Patents by Inventor Charles B. Spinelli

Charles B. Spinelli 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).

  • Patent number: 11688288
    Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a flight planning system, a perceived noise at a surface location based on acoustic noise emitted by an aerial vehicle at an aerial location. The aerial location corresponds to a waypoint along a proposed trajectory. Further, determining the perceived noise includes estimating propagation of the acoustic noise from the aerial location to the surface location based on environmental features of the environment or weather data. The flight planning method also includes determining, by the flight planning system using a noise-abatement function, a noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory for the aerial vehicle based on the perceived noise at the surface location. In addition, the flight planning method includes determining, by the flight planning system, a flight plan for the aerial vehicle based on the noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory, and outputting the flight plan for use in navigating the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 11455898
    Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a detection and avoidance system for a vehicle. According to various embodiments, the detection and avoidance system comprises an imaging unit configured to obtain a first image of a field of view at a first camera channel. The first camera channel filters radiation at a wavelength, where one or more objects in the field of view do not emit radiation at the wavelength. The detection and avoidance system further comprises a processing unit configured to receive the first image from the imaging unit and to detect one or more objects therein, as well as a notifying unit configured to communicate collision hazard information determined based upon the detected one or more objects to a pilot control system of the vehicle. Accordingly, the pilot control maneuvers the vehicle to avoid the detected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Mosher, Charles B. Spinelli, Morgan E. Cook
  • Publication number: 20220292989
    Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a flight planning system, a perceived noise at a surface location based on acoustic noise emitted by an aerial vehicle at an aerial location. The aerial location corresponds to a waypoint along a proposed trajectory. Further, determining the perceived noise includes estimating propagation of the acoustic noise from the aerial location to the surface location based on environmental features of the environment or weather data. The flight planning method also includes determining, by the flight planning system using a noise-abatement function, a noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory for the aerial vehicle based on the perceived noise at the surface location. In addition, the flight planning method includes determining, by the flight planning system, a flight plan for the aerial vehicle based on the noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory, and outputting the flight plan for use in navigating the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 11373540
    Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a flight planning system, a perceived noise at a surface location based on acoustic noise emitted by an aerial vehicle at an aerial location. The aerial location corresponds to a waypoint along a proposed trajectory. Further, determining the perceived noise includes estimating propagation of the acoustic noise from the aerial location to the surface location based on environmental features of the environment or weather data. The flight planning method also includes determining, by the flight planning system using a noise-abatement function, a noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory for the aerial vehicle based on the perceived noise at the surface location. In addition, the flight planning method includes determining, by the flight planning system, a flight plan for the aerial vehicle based on the noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory, and outputting the flight plan for use in navigating the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 10984664
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining, prior to deployment of a landing assist device onboard an aircraft, the positions of potential landing sites for the aircraft. The positions of the potential landing sites are determined by a computer based at least in part on respective landing assist device deployment times and current wind data. The computed positions of potential landing sites are received by another computer or processor onboard that aircraft that is configured to control operation of a cockpit display unit within the field of view of the pilot. The display unit displays a map showing the respective positions of the aircraft at the respective landing assist device deployment times and the corresponding respective positions of the potential landing sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles B. Spinelli, Alvin L. Sipe
  • Publication number: 20210043092
    Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a flight planning system, a perceived noise at a surface location based on acoustic noise emitted by an aerial vehicle at an aerial location. The aerial location corresponds to a waypoint along a proposed trajectory. Further, determining the perceived noise includes estimating propagation of the acoustic noise from the aerial location to the surface location based on environmental features of the environment or weather data. The flight planning method also includes determining, by the flight planning system using a noise-abatement function, a noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory for the aerial vehicle based on the perceived noise at the surface location. In addition, the flight planning method includes determining, by the flight planning system, a flight plan for the aerial vehicle based on the noise-abatement value of the proposed trajectory, and outputting the flight plan for use in navigating the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 10866594
    Abstract: In an example, a drop tank for an aerial vehicle includes a body having an internal fuel reservoir configured to store fuel. The drop tank also includes an outlet coupled to the internal fuel reservoir for supplying the fuel from the internal fuel reservoir to a propulsion system of the aerial vehicle. Additionally, the drop tank includes a plurality of flight control surfaces extending outwardly from the body. The flight control surfaces are actuatable to adjust a flight attitude of the drop tank. The drop tank further includes a flight control system including a processor and configured to actuate the plurality of flight control surfaces to fly the drop tank to a target location when the drop tank is jettisoned from the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 10723457
    Abstract: In an example, a power source for an electric propulsion system of an aerial vehicle includes a body having an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy. The power source also includes a plurality of terminals coupled to the electrical energy storage device for supplying the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to the electric propulsion system of the aerial vehicle. The power source further includes a plurality of flight control surfaces extending outwardly from the body. The flight control surfaces are actuatable to adjust a flight attitude of the power source. Additionally, the power source includes a flight control system including a processor and configured to actuate the plurality of flight control surfaces to fly the power source to a target location when the power source is jettisoned from the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20200193849
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining, prior to deployment of a landing assist device onboard an aircraft, the positions of potential landing sites for the aircraft. The positions of the potential landing sites are determined by a computer based at least in part on respective landing assist device deployment times and current wind data. The computed positions of potential landing sites are received by another computer or processor onboard that aircraft that is configured to control operation of a cockpit display unit within the field of view of the pilot. The display unit displays a map showing the respective positions of the aircraft at the respective landing assist device deployment times and the corresponding respective positions of the potential landing sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles B. Spinelli, Alvin L. Sipe
  • Publication number: 20200135038
    Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a detection and avoidance system for a vehicle. According to various embodiments, the detection and avoidance system comprises an imaging unit configured to obtain a first image of a field of view at a first camera channel. The first camera channel filters radiation at a wavelength, where one or more objects in the field of view do not emit radiation at the wavelength. The detection and avoidance system further comprises a processing unit configured to receive the first image from the imaging unit and to detect one or more objects therein, as well as a notifying unit configured to communicate collision hazard information determined based upon the detected one or more objects to a pilot control system of the vehicle. Accordingly, the pilot control maneuvers the vehicle to avoid the detected objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Mosher, Charles B. Spinelli, Morgan E. Cook
  • Patent number: 10515559
    Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a detection and avoidance system for a vehicle. According to various embodiments, the detection and avoidance system comprises an imaging unit configured to obtain a first image of a field of view at a first camera channel. The first camera channel filters radiation at a wavelength, where one or more objects in the field of view do not emit radiation at the wavelength. The detection and avoidance system further comprises a processing unit configured to receive the first image from the imaging unit and to detect one or more objects therein, as well as a notifying unit configured to communicate collision hazard information determined based upon the detected one or more objects to a pilot control system of the vehicle. Accordingly, the pilot control maneuvers the vehicle to avoid the detected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Mosher, Charles B. Spinelli, Morgan E. Cook
  • Publication number: 20190152605
    Abstract: In an example, a power source for an electric propulsion system of an aerial vehicle includes a body having an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy. The power source also includes a plurality of terminals coupled to the electrical energy storage device for supplying the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to the electric propulsion system of the aerial vehicle. The power source further includes a plurality of flight control surfaces extending outwardly from the body. The flight control surfaces are actuatable to adjust a flight attitude of the power source. Additionally, the power source includes a flight control system including a processor and configured to actuate the plurality of flight control surfaces to fly the power source to a target location when the power source is jettisoned from the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20190155311
    Abstract: In an example, a drop tank for an aerial vehicle includes a body having an internal fuel reservoir configured to store fuel. The drop tank also includes an outlet coupled to the internal fuel reservoir for supplying the fuel from the internal fuel reservoir to a propulsion system of the aerial vehicle. Additionally, the drop tank includes a plurality of flight control surfaces extending outwardly from the body. The flight control surfaces are actuatable to adjust a flight attitude of the drop tank. The drop tank further includes a flight control system including a processor and configured to actuate the plurality of flight control surfaces to fly the drop tank to a target location when the drop tank is jettisoned from the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Charles B. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 10249201
    Abstract: An example air vehicle includes a transponder to transmit a code indicative of a communications systems failure on the air vehicle. The example air vehicle includes a satellite receiver to receive, after the transponder code has been transmitted, a message from a satellite in communication with the air vehicle. The satellite receiver is to identify the message as including a command for the air vehicle and decode the message to determine the command. The example air vehicle includes a processor to execute the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Charles B. Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20190051191
    Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a detection and avoidance system for a vehicle. According to various embodiments, the detection and avoidance system comprises an imaging unit configured to obtain a first image of a field of view at a first camera channel. The first camera channel filters radiation at a wavelength, where one or more objects in the field of view do not emit radiation at the wavelength. The detection and avoidance system further comprises a processing unit configured to receive the first image from the imaging unit and to detect one or more objects therein, as well as a notifying unit configured to communicate collision hazard information determined based upon the detected one or more objects to a pilot control system of the vehicle. Accordingly, the pilot control maneuvers the vehicle to avoid the detected objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Mosher, Charles B. Spinelli, Morgan E. Cook
  • Patent number: 10165340
    Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian J Tillotson, Bradley J Mitchell, Peter E Herley, Brenda K Carlson, Kevin Y Ung, Tamaira E Ross, Steven C Venema, James T Farricker, Daniel A Hendricks, Richard R Rocks, Charles B Spinelli, David B Blackwell
  • Patent number: 9846921
    Abstract: A dynamic image masking system for providing a filtered autonomous remote sensing image through a dynamic image masking process is provided. The dynamic image masking system has a remote sensing platform and an imaging system associated with the remote sensing platform. The imaging system has an optical system and an image sensing system. The dynamic image masking system further has a multi-level security system associated with the imaging system and one or more image alteration locations located in the imaging system and the multi-level security system, wherein alteration of one or more images takes place via the dynamic image masking process. The dynamic image masking system further has a computer system associated with the imaging system. The computer system has a gatekeeper algorithm configured to send gatekeeper commands to one or more controllers that control the one or more image alteration locations through the dynamic image masking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles B. Spinelli, Robert W. Turner
  • Patent number: 9776717
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base vehicle, a takeoff and landing system, a rack system, a refueling system associated with the base vehicle, and a controller. The rack system comprises a group of racks with slots in which the slots receive unmanned aerial vehicles, provide refueling connections that facilitate refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots, and provide data connections that facilitate data transmission with the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots. The refueling system refuels an unmanned aerial vehicle located in a slot using a refueling connection in the refueling connections. The controller communicates with the unmanned aerial vehicle using a data connection and control the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles by the refueling system while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in the slot, enabling exchanging data with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles B. Spinelli, John Lyle Vian
  • Patent number: 9766337
    Abstract: An air vehicle comprises a satellite receiver having messaging capability. The receiver is configured to process a command and control (C2) message when alternative communications are required. The air vehicle further comprises avionics for taking a course of action according to instructions in a C2 message received by the satellite receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Charles B. Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20170154538
    Abstract: An example air vehicle includes a transponder to transmit a code indicative of a communications systems failure on the air vehicle. The example air vehicle includes a satellite receiver to receive, after the transponder code has been transmitted, a message from a satellite in communication with the air vehicle. The satellite receiver is to identify the message as including a command for the air vehicle and decode the message to determine the command. The example air vehicle includes a processor to execute the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventor: Charles B. Spinelli