Patents Examined by Timothy D. Collins
  • Apparatus and method for releasable fishing lure attractor blade
    Patent number: 11666043
    Abstract: A releasable attractor blade system is provided. One embodiment has an attractor blade defined by an aperture proximate to an edge of a leading blade portion, defined by a release slot proximate to an edge of a trailing blade portion of the attractor blade. A release system has a retainer at the first end of a cord that passes through the aperture and is configured to be frictionally retained outside of the aperture; a release hook at the second end of the cord that is inserted into the release slot of the attractor blade to releasably secure the releasable attractor blade system to the attractor blade release system; and an elastic portion secured between the first and second cord ends, wherein the release system holds the attractor blade in position along a longitudinal axis of the attractor blade during trolling so that the attractor blade attracts game fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Turvey, Scott Kaul
  • Redundant electric propulsion system
    Patent number: 11661185
    Abstract: A propulsion system for providing propulsion of an aircraft includes a plurality of electric motors coupled with a rotor of the aircraft to drive the rotor and a propulsion motor control. The propulsion motor control includes at least one processor electrically connected with at least one electric motor to actuate the at least one electric motor and at least one battery electrically connected with the at least one processor and at least one electric motor to provide power to the at least one processor and the at least one electric motor. The propulsion motor control actuates the plurality of electric motors based on a desired torque level to drive the rotor to provide propulsion of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Bernard, Jeffrey Epp, William K. Heironimus
  • Systems and methods for power distribution in electric aircraft
    Patent number: 11661180
    Abstract: An electric aircraft includes rotors for providing lift for vertical take-off and landing of the aircraft, proprotors that are tiltable between lift configurations for providing lift for vertical take-off and landing of the aircraft and propulsion configurations for providing forward thrust to the aircraft, a first battery pack for powering a first rotor and a first proprotor, a second battery pack for powering a second rotor and a second proprotor, a first electric power bus electrically connecting the first battery pack to the first rotor and proprotor, and a second electric power bus electrically connecting the second battery pack to the second rotor and proprotor, wherein the second electric power bus is electrically isolated from the first electric power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Archer Aviation Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Bower, Benjamin M. Greek, Nathan T. Depenbusch, John Melack
  • Air intake, nacelle and propulsion unit for monobloc sector aircraft
    Patent number: 11661173
    Abstract: An aircraft nacelle air intake includes sectors each having a lip forming portion, an outer panel forming portion and an inner panel forming portion. The outer panel forming portions and lip forming portions are formed by a continuous one-piece wall. At at least one junction between two adjacent sectors, an opening and a hatch are provided between the outer panel forming portions of the sectors. The inner panel forming portions and the lip forming portions of the sectors are edge to edge and fixed to each other by fixing devices accessible from the inside of the sectors and invisible from outside of the sectors. A maintenance method in which, when a zone of a sector is damaged, the sector concerned is removed as a whole and is replaced by a new of “recycled” sector is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Francois Pons, Arnaud Bourhis, Julien Sentier
  • Vase with retainer mounted on securing ring
    Patent number: 11653776
    Abstract: A display vase adapted to hold a variety of longitudinal stems or sticks, the vase including a retainer mountable within the transparent vase that can hold a multitude of display items. The retainer may sit on a shelf or retaining ring inside the vase. The retainer may include an array of hexagonally shaped cells that may interlock with a lower level of interlocking cells. Also included is a method of arranging and displaying stemmed items in a vase. A retainer is set in a vase and stems are secured therethrough, preferably into a frog apparatus at bottom of vase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Woods IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Elise Woods, James Clayton Weems
  • Method and system for coupling a vertical stabilizer to an aircraft fuselage
    Patent number: 11655019
    Abstract: A method and system for attaching a vertical stabilizer to an aircraft fuselage using a clevis system is disclosed. A composite skin is installed over the aircraft fuselage. The composite skin has apertures for receiving a plurality of clevises in a clevis system. The plurality of clevises is inserted through the apertures in the composite skin. Each of the plurality of clevises is secured to a frame member in the aircraft fuselage. The vertical stabilizer has a multi-spar box connected with a base rib assembly having a plurality of lugs. The base rib assembly of the vertical stabilizer is engaged with the clevis system. The plurality of lugs in the base rib assembly is secured to the plurality of clevises in the clevis system. Attachment of the vertical stabilizer to the aircraft fuselage, as well as subsequent inspection, may be performed from outside the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rosario Vingiani, Phiyen Thi Pham, Steven Edward Pearson, Peter J. Newnham, Nicholas W. Heintz
  • Knotless coupler arrangements for attaching fishing implements to fishing lines
    Patent number: 11653638
    Abstract: A knotless coupler for securing a fishing line to a fishing implement is disclosed. The knotless coupler comprises a shaft portion and a nut. The shaft portion is configured to be attached to the fishing implement. The shaft portion comprises a plurality of external threads and an external line-receiving groove formed across at least some of the external threads. The nut is configured to be threadably engaged with the external threads of the shaft portion. The nut is movable between a non-gripping position and a line-gripping position. A portion of the fishing line is inserted through an opening in the nut and into the external line-receiving groove when the nut is in the non-gripping position. The portion of the fishing line is secured within the external line-receiving groove by the nut when the nut is in the line-gripping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: William D. Fox
  • Earth to orbit transportation system
    Patent number: 11649070
    Abstract: Various embodiments of space launch vehicle systems and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems include a reusable, horizontal takeoff/horizontal landing (HTHL), ground-assisted single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane that is capable of providing frequent deliveries of people and/or cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In some embodiments, the spaceplane can takeoff with the aid of a rocket-powered sled that, in addition to providing additional thrust for takeoff, can also provide propellant for the spaceplane engines during the takeoff run so that the spaceplane launches with full propellant tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Radian Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Livingston L. Holder, Gary C. Hudson, Bevin C. McKinney, Marshall L. Crenshaw, Daniel Paul Raymer
  • Yaw control systems for tailsitting biplane aircraft
    Patent number: 11650604
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe with first and second wings having a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. First and second yaw vanes extend aftwardly from the fuselage. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector of the coaxial rotor system and control movements of the yaw vanes. In a VTOL orientation of the aircraft, differential operation of the yaw vanes and/or differential operations of first and second rotor assemblies of the coaxial rotor system provide yaw authority for the aircraft. In a biplane orientation of the aircraft, collective operation of the yaw vanes provides yaw authority for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard McCullough, Andrew Thomas Carter, Sung Kyun Kim, Matthew John Hill
  • Wing assembly having discretely stiffened composite wing panels
    Patent number: 11643184
    Abstract: A wing assembly include at least one fuel tank having a tank outboard end. In addition, the wing assembly includes a stout wing rib located proximate the tank outboard end and extending between a front spar and a rear spar. The wing assembly also includes at least one outboard wing rib located outboard of the stout wing rib and defining an outboard wing bay. The wing assembly also includes an upper skin panel and a lower skin panel each coupled to the front spar, the rear spar, the stout wing rib, and the outboard wing rib. A plurality of bead stiffeners are coupled to the upper skin panel and/or the lower skin panel and are spaced apart from each other within the outboard wing bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Forouzan Behzadpour, Daniel M. Levine
  • Wingtip device attachment
    Patent number: 11643189
    Abstract: A wingtip device to attach to a wing of an aircraft includes an aerofoil portion and a connection spar arranged to be received in a connection spar receiving portion of the wing of an aircraft. The spar includes a first through hole in a first portion of the connection spar and a second through hole in a second rearward portion of the connection spar, the second portion being rearward of the first portion with respect to a direction of flight. The first and second through holes are arranged to receive a retaining pin that is to be inserted through both the first and second through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Barnett, Andrew Scaife, Lee Proudler
  • Starting/generating system and method for an aircraft turbine engine
    Patent number: 11643221
    Abstract: A starting/generating system for an aircraft turbine engine, the starting/generating system comprising at least one brushless drive motor/generator, at least one control module and at least one power module, the power module being configured to supply/receive electric power from the brushless drive motor/generator, the control module being connected to the brushless drive motor/generator by a control cable in order to control its operation, in which system the power module is configured to be mounted in the housing of the non-pressurized zone so as to be located adjacent to the brushless drive motor/generator and the control module is configured to be mounted in a pressurized zone of the aircraft, the control module being connected to the power module by a two-way communication cable in order to control its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventors: Philippe Lapalus, Florent Nierlich
  • Lure with suction features
    Patent number: 11632942
    Abstract: A fishing lure has an elastomeric or soft plastic body containing multiple suction features along its surface. By being capable of sticking to the roof of the fish's mouth or the fish's tongue, the suction features help increase the chance that the lure remains in the fish's mouth a few more seconds prior to an angler's hookset. The combination of the suction features' tactile feel and their adhering ability results in a unique advantage for any type of soft plastic fishing lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Ryan Rye
  • Electrically powered rotorcraft capable of autorotative landing
    Patent number: 11634235
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrically powered rotorcraft of the type having a fuselage and a set of N rotors driven by a set of electric motors and coupled to the fuselage, N?4, under a failure condition preventing ordinary operation of the rotorcraft. The method includes entering a failsafe mode of operation wherein autorotation of at least four of the rotors is enabled. The method also includes using electrical braking associated with a selected group of the rotors to control yaw of the rotorcraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SiFly Aviation, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Hinman, Jeffrey G. Bernstein
  • Variable waterline for horizontal pressure deck
    Patent number: 11634207
    Abstract: A pressure deck system for a fuselage of an aircraft. The pressure deck system comprises a first sloping outboard pressure panel, a first longitudinal stiffener connected to the first sloping outboard pressure panel, a second sloping outboard pressure panel opposite the first sloping outboard pressure panel, a second longitudinal stiffener connected to the second sloping outboard pressure panel, pressure panels between the first sloping outboard pressure panel and the second sloping outboard pressure panel and forming the an upper barrier of a wheel well, longitudinal beams connected to the pressure panels and supporting a cabin floor of the fuselage, and a sloping pressure deck connecting a number of these components to the rear spar of the center wing box. A waterline of the pressure deck system is de-coupled from a side-of-body waterline in the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Ronald McLaughlin, Branko Lakic, Richard R. Rosman, Bernhard Dopker, Steven David Ingham
  • Modular power units for aircraft
    Patent number: 11628949
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing flexible, scalable, and controllable electrical power to an aircraft. In some embodiments, a modular power unit comprises a container containing a power generation unit, a control system, a conditioning system, and an environmental control system. The power generation unit produces a generated power. The control system provides control signals to the power generation unit and controls at least one parameter of the generated power. The conditioning system receives and conditions the generated power and provides an output power to the power bus of the aircraft. The environmental control system provides a temperature regulating fluid to the power generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Long, Dwayne Bevis, Sean Guitar
  • Bead-stiffened movable surfaces
    Patent number: 11623733
    Abstract: A movable surface of an aircraft has a front spar extending along a spanwise direction between opposing movable surface ends. The movable surface also includes a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of bays between adjacent pairs of the ribs. Each rib extends between the front spar and a trailing edge portion of the movable surface. The movable surface further includes an upper and a lower skin panels coupled to the ribs and the front spar. In addition, the bull surface includes a plurality of bead stiffeners coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the upper skin panel and the lower skin panel. The bead stiffeners within the bays are spaced apart from each other and are oriented non-parallel to the front spar and have a bead stiffener cap having opposing cap ends respectively locate proximate the front spar and the trailing edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Forouzan Behzadpour, Waeil M. Ashmawi, Sahrudine Apdalhaliem
  • Modular rotary swivel for rotary milking parlor
    Patent number: 11622534
    Abstract: A rotary milking parlor swivel comprising a stationary central core defining a milk line and a media inlet port; a rotating sleeve disposed at least partially around the stationary central core, and the rotating sleeve includes a first segment defining a milk inlet port in communication with the milk line and a second segment defining a media outlet port in communication with the media inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J Stuessel, Eric M Stussy
  • Icing detector
    Patent number: 11623754
    Abstract: A number of devices are provided for detecting presence of ice in an airstream. In some examples such device includes a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, and a partition wall separating the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber has at least one inlet opening on a front housing wall facing the airstream, and at least one outlet opening, smaller than the at least one inlet opening. The second chamber is configured for being operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic (EM) system that is configured for transmitting EM energy to the first chamber at least via the partition wall, which is transparent and/or translucent with respect to the EM energy, the EM energy being configured for melting ice that can accrete with respect to the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Marom
  • Fuel recirculation system
    Patent number: 11623759
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for maintaining bulk fuel temperatures in an aircraft. In one aspect, a recirculation system causes fuel to be delivered from a relatively low point near the feed hopper of each tank on the aircraft to one or more outboard locations of the wings. Once there, the fuel, due to gravity, flows back over the lower skin of the wing in channels back towards the fuselage, thus cooling the fuel. In other aspects, control systems are disclosed that coordinate the recirculation based on fuel levels in the tanks and fuel temperatures. The control systems also utilize a fuel scavenge system to maintain acceptable temperatures in the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Aviation Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Dwier, Robert G. Wellemeyer