Patents Examined by Timothy D. Collins
  • High speed rotorcraft propulsion configuration
    Patent number: 11577831
    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: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Troy C. Schank
  • Wing for an aircraft
    Patent number: 11577819
    Abstract: A wing for an aircraft includes: a main wing having an outer skin defining an interior space of the main wing, a slat, and a connection assembly for movably connecting the slat to the main wing, such that the slat is movable in a predefined motion between a retracted position and at least one extended position. The connection assembly includes an elongate and curved slat track, wherein a first end section of the slat track is connected to the slat, a first bearing at least partly arranged outside the interior space of the main wing, a second bearing spaced apart from the first bearing and arranged within the interior space of the main wing. The slat track is movably and rotatably supported on the main wing by the first and second bearing, such that the first and second bearing support the predefined motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Stefan Bensmann
  • Aerial drone
    Patent number: 11577847
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein a fuel cell system component provides a structural component of the vehicle. In some instances propulsion modules affixed to wings are oriented so as to provide airflow to plates of a fuel cell via air inlets for each fuel cell provided at the forward surface of each wing, a fuel cell system component forming a portion of the body and wherein the air inlets are unblocked during flight, each propulsion module is configured to provide air as an oxidant to a fuel cell via the air inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: David Edgar, Henri Winand
  • Cargo transporting systems for tailsitter aircraft
    Patent number: 11577835
    Abstract: A cargo transporting system for a tailsitter aircraft includes a cargo receptacle rotatably coupled to an underside of a wing and a cargo assembly selectively coupled to the cargo receptacle. By rotating the cargo receptacle, the cargo transporting system can transition between a deployed position and a retracted position. In the deployed position, the cargo receptacle is substantially perpendicular to the wing, and accommodates ground personnel charged with connecting or removing the cargo assembly from the cargo transporting system. In the retracted position, the cargo receptacle is substantially parallel to the wing, and positioned for flight operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ray Ivans, Brent Chadwick Ross
  • Sealing tool for sealing an opening in an aircraft rib
    Patent number: 11572950
    Abstract: Seal plates are typically mounted over stringer-receiving openings in aircraft ribs. A sealing tool for sealing a stringer-receiving opening in an aircraft rib is disclosed. The sealing tool includes a seal member arranged to seal a gap formed by the opening between the stringer and the rib. An intermediate member is configured to be adjustably mounted on the rib. The adjustable member receives and aligns the seal member over the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Antony Peacock, Paul Edwards
  • Systems and methods of retrofitting an aircraft engine to an aircraft
    Patent number: 11565823
    Abstract: A system and method of converting engines on a turboprop aircraft, including removing an existing engine and associated propeller from an aircraft fuselage, installing an engine mount adapter assembly to the fuselage, and installing a replacement engine to the engine mount adapter assembly, whereby at least some portions of the replacement engine are attached to the engine mount adapter assembly for structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Aero Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Mills
  • Liquid dispenser for animals
    Patent number: 11565202
    Abstract: A pet water dispenser may include a water tank to store water and an inner assembly detachably coupled to the water tank and provided inside the water tank. The inner assembly may include a pump. A bottom plate of the water tank may be formed with a protrusion projecting upward, while the inner assembly may include a support cylinder having a cavity or recess that is inserted onto the protrusion. The support cylinder may include an upper surface and a sidewall to define the cavity or recess. The inner assembly may further include a filter coupled to the support cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunsun Yoo, Jaehung Chun, Yousook Eun, Joogyeom Kim, Sungkyung Kim, Myongsun Kim
  • Poultry drinker system
    Patent number: 11564378
    Abstract: A poultry drinker system includes a liquid container, which is filled with water; a drinking trough, which is fluidly connected to the liquid container; a float valve assembly, which is configured to regulate the flow of the liquid from the liquid container into the drinking trough; such that the float valve maintains the water level in the drinking trough as poultry drink the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Maximilian B. Lee
  • Providing a load from a motor to inhibit further rotation of a propeller of an aerial vehicle while in flight
    Patent number: 11560238
    Abstract: A technique for operating an aerial vehicle involves enabling a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) propeller of the aerial vehicle to rotate freely. The VTOL propeller is coupled with a VTOL motor (e.g., a 3-phase brushless DC motor). The technique further involves detecting when the VTOL propeller rotates to a predefined position relative to a direction of flight for the aerial vehicle (e.g., when blades of the VTOL propeller extend along an axis that is parallel to the direction of flight). The technique further involves, in response to detecting that the VTOL propeller has rotated to the predefined position, providing a load from the VTOL motor that inhibits further rotation of the VTOL propeller. Accordingly, while the aerial vehicle is in fixed wing horizontal flight, the controller is able to align the VTOL propeller in the direction of horizontal flight to minimize drag from the VTOL propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Eppink, Surendra Vyas
  • Techniques for increasing heat dissipation in lead-lag dampers
    Patent number: 11554864
    Abstract: One embodiment described herein is a damper for a rotor system, the damper comprising a cylindrical housing having a hollow interior; a piston disposed within the hollow interior and extending along a central axis of the housing; a first attachment member disposed on a first end of the damper and connected to the housing; a second attachment member disposed on a second end of the damper and connected to the piston; and a conductive cover wrapped around a portion of an exterior surface of the housing between the first attachment member and the second attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Amarjit Olenchery Kizhakkepat, Andrew Paul Haldeman, Gary Miller, Diana Tinlin
  • Line replaceable centerbody assemblies for ducted propulsion
    Patent number: 11554866
    Abstract: A ducted propulsion assembly for an aircraft includes a duct and a plurality of stators. The distal ends of the stators are coupled to the duct. The ducted propulsion assembly includes a line replaceable centerbody assembly isostatically coupled to the proximal ends of the stators. The line replaceable centerbody assembly includes one or more electric motors driving an output driveshaft. The ducted propulsion assembly also includes a proprotor assembly interchangeably coupled to and rotatable with the output driveshaft of the line replaceable centerbody assembly. The proprotor assembly is rotatable in a rotational plane to generate thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Hugo Schroeder, Joseph R. Carpenter, Jr.
  • System for insect surveillance and tracking
    Patent number: 11547106
    Abstract: A mosquito surveillance device includes one or more mosquito traps having a camera capable of taking images of mosquitos and transmitting the images electronically to a receiver. Suitable traps include an ovitrap, for example. Images may be transmitted from inside or outside the trap to a receiver using low bandwidth cellular phone networks. The images are processed and displayed using software forming mosquito data. The images may be analyzed and the number of live mosquitos identified, the number of dead mosquitos identified, the species of mosquitos identified, or mapped vector densities in real time identified preferably at high resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Soumyadipta Acharya, William Patterson, Margaret Glancey, Nicholas Radant, Justin Chang, Kimberly Ashman
  • Longitudinal beam joint for a pressure deck assembly
    Patent number: 11548607
    Abstract: A pressure deck assembly for a fuselage includes a longitudinal beam extending a length along a roll axis of the fuselage. The longitudinal beam includes a central member and opposing first and second flanges extending from the central member. The first flange includes a first upper side and a first lower side. The second flange includes a second upper side and a second lower side. The pressure deck assembly includes a pressure deck that includes first and second deck segments. The first deck segment is joined to the first flange of the longitudinal beam along the first lower side of the first flange. The second deck segment is joined to the second flange of the longitudinal beam along the second lower side of the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark R. McLaughlin, Steven D. Ingham, Daniel J. Cox, Charles B. Lockin, Danilo Vukosav
  • Brushing device and method for brushing an animal, and a shed
    Patent number: 11547087
    Abstract: A brush device for brushing an animal, in particular the back, head and/or tail of the animal, such as a cow, includes a rotatable brush, as well as an electric drive motor, which is configured to supply a drive torque for rotatably driving the brush in at least one rotation direction. The drive torque supplied by the drive motor is set in such a manner that the brush can be turned back by means of muscular power of the animal and/or an individual counter to the driven rotation direction while said drive torque is being supplied by the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventors: Harrold Jan Munneke, George Lewis Mikhael Saad
  • Umbrella for hanging flower basket
    Patent number: 11540453
    Abstract: A protective device for use with a hanging planter includes a container that houses a shade. Both the container and the shade are connected to a main shaft that includes a runner. The shade is connected to the runner. When the runner is toward the top end of the container, the shade is housed by the container and is not deployed. When the runner is toward the bottom end of the container, the shade is deployed and extends outward of the container side-to-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: DC Products, LLC
    Inventor: William Kyle DeSautell
  • Method and apparatus for increasing honey harvest efficiency
    Patent number: 11540496
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and related apparatus for increasing the extraction efficiency of honey from honeycomb. Capped honeycomb is placed in a vessel and heated air is flowed past the honeycomb and in contact with the honeycomb. Heat is transferred from the flowing air to the honeycomb by forced convection. The honeycomb is removed from the vessel after the honeycomb reaches a desired end temperature. The heated honeycomb is then removed from the vessel, uncapped, and honey is extracted from the uncapped honeycomb. Heating the honeycomb by forced convection heats the capped honeycomb quickly to reduce the viscosity of the honey in the honeycomb for faster extraction, and enables recovery of honey from honeycombs having crystallized honey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Stuart Suydam
  • Stiffened structural component for an aircraft
    Patent number: 11541982
    Abstract: A stiffened structural component for an aircraft includes a first material sheet with a first surface, and at least one elongate bulge that bulges out in a direction transverse to the first surface in order to stiffen the structural component, wherein each of the at least one bulge comprises two edges that extend along the first surface, wherein a continuous bulging surface extends between the edges, and wherein the bulges are formed integrally into the first material sheet through pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Chinnarajan Periyasamy, Akshay Srinivasamurthy, Wolfgang Entelmann, Wolfgang Schulze, Jens Rohde
  • Aircraft duct assembly with slideway mounting
    Patent number: 11541985
    Abstract: An aircraft duct assembly comprising at least two ducts extending along a general direction of rectilinear extent, each duct being an electrical, hydraulic or aeraulic duct connected to a duct support. The duct support comprises a first slideway element configured to cooperate with a second slideway element to form a slideway in the general direction of extent of the ducts. The duct assembly can thus be inserted, after mounting, by translation along the direction of the slideway into an aircraft fuselage portion. The mounting of the duct assembly and installation thereof in a fuselage are simplified, and the duct assembly is more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Feuillerac, Patrick Salgues, Vincent Auriac
  • Load-bearing structure intended to be mounted on a gas generator
    Patent number: 11542024
    Abstract: A load-bearing structure is configured to be mounted on an engine core of a turbofan engine. The load-bearing structure comprises two longitudinal beams and a transverse connection connecting them. Each of the longitudinal beams comprises a forward mounting interface and a rear mounting interface for mounting the structure on the engine core while allowing at least the longitudinal travel of the engine core. Each longitudinal beam also comprises a lateral suspension point for transmitting longitudinal and vertical forces between the load-bearing structure and a suspension structure. The load-bearing structure further comprises a transverse connection comprising a central suspension point for transmitting lateral and vertical forces between the load-bearing structure and the suspension structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Antoine Elie Hellegouarch, Marc Patrick Tesniere
  • Aircraft engine adapter system
    Patent number: 11535388
    Abstract: An aircraft engine mounting system to retrofit an aircraft engine from one aircraft type to another in a manner suitable for approved flight. The system includes a circular member having longitudinal securement members extending therefrom to attach the circular member to an inner surface of the fuselage of an aircraft. The circular member in turn has mounting members configured to receive an aircraft engine to retrofit the engine from a first aircraft to a second aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Aero Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Mills