Patents Examined by Richard G Davis
  • High lift systems for aircraft and related methods
    Patent number: 11377197
    Abstract: High-lift systems and related methods are described. An example apparatus includes a fixed wing and a Krueger flap movably coupled to the fixed wing between a stowed position and a deployed position. The Krueger flap includes a first flap portion movably coupled to the fixed wing and a second flap portion movable coupled to the first flap portion. The first flap portion moves relative to the second flap portion between a retracted position and an extended position. The first flap is to move to the retracted position in response to the Krueger flap moving to the stowed position. The first flap is to move to the extended position to define an aerodynamic surface in response to the Krueger flap moving to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Eric David Dickey
  • Adaptive airfoils
    Patent number: 11377196
    Abstract: Adaptive airfoils are disclosed. A disclosed example airfoil for use with a vehicle includes first and second skins at least partially defining an exterior of a vehicle, where the first skin includes first and second pivots, and where the second skin includes third and fourth pivots, a first arm extending between the first and third pivots, where the first arm is rotatable about the first and third pivots, a second arm extending between the second and fourth pivots, where the second arm is rotatable about the second and fourth pivots, and a closeout including fifth and sixth pivots rotatably coupled to the first and second skins, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick J. Shields, Michael D. Nevinsky
  • System and method for enhanced altitude control of an autogyro
    Patent number: 11372427
    Abstract: A system for altitude control of an autogyro includes an unpowered rotor for generating lift and a forward propulsion system for generating a horizontal thrust component of a thrust vector for propelling the autogyro forward during flight. The system for altitude control also includes at least one thrust steering control devices configured to steer thrust generated by the forward propulsion system such that the forward propulsion system generates a vertical thrust component of the thrust vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Grzegorz Marian Kawiecki
  • Transducer assembly for electric pulse generation
    Patent number: 11370552
    Abstract: A transducer assembly configured to convert a pyrotechnic initiation to an electrical signal may comprise a magnet, a hollow tube, and a conductive element. The hollow tube may be wrapped around the magnet in the shape of a coil. The hollow tube may be at least partially filled with a thermite. The conductive element may be coupled to an outlet of the hollow tube. The conductive element may seal the outlet of the hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua David Carter, Jean C. Rodriguez
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle with ports configured to receive swappable components
    Patent number: 11370531
    Abstract: A configurable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include swappable components that may be selectable to configure a customized UAV just prior to deployment of the UAV that is configured to deliver a package to a destination. The UAV may include a plurality of ports that may accept swappable components. The ports may be coupled to a logic board to enable control of the swappable components. The ports and swappable components may enable quick replacement of a malfunctioning components, such as an image sensor, which may avoid subjecting a UAV to significant downtime for service. The malfunctioning component may then be serviced after the UAV is readied for a subsequent flight or deployed on a subsequent flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry James O'Brien, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Collapsible flying device
    Patent number: 11370533
    Abstract: A collapsible flying device is provided having a housing including first and second housing sections forming an enclosure, and a motorized assembly that includes a drive motor and a drive shaft driven by the drive motor. The drive shaft matingly receives the first housing section and is coupled to the second housing section, wherein operation of the drive motor drives the drive shaft to move the first housing section from a closed position adjacent the second housing section to an open position spaced from the second housing section. A rotor hub is rotatingly driven by the drive motor. At least two rotor blades are coupled thereto and positioned within the enclosure in a collapsed position when the first housing section is in the closed position, and extend beyond the enclosure in an expanded position when the first housing section is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: Daryl R. Tearne, Robert M. O'Brien, Charles Sink
  • Context-based flight mode selection
    Patent number: 11370540
    Abstract: A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to switch between different flight modes during operation. The system includes one or more processors configured to determine, based on sensor data received from one or more sensors carried by the UAV, a change in environment of the UAV from a first environment type to a second environment type. In response to determining the change in environment, the one or more processors configured to switch a flight mode of the UAV from a first flight mode to a second flight mode, and effect operation of the UAV in accordance with a second set of operating rules for operating in the second environment type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ang Liu, Xiao Hu, Guyue Zhou, Xuyang Pan
  • High transport efficiency aircraft apparatus, systems and methods to precisely deliver cargo at a point in space without stopping
    Patent number: 11370542
    Abstract: A high transport efficiency aircraft apparatus for precisely delivering a payload at a target area without stopping is disclosed. An aircraft is adapted to fly at low speed and less than 10 feet above ground level over the target area, with a delivery trajectory including a steep descent toward the target area and a steep ascent away from the target area. The aircraft includes a payload bay constructed to contain the payload within the aircraft, and a payload release mechanism adapted to release the payload from the payload bay when the aircraft flies over the target area, allowing the payload to fall and arrive unharmed at the target area unaided by an aerodynamic deceleration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Corvidair Inc.
    Inventors: Star Simpson, Barnaby Wainfan
  • Airfield tie-down with deployable talons
    Patent number: 11370558
    Abstract: In one embodiment, tie-down assembly is provided for securing a parked aircraft to a slab of an aircraft mooring area. The assembly includes a support structure having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end cover coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall, and a second end cover coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall. The assembly also includes a connector rod coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall, a talon pivot rod coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall, a first talon rotatably coupled with the talon pivot rod, a second talon rotatably coupled with the talon pivot rod, a first depth adjustment mechanism coupled with the first talon, and a second depth adjustment mechanism coupled with the second talon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventor: Nolan R Hoffman
  • Aircraft
    Patent number: 11370557
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a battery, an airfoil and heat conducting elements, and the heat conducting elements connect the battery thermally to the airfoil in such a way that heat which is produced in the battery is distributed to the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Stefan Bender
  • Aerial system utilizing a tethered uni-rotor network of satellite vehicles
    Patent number: 11365002
    Abstract: A tethered uni-rotor network of multiple tethered satellite vehicles; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems, operating in persistent state of rotation, driven by propulsion units on each satellite vehicle, where airfoils generate lift which supports aerial system. As system rotates, centrifugal forces pull satellite vehicles outwards, which keeps tethers taught. The tethers are attached to inboard portions of each lifting surface, which places their structural members under tension, thereby eliminating an adverse bending moment common to all traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Tethers provide large spatial separation eliminating rotor downwash field interactions, slowing system rotation rate, and permitting an ideal elliptic load distribution across wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Justin M Selfridge
  • Center-of-pressure arm restraint system
    Patent number: 11358728
    Abstract: An ejection seat is disclosed. In various embodiments, the ejection seat includes a seat frame having a seat-back and a seat-pan adapted to support an occupant and a propulsion system configured to propel the ejection seat from an aircraft; and a backstop configured to deploy laterally outward from the seat-back to form a forward-facing surface, the backstop including a net structure and an aerodynamic control mechanism incorporated into the net structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas K Bharucha, Steve Holstine, John Hampton, Casey Andrew Stribrny
  • Wing assembly for a high endurance aircraft
    Patent number: 11352123
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly comprising an airplane wing, a spoiler, and a flap for unmanned and high endurance aircraft. The spoiler is located on an upper surface of the airplane wing while the flap is located on a lower surface of the airplane wing. The spoiler and the flap can occupy at least one-third, and up to three-quarters, the chord span of the airplane wing. The spoiler and the flap are both capable of moving upwards and downwards with respect to the airplane wing through their respective frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Lucas Kai-Luen Hung
  • Deployable overhead protection assembly and methods of use for canopy fragilization system
    Patent number: 11345458
    Abstract: A canopy fragilization system for use in an aircraft ejection system may comprise: a sharp breaker disposed on a first side of an ejection seat, the sharp breaker configured to act as a primary breaker of a canopy of an aircraft; a blunt breaker disposed on a second side of the ejection seat, the blunt breaker configured to act as a secondary breaker of the canopy of the aircraft; and a deployable overhead protection assembly comprising a first tertiary breaker and a second tertiary breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AMI Industries, INC.
    Inventors: Steven A Holstine, Nathan Eischeid, Bradley Mastrolia, John Hampton, Neil Cross, Kassidy L. Carson, Ian Walter Haas, Patrick Emmett Hyde, Aaron H. Keene, Cyle Teal, John Wade
  • Flow diverting lift element
    Patent number: 11345471
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of flow diverting lift elements which, when placed in the proper orientation and propelled through a fluid, produce a lift force with improved lift versus velocity performance. The flow diverting lift elements can produce lift for rotary lift devices such as aircraft. The flow diverting lift devices include an airfoil and a diversion wall extending from an upper surface of the airfoil. The airfoil can be an annular airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Derek T. Schwartz
  • Cockroach electrocution device
    Patent number: 11344021
    Abstract: A German cockroach trap provides bait, humidity, and temperature to attract German cockroaches into entries, electrocutes the German cockroaches upon entry into the trap, and stores dead cockroaches below the entries. Electrode bands form a closed ring on an interior surface and contact with two of the rings immediately kills the German cockroach which drops into a receiving dock below. A center electrode band may include holes for entry into the trap. A water reservoir in the bottom of the trap is heated to generate humid vapor. Heaters in the top of the trap are controlled to maintain temperature and a fan in the top of the trap draws ambient air into the trap to create a humid vapor flow out through the entries. Bait trays contain material further attracting the German cockroaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Nick Suteerawanit
  • Adjustable preload severance cutter for ejection systems
    Patent number: 11345477
    Abstract: A severance cutter may comprise a housing and a blade may be coupled to the housing. A restraint support may be configured to translate relative to the blade. A spring may be configured to bias a support opening defined by the restraint support away from the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Linden Gough, Jeff Benjamin, Matthew D. Salois
  • Telescoping arm restraint system
    Patent number: 11338925
    Abstract: An ejection seat is disclosed. In various embodiments, the ejection seat includes a seat frame having a seat-back and a seat-pan adapted to support an occupant, the ejection seat further comprising a propulsion system configured to propel the ejection seat from an aircraft; and a backstop configured to deploy laterally outward from the seat-back to form a forward-facing surface, the backstop including a lower support arm and an upper support arm, the lower support arm and the upper support arm configured to telescope upon deployment of the ejection seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: AMI Industries, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas K Bharucha, Steve Holstine, Casey Andrew Stribrny
  • Pyrotechnic energy conversion system for ejection assembly
    Patent number: 11332254
    Abstract: An energy conversion system may comprise a substrate including a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace electrically isolated from the first conductive trace. A housing may be coupled to the substrate. An ignition compound may be located in the housing. A solder may be thermally coupled to the ignition compound such that ignition of the ignition compound melts the solder. The housing may be configured to output the solder onto the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Jean C. Rodriguez, Jerry A. Lambert
  • Assembly for an aircraft comprising a primary structure for an attachment pylon secured to a wing box by means of fittings that are more compact in the leading edge region
    Patent number: 11319080
    Abstract: An aircraft comprising a wing, an engine attachment pylon comprising a primary structure and an arrangement for securing the primary structure to a wing box. The arrangement comprises two lateral front fittings, each of these fittings comprising a first connecting portion secured to the front wing spar, a second connecting portion secured to the primary structure of the attachment pylon, at least one securing member linking the first and second connecting portions, this securing member being articulated to the first connecting portion with the aid of a first pin system oriented substantially parallel to the front wing spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Pautis, Jérôme Colmagro