Patents by Inventor Benjamin N. Patel

Benjamin N. Patel 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).

  • Publication number: 20240228023
    Abstract: A fly-by-wire (FBW) system comprising a plurality of servo actuators for controlling the flight control surfaces of an aircraft in which each of the servo actuators may comprise a flight control computer (FCC) that controls the output of the servo actuator. Input from a pilot or autopilot system may be communicated directly to the servo actuator FCCs, which may perform the requisite computations to determine the servo actuator output. For each axis, a primary and a secondary servo actuator may be provided, and the secondary servo actuator may operate in the event of a failure in the primary servo actuator. Each servo actuator may have two motors, each configured to drive an end of a differential such that each motor can act as a brake, a clutch or motor on the servo actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Dustin B. Kilgore, Benjamin N. Patel, Perry L. Dinger
  • Patent number: 12020585
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph R. Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 11862029
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft; calculate a merit for each potential destination identified; select a destination based upon the merit; and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination that accounts for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph R. Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20230316938
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph R. Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 11710417
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph R. Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20220172630
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft; calculate a merit for each potential destination identified; select a destination based upon the merit; and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination that accounts for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph R. Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 11282399
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft; calculate a merit for each potential destination identified; select a destination based upon the merit; and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination that accounts for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20220058970
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph R. Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 11189181
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20200387172
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 10620641
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20190129448
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft; calculate a merit for each potential destination identified; select a destination based upon the merit; and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination that accounts for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20190094886
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 10203700
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft; calculate a merit for each potential destination identified; select a destination based upon the merit; and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination that accounts for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 10114381
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20180148192
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft; calculate a merit for each potential destination identified; select a destination based upon the merit; and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination that accounts for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Publication number: 20170249852
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber