Patents by Inventor Joseph R. Caravella

Joseph R. Caravella 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: 11775916
    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 packaged 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Nathan Ifill, Joseph R. Caravella, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210224725
    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 packaged 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: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Joel Nathan Ifill, Joseph R. Caravella
  • Patent number: 11004027
    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 (DASH) package. For example an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a DASH packaged stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the DASH 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 DASH package disengages the mothership.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DASH SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Nathan Ifill, Joseph R. Caravella, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200286028
    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 (DASH) package. For example an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a DASH packaged stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the DASH 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 DASH package disengages the mothership.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Joel Nathan Ifill, Joseph R. Caravella, JR.
  • Patent number: 10671960
    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 (DASH) package. For example an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a DASH packaged stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the DASH 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 DASH package disengages the mothership.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Dash Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Nathan Ifill, Joseph R. Caravella, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9096310
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a four-bar vehicle controller providing up to three independent or combined axes of control inputted via a yoke, steering wheel or other hand operated input means attached to an aft end of a control input shaft rotatably mounted to and extending rearwardly from an upper bar member of a four-bar assembly. The assembly is configurable to provide an operator a familiar steering experience and to improve cockpit ergonomics and control inputs. A forward end of the control input shaft is configurable to impart yaw control input or steering control input, or both, to one or more rotation transmission means coupled with yaw control linkage or steering control linkage, or both. The vehicle controller is configurable to control a vehicle equipped to operate in, or a simulator equipped to simulate operation in, one or more transportation modes, such as flight, ground-based, or water-based transportation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph R. Caravella
  • Publication number: 20130031997
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a four-bar vehicle controller providing up to three independent or combined axes of control inputted via a yoke, steering wheel or other hand operated input means attached to an aft end of a control input shaft rotatably mounted to and extending rearwardly from an upper bar member of a four-bar assembly. The assembly is configurable to provide an operator a familiar steering experience and to improve cockpit ergonomics and control inputs. A forward end of the control input shaft is configurable to impart yaw control input or steering control input, or both, to one or more rotation transmission means coupled with yaw control linkage or steering control linkage, or both. The vehicle controller is configurable to control a vehicle equipped to operate in, or a simulator equipped to simulate operation in, one or more transportation modes, such as flight, ground-based, or water-based transportation modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph R. Caravella