Patents by Inventor Robert Alley
Robert Alley 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: 11958588Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) may comprise a foldable propeller blade with a locking mechanism. Foldable propeller blades may have a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration relative to the UAVDC, and the foldable propeller blades may pivot about a hinge to move between configurations. In the deployed configuration, the foldable propeller may experience forward folding forces acting upon it. The locking mechanism may lock the foldable propeller blade in the deployed configuration. The locking mechanism may keep the foldable propeller locked into place to prevent forward folding tendency.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Anduril Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme
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Patent number: 11884388Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having wings stowed against a fuselage of the UAV in a first arrangement is disclosed. Methods and systems for deploying the wings into a second arrangement are disclosed. For example, after a launch of the UAV, the UAV monitors for at least one pre-set condition. The at least one pre-condition being a pre-condition associated with deploying wings of the UAV into the second arrangement. Upon detecting the at least one pre-set condition, the wings of the UAV are deployed into a second arrangement. Deploying the wings comprises activating, in response to detecting the at least one pre-set condition associated with the UAV, a gearbox configured to transition the wings from the first arrangement to the second arrangement. Roll control may be maintained throughout launch and deployment.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Anduril Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme, Jonathan Caleb Phillips
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Publication number: 20240017815Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) is disclosed. The system may include a sweeping gearbox designed to deploy at least one wing from a compact to a deployed arrangement. A controller may be configured to detect launch conditions, monitor for conditions, and trigger the gearbox upon condition fulfillment. Activation of the sweeping gearbox may result in wing deployment, adapted to the detected conditions. The method may involve deploying wings using the sweeping gearbox, launching detection, monitoring for conditions, and activating the gearbox for wing deployment upon condition detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme
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Patent number: 11753164Abstract: The present disclosure provides a release launching system that is operative to receive and retain a drone or other payload in a protected launcher. The launcher helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload is launched when a force initially separates the payload from the launcher and exposes a force generating mechanism. The force generating mechanism may be within the body portion of the device and generate an additional force to assist in separating the payload from the launcher. The payload may be launched using a biasing and fastening mechanism, which may include detachably coupling bracket, to allow for the separation of the payload from the launcher.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Anduril Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
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Publication number: 20230278707Abstract: The present disclosure provides rolling release launching system that is operative to receive and retain a drone or other payload in a protected launcher. The launcher helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload is launched when a rotating door opens to expose the payload in a bay area. The rotating door may be parallel or concentric to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The payload may be launched using a biasing and fastening mechanism, which may include detachably coupling bracket, to induce an angular moment and releasing force on the payload during launch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
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Publication number: 20230257117Abstract: The present disclosure provides a payload deployment system that is operative to receive and retain a configurable payload. The payload deployment mechanism helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload may be released using a hinge mechanism to ensure the payload does not contact the payload deployment mechanism when the payload is deployed. A vent may be utilized to equalize pressure between the external environment and a body portion of the payload deployment mechanism. The vent may generate an additional force to assist in separating the payload from the launcher.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher, Julian Hammerstein
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Patent number: 11655029Abstract: The present disclosure provides rolling release launching system that is operative to receive and retain a drone or other payload in a protected launcher. The launcher helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload is launched when a rotating door opens to expose the payload in a bay area. The rotating door may be parallel or concentric to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The payload may be launched using a biasing and fastening mechanism, which may include detachably coupling bracket, to induce an angular moment and releasing force on the payload during launch.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Anduril Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
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Publication number: 20230142917Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having wings stowed against a fuselage of the UAV in a first arrangement is disclosed. Methods and systems for deploying the wings into a second arrangement are disclosed. For example, after a launch of the UAV, the UAV monitors for at least one pre-set condition. The at least one pre-condition being a pre-condition associated with deploying wings of the UAV into the second arrangement. Upon detecting the at least one pre-set condition, the wings of the UAV are deployed into a second arrangement. Deploying the wings comprises activating, in response to detecting the at least one pre-set condition associated with the UAV, a gearbox configured to transition the wings from the first arrangement to the second arrangement. Roll control may be maintained throughout launch and deployment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme, Jonathan Caleb Phillips
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Patent number: 11541986Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) is disclosed. The UAVDC may comprise a fuselage, at least one wing, and at least one control surface. In some embodiments, the UAVDC may further comprise a propulsion means and/or a modular payload. The UAVDC may be configured in a plurality of arrangements. For example, in a compact arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing stowed against the fuselage and the at least one control surface stowed against the fuselage. In a deployed arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing deployed from the fuselage and the least one control surface deployed from the fuselage. In an expanded arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing telescoped to increase a wingspan of the deployed arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Anduril Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme, Jonathan Caleb Phillips
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Publication number: 20220413881Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods that intelligently sense digital user context across client devices applications utilizing a dynamic sensor graph framework and then utilize a persistent context store to generate flexible digital recommendations across digital applications. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems utilize triggers to select and activate one or more sensor graphs. These sensor graphs can include software sensors arranged according to an architecture of dependencies and subject to various constraints. The underlying architecture of dependencies and constraints in each sensor graph allows the disclosed systems to avoid race-conditions in persisting actionable user-context based signals, verify the validity of sensor output through the sensor graph, generate user-context based recommendations across multiple related applications, and accommodate a specific latency/refresh rate of context values.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Oliver Brdiczka, Robert Alley, Kyoung Tak Kim, Kevin Gary Smith, Aliakbar Darabi
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Publication number: 20220348327Abstract: The present disclosure provides a release launching system that is operative to receive and retain a drone or other payload in a protected launcher. The launcher helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload is launched when a force initially separates the payload from the launcher and exposes a force generating mechanism. The force generating mechanism may be within the body portion of the device and generate an additional force to assist in separating the payload from the launcher. The payload may be launched using a biasing and fastening mechanism, which may include detachably coupling bracket, to allow for the separation of the payload from the launcher.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
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Patent number: 11467857Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods that intelligently sense digital user context across client devices applications utilizing a dynamic sensor graph framework and then utilize a persistent context store to generate flexible digital recommendations across digital applications. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems utilize triggers to select and activate one or more sensor graphs. These sensor graphs can include software sensors arranged according to an architecture of dependencies and subject to various constraints. The underlying architecture of dependencies and constraints in each sensor graph allows the disclosed systems to avoid race-conditions in persisting actionable user-context based signals, verify the validity of sensor output through the sensor graph, generate user-context based recommendations across multiple related applications, and accommodate a specific latency/refresh rate of context values.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Adobe Inc.Inventors: Oliver Brdiczka, Robert Alley, Kyoung Tak Kim, Kevin Gary Smith, Aliakbar Darabi
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Publication number: 20220274704Abstract: The present disclosure provides rolling release launching system that is operative to receive and retain a drone or other payload in a protected launcher. The launcher helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload is launched when a rotating door opens to expose the payload in a bay area. The rotating door may be parallel or concentric to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The payload may be launched using a biasing and fastening mechanism, which may include detachably coupling bracket, to induce an angular moment and releasing force on the payload during launch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
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Publication number: 20220113996Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods that intelligently sense digital user context across client devices applications utilizing a dynamic sensor graph framework and then utilize a persistent context store to generate flexible digital recommendations across digital applications. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems utilize triggers to select and activate one or more sensor graphs. These sensor graphs can include software sensors arranged according to an architecture of dependencies and subject to various constraints. The underlying architecture of dependencies and constraints in each sensor graph allows the disclosed systems to avoid race-conditions in persisting actionable user-context based signals, verify the validity of sensor output through the sensor graph, generate user-context based recommendations across multiple related applications, and accommodate a specific latency/refresh rate of context values.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Oliver Brdiczka, Robert Alley, Kyoung Tak Kim, Kevin Gary Smith, Aliakbar Darabi
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Patent number: 11214370Abstract: The present disclosure provides rolling release launching system that is operative to receive and retain a drone or other payload in a protected launcher. The launcher helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload is launched when a rotating door opens to expose the payload in a bay area. The rotating door may be parallel or concentric to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The payload may be launched using a biasing and fastening mechanism, which may include detachably coupling bracket, to induce an angular moment and releasing force on the payload during launch.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Area-I Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
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Publication number: 20210403143Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) may comprise a foldable propeller blade with a locking mechanism. Foldable propeller blades may have a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration relative to the UAVDC, and the foldable propeller blades may pivot about a hinge to move between configurations. In the deployed configuration, the foldable propeller may experience forward folding forces acting upon it. The locking mechanism may lock the foldable propeller blade in the deployed configuration. The locking mechanism may keep the foldable propeller locked into place to prevent forward folding tendency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme
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Publication number: 20210339865Abstract: The present disclosure provides rolling release launching system that is operative to receive and retain a drone or other payload in a protected launcher. The launcher helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload is launched when a rotating door opens to expose the payload in a bay area. The rotating door may be parallel or concentric to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The payload may be launched using a biasing and fastening mechanism, which may include detachably coupling bracket, to induce an angular moment and releasing force on the payload during launch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
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Patent number: 11117649Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) is disclosed. The UAVDC may comprise a fuselage, at least one wing, and at least one control surface. In some embodiments, the UAVDC may further comprise a propulsion means and/or a modular payload. The UAVDC may be configured in a plurality of arrangements. For example, in a compact arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing stowed against the fuselage and the at least one control surface stowed against the fuselage. In a deployed arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing deployed from the fuselage and the least one control surface deployed from the fuselage. In an expanded arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing telescoped to increase a wingspan of the deployed arrangement. The UAVDC may also comprise a foldable propeller blade with a locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Area-I Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme
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Publication number: 20200102065Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) is disclosed. The UAVDC may comprise a fuselage, at least one wing, and at least one control surface. In some embodiments, the UAVDC may further comprise a propulsion means and/or a modular payload. The UAVDC may be configured in a plurality of arrangements. For example, in a compact arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing stowed against the fuselage and the at least one control surface stowed against the fuselage. In a deployed arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing deployed from the fuselage and the least one control surface deployed from the fuselage. In an expanded arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing telescoped to increase a wingspan of the deployed arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme, Jonathan Caleb Phillips
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Patent number: 10494081Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with deployable components (UAVDC) is disclosed. The UAVDC may comprise a fuselage, at least one wing, and at least one control surface. In some embodiments, the UAVDC may further comprise a propulsion means and/or a modular payload. The UAVDC may be configured in a plurality of arrangements. For example, in a compact arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing stowed against the fuselage and the at least one control surface stowed against the fuselage. In a deployed arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing deployed from the fuselage and the least one control surface deployed from the fuselage. In an expanded arrangement, the UAVDC may comprise the at least one wing telescoped to increase a wingspan of the deployed arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Area-I Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Robert Alley, Joshua Lemming Steele, Jesse Owen Williams, Daniel Kuehme, Jonathan Caleb Phillips