Patents Examined by Richard G Davis
  • High-lift actuation system with clutch architecture
    Patent number: 11174006
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for differentially actuating a plurality of high-lift surfaces of an aircraft may include a common rotary and a plurality of clutches incorporated into the common driveline. The plurality of clutches may include a first clutch provided between a first outboard driveline section and a central driveline section of the common driveline, and a second clutch provided between a second outboard driveline section and the central driveline section of the common driveline. A first and second power drive unit (PDU) may be arranged remote from a fuselage of the aircraft and mechanically coupled to the common driveline at a drive connection disposed in a region of the first clutch and the second clutch, respectively. The first clutch and the second clutch may mechanically connect and disconnect the first and second outboard driveline section from the central driveline section, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Ehud Tzabari
  • Fishing assembly
    Patent number: 11166446
    Abstract: A fishing device adapted to be used hands-free and generate an alert when a fish is hooked is ideally suited to be used in confined spaces such as an ice fishing shelter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lindell
  • Rudder control unit having a single-piece main module mobile on a curved support frame
    Patent number: 11167838
    Abstract: A rudder control unit includes a single-piece main module mobile on a curved support frame. The rudder control unit includes a curved support and guide frame to be mounted in a floor of the aircraft, and a unique main module including the pedals and a set of functionalities, the main module configured such that it is movable and positioned on the support and guide frame using a movement unit, thus making it possible to obtain an extremely simplified architecture with a reduced number of pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Bernard Guering, Laurent Saint-Marc
  • Wing flap mechanism for high fowler, drooping spoilers and high efficiency
    Patent number: 11161595
    Abstract: A trailing edge flap mechanism for an aircraft incorporates a flap actuator 28 and a fore flap link 30 that pivots by actuation of the flap actuator. The fore flap link has a hinged end 32 pivotally coupled to a fore flap structure 34 and a clevis end 36 pivotally coupled to a fixed wing structure 18 at a first hinge axle 38. A rocking lever 40 is pivotally coupled to a second hinge axle 42 on the fixed wing structure. A connector bar 44 has a first end 46 pivotally coupled to the fore flap link at a first connection axle 48 and a second end 50 pivotally coupled to the rocking lever at a second connection axle 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Tsai, Kyle A. Johnson
  • Helicopter
    Patent number: 11161588
    Abstract: An emergency exit for a helicopter is described that comprises: a wall defining an opening; a removable part engaging the opening in a removable manner; and a seal interposed between the wall and the removable part. The seal is transformable between: a first configuration, in which it prevents removal of the removable part from the wall following application of a predetermined load on the removable part; and a second configuration, in which it allows removal of the removable part from the wall following application of the predetermined load on the removable part. The emergency exit comprises an insert interposed between the seal and the wall; at least one of the insert and the seal comprise at least one tooth engaging a recess with a shape corresponding to the tooth and defined by the other of the insert and said seal, when the seal keeps, in use, the removable part constrained to wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mimmo Di Castri, Federico Campera
  • Removing orbital space debris from near earth orbit
    Patent number: 11161632
    Abstract: A system utilizing an antenna generating an electromagnetic (EM) wave to interact with a solar EM wave to streamline magnetic flux in the polar cusp and to facilitate the flow of solar plasma through the Polar Cusp, resulting in an elevated plasma flux at the exit of the Polar Cusp. The elevated plasma flux intercepts and removes small space debris from Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTO) transiting the LEO altitude regimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: John Francis Dargin, III
  • Carpenter bee trap
    Patent number: 11160264
    Abstract: A carpenter bee trap includes a plurality of walls surrounding a trap cavity, at least one entrance opening formed through at least one of the plurality of walls, a bottom wall coupled to a bottom of the plurality of walls, an exit opening formed through one of the walls or the bottom wall, a container disposed within the trap cavity and extending through the exit opening and into the external environment, and a funnel disposed within the cavity to direct carpenter bees into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Best Bee Brothers, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Patrick Ryan, Michael James Ryan
  • Flying insect control system
    Patent number: 11160266
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an apparatus for killing insects generally comprising a backplate, having pivotally mounted thereto a first flange comprising an electrically conductive material and a second flange, the first and second flange being of similar shape; a flange operating mechanism, operably coupled to the first and second flanges, and configured for causing a position of the first and second flanges to move from an open position to a closed position; and a power switch, for selectively providing electrical energy to the electrically conductive material of the first flange such that an insect in contact therewith may be killed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: John Plain
  • Monobloc and removable pedal module for an aircraft rudder bar
    Patent number: 11155337
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a monobloc and removable pedal module for an aircraft rudder bar. The pedal module, which is intended for a rudder bar, includes a pedal, at least one integrated adjustment system, and a connection device which enables a removable connection of the pedal module to be produced. The pedal module is a monobloc component in order to simplify and facilitate its replacement via the removable connection obtained by the connection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Bernard Guering, Laurent Saint-Marc
  • Winglet
    Patent number: 11155332
    Abstract: A winglet for attachment to a wing portion of an aircraft is disclosed having a winglet tip and a winglet root opposite from the winglet tip. The winglet has an opening for receiving therethrough a connector for connecting the winglet to a wing portion in use. The winglet has a retainer internal of the winglet for use in retaining the connector relative to the winglet. The retainer has a hole that extends along an axis that passes through the opening for receiving therethrough a portion of the connector when the connector is located through the opening. The retainer includes a body for reacting against a retention component with which the connector engages in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Samuel Moore, Scott Roberts
  • Winglet
    Patent number: 11155331
    Abstract: A winglet for attachment to a wing portion of an aircraft is disclosed having a winglet tip and a winglet root opposite from the winglet tip. The winglet has an opening for receiving therethrough a connector for connecting the winglet to a wing portion in use. The winglet has a retainer internal of the winglet for use in retaining the connector relative to the winglet. The retainer has a hole that extends along an axis that passes through the opening for receiving therethrough a portion of the connector when the connector is located through the opening. The retainer includes a body for reacting against a retention component with which the connector engages in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Samuel Moore, Scott Roberts
  • Electrified mechanical control cables
    Patent number: 11155339
    Abstract: A first assembly can be configured to exert mechanical control forces on a second assembly through a tensioned and inelastic cable including steel. An electrical power source can be in electric communication with a first portion of the cable. An electrical power consumer can be in electric communication with a second portion of the cable. The cable can be a wire rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David Russell Trawick
  • Arm restraint canopy piercer
    Patent number: 11148817
    Abstract: An arm restraint assembly configured to pierce a canopy in response to expulsion of an ejection seat from a cockpit may comprise a primary arm configured to pivot relative to the ejection seat. A canopy piercer may be coupled to the primary arm. The primary arm may be configured to rotate to a fully-deployed position while located within the cockpit. An apex of the canopy piercer may be oriented toward the canopy, when the primary arm is in the fully-deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Cyle Teal, Neil Cross
  • System and method for adjustable ballast
    Patent number: 11148786
    Abstract: A movable ballast system for an aircraft includes first and second ballast docks secured to the aircraft. The first ballast dock includes a first housing and a first ballast tray and a first stop plate secured within the first housing. The first ballast tray includes a plurality of channels. The second ballast dock is positioned aft of a CG of the aircraft and includes a second housing and a second ballast tray and a second stop plate secured within the second housing. The second ballast tray includes a plurality of channels. The movable ballast system includes a plurality of movable ballasts, each movable ballast of the plurality of movable ballasts being configured to fit within at least one channel of each of the plurality of channels of the first and second ballast trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Derek William Heard, Richard Theodore Perryman, Nathan Craig Clark, Joshua Andrew Emrich, Yann Lavallee, Ralph Michael Gannarelli
  • Liquid containment system
    Patent number: 11142331
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a liquid containment system. In one implementation, the liquid containment system includes a bladder; an airframe; and a plurality of ties configured to couple the bladder to the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Pujol
  • Features to prevent ice accumulation on heated faceplate
    Patent number: 11142323
    Abstract: A wall for a heated faceplate includes a base and tines protruding from the base and spaced from each another. The tines are configured to accumulate ice in a manner which promotes shedding of small ice formations to prevent large accumulations of ice father aft on the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventor: Mackenzie Whalen
  • Fishing rod end cap with adjustable indicators for fishing line characteristics
    Patent number: 11140887
    Abstract: An indicator assembly attachable to a butt end of a fishing rod includes a cylinder on which two information carrying rings are rotatable to selected positions. Each ring carries a plurality of information about the fishing line on that fishing rod. Each ring is rotatable on the cylinder to bring selected information to an indicator supported at the cylinder. A fastening element holds the elements of the assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PRACTICAL ANGLING LLC
    Inventors: Chris James Nehlen, Daniel McGarry
  • Aircraft subassembly, having main-landing-gear assembly and sponson, housing main-landing-gear assembly
    Patent number: 11142303
    Abstract: An aircraft subassembly comprises a fuselage structure, comprising a first side and a second side. The aircraft subassembly further comprises a main-landing-gear system, having a single pair of wheels. The main-landing-gear system additionally comprises a sponson, connected to and extending outward from the fuselage structure. The sponson comprises a central portion and a first main-landing-gear door that is moveable relative to the central portion between, inclusively, a closed position and an open position. The sponson further comprises a second main-landing-gear door that is moveable relative to the central portion between, inclusively, a closed position and an open position. The main-landing-gear system further comprises a first main-landing-gear assembly, connected to the first wheel and a second main-landing-gear assembly, connected to the second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Karapetian, John Joseph Brown, James K. Pennell
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle search and rescue system
    Patent number: 11136096
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Minnow capturing system and method
    Patent number: 11129375
    Abstract: A minnow capturing system includes a tubular member that has an open first end, an open second end and a perimeter wall having a plurality of elongated slits. The slits expose portions of a minnow held within the tubular member such that a hook can extend through the slits and through the minnow. A housing for holding minnows and water has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. A juncture is defined where the bottom wall meets the first side wall. The interior surface of the first side wall is concavel arcuate from the front wall to the rear wall. The tubular member is positionable against the juncture such that a minnow in the housing swims into the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Hopp