Patents by Inventor Michael V. Ol
Michael V. Ol 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).
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Patent number: 11731759Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-rotor aircraft that implements the unconventional use of different sized rotors. The different sized rotors than the main rotors tend to generate an unbalanced torque and pitch on the aircraft that effectively decouples the pitch and yaw control from the main rotors. The atypical design tends to lend itself to improved control capabilities and simplified control systems. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque from the odd auxiliary rotor.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignees: TOOFON, INC., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Michael V. Ol, Morteza Gharib, Amir Emadi
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Patent number: 11613344Abstract: A wing, a method of controlling lift on a wing, and a system to produce lift on a wing are provided. The wing may include a fore-element, an aft-element, a pivotable linkage that operatively connects the aft-element leading edge to the fore-element trailing edge in a span-wise direction, and an actuator. The actuator may deflect the aft-element through a predetermined deflection angle about the pivotable linkage relative to the fore-element within less than or equal to two convective periods. The method may include deflecting a span-wise flap through the deflection angle in less than or equal to two convective periods to produce high lift. The system may include a sensor to detect an input and a controller to deflect the span-wise flap of the wing by the deflection angle in not more than two convective periods based on the received input signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Michael V Ol, Alberto Medina
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Publication number: 20220297822Abstract: A system of a multi-rotor aircraft that capitalizes on the advantages of fixed wing elements combined with rotary wing structures. The fixed wing elements can help to generate lift once the aircraft is airborne and can thus reduce the need for larger lifting rotors which can allow for longer flight times and distances. Additionally, the systems disclosed herein take advantage of a partial in-wing configuration with a number of rotors to reduce the overall footprint of the vehicle while maintaining the flight efficiency that comes with combining features of fixed and rotary wing elements, and increasing operator safety by shrouding rotating parts. The unique configurations allow for a decoupling of the pitch, yaw and roll authority to reduce the complexity in control systems and improve the flight efficiency of the aircraft. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicants: California Institute of Technology, Toofon, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Ol, Morteza Gharib
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Publication number: 20220227489Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-rotor aircraft that implements the unconventional use of different sized rotors. The different sized rotors than the main rotors tend to generate an unbalanced torque and pitch on the aircraft that effectively decouples the pitch and yaw control from the main rotors. The atypical design tends to lend itself to improved control capabilities and simplified control systems. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque from the odd auxiliary rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicants: California Institute of Technology, TooFon, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Ol, Morteza Gharib, Amir Emadi
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Publication number: 20220212792Abstract: A network of high-resolution cameras for monitoring and controlling a drone within a specific operational environment such that the latency time for communication between the cameras and drone is less than that of human controlled drones. The drone can communication drone health data to the network of cameras where such information can be combined with visual image data of the drone to determine the appropriate flight path of the drone within the operational environment. The drone can then subsequently be controlled by the network of cameras by maintaining a constant visual image and flight control data of the drone as it operates within the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicants: California Institute of Technology, Toofon, Inc.Inventors: Morteza Gharib, Michael V. Ol, David Jeon, Amir Emadi
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Publication number: 20220185464Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-rotor aircraft that implements the unconventional use of an odd number of rotors. The odd or auxiliary rotor is designed to be smaller in diameter than the remaining main rotors and accordingly generates a smaller unbalanced torque and pitch on the aircraft. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque from the odd auxiliary rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicants: California Institute of Technology, TooFon, Inc.Inventors: Morteza Gharib, Reza Nemovi, Michael V. Ol, Christopher J. Dougherty
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Publication number: 20210179258Abstract: A wing, a method of controlling lift on a wing, and a system to produce lift on a wing are provided. The wing may include a fore-element, an aft-element, a pivotable linkage that operatively connects the aft-element leading edge to the fore-element trailing edge in a span-wise direction, and an actuator. The actuator may deflect the aft-element through a predetermined deflection angle about the pivotable linkage relative to the fore-element within less than or equal to two convective periods. The method may include deflecting a span-wise flap through the deflection angle in less than or equal to two convective periods to produce high lift. The system may include a sensor to detect an input and a controller to deflect the span-wise flap of the wing by the deflection angle in not more than two convective periods based on the received input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Michael V. OL, Alberto Medina
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Patent number: 10974814Abstract: A wing, a method of controlling lift on a wing, and a system to produce lift on a wing are provided. The wing may include a fore-element, an aft-element, a pivotable linkage that operatively connects the aft-element leading edge to the fore-element trailing edge in a span-wise direction, and an actuator. The actuator may deflect the aft-element through a predetermined deflection angle about the pivotable linkage relative to the fore-element within less than or equal to two convective periods. The method may include deflecting a span-wise flap through the deflection angle in less than or equal to two convective periods to produce high lift. The system may include a sensor to detect an input and a controller to deflect the span-wise flap of the wing by the deflection angle in not more than two convective periods based on the received input signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Michael V Ol, Alberto Medina
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Patent number: 10745107Abstract: A wing, a method of controlling lift on a wing, and a system to produce lift on a wing are provided. The wing may include a fore-element, an aft-element, a pivotable linkage that operatively connects the aft-element leading edge to the fore-element trailing edge in a span-wise direction, and an actuator. The actuator may deflect the aft-element through a predetermined deflection angle about the pivotable linkage relative to the fore-element within less than or equal to two convective periods. The method may include deflecting a span-wise flap through the deflection angle in less than or equal to two convective periods to produce high lift. The system may include a sensor to detect an input and a controller to deflect the span-wise flap of the wing by the deflection angle in not more than two convective periods based on the received input signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Inventors: Michael V. Ol, Alberto Medina