Patents Examined by Richard G Davis
  • Patent number: 11679868
    Abstract: An autopilot device for attaching to and exerting forces upon a control wheel of an aircraft includes an actuator fixed with a base, the actuator adapted to move a weight between a left-most position, a center position, and a right-most position. When the weight is in the center position, the base has a center-of-gravity vertically aligned with the rotational axis of the control wheel. When the weight is left or right of the center position, the weight causes a left or right rotational moment on the control wheel, respectively. A controller is connected with the actuator and a power source and is adapted to detect flight parameters including an aircraft orientation, an aircraft heading, and a desired flight path. The controller applies power from the power source to the actuator to move the actuator and weight, thereby causing the aircraft to intercept and track the desired flight path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventors: Radu A Georgescu, Adrian Hojda
  • Patent number: 11673655
    Abstract: An up-lock apparatus for landing gear of an aircraft includes a hook member configured to receive an up-lock roller pin of the landing gear when the landing gear is retracted. An up-lock actuator is coupled to the hook member and is configured to maintain the hook member in a locked state responsive to a first movement of the up-lock roller pin against the hook member to thereby prevent deployment of the landing gear. The up-lock actuator is further configured to allow the hook member to move to a released state responsive to a second movement of the up-lock roller pin against the hook member to facilitate deployment of the landing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Amar Patel
  • Patent number: 11673646
    Abstract: An example aircraft disclosed herein includes a wing, a spoiler rotatably coupled to the wing, the spoiler movable between a cruise position and an upward position and between the cruise position and a droop position, and a spoiler actuation system coupled to a hydraulic system of the aircraft, the spoiler actuation system including a first piston and a second piston, a rack coupled between the first piston and the second piston, the rack movable between a first position and a second position, a pinion coupled to the rack, the pinion to rotate between a third position and a fourth position when the rack moves between the first position and the second position, a first crank arm coupled to the pinion, the first crank arm to rotate with the pinion between the third position and the fourth position, and a second crank arm coupled to the first crank arm and to the spoiler, the second crank arm to move the spoiler between the cruise position and the upward position when the first crank arm rotates between the thir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Neal V. Huynh
  • Patent number: 11659832
    Abstract: A wild game call includes a bugle tube and a damper. The bugle tube includes a first end with a first aperture, a second end with a second aperture, and a wall extending from the first end to the second end. The wall defines an interior volume, and the first aperture and the second aperture provide access to the interior volume such that a flow path is defined through the bugle tube from the first end, through the second end, and out the second end. The bugle tube includes a metal and is configured to generate sound waves by vibrating responsive to air flowing along the flow path. The damper surrounds the outer surface of the wall of the bugle tube between the first end and the second end and may reduce unwanted ringing while improving the sound of the bugle call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MEATEATER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Abram Summerfield
  • Patent number: 11655030
    Abstract: A system for cushioning airdropped cargo includes a pallet supporting associated cargo. At least one lower inflatable impact attenuator in the form of a pneumatic cushion is positioned between the pallet and the cargo. A compression pad is positioned between the lower pneumatic cushion and the cargo. At least one upper pneumatic cushion is positioned atop the cargo. A parachute is connected by parachute rigging to the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HDT Expeditionary Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Cronk, Thomas J. Price, Jr., Curtis Glen Lilly, II, Phillip Kevin Almarode
  • Patent number: 11655022
    Abstract: The present invention includes an a plurality of first variable speed motors mounted on a tail boom of the helicopter; one or more fixed pitch blades attached to each of the plurality of first variable speed motors; and wherein a speed of one or more of the plurality of first variable speed motors is varied to provide an anti-torque thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Carlos Fenny, Thomas Dewey Parsons, Erik John Oltheten
  • Patent number: 11655041
    Abstract: An electronic release system for an aircraft ejection system may comprise: a controller; a plurality of release devices in operable communication with the controller; a plurality of pins, each pin in the plurality of pins operably coupled to a release device in the plurality of release devices, the controller configured to: receive an indication that an ejection event from an aircraft has been initiated, command activation of the plurality of release devices, and in response to commanding the activation, releasing the plurality of pins from an ejection seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Casey Stribrny, Nicholas Bharucha, Steven Holstine, Jackson Fulcher
  • Patent number: 11655036
    Abstract: A protective hood for air travel including a plurality of deformable partitions coupled to each other defining an inner cavity, wherein in a folded position the inner cavity is collapsed to a negligible size and in an unfolded position the inner cavity is configured to comfortably confine an human head, wherein one of the partitions includes a deformable opening configured to be stretched and fit over a head, and at least one coupling mechanism configured to attach one of the deformable partitions to an aircraft seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Hans Huijsing
  • Patent number: 11649039
    Abstract: Aerostructure actuator systems include first and second shaft portions having respective first and second mandrels and a clutch assembly arranged within the first mandrel and connecting the shaft portions. The clutch assembly includes a post with a post extension fixedly connected to the second mandrel. A first bearing is installed on the post extension to frictionally engage with a portion of the post. A second bearing is installed on the post. A spacer is arranged between the bearings and is fixedly attach to the first mandrel. A load setting nut is configured to engage with the post extension and apply a compressive force to the bearings and spacer against the post. The compressive force defines a coupling limit between the shaft portions. The clutch assembly is configured to rotationally decouple the shaft portions from each other if a relative rotational speed between the shaft portions exceeds the coupling limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell E. Ankney, Jerold L. Blackmer
  • Patent number: 11649053
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus and method of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that can operate in either a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) orientation or a horizontal flight orientation. The aerial vehicle includes a plurality of propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll) when in the VTOL orientation. The aerial vehicle also includes a ring wing that surrounds the propulsion mechanisms and provides lift to the aerial vehicle when the aerial vehicle is operating in the horizontal flight orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gur Kimchi, Louis Leroi LeGrand, III, Dominic Timothy Shiosaki, Ricky Dean Welsh
  • Patent number: 11639223
    Abstract: Features for in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A towline may be deployed by a host aircraft in-flight to recover an in-flight target UAV. The towline or portion thereof may be oriented nearly vertical. The towline may have a fitting thereon. A capture mechanism on the target UAV may have one or more deployable flaps that engage with the near vertical towline and fitting. The flaps may stow to secure the target aircraft to the towline and fitting. The host aircraft may then retract the towline to pull in the target UAV to the host aircraft using a hoist system having a winch. A latching system located in a pylon of the host aircraft, which may be under a wing, may have a towline connector that engages with and secures the target UAV. The host aircraft may have multiple hoist systems for deployment and/or recovery of multiple target UAV's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Allwein, Kevin David Koller, Ryan Bylard, Roy Hultenius
  • Patent number: 11628955
    Abstract: A tethered uni-rotor network of satellite vehicles, is made up of a central hub with multiple tethers radiating outward in a hub-and-spoke arrangement. Each tether attaches to a satellite vehicle; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems. The entire system operates in a persistent state of rotation, driven by the propulsion units on each satellite vehicle, so the airfoils generate lift which supports each satellite vehicle and a distributed portion of the weight of the central hub. As the system rotates, centrifugal forces pull each satellite vehicle outwards, which keeps each tether taught and applies tension across each of the lifting surfaces, thereby alleviating the bending moment common to fixed-wing aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Justin M Selfridge
  • Patent number: 11623730
    Abstract: A canopy for an aircraft includes a pivot assembly including a first hinge and a second hinge opposite from the first hinge. The first hinge includes a first pivot slot having a first length. The first pivot slot is configured to retain a first aft pin of a fuselage of the aircraft. The second hinge includes a second pivot slot having a second length. The second pivot slot is configured to retain a second aft pin of the fuselage of the aircraft. The first length differs from the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew W. Walter
  • Patent number: 11618563
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Barker, Nikhil V. Wagher
  • Patent number: 11618576
    Abstract: A life preserver head restraint may be configured to inflate in response to deployment of a parachute assembly. The life preserver head restraint may comprise an inflatable volume and a charge tank fluidly coupled to the inflatable volume. In an inflated state, the life preserver head restraint may restrict head movement during line stretch of the parachute assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AMI Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jaro S. Volny, Kassidy L. Carson
  • Patent number: 11618561
    Abstract: A remotely controlled multirotor aircraft having a frame that includes a first and a second peripheral portions, to which at least one first and one second motor can be respectively coupled, and a central portion including a first end and a second end, to which the first peripheral portion and the second peripheral portion are respectively coupled, so that the first peripheral portion develops in a plane that is different from that in which the second peripheral portion develops; furthermore, the central portion also includes a coupling mechanism allowing the coupling between the central portion and a mobile device having video acquisition ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Saronikos Trading and Services, Unipessoal LDA
    Inventor: Robert James
  • Patent number: 11613349
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate to vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that have the capability of hovering in both a “nose forward” and a “nose up” orientation, and any orientation between those two. The disclosed aircraft can also transition into wing born (non-hovering) flight from any of the hovering orientations. In addition, certain of the disclosed embodiments can, if desired, use only vectored thrust control to maintain stable flight in both hover and forward flight. No control surfaces (e.g. ailerons, elevators, rudders, flaps) are required to maintain a stable vehicle attitude. However, the disclosure contemplates aircraft both with and without such control surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: David D. North, Michael P. Hendrickson, Joshua C. Glaab
  • Patent number: 11613365
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for an electromagnetic automatic deactivation device (ADD). An ADD may be used with an ejector-spring static line reserve parachute, common in low-altitude military jumps. Activating a reserve parachute from within an aircraft, while being towed by an aircraft, or when trapped inside another parachute, can result in significant injury, and may be fatal. An ADD may be added to the internal packaging of a reserve parachute to prevent its accidental activation. An ADD may be configured to sense ambient pressure, linear and rotational motion, and other data, to identify hazardous environmental conditions. An ADD may be further configured to support a towed jumper whose static line is cut, by strategically deactivating the electromagnetic assembly, and therefore activating the reserve parachute. The ADD may be modified to include the ability to override the ADD with a secondary pull on the ripcord handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: United States Army Airborne School
    Inventor: Mahdi Al-Husseini
  • Patent number: 11613366
    Abstract: A lumbar support system for use in an ejection seat of an aircraft, comprising may comprise a pump; a plurality of bladders fluidly coupled to the pump; and a controller electrically coupled to the pump, the controller operable to: select a bladder in the plurality of bladders to fluidly isolate the bladder from a remainder of bladders in the plurality of bladders; and command the pump to inflate the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Fahey, Glen Shaw
  • Patent number: 11613367
    Abstract: An ejection system may comprise an ejection seat and a rail assembly. A plurality of sliders may be coupled to the ejection seat. The rail assembly may include a rail defining a channel and a rail insert located in the channel. The rail insert may define an insert channel configured to receive the plurality of sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson Fulcher, Steve Holstine, Casey A. Stribrny, Nicholas K. Bharucha, John Hampton