Patents by Inventor Herbert E. Hunter

Herbert E. Hunter 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: 10926874
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion aircraft is described having a distributed electric propulsion system. The distributed electric propulsion system includes a turbo shaft engine that drives one or more generators through a gearbox. The generator provides AC power to a plurality of ducted fans (each being driven by an electric motor). The ducted fans may be integrated with the hybrid propulsion aircraft's wings. The wings can be pivotally attached to the fuselage, thereby allowing for vertical take-off and landing. The design of the hybrid propulsion aircraft mitigates undesirable transient behavior traditionally encountered during a transition from vertical flight to horizontal flight. Moreover, the hybrid propulsion aircraft offers a fast, constant-altitude transition, without requiring a climb or dive to transition. It also offers increased efficiency in both hover and forward flight versus other VTOL aircraft and a higher forward max speed than traditional rotorcraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Giannini, Martin Gomez, Daniel Cottrell, Jean-Charles Lede, Thomas Roberts, Carl G. Schaefer, Jr., Dorian Colas, Brian Whipple, Timothy Nuhfer, Herbert E. Hunter, Jonathan Grohs, Steve Petullo
  • Patent number: D532957
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: Herbert E. Hunter, Rachel Hunter