Patents by Inventor Paul B. MacCready
Paul B. MacCready 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: 8308106Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: AeroVironment Inc.Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin
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Publication number: 20120104163Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Kyle D. Swanson, Robert F. Curtin
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Patent number: 8028951Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Kyle D. Swanson, Robert F. Curtin
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Patent number: 8011616Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: AeroVironment Inc.Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin
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Publication number: 20080237404Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Kyle D. Swanson, Robert F. Curtin
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Publication number: 20080203219Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin
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Patent number: 7281681Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Aerovironment Inc.Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin
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Publication number: 20040118969Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Kyle D. Swanson, Robert F. Curtin
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Patent number: 6666796Abstract: Apparatus to assist human walking, incorporating in combination first and second longitudinally extending strut members that are relatively movable, longitudinally, and adapted to transmit body associated loading; the first strut member or members operatively connected to a rack and/or to the user's body; the second strut member or members slaved, i.e. operatively connected to the user's foot or feet, ankles or shoes, to move therewith; and a control that responds to step-by-step treading to control relative movement of the strut members. Such loading is controllably transferred back and forth between left and right pairs of strut members, in response to treading.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1999Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.Inventor: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
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Publication number: 20030213510Abstract: A cane and stirrup assembly comprising an upright cane having a lower portion, a stirrup located at one side of the cane lower portion, the stirrup including a first side having connection to the cane lower portion, a second side opposite the first side, and a lowermost support for the shoe or foot or sock of the user, and a brace attached to the stirrup second side and also operatively attached to the cane above a connection to transmit loading from the stirrup second side to the cane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Taras Kiceniuk, Phillip I. Tokumaru, Thomas Zambrano
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Patent number: 6550717Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin, Kyle D. Swanson, Paul Belik
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Publication number: 20020070312Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2002Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin, Kyle D. Swanson, Paul Belik
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Publication number: 20020070313Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2002Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin, Kyle D. Swanson, Paul Belik
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Publication number: 20020005454Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Bart D. .Hibbs, Robert F. Curtin, Kyle D. Swanson, Paul Belik
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Patent number: 6290014Abstract: A package operable to provide power assist to a pedal operated vehicle having a rear wheel, the vehicle movable longitudinally, comprises: a) a carrier b) a ground engaging drive wheel supported by the carrier and at least one electric battery and an electric battery operated drive supported by the carrier to rotate the drive wheel, c) the carrier coupled to the vehicle for up and down pivoted movement about a generally lateral axis in close association with the vehicle rear wheel, d) the battery or batteries and at least part of the drive being located vertically above the drive wheel so that the weight of the carrier, the battery or batteries, and at least part of the drive bears downwardly on the drive wheel to urge the wheel into ground engagement.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Inventor: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
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Patent number: 6086015Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a load between source and destination locations, comprising an aircraft having a body, power plant carried by the body to drive the aircraft both generally vertically and also generally horizontally, the aircraft also having a wing structure that has a leading edge remaining presented in the direction of flight; and load pick-up, carry and set-down means connected to the aircraft to elevate the load from the source location, transport the elevated and air-borne load generally horizontally, and set the load down at the destination location, the body and power plant configured for vertical flight mode to elevate and set down the load, and for generally horizontal flight mode to transport the elevated load generally horizontally below the level of the aircraft body.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.Inventor: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
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Patent number: 6086518Abstract: A squeezable exerciser comprising in combination body structure having surfaces to be squeezed relatively toward one another by application of force exerted by a user, and means associated with the body structure to produce a reference signal or signals as the level of force application reaches a preset limit or limits.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.Inventor: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
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Patent number: 5758735Abstract: For use in determination of chain transmitted power, the combination comprising a tensioned chain having a succession of chain links with undulating edges; an idler supported to be driven in rotation by the chain, and having an undulating perimeter surface having a sine wave configuration and whose width dimension exceeds the width dimension between outermost chain surfaces; and certain of the chain undulating edges engaging portions of the idler undulating perimeter surfaces, whereby the chain changes direction as it travels lengthwise relative to the idler and rotatably drives the idler.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Jr., William J. Nicoloff
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Patent number: 4219887Abstract: In a Doppler acoustic radar system, bistatic transmitting and receiving antennas are employed in a manner to significantly improve wind measurement performance, and to simplify equipment deployment.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1978Date of Patent: August 26, 1980Assignee: Aerovironment Inc.Inventor: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
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Patent number: 4206892Abstract: An efficient aircraft utilizes a stabilizer spaced from a fixed wing, and supported for controlled rolling about an axis extending generally in a forward direction, to control aircraft yaw. The stabilizer extends generally horizontally in straight forward flight. Pitch of the stabilizer is also controlled.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1978Date of Patent: June 10, 1980Assignee: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Jr., Peter B. S. Lissaman, James D. Burke