Patents by Inventor David Churchill

David Churchill 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: 20230415885
    Abstract: An electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft including a teetering propulsor assembly is provided. Teetering propulsor assembly may include a propeller that includes a hub and blades. Hub of propeller may be mechanically connected to a teeter mechanism of propulsor assembly that may be configured to allow the propeller to pivot about a teeter axis relative to the electric aircraft. Thus, teeter mechanism allows for a rotational axis of propeller to move during teetering of propeller. Teeter mechanism may include one or more springs that reduce teetering or prevent teetering of the propulsor at certain rotational speeds of propeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Spira, Kyle Brookes, David Churchill, Mark Page
  • Publication number: 20230406520
    Abstract: In an aspect this disclosure is directed at a propulsor assembly powered by a dual motor system. The aircraft may comprise a propulsor. The electric aircraft may also include a driveshaft that is mechanically coupled to the propulsor, wherein a driveshaft is configured to provide mechanical power to the propulsor. The aircraft includes a plurality of electric motors. The electric motors may be configured to impart rotational energy to the driveshaft. Wherein each electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. Each electric motor is selectively engaged to the driveshaft by a freewheel clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Manon Danielle Belzile, David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20230356850
    Abstract: In an aspect this disclosure is directed at a propulsor assembly powered by a dual motor system. The aircraft may comprise a propulsors. The electric aircraft may also include a driveshaft that is mechanically coupled to the propulsor, wherein a driveshaft is configured to provide mechanical power to the propulsor. The aircraft includes a plurality of electric motors. The electric motors may be configured to impart rotational energy to the driveshaft. Wherein each electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. Each electric motor is selectively engaged to the driveshaft by a freewheel clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Manon Danielle Belzile, David Churchill
  • Patent number: 11787550
    Abstract: In an aspect this disclosure is directed at a propulsor assembly powered by a dual motor system. The aircraft may comprise a propulsors. The electric aircraft may also include a driveshaft that is mechanically coupled to the propulsor, wherein a driveshaft is configured to provide mechanical power to the propulsor. The aircraft includes a plurality of electric motors. The electric motors may be configured to impart rotational energy to the driveshaft. Wherein each electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. Each electric motor is selectively engaged to the driveshaft by a freewheel clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Manon Danielle Belzile, David Churchill
  • Patent number: 11643196
    Abstract: An electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft including a teetering propulsor assembly is provided. Teetering propulsor assembly may include a propeller that includes a hub and blades. Hub of propeller may be mechanically connected to a teeter mechanism of propulsor assembly that may be configured to allow the propeller to pivot about a teeter axis relative to the electric aircraft. Thus, teeter mechanism allows for a rotational axis of propeller to move during teetering of propeller. Teeter mechanism may include one or more springs that reduce teetering or prevent teetering of the propulsor at certain rotational speeds of propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Spira, Kyle Brookes, David Churchill, Mark Page
  • Publication number: 20230138942
    Abstract: A system for battery management for a vehicle that includes at least a battery coupled to the vehicle, at least a sensor coupled to the battery, the sensor configured to detect an internal state datum of the battery, and transmit the internal state datum to a computing device, a computing device, the computing device configured to receive the internal state datum from the at least a sensor, generate an alert datum as a function of the internal state datum and an alert threshold, transmit the alert datum to a remote device, and a remote device communicatively connected to the vehicle, the remote device is configured to, receive the alert datum from the computing device, and display the alert datum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: David Churchill
  • Patent number: 11443569
    Abstract: A system for battery management for a vehicle that includes at least a battery coupled to the vehicle, at least a sensor coupled to the battery, the sensor configured to detect an internal state datum of the battery, and transmit the internal state datum to a computing device, a computing device, the computing device configured to receive the internal state datum from the at least a sensor, generate an alert datum as a function of the internal state datum and an alert threshold, transmit the alert datum to a remote device, and a remote device communicatively connected to the vehicle, the remote device is configured to, receive the alert datum from the computing device, and display the alert datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: David Churchill
  • Patent number: 11420736
    Abstract: In an aspect, a system for vibration monitoring of an electric aircraft. A system include a propulsor. A system includes a sensor coupled to a propulsor. A sensor is configured to measure a vibration datum of a propulsor and transmit the vibration datum to a flight controller. A flight controller is configured to receive a vibration datum from a sensor. A flight controller is configured to generate a throttle datum as a function of a vibration datum. A flight controller is configured to transmit a throttle datum to a propulsor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20210373881
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described by which to perform memory efficient patching for computing devices. A server computing device comprising a memory and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The memory may store first assets that form an unpatched application and second assets that form a patched application. The processor may virtualize the first assets to obtain a single first virtual asset and obtain a single second virtual asset that represents the second assets. The processor may obtain, based on differences between the single first virtual asset and the single second virtual asset, a patch identifying how to update the single first virtual asset to obtain the single second virtual asset. The processor may next segment the patch into a plurality of segments and output to a user computing device a single segment from the plurality of segments for individual application by the user computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jakob Schneider, Martin David Churchill, Alessandro Dovis
  • Publication number: 20190308721
    Abstract: Rotary motion sensing systems are well-suited for integration in a bearing system of a rotary aircraft to provide information about the operational state of the rotor blades of the aircraft. In some embodiments, sensors are positioned on lateral sides of an elastomeric bearing system and output signals which may be processed to calculate one or more rotor blade operational states. The operational states include, for example, flap angle, lead-lag angle, and pitch angle. In other embodiments, sensors may be distributed along at least a portion of the length of a rotor blade to detect deflection of the rotor blade or its impact with another object. The operational state of the rotor blades may be transmitted to the pilot and/or the flight control computer of the aircraft in order for corrective action to be taken and/or may be stored within a control box for later review.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel KAKALEY, Russell ALTIERI, Conor MARR, Douglas SWANSON, Mark JOLLY, David CHURCHILL
  • Publication number: 20110256935
    Abstract: In a decentralised multi-user online virtual environment, object responsibility is efficiently allocated to a controlling peer. The virtual environment is divided into a plurality of cells, and control of each cell is allocated to a responsible peer. Each responsible peer participates in a distributed hash table (DHT) to effect integration of the cells to effect the virtual environment. When a communications and processing load on the responsible peer controlling a cell exceeds a threshold, a second peer creates and takes control responsibility for an object comprising a bounded interest management region covering a region of load. Within the bounded interest management region, objects are removed or de-associated from the associated cell and instead associated with the bounded interest management region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: national ICT Australia pty ltd
    Inventors: Scott Douglas, Santosh Kulkami, David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20080074254
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electronic system includes a network having a first sensing device with a first address and a second sensing device with a second address. The first sensing device includes first sensors, a first processor, a first memory, and a first communications device. The first sensors include a first dry bulb temperature sensor, a first relative humidity sensor, and a first radiant energy sensor. The second sensing device includes a second sensor, a second processor, a second memory, and a second communications device. The second processor includes a program to use the second communications device to communicate the second address and data derived from the second sensor to the first communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Townsend, Steven Arms, David Churchill, Jacob Galbreath
  • Publication number: 20080047363
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present patent application is a method of monitoring a rotating part. The method includes providing a shaft, a sensor, a processor, an energy storage device, and a transmitter. The method further includes mounting the sensor directly on the shaft and mounting said processor, said energy storage device, and said transmitter to rotate with said shaft. The method further includes rotating the shaft and waking the processor for a period of time and drawing energy to the processor from the energy storage device to provide the processor in an active mode during the period of time. The method also includes sampling the sensor during the period of time. It also includes returning the processor to sleep mode. The method also includes transmitting data derived from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend, David Churchill, Michael Hamel
  • Publication number: 20070114890
    Abstract: One aspect of the present patent application is an energy harvesting device comprising a composite structure including a base spring and a piezoelectric structure. The base spring has a base spring surface having elevated portions separated by a recessed portion. The piezoelectric structure substantially crosses the recessed portion. In one aspect the piezoelectric structure includes a piezoelectric element that is bonded to the elevated portions. In another aspect, the base spring has a base spring stiffness. The piezoelectric element has a piezoelectric element stiffness. The base spring stiffness is less than the piezoelectric element stiffness. In another aspect, the composite structure has a natural frequency of vibration, and this natural frequency of vibration of the composite structure is automatically adjustable. In another aspect, the piezoelectric elements are stacked. In another aspect, the piezoelectric structure is located in the recessed portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: David Churchill, Steven Arms
  • Publication number: 20070073482
    Abstract: A system includes a moveable body and a first device for mounting on the movable body. The first device includes an orientation sensor, an inertial position sensor, a first processor, a frequency agile RF transceiver, and a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: David Churchill, Michael Hamel, Chris Townsend, Steven Arms
  • Publication number: 20060213278
    Abstract: A structure includes a structure surface and a protective cover. The protective cover includes a circuit having a component, a moisture detector, and a radio frequency transmitter. The component is adhesively connected to the structure surface with an adhesive connection. The moisture detector is positioned to provide information about moisture in the protective cover. The circuit is for providing data derived from the component and from the moisture detector to the radio frequency transmitter for external transmission. The component may be a strain sensor. The moisture detector may be a capacitor. A moisture barrier may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend, Steven Mundell, David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20060103534
    Abstract: Substantially related objects are identified by providing a first wireless sensing device having a first sensor and providing a second wireless sensing device having a second sensor. Next, comparing data derived from the second sensor with data derived from the first sensor to determine whether data from the first sensor is substantially related to data from the second sensor. The first wireless sensing device is identified as substantially related to the second wireless sensing device if data derived from the first sensor is substantially related to data derived from the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend, David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20060076714
    Abstract: An arch shape cross section thermoplastic leaching chamber, having sidewall slot perforations which flare inwardly, is made using a mold comprised of a mold cavity part and an inwardly retractable mold core part. The core part has opposing side slides with projections that define the perforations; they are separated by a center block. The center block moves downwardly and the slides move inwardly, under action of slide rods built into the mold core, to enable a molded chamber to be removed from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Swistak, James Burnes, Todd Phillips, David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20050146220
    Abstract: A device for powering a load from an ambient source of energy is provided. The device includes an energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from the ambient source of energy wherein the rate energy is harvested from the ambient source of energy is below that required for directly powering the load. A storage device is connected to the energy harvesting device. The storage device receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting device and is for storing the electrical energy. A controller is connected to the storage device for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the load when the stored energy exceeds a first threshold. The system can be used for powering a sensor and for transmitting sensor data, such as tire pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Hamel, Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend, David Churchill
  • Publication number: 20050140212
    Abstract: A device for powering a load from an ambient source of energy is provided. The device includes an energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from the ambient source of energy wherein the rate energy is harvested from the ambient source of energy is below that required for directly powering the load. A storage device is connected to the energy harvesting device. The storage device receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting device and is for storing the electrical energy. A controller is connected to the storage device for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the load when the stored energy exceeds a first threshold. The system can be used for powering a sensor and for transmitting sensor data, such as tire pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Hamel, Steven Arms, Christopher Townsend, David Churchill