Patents by Inventor Robert Thodal

Robert Thodal 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: 11932400
    Abstract: An extension linkage for a wing flap can include at least one arm that includes two elements connected by a joint. The linkage can include an actuation mechanism, additional arms and/or each arm can include more than two elements, tie rods and/or cross pieces connecting two or more arms, and any other suitable components. The linkage functions to translate and rotate a body attached to one end of the arm relative to a primary structure attached to a second end of the arm. The linkage resides entirely within a space defined by the upper skin and the lower skin of the wing rearward of the mounting when in a retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joeben Bevirt, Gregor Veble Mikić, Joachim Grenestedt, Robert Thodal, Edward Stilson, Percy Pei, Drew Boggio
  • Patent number: 11597528
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a battery pack, an internal support structure to support the battery pack in the aircraft, a first bracket rigidly coupling the battery pack to the support structure, and a second bracket rotationally coupling the battery pack to the support structure. The first and second brackets may be located on opposite sides of the battery pack. The internal support structure may be located in a wing of the aircraft and the first and second brackets may be aligned in a fore-aft direction of the aircraft. The internal support structure may be located in a nacelle of the aircraft and the first and second brackets may be aligned along a transverse direction of the aircraft. The second bracket may include two hangers to support a mass of the battery pack in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Villanueva, Austin Lawrence Newman, Michael Patrick Tucker, Robert Thodal, Christopher Cochran, Matthew Clyde Cusimano, Edward Stilson, Ahsan Mehmood
  • Publication number: 20220402622
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a battery pack, an internal support structure to support the battery pack in the aircraft, a first bracket rigidly coupling the battery pack to the support structure, and a second bracket rotationally coupling the battery pack to the support structure. The first and second brackets may be located on opposite sides of the battery pack. The internal support structure may be located in a wing of the aircraft and the first and second brackets may be aligned in a fore-aft direction of the aircraft. The internal support structure may be located in a nacelle of the aircraft and the first and second brackets may be aligned along a transverse direction of the aircraft. The second bracket may include two hangers to support a mass of the battery pack in tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Ernest Villanueva, Austin Lawrence Newman, Michael Patrick Tucker, Robert Thodal, Christopher Cochran, Matthew Clyde Cusimano, Edward Stilson, Ahsan Mehmood
  • Publication number: 20220219804
    Abstract: An extension linkage for a wing flap can include at least one arm that includes two elements connected by a joint. The linkage can include an actuation mechanism, additional arms and/or each arm can include more than two elements, tie rods and/or cross pieces connecting two or more arms, and any other suitable components. The linkage functions to translate and rotate a body attached to one end of the arm relative to a primary structure attached to a second end of the arm. The linkage resides entirely within a space defined by the upper skin and the lower skin of the wing rearward of the mounting when in a retracted configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Gregor Veble Mikic, Joachim Grenestedt, Robert Thodal, Edward Stilson, Percy Pei, Drew Boggio
  • Patent number: 11292581
    Abstract: The 3D extension linkage 100 can include at least one arm that includes two elements connected by a joint. The linkage can include an actuation mechanism, additional arms and/or each arm can include more than two elements, tie rods and/or cross pieces connecting two or more arms, and any other suitable components. The linkage 100 functions to translate and rotate a body attached to one end of the arm relative to a primary structure attached to a second end of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Joby Aero Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Gregor Veble Mikić, Joachim Grenestedt, Robert Thodal, Edward Stilson, Percy Pei, Drew Boggio
  • Publication number: 20210391627
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a battery pack mounted inside the aircraft, a vent coupled between the battery pack and a surface of the aircraft to at least partly define a vent path between the battery pack and the surface of the aircraft, and a burst membrane located in the vent path. The vent may be coupled to a rear upper portion of a wing or to an outboard side of a nacelle. The aircraft may also include a flexible coupling between the vent and the surface of the aircraft. The aircraft may also include a fairing over a vent outlet to provide a smooth surface for the vent outlet. The battery pack may include battery modules and an enclosure, the battery modules and the enclosure defining paths along which discharge from a thermal event can flow towards the vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ernest Villanueva, Austin Newman, Michael Tucker, Robert Thodal, Christopher Cochran, Matthew Cusimano, Edward Stilson, Ahsan Mehmood, Ted Sweet
  • Publication number: 20210214069
    Abstract: The 3D extension linkage 100 can include at least one arm that includes two elements connected by a joint. The linkage can include an actuation mechanism, additional arms and/or each arm can include more than two elements, tie rods and/or cross pieces connecting two or more arms, and any other suitable components. The linkage 100 functions to translate and rotate a body attached to one end of the arm relative to a primary structure attached to a second end of the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Gregor Veble Mikic, Joachim Grenestedt, Robert Thodal, Edward Stilson, Percy Pei, Drew Boggio