Patents by Inventor André Prager
André Prager has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11964782Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage, a pair of wings attached to the fuselage, and a propulsion system mounted to the wings to provide propulsion to the UAV. The fuselage has an outer fuselage shell that is a first mechanical support structure for an airframe of the UAV. The pair of wings is attached to the fuselage and shaped to provide aerodynamic lift. The wings have outer wing shells that are second mechanical support structures for the airframe. The outer fuselage shell or the outer wing shells comprise one or more formed-metal sheets.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: WING Aviation LLCInventor: André Prager
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Patent number: 11939084Abstract: A landing pad for an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) is disclosed. The landing pad includes a support structure, a charging pad, and a plurality of movable UAV supports. The charging pad is coupled to the support structure and able to move relative to the support structure. The UAV supports are also coupled to the support structure and configured to translate along the support structure from a first position to a second position. When the UAV supports are in the first position, the charging pad supports the UAV. When the UAV supports are in the second position, the charging pad is lowered and the UAV supports then provide support to the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2023Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: WING AVIATION LLCInventors: Kyle Liske, André Prager, Nick Renold
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Patent number: 11912432Abstract: A method includes determining an operational condition associated with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method includes, responsive to determining the operational condition, causing the UAV to perform a pre-flight check. The pre-flight check includes hovering the UAV above a takeoff location. The pre-flight check includes, while hovering the UAV, moving one or more controllable components of the UAV in accordance with a predetermined sequence of movements. The pre-flight check includes obtaining, by one or more sensors of the UAV, sensor data indicative of a flight response of the UAV to moving the one or more controllable components while hovering the UAV. The pre-flight check includes comparing the sensor data to expected sensor data associated with an expected flight response to the predetermined sequence of movements while hovering the UAV. The pre-flight check includes, based on comparing the sensor data to the expected sensor data, evaluating performance of the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Brandon Jones, Kevin Jenkins, Damien Jourdan, André Prager
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Patent number: 11905014Abstract: A technique for operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a terminal area from which the UAVs are staged includes charging a plurality of the UAVs on charging pads disposed in a staging array at the terminal area. Merchant facilities for preparing packages for delivery by the UAVs are disposed about a periphery of the staging array. The UAVs are relocated under their own propulsion from interior charging pads to peripheral loading pads of the staging array as the peripheral loading pads become available and the UAVs are deemed sufficiently charged and ready for delivery missions.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: WING Aviation LLCInventors: James Schmalzried, Benjamin Jacobs, Brandon Jones, Stephen Lacy, Jonathan Lesser, Aditya Undurti, André Prager
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Patent number: 11905018Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for motorized control of a tether, such as for purposes of user interaction and feedback. In particular, a UAV's control system may determine one or more operational parameters of a motor for a winch disposed in the UAV, the winch including the tether and a spool. The control system may then detect in the one or more operational parameters, an operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of an intentional user-interaction with the tether. Based on the detected operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of the intentional user-interaction with the tether, the control system may determine a motor response process. Then, the control system may operate the motor in accordance with the determined motor response process.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon
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Publication number: 20240017827Abstract: A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage including a top, a bottom, a cavity that forms a cargo bay between the top and the bottom, and a lower access opening in the bottom for lowering a payload from the cargo bay. A movable stage is coupled to the fuselage and adjustable between an upper position in which the stage is above the cargo bay and a lower position in which the stage is at the bottom of the fuselage, the stage including an opening extending through the stage. The UAV also includes a winch disposed in the fuselage and a tether coupled to the winch. The winch is configured to be secured to the payload and is movable through the opening in the stage so as to raise or lower the payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2022Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Jesse Blake, Andre Prager, Evan Twyford, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin
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Publication number: 20240017814Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavity that forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, and a lower access opening for lowering the payload from the cargo bay, the lower access opening including a cargo bay door; a winch system positioned in the cargo bay configured to suspend a payload within the cargo bay; and a cargo bay door monitor which is configured to detect when the payload is applying a weight to the cargo bay door.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2022Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Jesse Blake, Andre Prager, Evan Twyford, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin
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Publication number: 20240017825Abstract: A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage body including a cavity that forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an upper access opening for receiving the payload into the cargo bay from a first direction, and a lower access opening for lowering the payload from the cargo bay. The UAV also includes an upper door associated with the upper access opening that is movable between a closed position in which the upper access opening is obstructed and an open position providing a path for the payload into the cargo bay. The upper door includes a winch configured to unwind or retract a tether secured to the payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2022Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Jesse Blake, Andre Prager, Evan Twyford, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin
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Publication number: 20240010367Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage, a pair of wings attached to the fuselage, and a propulsion system mounted to the wings to provide propulsion to the UAV. The fuselage has an outer fuselage shell that is a first mechanical support structure for an airframe of the UAV. The pair of wings is attached to the fuselage and shaped to provide aerodynamic lift. The wings have outer wing shells that are second mechanical support structures for the airframe. The outer fuselage shell or the outer wing shells comprise one or more formed-metal sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2022Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventor: André Prager
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Patent number: 11858633Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: WING AVIATION LLCInventors: Andre Prager, Adam Woodworth
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Publication number: 20230415890Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); a tether having a first end positioned in a winch system of the UAV and a second end secured to a payload coupling apparatus; a payload coupling apparatus receptacle positioned in the UAV; a payload having a handle, wherein the handle of the payload is positioned within a slot in the payload coupling apparatus; wherein the UAV has a recessed restraint slot for receiving a top portion of the payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: André Prager, Trevor Shannon, Zhefei Li, Kyle Liske
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Publication number: 20230406499Abstract: A delivery method using curbside payload pickup by a UAV is provided. The method includes providing instructions to cause physical loading of a payload onto an autoloader device for subsequent UAV transport of the payload. A communication signal is received indicating that the autoloader device has been physically loaded with the payload. A UAV from a group of one or more UAVs is selected to pick up the payload from the autoloader device. Instructions are provided to cause the selected UAV to navigate to the autoloader device to pick up the payload and transport the payload to a delivery location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Adam Woodworth, André Prager, Marcus Hammond, Kevin Jenkins, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin, Jonathan Lesser, Elizabeth Marshman
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Publication number: 20230400864Abstract: A method includes determining, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a position of an autoloader device for the UAV; based on the determined position of the autoloader device, causing the UAV to follow a descent trajectory in which the UAV moves from a starting position to a first nudged position in order to deploy a tethered pickup component of the UAV to a payout position on an approach side of the autoloader device; deploying the tethered pickup component of the UAV to the payout position; causing the UAV to follow a side-step trajectory in which the UAV moves laterally to a second nudged position in order to cause the tethered pickup component of the UAV to engage the autoloader device; and retracting the tethered pickup component of the UAV to pick up a payload from the autoloader device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: André Prager, Marcus Hammond, Kevin Jenkins, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin
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Publication number: 20230399101Abstract: A method includes determining, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a position of an autoloader device for the UAV; based on the determined position of the autoloader device, causing the UAV to follow a descent trajectory in which the UAV moves from a starting position to a first nudged position in order to deploy a tethered pickup component of the UAV to a payout position on an approach side of the autoloader device; deploying the tethered pickup component of the UAV to the payout position; causing the UAV to follow a side-step trajectory in which the UAV moves laterally to a second nudged position in order to cause the tethered pickup component of the UAV to engage the autoloader device; and retracting the tethered pickup component of the UAV to pick up a payload from the autoloader device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: André Prager, Marcus Hammond, Kevin Jenkins, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin
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Patent number: 11803804Abstract: Methods and systems for recipient-assisted recharging during delivery by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are disclosed herein. During a UAV transport task, a UAV determines that the UAV has arrived at a delivery location specified by a first flight leg of the transport task. The UAV responsively initiates a notification process indicating that a recipient-assisted recharging process should be initiated at or near the delivery location. When the UAV determines that the recipient-assisted recharging process has recharged a battery of the UAV to a target level, and also determines that a non-returnable portion of the payload has been removed from the UAV while a returnable portion of the payload is coupled to or held by the UAV, the UAV initiates a second flight segment of the transport task.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, Andrè Prager, Eric Teller
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Patent number: 11794901Abstract: A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing. The housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether. The apparatus further includes a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot. The slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect touchdown of the payload and a transmitter configured to send a touchdown confirmation signal to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a touchdown detection by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: WING AVIATION LLCInventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon, Evan Twyford, Alexander Miller
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Publication number: 20230322385Abstract: A payload coupling apparatus is provided including a housing, wherein the housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot, and wherein the slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon
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Publication number: 20230316447Abstract: Example implementations relate to a method of dynamically updating a transport task of a UAV. The method includes receiving, at a transport-provider computing system, an item provider request for transportation of a plurality of packages from a loading location at a given future time. The method also includes assigning, by the transport-provider computing system, a respective transport task to each of a plurality of UAVs, where the respective transport task comprises an instruction to deploy to the loading location to pick up one or more of the plurality of packages. Further, the method includes identifying, by the transport-provider system, a first package while or after a first UAV picks up the first package. Yet further, the method includes based on the identifying of the first package, providing, by the transport-provider system, a task update to the first UAV to update the respective transport task of the first UAV.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: André Prager, Gaurav Garg, Theran Cochran, Jonathan Lesser
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Patent number: 11767114Abstract: A payload retrieval apparatus is provided including a stand or base, wherein the base or stand has an upper end and a lower end, a first sloped surface positioned over the upper end of the stand or base, a second sloped surface positioned over the upper end of the stand or base and adjacent the first sloped surface, a tether slot positioned in a channel having a first end and a second end, the channel positioned under or near the first sloped surface, and a payload holder positioned at the second end of the channel, wherein the payload holder is adapted to secure a payload.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Andre Prager, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin
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Patent number: 11767111Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a fuselage body having a cavity that forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload; an access opening positioned in the cargo bay adapted to receive the payload; a winch system positioned in an upper portion of the fuselage body above the cargo bay, the winch system configured to suspend the payload within the cargo bay; wherein a tether has a first end attached to the winch system and a second end attached to a payload coupling apparatus that includes a downwardly extending slot positioned above a lip of the payload coupling apparatus, the lip of the payload coupling apparatus is configured to extend through an opening in the handle of the payload to secure the payload to the handle of the payload; and wherein the upper portion of the fuselage body includes a vertical handle slot for receiving the handle of the payload.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, Andre Prager, Evan Twyford, Ivan Qiu, Jasper Lewin