Patents Examined by Timothy D. Collins
  • Patent number: 11713105
    Abstract: An aircraft comprising a wing having a spanwise lift distribution extending from a root to a tip, the lift distribution defining an inboard region defining a positive lift contribution, an outboard region defining a negative lift contribution, and an intermediate region defining a neutral lift contribution, the neutral region being spaced from the tip and from the root. A propulsion system is provided, comprising a wing mounted propulsor. The wing mounted propulsor has a rotational axis (x) positioned substantially at a span of the wing where a value of ?Lift/?Span is at a maximum for the span of the wing, and may be located at the intermediate region along the span of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Matthew Moxon
  • Patent number: 11713112
    Abstract: A method of reducing the noise generated in-flight by a vortex wake caused by each first blade of a main rotor of a hybrid helicopter. The hybrid helicopter includes a main rotor, at least two wings and at least one propeller. The method enables a stabilized flight phase on the level or with a non-zero aerodynamic slope to be implemented by determining a first value of the pitch of the second blades of each propeller and an angle of incidence of the main rotor as function of the flight conditions, then by applying the first pitch value to each propeller and by applying the angle of incidence to the main rotor so as to direct the vortex wake to limit the noisy interactions between the vortex wake and the other first blades and/or the second blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Frederic Guntzer, Paul Eglin
  • Patent number: 11708163
    Abstract: A static aircraft seat privacy panel may include a body. At least a portion of a surface of the body may be shaped to at least partially conform with at least a portion of an aircraft seat. A lower edge of the body may be configured to couple to a floor via a set of floor-mounted components. The set of floor-mounted components may be within the floor separate from a set of seat tracks of an aircraft seat compliant with 16G force requirements for aviation transport. An upper edge of the body may be configured to be offset a selected distance from a surface of one or more overhead structures of the aircraft cabin when the body is coupled to one or more structures positioned proximate to a ceiling of the aircraft cabin. The static aircraft seat privacy panel may be compliant with 9G force requirements for aviation transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Mark B. Dowty, Jefferey M. McKee, Tracy Pence, Michael M. Princip
  • Patent number: 11708146
    Abstract: A multispar lifting surface including a multispar torsion box having corner reinforcements, a movable control surface, and an axial rod fitting. The movable control surface includes a movable element, a hinged connection joined to the movable element, and an axial rod joining the hinged connection to the rear spar of the multispar torsion box. The axial rod fitting is configured to join the axial rod and the multispar torsion box; and includes a longitudinal profile resting against the rear spar, and a lug joined to the longitudinal profile at one end and to the axial rod at another end; the lug defining a plane including the longitudinal axis of the axial rod. This multispar lifting surface is able to support sideward forces without any additional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.U.
    Inventors: Robert Kobierecki, Alberto Balsa-Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11702185
    Abstract: Embodiments for commercial freighter configuration for aircraft with composite wings. One embodiment is cargo floor structure for a wing center section of an aircraft. The cargo floor structure includes over wing floor beams extending longitudinally between a rear spar and a front spar of the aircraft. The over wing floor beams are coupled with an upper skin panel of a composite wing. The cargo floor structure also includes intercostals extending spanwise across the over wing floor beams. The intercostals suspended over the upper skin panel of the composite wing. The cargo floor structure also includes a truss box structure disposed between a middle pair of the over wing floor beams and configured to shear a spanwise load from the intercostals into the upper skin panel of the composite wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Anil A. Mohammed, Colin L. Farr, Kin Yee Cindy Leung-Yuen, Erik A. Phillips, Timothy B. Adams, Jens K. Biemann, Jose Luis Martinez, Michael R. Rush, Daniel H. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11700841
    Abstract: A tip-up system includes a base, a telescopic stand, a paddle fastener and a paddle. The tip-up system improves the process of finding a point of balance of the paddle of the tip-up stand. Particularly, the paddle includes a horizontal cavity and a pivot bar attached therewithin. The paddle pivots between a balanced position and a tipped position via the pivot bar. The pivot bar is movable within the horizontal cavity to allow a user to adjust a balance point of the paddle and thus find the correct point of balance for the paddle when in use with a fishing line and hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventors: Gerald Douglas Bryce Brown, Steven Henry Norman Draker
  • Patent number: 11696576
    Abstract: A pest monitoring system and associated method includes pest monitoring devices for placement at a site and generating a signal upon detection of a pest, and a pesticide dispensing unit including a reservoir housing a diluent and a pesticide module housing a pesticide. A computer device remotely disposed to the pest monitoring devices receives generated signals therefrom, analyzes environmental and historical factor data for the site to determine an amount and placement location of the pest monitoring devices for monitoring the site, and directs deployment of the pest control monitoring devices according to the analysis. The computer device also receives data from the pesticide dispensing unit including an amount or rate of the pesticide substance dispensed from the pesticide module, to form treatment having a concentration of the pesticide substance in the diluent, the treatment being dispensed from the pesticide dispensing unit to treat a detected pest at the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Byron Reid, Volker Gutsmann, Gaelle Fages, Michael Zimmermann, Chris Pienaar, Peter Jardine
  • Patent number: 11696569
    Abstract: Scratching apparatus 1 comprising a plurality of scratchable sacrificial elements 7 that can be assembled together to form a tower 5, and a base 3 having a first surface on which the tower 5 can be mounted so that the tower 5 is generally upstanding from the base 3 when the apparatus 1 is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HEBE STUDIO LIMITED
    Inventors: James Tuthill, Johannes Paul, Simon Nicholls, William Windham
  • Patent number: 11697489
    Abstract: A wing includes: a main structural member; a leading-edge member formed of material with a coefficient of linear thermal expansion different from that of material of the main structural member; an eccentric bushing that has a circular through-hole and is shaped in a cylindrical shape; and a coupling member. The leading-edge member has a first hole prolonged in a specific direction. The main structural member has a second hole. The center axis of the eccentric bushing and the center axis of the through-hole are parallel to and offset from each other. The eccentric bushing is inserted to the first hole. The first coupling member is inserted to the through-hole and the second hole to couple the main structural member and the leading-edge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Kanazawa, Kenta Katsunaga, Koji Ogimura
  • Patent number: 11691749
    Abstract: A method to modify an aircraft including: disconnecting a first engine control device from command cables and transmission cables, wherein the first engine control device is in a fuselage section forward of a pressure bulkhead; replacing the engine control device with a jumper connector positioned in the fuselage section, wherein the jumper connector electrically connects the command cables to the transmission cables; installing a second engine control device in the fuselage aft of the pressure bulkhead, wherein the second engine control device is in an engine compartment of the fuselage; connecting the second engine control device to transmission cables at a location at or near the pressure bulkhead; connecting sensor cabling directly to the second engine control device, and connecting the engine control device directly to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
    Inventor: Alberto Martinez Sancho
  • Patent number: 11691712
    Abstract: A window unit for an aircraft includes a wall module having a side wall laterally delimiting an aircraft cabin. The side wall has a window opening and the wall module has retaining portions. A window module has a window frame accommodating at least one windowpane and the window module has fastening portions. A fastening configuration fastens the window module on the side wall in a region of the window opening. The fastening configuration is formed by a respective fastening portion engaging with a respective retaining portion. The retaining portions and the fastening portions are movable into a plug-in position by a plug-in movement of the window module and are movable from the plug-in position into a securing position by a rotary movement of the window module. The wall module and the window module are interconnected by a form-locking connection in the securing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Diehl Aviation Laupheim GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Vincon, Sandra Kimmig
  • Patent number: 11691716
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft, comprising at least one rotor and a nacelle fairing extending around the at least one rotor with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotor, the nacelle fairing comprising: an upstream section forming an inlet section of the nacelle fairing; a downstream section wherein a downstream end forms an outlet section of the nacelle fairing; and an intermediate section connecting the upstream and downstream sections, wherein the downstream section comprises a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall made of a deformable shape memory material, and further comprising at least one actuator mechanism with at least one cylinder configured to cooperate with one or more components, projections, etc., embedded in an inner surface of the radially outer wall so as to vary an outer diameter of the outlet section between a minimum diameter and a maximum diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Robert Guy Besse, Ye-Bonne Karina Maldonado
  • Patent number: 11684042
    Abstract: The present invention is to a collar for animals that can be converted on-the-fly for use in both training purposes by providing cinching around the animal's neck and for non-training purposes wherein the cinching is reduced or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Leung, Ruixi Chen
  • Patent number: 11685515
    Abstract: A rotorcraft has a horizontal stabilizer movable about an axis of rotation and a horizontal stabilizer control system configured to control the horizontal stabilizer to at least one of move the rotorcraft into a minimum drag position, maintain the aircraft in a minimum drag position, efficiently achieve a maneuver, enter efficient autorotation, and maintain efficient autorotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Dafydd Gillett, James Rigsby, Jeffrey Kirkman, Craig Lovell, Andrew Carter, Aaron Alexander Acee
  • Patent number: 11684024
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plant growing system (100), comprising: a plurality of plant growing zones (122); a control apparatus (120) configured to control one or more environmental conditions in each of the plurality of plant growing zones (122); and a receiver (142) configured to receive input data indicating plant type characteristics of a plurality of plant characteristics types to be grown in a plant growing apparatus (120). Also disclosed is a plant growing apparatus (120) configured to grow a plurality of plant types, a method to control a plant growing apparatus (120) configured to grow a plurality of plant types, and a computer program including computer-readable instructions executable to perform a method to control a plant growing apparatus (120) configured to grow a plurality of plant types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: EVOGRO LTD
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Jason Hirst
  • Patent number: 11679884
    Abstract: An aircraft seating module (20) includes a seating mount (26) having a horizontal mounting rail (28) integrally joined to a vertical mounting post (30) at an adjoining elbow (32). The rail (28) includes a mounting boss (34) longitudinally spaced from the post (30) for attachment to an aircraft cabin seat track (18). Both the rail (28) and post (30) include mounting holes (38) for attaching a passenger seat (22) and appended furniture (24) directly to the seating mount (26) and in turn indirectly to the seat track (18) in the cabin floor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: The NORDAM Group LLC
    Inventors: Mark Robert Hacker, Carlos Roberto Flores, Christopher Ervin Erickson
  • Patent number: 11679859
    Abstract: An aircraft fuselage body is constructed of an upper body section having a curved cross-section configuration and a lower body section having a curved cross-section configuration. The upper body section and the lower body section are joined together to form an aircraft fuselage body by splice straps that are secured, end to end along interior surfaces of the upper body section and the lower body section. The aircraft fuselage body being constructed of an upper body section and a lower body section enables installation of systems separately into the upper body section and the lower body section prior to the upper body section and lower body section being joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Zachary N. Stoddard, Ronald L McGhee
  • Patent number: 11679858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the attachment of an internal module in an internal space of an aircraft part is disclosed. The attachment device includes at least one attachment member comprising an attachment shank, a chamber for introducing the attachment member, the chamber including a first orifice through which the attachment shank passes in the installed configuration of the internal module, and a second orifice which serves for the introduction of the attachment member into the chamber from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Philippe Bernadet, Benoît Courouble
  • Patent number: 11672240
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to fishing lures, and more particularly, to attachable floats for artificial fishing lures. In one embodiment, a float comprises a buoyant body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an outer wall connecting the first and second ends. The float comprises a keeper extending from the body. The keeper is configured to attach the body to a polymeric artificial lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Douglas M. Reed
  • Patent number: 11673651
    Abstract: A leading edge structure for a flow control system of an aircraft is disclosed having a leading edge panel that surrounds a plenum, wherein the leading edge panel has a first side portion, a second side portion opposite the first side portion, an inner surface facing the plenum and an outer surface in contact with an ambient flow, and wherein the leading edge panel comprises a plurality of micro pores forming a fluid connection between the plenum and the ambient flow, wherein the plenum is connected to an air outlet arrangement configured for causing an underpressure in the plenum, so that air from the ambient flow is drawn through the micro pores into the plenum and from there discharged through the air outlet arrangement into the ambient flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Büscher