Abstract: An electric propulsion system includes a mast defining an axis of rotation. At least one yoke is rotatably mounted to the mast. A fairing assembly surrounds the at least one yoke. An electric motor includes a stator assembly associated with the fairing assembly and a rotor assembly associated with the yoke.
Abstract: An aircraft comprising a main engine to provide a supply of bleed air, an APU housing within an APU compartment and having an APU bleed valve, an APU bleed air duct connecting main engine with the APU, and a bleed air heating system for the APU compartment comprising an auxiliary pipeline connecting the APU bleed air duct with the APU compartment, a temperature sensor, an auxiliary pipeline valve to control the discharge of bleed air into the APU compartment, and a temperature controller configured to establish a heating operation mode, when the sensed temperature falls below a minimum temperature threshold value, and a standby operation mode, when the sensed temperature surpasses a maximum temperature threshold value. The temperature controller operates the main engine and the valves to establish these operation modes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 25, 2020
Assignee:
AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
Inventors:
Pio Fernandez-Lopez, Pedro Felipe Ramos Paul Lastra, Cristina Sañudo Obregon, Maria Zamarro Martin
Abstract: Provided are integrated locks, aircraft galley systems using such locks, and aircraft including such galley systems. An integrated lock has a low profile and provides secure locking and visual indication of the lock status to meet various FAA regulations. The visual indication may be provided mechanically (e.g., by moving a two-color indicator between two positions) or electronically (e.g., by triggering a switch connected to a light or an electro-chromic device). Furthermore, a main indicator may be connected to multiple different locks to provide a combined visual indication of the status of all locks. A visual indicator may be disposed on a galley system frame. Each integrated lock may include a handle portion and a locking portion connected to the handle portion and configured to engage the galley system frame when the handle portion is in the locked position and the door is closed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 3, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 18, 2020
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
Cynthia A. Vandewall, Kai Shen Elston Cheah, Jun Yuan Dexter Tan
Abstract: Disclosed here is a cargo drive unit for a cargo hold of an aircraft. The cargo drive unit includes at least one driven power transmission element, which is configured to transmit drive forces to a load arranged in the cargo hold, in order to move the load inside the cargo hold. The cargo drive unit also includes a sensor unit configured to acquire at least one movement parameter of the load. The cargo drive unit also includes a control unit configured to control the power transmission element according to the acquired movement parameter. Also disclosed here is a cargo hold that includes such a cargo drive unit, and a related method for operating such a cargo hold.
Abstract: A veneer panel may comprise an outer surface, and a heat resistant system coupled to the outer surface comprising at least one of a thermal barrier layer or an intumescent layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 18, 2020
Assignee:
GOODRICH CORPORATION
Inventors:
Scott Alan Eastman, Michael Paul Humbert, Steven W. Gronda, Zhongfen Ding, Christopher L. Chapman, Farzana Hussain
Abstract: Methods and devices for adjusting a position of a flight control member relative to a base of an aircraft. The devices and methods include a joint that movably connects the flight control surface to the base. An extension member is connected to the flight control surface and extends through the joint. Adjustable linear members of the base are connected to the extension member and configured to adjust the position of the extension member. This adjustment results in re-orienting the flight control member relative to the base to adjust the flight of the aircraft.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 11, 2020
Assignee:
THE BOEING COMPANY
Inventors:
Michael Thomas Fox, Eric Anton Howell, Jeffrey M. Roach
Abstract: A method of retrofitting a mechanically controlled aircraft with a fly-by-wire system includes removing a mechanical links between mechanical pilot inputs and actuators operable to drive flight surfaces. Electromechanical actuators are coupled between a plurality of vehicle management computers and the actuators. Each of the electromechanical actuators is operable to receive commands from the vehicle management computers and output a mechanical force to an input linkage of one of the actuators. Electromechanical pilot input modules are coupled to the mechanical pilot inputs. Each of the electromechanical pilot input modules is operable to convert a pilot-driven input force of an instance of the mechanical pilot inputs into an electronic signal indicative of the pilot-driven input force. At least one high performance computer is coupled to at least one of the vehicle management computers.
Abstract: An active tie rod for retaining and releasing appendages without shock is provided. The device comprises: a fixed base, a tie rod extending along an axis between two ends, a mechanism fastened to the base and temporarily retaining a first end of the tie rod, operating the mechanism to release the tie rod from the base, an end piece fastened to a second end of the tie rod, at least one appendage temporarily retained between the base and the end piece, a component disposed between the mechanism and the end piece, and an actuator of the component to modify a characteristic dimension of the component along the axis between two values, the component producing a tension in the tie rod for the first of the two values and the tension in the tie rod being reduced for a second of the two values.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 16, 2016
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2020
Assignee:
THALES
Inventors:
Alain-Vincent Blanc, Thomas Combernoux, François Michellet, Damien Chassoulier
Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lining panel with integrated electric lines for a lining of a passenger cabin of an aircraft or spacecraft includes using an additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technique to form the electric lines on or into a panel body of the lining panel. A lining panel with integrated electric lines for a lining of a passenger cabin of an aircraft or spacecraft includes a panel body and electric lines being formed on or into the panel body using an AM or 3D printing technique.
Abstract: A dual rack and pinion rotational inerter, configured to dampen the flutter of a flight control member of an aircraft, includes an inertial wheel and a brake member disposed on an inertial wheel. The brake member moves between a retracted position and a deployed position based on a rotational velocity of the inertial wheel. The brake member moves to the retracted position when the rotational velocity of the inertial wheel is slower than a predetermined threshold velocity to allow the rotation of the inertial wheel. When the rotational velocity of the inertial wheel is at least as fast as the predetermined threshold velocity, however, the brake member deploys to yieldingly resist the rotation of the inertial wheel. In either position, the inertial wheel causes the inerter to dampen the flutter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 2018
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2020
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
Michael Thomas Fox, Eric Anton Howell, Jeffrey M. Roach
Abstract: A UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) arm mechanism includes an arm fixed device, a control device, a limiting device, and an arm connecting device, wherein the control device is adapted for controlling an assembly and disassembly of the arm fixed device and the arm connecting device, the limiting device is adapted for relatively fixing the arm fixed device and the arm connecting device; the control device is adapted for driving the limiting device to be detached from the arm connecting device, so as to achieve that the arm fixed device and the arm connecting device switch among at least three different states through a relative rotation. The UAV and the UAV arm mechanism can be locked up through the positioning pins, and also can be folded and disassembled after pressing the controlling device.
Abstract: A dual spool valve and methods of controlling hydraulic fluid that is moved to a hydraulic actuator of an aircraft. The dual spool valve may include first and second manifolds that each includes a movable spool. Multiple ports are positioned in each of the manifolds. The movable spools are positionable within their respective manifolds to control the movement of the hydraulic fluid that is supplied to and removed from the hydraulic actuator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 2018
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2020
Assignee:
THE BOEING COMPANY
Inventors:
Michael Thomas Fox, Eric Anton Howell, Jeffrey M. Roach
Abstract: An unmanned flying object that flies in the air includes a capturer, including at least one of a net, a sucking device, a stick, a rope or a spear, that captures an object other than the unmanned flying object in the air, a sensor that detects that the capturer has captured the object, and a processor that performs operations including: receiving an operation signal via wireless communication; performing a manual flight control that controls the unmanned flying object on the basis of the operation signal; switching from the manual flight control to an autonomous flight control that controls the unmanned flying object to not be dependent on the operation signal received via the wireless communication, when the sensor detects the capture of the object while the manual flight control is being performed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 23, 2020
Assignee:
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Abstract: A rideshare adapter for a launch vehicle (LV), a configurable-mass rideshare dispenser for a rideshare adapter employable with a LV, and a method of operating a configurable-mass rideshare dispenser for an LV are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the rideshare adapter includes: (1) an annular peripheral wall that defines an interior of the rideshare adapter and (2) inner support walls, mechanically coupled to the peripheral wall, that are located within the interior and divide the interior into multiple rideshare dispenser compartments.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 16, 2020
Assignee:
TriSept Corporation
Inventors:
Daniel Lim, Jason Armstrong, Robert Spicer
Abstract: An aircraft control of the rudder bar type, which includes a box-shaped pedal, a support, a first rotation shaft connecting the pedal to the support with a first rotation axis, a first pivot connection configured to allow the pedal to pivot about the first rotation axis relative to the support, a rod, a second rotation shaft, distinct from the first rotation shaft and connecting the pedal to the rod with a second rotation axis, and a second pivot connection configured so as to allow the pedal and/or the rod to pivot about the second rotation axis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 2, 2020
Assignee:
Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
Inventors:
Bernard Guering, Matthieu De Kergommeaux
Abstract: The invention relates to a wing structure (1) for flying objects, comprising a wing leading edge (4) and a wing box (2), wherein the wing leading edge should be arranged on the wing box in particular in a detachable manner. For this purpose, the wing leading edge is connected to the wing box within a joining segment (9) and to rib extensions (11) of the wing box by means of fastening element (12) near the nose segment (15) such that a fastening-free segment (14) extends on the top side (16) of the wing leading edge in order to compensate thermal deformation during flight.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 6, 2016
Date of Patent:
May 26, 2020
Assignee:
DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM LUFT- UND RAUMFAHRT E.V.
Inventors:
Christian Ückert, Tobias Bach, Olaf Steffen, Denise Düring, Robert Kaps, Markus Kleineberg, Christian Hühne
Abstract: A vent wash cover for covering an aircraft vent with a plurality of slots. The vent wash cover includes a main body, fingers, a threaded aperture, and a hollow conic section. The main body has a first end and a second end. The fingers are disposed on the first end and correspond in size and placement to the plurality of slots such that a seal is created between the fingers and plurality of slots. The threaded aperture is disposed on the second end, and corresponds to threads of a standard thread extension pole. The hollow conic section extends outward from the threaded aperture such that the threads of the standard thread extension pole can be properly aligned from a distance for insertion into the threaded aperture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2018
Date of Patent:
May 26, 2020
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Inventors:
Charles Stouffer, Ronald Bush, Joan Melendez, David Hohn
Abstract: A method and apparatus for the control of the attitude of earth orbiting satellites and the orbit and attitude control of a novel gravitational wave detection satellite configuration located near the sun-earth Lagrangian points L3, L4 and L5, utilizing the control of solar radiation pressure by the use of electrically controllable variable reflection glass panels to provide the torques and forces needed.
Abstract: A high-flying solar unmanned aircraft system capable of extending endurance time is disclosed. The system includes a main aircraft, a separable auxiliary power source and a connection device. The main aircraft includes a first body, a second body, a first wing portion, a second wing portion, a third wing portion, a first propeller and a second propeller. The second wing portion locates between the first body and the second body, and the second wing portion connects the first body and the second body. The connection device connects the main aircraft and the auxiliary power source, and includes a separation device. When the system climbs, the separable auxiliary power source provides additional energy to assist the main aircraft to climb. When reaching a preset altitude, the separation device, by burning out a line of connection bent, is turned on such that the auxiliary power source is separated from the main aircraft.
Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, in which a ring gear is movably mounted to the rim of the wheel, so that torque can be transmitted between wheel and rim, while the ring gear is isolated from deformations induced in the wheel rim.