Patents by Inventor Gordon L. Harris

Gordon L. Harris 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: 20230406489
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage extending along a first x-axis and a wing assembly including a first wing an a second wing. A first power assembly of the aircraft includes a first propulsion element and a first electric motor while a second power assembly includes a second propulsion element and a second electric motor. The aircraft further includes a third power assembly positioned aft of the first power assembly and the second power assembly. The third power assembly includes a third propulsion element and an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: GORDON L. HARRIS, Stephen L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11697508
    Abstract: A hybrid aircraft system uses a combination of direct propeller driven gas engine and electric motor power to provide vertical thrust and control for hover of the aircraft. Furthermore, a portable launch/recovery system is configured for use with an aircraft such as a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The system is configured to enable ships with limited available deck space to become UAV-compatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11371814
    Abstract: A range extension unit extends the range of a guided mortar bomb. The range extension unit includes a housing interface defining an internal cup that receives a rear portion of a guided mortar bomb, wherein the housing interface covers a rear portion of the mortar bomb. The housing interface, when coupled to the mortar bomb, collectively forms an aerodynamically shaped body with the mortar bomb. At least two deployable wings are attached to the housing interface, wherein the wings transition between a retracted state and a deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20210047052
    Abstract: A hybrid aircraft system uses a combination of direct propeller driven gas engine and electric motor power to provide vertical thrust and control for hover of the aircraft. Furthermore, a portable launch/recovery system is configured for use with an aircraft such as a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The system is configured to enable ships with limited available deck space to become UAV-compatible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20200025539
    Abstract: A guidance unit system is configured to be used for a ground-launched projectile. The system includes a housing configured to be attached to a ground-launched projectile. The housing is coupled to an attachment region that attaches to the projectile, wherein the housing is configure to rotate relative to the attachment region. A motor is contained within the housing and a bearing surrounding the motor. The bearing is rigidly attached to the housing such that the motor rotates with the housing and shields the motor from inertial loads experienced by the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10295320
    Abstract: A guidance unit system is configured to be used for a ground-launched projectile. The system includes a housing configured to be attached to a ground-launched projectile. The housing is coupled to an attachment region that attaches to the projectile, wherein the housing is configure to rotate relative to the attachment region. A motor is contained within the housing and a bearing surrounding the motor. The bearing is rigidly attached to the housing such that the motor rotates with the housing and shields the motor from inertial loads experienced by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10280786
    Abstract: A Projectile Continuous Power Module (PCMP) is configured to take incoming or oncoming airflow of an inflight projectile and direct the airflow to a turbine for converting the airflow into electrical power. The PCMP is mounted within or otherwise coupled to an airframe of the projectile. The PCMP is coupled to the projectile in a manner such that an air inlet of the projectile is positioned to capture incoming or oncoming boundary layer airflow as the projectile travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Harris, Gordon L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20170219324
    Abstract: A guidance unit system is configured to be used for a ground-launched projectile. The system includes a housing configured to be attached to a ground-launched projectile. The housing is coupled to an attachment region that attaches to the projectile, wherein the housing is configure to rotate relative to the attachment region. A motor is contained within the housing and a bearing surrounding the motor. The bearing is rigidly attached to the housing such that the motor rotates with the housing and shields the motor from inertial loads experienced by the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20170191809
    Abstract: A range extension unit extends the range of a guided mortar bomb. The range extension unit includes a housing interface defining an internal cup that receives a rear portion of a guided mortar bomb, wherein the housing interface covers a rear portion of the mortar bomb. The housing interface, when coupled to the mortar bomb, collectively forms an aerodynamically shaped body with the mortar bomb. At least two deployable wings are attached to the housing interface, wherein the wings transition between a retracted state and a deployed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20170101884
    Abstract: A Projectile Continuous Power Module (PCMP) is configured to take incoming or oncoming airflow of an inflight projectile and direct the airflow to a turbine for converting the airflow into electrical power. The PCMP is mounted within or otherwise coupled to an airframe of the projectile. The PCMP is coupled to the projectile in a manner such that an air inlet of the projectile is positioned to capture incoming or oncoming boundary layer airflow as the projectile travels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen L. Harris, Gordon L. Harris
  • Patent number: 9546854
    Abstract: A guidance unit system is configured to be used for a ground-launched projectile. The system includes a housing configured to be attached to a ground-launched projectile. The housing is coupled to an attachment region that attaches to the projectile, wherein the housing is configure to rotate relative to the attachment region. A motor is contained within the housing and a bearing surrounding the motor. The bearing is rigidly attached to the housing such that the motor rotates with the housing and shields the motor from inertial loads experienced by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20160273895
    Abstract: A guidance unit system is configured to be used for a ground-launched projectile. The system includes a housing configured to be attached to a ground-launched projectile. The housing is coupled to an attachment region that attaches to the projectile, wherein the housing is configure to rotate relative to the attachment region. A motor is contained within the housing and a bearing surrounding the motor. The bearing is rigidly attached to the housing such that the motor rotates with the housing and shields the motor from inertial loads experienced by the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
  • Patent number: 6152041
    Abstract: A guided bomb is provided with a central hardback section having a pair of extensible wings pivotally attached thereto. The hardback section is attached to the bomb by a saddle member. After launch of the bomb from the aircraft, the wings are extended by means of an electric motor and gear train to provide the lift necessary for gliding flight. One or more ailerons are provided on the trailing edges of the wings to enable control of the flight, these ailerons being controlled by the bomb's resident guidance system. The geometry of the wings, the hardback section and saddle member are designed so that the guided bomb units can be fitted within a restricted space on bomber aircraft rotary launchers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Neil A. Levy
  • Patent number: 5691531
    Abstract: A microcomputer with a modem is programmed with information for controlling a flight control computer on a missile. The microcomputer is carried on an aircraft from which the missile is controlled. The pilot of the aircraft has a keypad for setting the target coordinates in the microcomputer. The audio signals from the microcomputer modem are fed to the voice communications system of the aircraft so as to modulate the carrier of the transmitted signal. This signal is received by the receiver on the missile and demodulated and employed to control signals for the missile in the missile flight control computer. The pilot of the aircraft sets in target coordinates for the missile on a keypad connected to the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Neil A. Levy, Daniel R. Weisz
  • Patent number: 5437230
    Abstract: An unpowered air vehicle, i.e. a glider, which is air-launched from appreciable range, is densely packed with a large area, explosive net. At a pre-determined location, the net is extracted from the glider by a parachute and expanded completely before landing on the surface of the water or land that contains a large field of mines. The explosive material in the net is then detonated, destroying the mines covered by the net. The longitudinal ends of the net are attached to a folding, multi-arm framework designed to expand and thereby spread the net after separation from the glider. The spreading action is initiated by an extraction parachute which pulls the first frame from the air vehicle. The spreading action is completed by the second frame which is coupled to a brake mechanism in the glider that maintains tension throughout the net to complete the spreading of the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris, Neil A. Levy
  • Patent number: 5141175
    Abstract: A device having pop-out wings and a guidance and control system is detachably mounted on a munition such as a bomb and is used to extend the range capability of the munition. Prior to launch, the wings are folded together. The control system is contained within a saddle portion of the device, and when the munition is released from the aircraft, the wings are caused to pop out to their flying position. The saddle is secured to the munition through a single bolt. Controllable flaps are installed along the trailing edges of the wings, such flaps being operated to control the pitch and roll angle of the munition. When the target area is reached, the device is jettisoned by detonating a charge which shears the securing bolt, thereby permitting the device to pivot rearwardly and separate from the munition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventor: Gordon L. Harris