Patents Examined by Peter M. Poon
  • Wing fold controller
    Patent number: 9290260
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments may provide for an apparatus and method of controlling the folding of a wing. The apparatus may include a sensor, an actuator, and a wing fold controller. The method may include receiving a status of at least one of an aircraft and a wing fold system of the aircraft by the wing fold controller of the wing fold system. The method may also include receiving an automated command by the wing fold controller in response to receiving the status. The method may also include operating the wing fold system by the wing fold controller based on the automated command and the status. The method may also include transitioning a wingtip of a wing of the aircraft to one of a flight position and a folded position by an actuator of the wing fold system in response to commands from the wing fold controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew August Lassen, Chad Richard Douglas, Kelly Thomas Jones, Terence Boyd Kenning
  • Aerostructure for rigid body airship
    Patent number: 9266597
    Abstract: An airship hull is provided that is sufficiently light and cost effective so as to make lifting body type airships practical vehicles for carrying people and cargo. The present invention hull design includes three main structural features, i.e., a rigid internal main frame which carries all primary moment and shear loads induced in the vehicle, the vehicle's skin which forms a semi-rigid barrier membrane for the lighter-than-air lifting gas, and a rigid aeroshell frame interposed between the main frame and the skin. The aeroshell frame and skin, in combination, are referred to as the aeroshell. The aeroshell carries the aerodynamic pressure loads induced on the airship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: WORLDWIDE AEROS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Igor Pasternak, Eugene Nemirovsky, Mansoor Kouchak
  • Automated feeding apparatus
    Patent number: 9247713
    Abstract: An automated feeding apparatus for animals comprises an inlet hopper having a discharge outlet provided with a feeder actuable in accordance with a predetermined feeding regime, the discharge outlet being of variable size. The discharge outlet is adjustable in length and depth to enable variation of volumetric flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: CAVADISTRIB. INC.
    Inventor: René Massicotte
  • Autonomous slat-cove-filler device for reduction of aeroacoustic noise associated with aircraft systems
    Patent number: 9242720
    Abstract: A slat cove filler is utilized to reduce airframe noise resulting from deployment of a leading edge slat of an aircraft wing. The slat cove filler is preferably made of a super elastic shape memory alloy, and the slat cove filler shifts between stowed and deployed shapes as the slat is deployed. The slat cove filler may be configured such that a separate powered actuator is not required to change the shape of the slat cove filler from its deployed shape to its stowed shape and vice-versa. The outer contour of the slat cove filler preferably follows a profile designed to maintain accelerating flow in the gap between the slat cove filler and wing leading edge to provide for noise reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Travis L. Turner, Reggie T. Kidd, David P Lockard, Mehdi R. Khorrami, Craig L. Streett, Douglas Leo Weber
  • Container for the transport and/or storage of nuclear materials, the container comprising a mobile heat conduction structure
    Patent number: 9200839
    Abstract: A storage space device for the transport and/or storage of nuclear materials, comprising a main structure defining at least one housing intended to contain the nuclear materials and includes a mobile heat conduction structure forming at least one portion of a side outer surface of the storage space device. The mobile structure has at least one mobile heat conduction component mounted on the main structure so as to be displaceable reversibly from a retracted position to a deployed position while moving away from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TN INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Lilian Viallon, Roger Lahille, Laurent Stachetti
  • Outrigger line lock positioning device
    Patent number: 9173386
    Abstract: Disclosed is a line positioning device for use with fishing vessel outriggers. The positioning device employs a housing having a pulley, a resilient bushing positioned next to the pulley, and a lever arm that is strategically positioned to engage a halyard line against the resilient bushing. A halyard line placed through the device is partially wrapped around the pulley where the line can freely move. Locking of the line requires the partial rotation of the lever arm which includes a tip end that presses the line against the resilient bushing. The lever arm includes a detent for engagement of a biased ball for use in holding the lever arm in either a locked or unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rupp Marine, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Karpanty
  • Wing of an aircraft and assembly of a wing comprising a device for influencing a flow
    Patent number: 9079657
    Abstract: A wing of an aircraft is described, having: a main wing, at least one high lift flap which can be moved between a retracted and an extended position, and a spoiler. The main wing has ejection openings, arranged side-by-side along the main wing spanwise direction, and in the main wing chordwise direction, and which are connected via an air conduit with the outlet device of a flow delivery driver device on the main wing or on the spoiler. The spoiler has inlet openings for the intake of air, which are connected via an air conduit with the inlet device of the flow delivery driver device. The flow delivery driver device has a receiver device for the reception of command signals for purposes of adjustment of the flow delivery driver device. An arrangement of a wing with a device for purposes of flow control with such a wing is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Frey, Burkhard Goelling, Heinz Hansen, Veit Hildebrand, Klaus-Peter Neitzke
  • Plant growth substrate medium
    Patent number: 9045379
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides materials and methodology for growing plants, such as small fruit plants. For example, and in one embodiment, agricultural by-products, such as nut shells, could be used as or in a plant growth medium for growing a strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and/or black-raspberry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: PLANT SCIENCES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Douglas Nelson, Michael Dean Nelson, Daniel Steven Nelson, David Johnston
  • Animal run line cornering mechanism
    Patent number: 9010278
    Abstract: An animal run line cornering mechanism with a corner component and leash component. The corner component is dumbbell shaped with a narrow body, a ball at one end with an aperture for the line, and a support attachment. The leash component has a tubular line ring with a shaped gap so that it appears C-shaped in end view, and leash ring attached to the line ring. The gap is wider than the corner component body and narrower than the line so that it is captured by the line. The line ring diameter is larger than the corner component ball and line diameters so that it moves freely along the line. The gap is defined by opposed edges of the line ring walls that taper to a rounded apexes. When the body hits the a tapered line ring wall, the body slides along the wall until it slides through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Paul E. Boyle, Steven Amarello
  • Post-surgical pet wear garment
    Patent number: 8985062
    Abstract: A post-surgical animal garment which fits over, above, and about the animal's body, and optionally, fastens along the back of the animal. The garment has a head opening and leg portions with openings for the legs of the animal. The rear portion of the garment fits around the animal's tail. The garment has a forwardly folding flap which can be attached to the belly side of the garment for the animal to readily perform its bodily functions without the flap getting in the way. Once the animal is finished, the flap is readily put back in place to protect the surgical site. The garment can include a collar which fits about the neck of the animal as well as sleeves which extend partially along the legs of the animal. Optionally, the termini of the leg portions are foot coverings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Stephanie Syberg
  • Equestrian stirrup iron
    Patent number: 8984849
    Abstract: A stirrup includes a stirrup leather opening and a foot opening. Above the stirrup leather opening is a top member that includes a number of bends. A first bend is in a first direction, a second bend is in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, a third bend is a first direction, and a fourth bend is in the second direction. The bends in the top member will orient the stirrup iron at an angle relative to the horse, rather than parallel to the side of a horse as in a typical straight or flat stirrup. The stirrup is more stable, reduces pain and stress in the leg, is easier to retrieve, and is safer than conventional stirrups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Martin D. Cohen
  • Bird feeder
    Patent number: 8985052
    Abstract: A bird feeder of the tube-type having a vertically disposed hollow body portion formed of a clear plastic material. The body portion has a plurality of inverted, truncated funnel members or baffles positioned therein in a vertically spaced-apart relationship which maintain a certain amount of feed at that level even though the main feed supply has dropped below that funnel member or baffle. The baffles direct feed to feed openings formed in the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sweet Corn Products LLC
    Inventor: Raymon W. Lush
  • Tip-up ice fishing apparatus
    Patent number: 8978288
    Abstract: A fish strike indicator and retrieval apparatus comprising an upper unit with a fishing reel holder, a battery holder, a line guide, a light flag, a printed circuit board enclosure, and a handle and a lower unit with a pair of slide rails and a detachable sliding mount that pivotally connects the upper unit to the lower unit. The invention incorporates a set of magnets and a Hall-effect sensor that activates and deactivates visual and audible alarm signals to signify a strike on the fishing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Jerry L. Olson
  • Cat litter box cleaning system
    Patent number: 8973530
    Abstract: A cat litter box cleaning system designed to sieve waste clumps from cat litter is provided. The cat litter box cleaning system has multiple layers thereby providing multiple cleaning operations. The layers may consist of a sieving layer and a liner. The liner shields the sieving layer from the cat's claws and the sieving layer is used to remove the waste from the litter. Each sieving layer and liner releasably cooperates with layer securing fixtures. The layer securing fixtures releasably attach the layers to a base and prevent the cat from dislodging the sieves or liners. Access ports may be provided for removing the layers from the layer securing fixtures without having to come into contact with the cat litter. A method is provided where at least two cat litter box cleaning systems are utilized to ensure that fresh cat litter always forms the basis of the litter used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Eleanor Spreitzer
  • Horse boot assembly
    Patent number: 8931244
    Abstract: A horse boot assembly includes: a boot body shaped to accommodate a hoof of a horse, a fastening device associated with the boot body for fastening the boot assembly onto the hoof, and an adapter. The adapter is compressed against a rear part of the hoof upon fastening of the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Osca 2 S.R.L.
    Inventor: Andrea Gola
  • Top hook and line-through configuration for swim baits
    Patent number: 8919032
    Abstract: In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a lure structure for rigging a hook such as a treble hook on an upper portion or top of the swim bait. Many advantages are achieved. For example, the lure is likely to be weedless and prone to fewer snags. That is, the lure has less chance of getting hung up, snagging, or being torn or caught on a bottom structure in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Optimum Bait Co.
    Inventor: Matthew Vincent Paino
  • Device for controlling pests
    Patent number: 8850741
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for pest control comprising a hollow station (150) forming at least one entrance (160, 165) for the pests to be controlled and a harborage area inside the station; a reservoir for water (100) providing access to water from the inside of said hollow station (150); and a contact pesticide (170) for the pests to be controlled, said contact pesticide (170) being provided inside said hollow station (150) in such a way that pests which enter the hollow station (150) through said at least one entrance (160, 165) to come to the reservoir for water (100) or the harborage area come into contact with said contact pesticide (170).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Robert B. Hickman
  • Apparatus and method for forming a cart
    Patent number: 8839743
    Abstract: A cart for transporting livestock equipment having a first and a second stall dividers and two dollies. The first dolly includes a horizontal member, a pair of wheels, and a pair of outer support members. The second dolly includes a horizontal member, a pair of wheels, and a pair of outer support members. To form a cart, an outer support member of the first dolly is received in one of the vertical members of the first stall divider, and the other outer support member of the first dolly is received in the opening of one of the vertical members of the second stall divider. An outer support member of the second dolly is received in the first stall divider and the outer support member of the second dolly is received in the opening of the second stall divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Randal L. Chandler
  • Hydronic heating system and method for pest control
    Patent number: 8756857
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for killing pests in an affected area includes a burner for heating a fluid. Heat exchanger units are placed within associated regions of the affected area. Each heat exchanger unit receives the fluid from the burner and emits heated air by transferring heat from the fluid to ambient air within the affected area. Air movers are positioned to circulate the heated air emitted by the heat exchanger units and prevent stratification of the heated air. A temperature difference between the fluid received by the heat exchanger units and the ambient air within the affected area results the affected area being raised to a target temperature greater than 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Todd R. DeMonte, Sean M. Ebert, Michael J. Steffes
  • Support assembly
    Patent number: 8757543
    Abstract: A support assembly for guiding a flap on an aircraft wing during deployment of the flap. The assembly includes an arcuate guide track mountable to an aircraft wing and defining a two-dimensional path, a carriage mounted on the guide track so as to slide along the track during flap deployment, a part-spherical bearing, and a shaft having one end attachable to a flap and the opposite end coupled to the carriage via said part-spherical bearing. The shaft is free to pivot relative to the carriage about a center of the part-spherical bearing in all directions, as the carriage slides along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Eric Wildman