Patents Examined by Timothy D. Collins
  • Hexagonal floor and ceiling system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 11214384
    Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as a vehicle cabin, comprising a floor system formed of removable and reconfigurable floor segments extending from a vehicle frame, and a ceiling system formed of removable and reconfigurable ceiling segments disposed in the ceiling of the vehicle cabin. Floor segments that can be positioned to form a floor channel, therebetween. A fixture interface adapted to releasably secure a fixture to the floor system. The fixture can be slidably repositioned within the vehicle along the floor channel. One of the ceiling segments includes one or more of a lighting module, a ventilation outlet, a ventilation inlet, a display screen, or a touch control panel. The ceiling segments can be hexagonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Zahasky
  • Mount arrangement for torque roll vibration isolation
    Patent number: 11214377
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting a rotary engine to an aircraft structure, wherein the engine has a three orthogonal axes comprising: a roll axis; a pitch axis; and a yaw axis. The mounting arrangement comprises: one-degree-of-freedom links with reaction axes passing through the roll axis. A separate roll constraint has a moment reaction about the roll axis to decouple the torque roll mode from the other one-degree-of-freedom links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Nathan Tomes, David Gagnon-Martin
  • Device for joining milk flows and method for using said device
    Patent number: 11206804
    Abstract: The present invention therefore provides a modular system for constraining milk flow in a pressure-dependent and/or controlled manner. Due to the modular concept, the required properties of the device can be adjusted in an efficient manner. For example, it is possible to adapt the connection to a milk line, i.e., the geometry of the connection arrangement, specifically to the existing conditions of the milking stall and the milking system. The pressure-dependent constraining when milking can be adjusted specifically for a single teat or in pairs for two teats by using a respective module component. If necessary, adjustment of the range for reliable switching can be performed by selecting suitable spring components and/or by adapting the flow resistance. The flow resistance is adjustable by using a suitable connection arrangement and/or by exchanging a modular flow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Jakob Maier, Wilfried Hatzack
  • Modular farm with carousel system
    Patent number: 11202418
    Abstract: A container farm provides a grow zone and a work zone within an enclosure. Plants are grown in vertical grow towers within the grow zone supported by a rotatable carousel grow structure. The grow towers can be moved within the grow zone to a location in which they are accessible from the work zone. A seedling station can be provided within the work zone. Other systems, including an irrigation system, a lighting system, and a climate control system, can be provided to support the growth of plants within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: FREIGHT FARMS, INC.
    Inventor: Jon Friedman
  • Device for UV and low-temperature treatment for enhancing functional material of plant
    Patent number: 11202414
    Abstract: A device including a work table having an upper plate elevated from a floor, a cultivation bed disposed on the upper plate and including an accommodation hole to accommodate soil or culturing solution therein, and a flow tube disposed in the soil or culturing solution to supply or drain water to and from the accommodation hole, a supply portion to circulate water in the flow tube to lower the temperature of water, a light emitting portion including a pillar adjustable in height and a UV light source emit UV light toward an upper portion of the cultivation bed, and a power generator including a servo motor disposed below the work table, and a bracket configured to adjust a location of the light emitting portion with respect to the side surface of the work table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION OF
    Inventors: Myung Min Oh, Jin Hui Lee
  • Internal wicking collection reservoir for plant containers
    Patent number: 11197436
    Abstract: Devices used to provide water to a container plant are disclosed. The devices may be configured to collect and retain water from saturated soil and then to distribute the collected water to dry soil. The devices may comprise a reservoir, a collection lid, and a wick. The devices may be configured to be disposed within a plant container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Joshua T. Cole
  • Opening system and method for an aircraft emergency door
    Patent number: 11198498
    Abstract: The invention proposes a simple system, with small space requirement, without hinge arms or sealing skirt, while providing secure and effective opening. To achieve this, the invention provides a door opening by a lateral guidance defining an integrated doubling-back kinematics, towards the interior then the exterior of the fuselage. An opening system of an emergency door (1) is positioned in an aircraft fuselage (2), the door and the fuselage comprising respective frameworks (11, 21) extending opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Latecoere
    Inventors: Patrick Vergnot, Christian Romec
  • Apparatus for cultivating plants
    Patent number: 11191223
    Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating plants may include a cabinet forming a space in which plants are cultivated; a door connected to the cabinet to open and close the space; at least one bed disposed in the space and configured to support at least one seed package accommodating a medium including seeds; and at least one light assembly that radiates light to the at least one seed package on the at least one bed. The light assembly may include at least one LED module including a plurality of LED groups; a light case that covers an upper portion of the at least one LED module; and a light cover coupled to the light cover and supporting a lower portion of the at least one LED module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyounghoon Lee, Soobeom Lee
  • Teat cup shell and modular teat cup shell system
    Patent number: 11185049
    Abstract: A teat cup sleeve constructed from two connectable sleeve parts, a modular teat cup system and a corresponding method for the application of a modular teat cup sleeve are provided. The modular design of the teat cup sleeve allows a versatile adaptation of one teat cup to different milking conditions, for example by changing one sleeve part while retaining the other sleeve part with the necessary connection arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jakob Maier, Wilfried Hatzack
  • Methods and systems for door-enabled loading and release of payloads in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
    Patent number: 11186368
    Abstract: Example implementations may relate to door-enabled loading and release of payloads in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which could be a type of UAV in a group of UAVs that is assigned to carry out certain transport tasks. In particular, the UAV may include a fuselage having a first side and a second side, as well as a chamber formed within the fuselage and arranged to house a payload. A first door may be arranged on the first side of the fuselage, such that an opening of the first door enables loading of the payload into the chamber. And a second door may be arranged on the second side of the fuselage, such that an opening of the second door enables release of the payload from the chamber. Moreover, the UAV may include a control system configured to control flight of the UAV, and possibly opening and/or closing of door(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: WING AVIATION LLC
    Inventors: Andre Prager, Adam Woodworth
  • System for installing and removing a propulsion unit on a pylon of an aircraft
    Patent number: 11186379
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a system for installing and removing a propulsion unit on a pylon of an aircraft, a propulsion unit of the type including a nacelle and a turbojet engine, the turbojet engine being linked on the pylon by at least one front suspension and one rear suspension. The system includes a supporting structure which is adapted to support a thrust reverser device, a front suspension of the turbojet engine, which carries a front part of the supporting structure, and which is removably fastened on a front part of the pylon, and a rear suspension of the turbojet engine which carries a rear part of the supporting structure, and which is removably fastened on a rear part of the pylon, and the disengagement of said suspensions of the pylon allowing removing the propulsion unit mounted on the pylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Safran Nacelles
    Inventors: Patrick Boileau, Olivier Kerbler, Julien Lezerac, Aurélien Gonzalez, Loïc Grall, Ludovic Toupet
  • High-density plant cultivation systems and related apparatuses and methods
    Patent number: 11172624
    Abstract: A gravity-driven plant cultivation system includes: (a) a frame; (b) a plurality of vertically stacked conveyor assemblies mounted to the frame. Each conveyor assembly includes at least one gravity conveyor extending along a conveyor axis. The conveyor axis slopes downwards relative to a horizontal plane from a frame upstream end to a frame downstream end of the frame. The system further includes (c) a plurality of plant cultivation trays rollingly supported on each gravity conveyor and urged to translate along a respective conveyor axis toward the frame downstream end via gravitational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: LYSAA HOLDING AS
    Inventor: Per Aage Lysaa
  • Aircraft
    Patent number: 11173997
    Abstract: An aircraft includes: a plurality of rotor units each including a propeller and a motor that drives the propeller; a balloon that laterally covers the plurality of rotor units, across a height of the plurality of rotor units in an up-and-down direction; and a drive unit configured to change the external shape of the balloon at a predetermined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAI PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Toyama, Naoto Yumiki, Atsuhiro Tsuji, Hiroyuki Matsumoto
  • Aerial drone
    Patent number: 11167857
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the fuel cell provides a structural component of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: David Edgar, Henri Winand
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle with enhanced cargo storage
    Patent number: 11167848
    Abstract: System and method for loading cargo onto an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). One embodiment is a cargo pod for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The cargo pod includes a hollow body that forms a section of a fuselage of the UAV, and further includes a latching mechanism that releasably secures the hollow body with the fuselage of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael James Duffy, Matthew S. Stauffer, Justin Fowler Rogers
  • High speed rotorcraft propulsion configuration
    Patent number: 11167845
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a propulsion configuration that divorces the engine core power from the thrust fan, using a combined gearbox with a plurality of clutches to couple and decouple one or more rotor systems and one or more thrust fans. The aircraft can be operable for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in a helicopter mode, forward flight in a proprotor mode, and high-speed forward flight in an airplane (jet) mode. The propulsion configuration provides shaft horsepower (SHP) to rotors for VTOL flight, while also providing SHP to the thrust fan for high speed flight. Allowing the rotor and the thrust fan to be clutched on and off, sequentially, enables transition from rotor-borne VTOL flight to wing-borne thrust fan flight, and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Troy C. Schank
  • Methods of moving an aircraft undercarriage between a retracted position and a deployed position
    Patent number: 11161600
    Abstract: Methods of moving an aircraft undercarriage that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position generally include: using a rotary electromechanical type drive actuator coupled to a portion of the aircraft undercarriage to raise it from the deployed position to the retracted position; disengaging the drive actuator during a descent of the undercarriage from the retracted position to the deployed position and using a hydraulic linear shock absorber coupled to a portion of the undercarriage to regulate the rate of descent and to absorb shock on arrival of the undercarriage in the deployed position; and neutralizing the shock absorber while raising the undercarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Florent Fortier, Sébastien Dubois
  • Systems for generating water for a container farm and related methods therefor
    Patent number: 11160223
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating water for growing or vitally supporting plants, fungi, and/or aquatic animals are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes process fluid produced by plant transpiration or fungus respiration to generate water. Nutrients may be added to the water through hydroponic and aquaponic systems, then provided back to the plants in a closed loop. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Source Global, PBC
    Inventors: Cody Alden Friesen, Jason Larmour Hooper
  • Nacelle for a turbofan engine
    Patent number: 11149637
    Abstract: An engine nacelle for a turbofan engine, having a nacelle wall and an engine inlet, wherein the nacelle wall has a stationary downstream section and an upstream section that is displaceable in the axial direction, and the displaceable upstream section is displaceable between a first upstream position and a second downstream position. A ring-shaped seal is provided, formed between the stationary section and the displaceable section of the nacelle wall, wherein, in the first position of the displaceable section, the engine nacelle forms a ring-shaped additional flow channel that extends from the outer side of the nacelle wall to the engine inlet and via which ambient air can flow into the engine inlet, and the ring-shaped additional flow channel is closed in the second position of the displaceable section, wherein the stationary section, the ring-shaped seal and the displaceable section adjoin each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Predrag Todorovic
  • Livewell
    Patent number: 11140886
    Abstract: A portable livewell comprises a buoyant top frame, hinged lid, hinged trapdoor, and a removable mesh net capable of nesting within the buoyant top frame. The livewell further comprises a length of cordage secured at a first end to the livewell and a second end to a ground stake. A pair of handles are secured on opposite ends of the buoyant top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Alec B. Shore, Coty Junkerseld