Patents by Inventor Kay Rufty

Kay Rufty 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).

  • Controllable kite configuration
    Patent number: 11806636
    Abstract: Embodiments may provide a kite system that incorporates a highly efficient lifting surface combined with aerodynamic control surfaces while using only a single tether. Such a kite having a lifting surface combined with aerodynamic control surfaces while using only a single tether may be referred to as a “controllable kite”. Embodiments may include a controllable kite configured to operate aloft connected to only a single tether, the kite including a lifting surface that is heavier-than-air, an aerodynamic surface control system configured to adjust an attitude of the lifting surface while the kite is aloft, and an attachment point connecting the single tether to the kite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Geoffrey Bland, Joseph Bretthauer, Ted Miles, Kay Rufty, Douglas Stout, Richard Cairncross