Patents by Inventor Ronald P. Fuchs

Ronald P. Fuchs 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).

  • Composite air vehicle having a heavier-than-air vehicle tethered to a lighter-than-air vehicle
    Patent number: 7967238
    Abstract: A system including a heavier-than-air vehicle (HTA), a lighter-than-air vehicle (LTA), and a tether is disclosed. The tether is coupled between the HTA and the LTA such that the LTA supports the HTA. The system may be further configured to suit the needs of the particular application. For example, the system may be configured to be controllable from a remote location or capable of autonomous operations. The system may also be configured such that the HTA comprises a mission payload and communications equipment. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the LTA is configured to provide lift for the system and the HTA is configured to provide station-keeping propulsion, the advantage being reduced fuel consumption and increased mission endurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ronald P. Fuchs, Daniel J. Gadler, Rodney B. Kendrick, John L. McIver
  • COMPOSITE AIR VEHICLE HAVING A HEAVIER-THAN-AIR VEHICLE TETHERED TO A LIGHTER-THAN-AIR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20090302149
    Abstract: A system including a heavier-than-air vehicle (HTA), a lighter-than-air vehicle (LTA), and a tether is disclosed. The tether is coupled between the HTA and the LTA such that the LTA supports the HTA. The system may be further configured to suit the needs of the particular application. For example, the system may be configured to be controllable from a remote location or capable of autonomous operations. The system may also be configured such that the HTA comprises a mission payload and communications equipment. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the LTA is configured to provide lift for the system and the HTA is configured to provide station-keeping propulsion, the advantage being reduced fuel consumption and increased mission endurance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald P. Fuchs, Daniel J. Gadler, Rodney B. Kendrick, John L. Melver