Patents by Inventor Donald Orval Shaw

Donald Orval Shaw 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: 10526083
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust depending on the configuration. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Publication number: 20160167776
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust depending on the configuration. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Patent number: 9187174
    Abstract: The invention is a flight vehicle, and methods of operation thereof, having wings and movable propeller assemblies which can be rotated to provide vertical and/or horizontal thrust. The propeller assemblies are configured to maximize available engine/propeller thrust and to prevent propwash from striking the wings of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Patent number: 9108728
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Publication number: 20140151496
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Patent number: 8646720
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust. The propellers are mounted on supports which have an airfoil shape to generate additional lift. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Patent number: 8453962
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Publication number: 20120261523
    Abstract: The invention is a flight vehicle, and methods of operation thereof, having wings and movable propeller assemblies which can be rotated to provide vertical and/or horizontal thrust. The propeller assemblies are configured to maximize available engine/propeller thrust and to prevent propwash from striking the wings of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Publication number: 20120119016
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust. The propellers are mounted on supports which have an airfoil shape to generate additional lift. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Patent number: 8104718
    Abstract: The invention is an aircraft having an inflatable wing connected to a base unit, with the inflatable wing inflated with a lifting gas such as helium. The inflatable wing has a series of cell structures, and may be configured with ballonets to selectively introduce and expel outside air within the inflatable wing to vary the buoyancy and/or airfoil properties of the inflatable wing. The aircraft is particularly useful at low speeds and in thin atmospheres (such as at high Earth altitudes and on Mars), and can be used for interplanetary missions to explore planetary bodies, such as moons and planets, having atmospheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Publication number: 20090108135
    Abstract: The invention is an aircraft having an inflatable wing connected to a base unit, with the inflatable wing inflated with a lifting gas such as helium. The inflatable wing has a series of cell structures, and may be configured with ballonets to selectively introduce and expel outside air within the inflatable wing to vary the buoyancy and/or airfoil properties of the inflatable wing. The aircraft is particularly useful at low speeds and in thin atmospheres (such as at high Earth altitudes and on Mars), and can be used for interplanetary missions to explore planetary bodies, such as moons and planets, having atmospheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw
  • Publication number: 20090008499
    Abstract: The invention is a modular vehicle having an air vehicle that can be coupled to cargo containers, land vehicles, sea vehicles, medical transport modules, etc. In one embodiment the air vehicle has a plurality of propellers positioned around a main airframe, which can provide vertical thrust and/or horizontal thrust. One or more of the propellers may be configured to tilt forward, backward, and/or side-to-side with respect to the airframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Orval Shaw