Patents by Inventor Joel Ifill

Joel Ifill 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: 11873114
    Abstract: An airframe-mounted package launching system including a package launching device mounted in an interior portion of an airframe structure proximate an external airframe opening, the package launching device including a launch bed configured to support a package during a launching process, and a launch assembly configured to impart a launching force to the supported package on the launch bed during the launching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Ifill, Filip Dziwulski, Jason A Litzinger
  • Publication number: 20230206163
    Abstract: Described is a method of delivery for cargo or goods from an aerial vehicle (mothership) to a designated ground delivery location via the use of a direct air shipping package. For example, an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a package stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the package flight control computer (flight controller) calculates a preferred travel trajectory based upon the aerodynamic properties of the package and location relative to the designated delivery location such as a small delivery pad located on a patio of a home. When the mothership transits through a calculated release point the package disengages the mothership. As the package descends it may increase accuracy relative to the designated delivery location by altering aerodynamic properties to maintain the preferred travel trajectory and decreasing landing zone size requirements and increasing precision of delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Joel Ifill
  • Publication number: 20220185478
    Abstract: A method of assembling a delivery payload assembly configured to be deployed from an aircraft and travel along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes attaching a tail-kit assembly to a first end of a payload, the tail-kit assembly including a rotor blade assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a flight control and navigation system configured to control a collective pitch angle of each of the plurality of rotor blades of the rotor blade assembly, configured to control an axial thrust force of the rotor blade assembly, the axial thrust force being at an angle with respect to the central axis of rotation of the rotor blade assembly, and configured to navigate the delivery payload assembly along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination. The method further includes removing the tail-kit assembly from the payload after the payload is delivered to the predetermined landing destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Dash Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Ifill, Zach Taylor, Jason Litzinger, Phil Stahlhuth, Marc Berte
  • Publication number: 20220185477
    Abstract: A payload delivery device configured to deliver an aircraft deployed payload along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes a support member configured to be removably attached to the payload, a flight control and navigation system module configured to control orientation of the plurality of control surfaces while the payload is travelling along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination, a control surface assembly module including a plurality of control surfaces, a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a collective control assembly module including at least one collective servomotor configured to control a plurality of control linkages connected to the plurality of rotor blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Dash Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Ifill, Zach Taylor, Jason Litzinger, Phil Stahlhuth, Marc Berte
  • Publication number: 20220089283
    Abstract: An airframe-mounted package launching system including a package launching device mounted in an interior portion of an airframe structure proximate an external airframe opening, the package launching device including a launch bed configured to support a package during a launching process, and a launch assembly configured to impart a launching force to the supported package on the launch bed during the launching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joel Ifill, Filip Dziwulski, Jason A Litzinger