Patents by Inventor Robert John HANSMAN, JR.

Robert John HANSMAN, JR. 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: 12227285
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a system for controlling an aircraft is provided. The system can include a computing device, wherein the computing device includes at least one processor configured to control a flight path angle of the aircraft, and wherein the aircraft is a blown lift aircraft. The system can also include a control operator communicatively coupled to the computing device, wherein the control operator is configured to have at least two selectable settings. The system can also include at least two thrust-producing devices operatively coupled to a pair of wings on the aircraft and communicatively coupled to the computing device. The computing device may control the flight path angle of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices based on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected setting of the control operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Masefield, Christopher B. Courtin, Robert John Hansman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12072717
    Abstract: An aircraft may include a tail having a rudder and a pair of wings. The pair of wings may include at least one flap and at least one roll control device. The aircraft may also include at least two thrust-producing devices. The aircraft may also include a differential thrust control system including a computing device having at least one processor. The at least one processer may be configured to control an attitude of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device based at least in part on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected mode setting of a mode control panel. The computing device may be communicatively coupled to the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert John Hansman, Jr., Christopher B. Courtin, Oliver Masefield
  • Publication number: 20240271963
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a pilot guidance display system may include a display operatively coupled to an aircraft and configured to provide a plurality of indications and a plurality of limits to a pilot. The pilot guidance display may also include a computing device operatively coupled to the aircraft and communicatively coupled to the display. The computing device may have at least one processor configured to update the plurality of indications and the plurality of limits on the display in real-time based at least in part on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft. The plurality of limits may include a first maximum angle of attack indicator. Methods and computer implemented operations are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher B. COURTIN, Robert John HANSMAN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240085926
    Abstract: An aircraft may include a tail having a rudder and a pair of wings. The pair of wings may include at least one flap and at least one roll control device. The aircraft may also include at least two thrust-producing devices. The aircraft may also include a differential thrust control system including a computing device having at least one processor. The at least one processer may be configured to control an attitude of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device based at least in part on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected mode setting of a mode control panel. The computing device may be communicatively coupled to the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert John HANSMAN, JR., Christopher B. COURTIN, Oliver MASEFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240051655
    Abstract: A system and method for lift augmentation of an aircraft having a wing with a leading edge and a trailing edge extending along a wingspan, a plurality of thrust-producing devices connected to the bottom of said wing, at least one flap connected to an inboard portion of said wing proximate the trailing edge, and an aircraft roll control device connected to said wing, wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of slipstreams associated with a plurality of thrust producing devices and a flap adaptable to deflect from a chord of the inboard portion of the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: ELECTRA AERO, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher B. COURTIN, Mark DRELA, Robert John HANSMAN, JR., John S. LANGFORD, III, Oliver MASEFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240045447
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a system for controlling an aircraft is provided. The system can include a computing device, wherein the computing device includes at least one processor configured to control a flight path angle of the aircraft, and wherein the aircraft is a blown lift aircraft. The system can also include a control operator communicatively coupled to the computing device, wherein the control operator is configured to have at least two selectable settings. The system can also include at least two thrust-producing devices operatively coupled to a pair of wings on the aircraft and communicatively coupled to the computing device. The computing device may control the flight path angle of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices based on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected setting of the control operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver MASEFIELD, Christopher B. COURTIN, Robert John HANSMAN, JR.
  • Patent number: 11846953
    Abstract: An aircraft may include a tail having a rudder and a pair of wings. The pair of wings may include at least one flap and at least one roll control device. The aircraft may also include at least two thrust-producing devices. The aircraft may also include a differential thrust control system including a computing device having at least one processor. The at least one processer may be configured to control an attitude of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device based at least in part on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected mode setting of a mode control panel. The computing device may be communicatively coupled to the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert John Hansman, Jr., Christopher B. Courtin, Oliver Masefield
  • Patent number: 11841712
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a system for controlling an aircraft is provided. The system can include a computing device, wherein the computing device includes at least one processor configured to control a flight path angle of the aircraft, and wherein the aircraft is a blown lift aircraft. The system can also include a control operator communicatively coupled to the computing device, wherein the control operator is configured to have at least two selectable settings. The system can also include at least two thrust-producing devices operatively coupled to a pair of wings on the aircraft and communicatively coupled to the computing device. The computing device may control the flight path angle of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices based on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected setting of the control operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Masefield, Christopher B. Courtin, Robert John Hansman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11787526
    Abstract: A system and method for lift augmentation of an aircraft having a wing with a leading edge and a trailing edge extending along a wingspan, a plurality of thrust-producing devices connected to the bottom of said wing, at least one flap connected to an inboard portion of said wing proximate the trailing edge, and an aircraft roll control device connected to said wing, wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of slipstreams associated with a plurality of thrust producing devices and a flap adaptable to deflect from a chord of the inboard portion of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Courtin, Mark Drela, Robert John Hansman, Jr., John S. Langford, III, Oliver Masefield
  • Publication number: 20230280764
    Abstract: An aircraft may include a tail having a rudder and a pair of wings. The pair of wings may include at least one flap and at least one roll control device. The aircraft may also include at least two thrust-producing devices. The aircraft may also include a differential thrust control system including a computing device having at least one processor. The at least one processer may be configured to control an attitude of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device based at least in part on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected mode setting of a mode control panel. The computing device may be communicatively coupled to the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert John HANSMAN, JR., Christopher B. COURTIN, Oliver MASEFIELD
  • Publication number: 20230205229
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a system for controlling an aircraft is provided. The system can include a computing device, wherein the computing device includes at least one processor configured to control a flight path angle of the aircraft, and wherein the aircraft is a blown lift aircraft. The system can also include a control operator communicatively coupled to the computing device, wherein the control operator is configured to have at least two selectable settings. The system can also include at least two thrust-producing devices operatively coupled to a pair of wings on the aircraft and communicatively coupled to the computing device. The computing device may control the flight path angle of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices based on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected setting of the control operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Electra Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver MASEFIELD, Christopher B. COURTIN, Robert John HANSMAN, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230063801
    Abstract: A system and method for lift augmentation of an aircraft having a wing with a leading edge and a trailing edge extending along a wingspan, a plurality of thrust-producing devices connected to the bottom of said wing, at least one flap connected to an inboard portion of said wing proximate the trailing edge, and an aircraft roll control device connected to said wing, wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of slipstreams associated with a plurality of thrust producing devices and a flap adaptable to deflect from a chord of the inboard portion of the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: ELECTRA AERO, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher B. COURTIN, Mark DRELA, Robert John HANSMAN, JR., John S. LANGFORD, III, Oliver MASEFIELD