrical fuselage The tail includes a first position where the tail is extended outward from the fuselage and a second position where the tail is retracted inward towards the fuselage A propeller is mounted to the first end of the fuselage An engine is mechanically coupled to the propeller The engine is enclosed within the fuselage and powers the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Charles Lind, Jr., Daniel Thurmond Grant, David Eaton
  • Modular seat system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 8870119
    Abstract: A modular seat system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes at least one seat, which has a seat unit with a seating element and a seat back and a seat frame with at least one pair of essentially vertical support elements, at whose upper end a bearing structure is arranged on which the seat unit rests, a fixing structure in the floor of the passenger compartment with at least two longitudinal rails, which have a predetermined spacing from one another, for accommodating the lower ends of the support elements, and an adapter plate for the fixing of the support elements, which adapter plate is fitted to the lower end of the support elements, and is fitted in a mobile fashion to at least one support element, so that the spacing of the support elements from one another is variable independently of the width of the seat unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Baatz, Michael Supan, Frank Klepka
  • Device for launching and recovering a drone, and an associated aircraft
    Patent number: 8857754
    Abstract: A device for launching and recovering a drone for being fastened to an aircraft is provided. The device includes a docking plate for a drone provided with a securing/releasing mechanism for the drone. The docking plate being secured to a flared guide for guiding the drone towards the docking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Laurence Ferrari, Francois Malburet, Georges Descombes
  • Method and apparatus for changing a deployed position for a tail skid assembly
    Patent number: 8851419
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a tail skid assembly for a maximum rotation angle for an aircraft may be provided. A determination may be made as to whether the tail skid assembly is to be deployed for takeoff or landing. A set of parameters may be identified based on a determination of whether the tail skid assembly is to be deployed for takeoff or landing. A desired maximum rotation angle for the aircraft may be identified using the set of parameters. The tail skid assembly may be deployed to allow the desired maximum rotation angle for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Justin Duane Cottet
  • Baggage compartment for an aircraft and aircraft having the baggage compartment
    Patent number: 8844867
    Abstract: A baggage compartment for an aircraft is provided. The compartment has a housing and a baggage holder swivel-mounted in the housing. The baggage holder is moveable from a closed position into an open position with a first swivel movement to open the baggage. The baggage holder is moveable from the open position into the closed position with a second swivel movement to close the baggage. The compartment also has a swiveling device for moving the baggage holder into the open or closed position by performing the first or second swivel movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Diehl Aircabin GmbH
    Inventors: Oleg Graf, Ulrich Evers
  • Aircraft class divider
    Patent number: 8814089
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a divider utilized to provide part of a visual separation between sections of a passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft, the divider comprising several components. One component is a support arm fixedly connected to the frame of an aircraft above a passenger seat. Another component may be a curtain attached to a lower edge of the support arm and projecting vertically below the support arm. Yet another component may be a rigid view block adjacent the face of the luggage stowage compartment and configured to move therewith such that the view block is adjacent the face of the luggage stowage compartment while the luggage stowage compartment is in a closed position, and repositions with the face of the luggage stowage compartment when the compartment is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Heath Tecna Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Casey Chandler
  • On-board supply system and on-board galley having a fuel cell unit for use in an aircraft
    Patent number: 8814086
    Abstract: An on-board supply system (10) for use in an aircraft comprises a fuel cell unit (20) for generating electrical energy and heat energy, and at least one consumer system (100). The fuel cell unit (20) is designed to release heat energy in the form of hot air, and the consumer system (100) is designed to absorb the electrical energy and the heat energy in the form of hot air. The fuel cell unit (20) can comprise at least one low-temperature (LT) fuel cell (30) and at least one high-temperature (HT) fuel cell (40), which can both (30, 40) be designed to be regulated to their respective operating temperature in operation by means of air cooling, and an air cooling inlet (44) of the HT fuel cell (40) can be connected in fluid communication with an air cooling outlet (36) of the LT fuel cell (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Diehl Aerospace GmbH
    Inventor: Trong Tran
  • Aircraft class divider
    Patent number: 8814088
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a divider providing part of a separation between sections of a passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft, the divider comprising several components. One component may be a support arm connected to the frame of an aircraft above a passenger seat, the support arm having an outer edge facing the aisle of the passenger cabin, and an inner edge which is adjacent the face of a luggage compartment when the bucket is in an open position. Another component may be a curtain attached to a lower edge of the support arm and projecting vertically below the support arm. Yet another component may be a rigid view block adjacent the face of the compartment and configured to reposition such that the view block is adjacent the face of the compartment while the compartment is in a closed position, and repositions when the compartment is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Health Tecna Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Martin Burrows
  • Aircraft engine attachment pylon
    Patent number: 8789790
    Abstract: An aircraft engine attachment pylon including a box formed by an assembly of a first spar, a second spar, two lateral panels, and an aft engine attachment fitted with an aft attachment body. The engine attachment may be provided with two lateral fittings associated with the two lateral panels to which they are fixed to and project from laterally outside the box, each of the fittings forming a plane attachment interface with the attachment body through which bolts pass. Each attachment interface may be in the shape of a straight segment inclined at 45° from a vertical direction of the pylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventor: Hervé Marche
  • System and method for furling an air cushion landing system
    Patent number: 8783602
    Abstract: A furling system adapted for use with an air cushion landing system (ACLS) coupled to a hull of an airship is disclosed. The furling system includes a deployable cover having two lateral edges. The cover is configured to cover at least a first portion of the ACLS when the cover is deployed. The furling system also includes a fairing that has an inlet and is coupled to the hull of the airship. The furling system also includes a pair of cables each coupled to at least one point along respective lateral edges of the cover. The pair of cables is configured to selectably draw the cover into the fairing through the inlet when the pair of cables is activated in a first direction, thereby stowing the cover and exposing the ACLS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Morehead, Malcolm Cox, Charles Eden, Robert Boyd, Nicholas Piini
  • Methods and apparatus for a grappling device
    Patent number: 8783622
    Abstract: A device for grappling orbital debris includes a chain of interconnected links, each having a corresponding contact sensor (for sensing contact with the orbital debris), and each connected to a subsequent link by an actuator (e.g., a worm drive assembly or the like). The actuators are configured to sequentially cause rotation of each link in the chain until the corresponding contact sensor indicates that the link has made contact with the orbital debris. Subsequently, the next link in the chain is rotated, and so on, until the chain of interconnected links substantially surrounds at least a portion of the orbital debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Leonard D. Vance