Patents by Inventor Benjamin A. Rothacker

Benjamin A. Rothacker 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).

  • Methods of dynamically controlling airflow behind a carrier aircraft to redirect air flow during an in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle and an apparatus therefor
    Patent number: 9878777
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dynamically controlling airflow behind a carrier aircraft to redirect air flow during an in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus comprises a frame attached to an end portion of an arm member extending from the carrier aircraft. The apparatus comprises a plurality of vanes disposed within the frame. Each vane is controllable between an opened position and a closed position to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV. Alternatively, or in addition to, the apparatus comprises a plurality of compressed air jets disposed on the frame, wherein each jet is controllable to provide active airflow to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roger D. Bernhardt, Alexander D. Lee, Ryan L. Hupp, Abraham N. Gissen, Benjamin A. Rothacker
  • Methods of Dynamically Controlling Airflow Behind a Carrier Aircraft to Redirect Air Flow During an In-flight Recovery of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and an Apparatus Therefor
    Publication number: 20170341735
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dynamically controlling airflow behind a carrier aircraft to redirect air flow during an in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus comprises a frame attached to an end portion of an arm member extending from the carrier aircraft. The apparatus comprises a plurality of vanes disposed within the frame. Each vane is controllable between an opened position and a closed position to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV. Alternatively, or in addition to, the apparatus comprises a plurality of compressed air jets disposed on the frame, wherein each jet is controllable to provide active airflow to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Roger D. Bernhardt, Alexander D. Lee, Ryan L. Hupp, Abraham N. Gissen, Benjamin A. Rothacker