Patents by Inventor Scott MacAfee

Scott MacAfee 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: 12195178
    Abstract: A power system with a reliability enhancing battery architecture for electric motors adapted for use in an aerial vehicle. Individual batteries may be used to power a subset two or more motors in systems with six or more motors, for example. Each motor may be powered by two or more subsets of batteries, allowing accommodation for motor failure. With a failed motor in a vertical take-off or landing mode, power may be diverted to other motors to continue proper attitude control, and to provide sufficient thrust. With a failed motor a second motor offset from the failed motor may be powered down to facilitate attitude control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan
  • Publication number: 20240300660
    Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft includes a starboard wing, a port wing, first and second tilt rotors coupled to the port and starboard wings respectively, and first and second batteries. A pair of control surfaces are arranged on a first side of the mid-sagittal plane of the aircraft, the pair comprising a first and a second control surface. A first flight actuator is electrically connected to the first battery and a second flight actuator is electrically connected to the second battery. The first and second flight actuators are mechanically connected to the first and second control surfaces respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan
  • Patent number: 12006048
    Abstract: The power system can include: a plurality of batteries, a plurality of electric propulsion units, flight computers, and power connections. The propulsion assemblies can include a motor, a propeller, and one or more inverters. The power system can optionally include a plurality of flight actuators. However, the power system can include any other suitable set of components. The power system functions to provide aircraft propulsion and/or aircraft control authority during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan
  • Publication number: 20240158093
    Abstract: A hybrid power distribution system for an aircraft includes a first and second set of electrically-powered devices, such as inverters, motors and so forth. A first battery system is coupled to one or more of the first set of electrically-powered devices and a first fuel cell is coupled to one or more of the first set of electrically-powered devices. A second battery system is coupled to one or more of the second set of electrically-powered devices and a second fuel cell coupled to one or more of the second set of electrically-powered devices. The fuel cells and batteries together supply power to the electrically-powered devices as needed, while the fuel cells also keep the batteries charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventor: Scott MacAfee
  • Patent number: 11912425
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion unit includes an electric motor, at least one accessory unit used for operating the electric motor, an inverter module, the inverter module including a plurality of inverters for powering the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit, and a cooling system coupled to the electric motor and the inverter module, the cooling system comprising a coolant path for circulating a coolant through or adjacent to the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Bradley Landseadel, Joey Milia, Scott MacAfee, Martin van der Geest
  • Publication number: 20240025543
    Abstract: A power system with a reliability enhancing battery architecture for electric motors adapted for use in an aerial vehicle. Individual batteries may be used to power a subset two or more motors in systems with six or more motors, for example. Each motor may be powered by two or more subsets of batteries, allowing accommodation for motor failure. With a failed motor in a vertical take-off or landing mode, power may be diverted to other motors to continue proper attitude control, and to provide sufficient thrust. With a failed motor a second motor offset from the failed motor may be powered down to facilitate attitude control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan
  • Patent number: 11876419
    Abstract: An electric motor comprises a rotor and a stator having a yoke. The yoke includes a plurality of teeth mounted to the yoke and being aligned substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the motor, each tooth including a first radial end adjacent to the yoke and a second radial end extending from the yoke, a plurality of field coils, each field coil being wrapped around a tooth, and a coolant circulation path including a first coolant channel defined between adjacent field coils and a second coolant channel defined between adjacent field coils and between the first radial ends of adjacent teeth. A third coolant channel may be defined between adjacent field coils and between the second radial ends of adjacent teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Scott MacAfee, Hans Leuthold, Jeff Cortes, Martin van der Geest
  • Patent number: 11827347
    Abstract: A power system with a reliability enhancing battery architecture for electric motors adapted for use in an aerial vehicle. Individual batteries may be used to power a subset two or more motors in systems with six or more motors, for example. Each motor may be powered may be powered by two or more subsets of batteries, allowing accommodation for motor failure. With a failed motor in a vertical take-off or landing mode, power may be diverted to other motors to continue proper attitude control, and to provide sufficient thrust. With a failed motor a second motor offset from the failed motor may be powered down to facilitate attitude control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan
  • Publication number: 20230278716
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion unit includes an electric motor, at least one accessory unit used for operating the electric motor, an inverter module, the inverter module including a plurality of inverters for powering the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit, and a cooling system coupled to the electric motor and the inverter module, the cooling system comprising a coolant path for circulating a coolant through or adjacent to the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Bradley Landseadel, Joey Milia, Scott MacAfee, Martin van der Geest
  • Patent number: 11691746
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion unit includes an electric motor, at least one accessory unit used for operating the electric motor, an inverter module, the inverter module including a plurality of inverters for powering the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit, and a cooling system coupled to the electric motor and the inverter module, the cooling system comprising a coolant path for circulating a coolant through or adjacent to the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Bradley Landseadel, Joey Milia, Scott MacAfee, Martin van der Geest
  • Publication number: 20230107180
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion unit includes an electric motor, at least one accessory unit used for operating the electric motor, an inverter module, the inverter module including a plurality of inverters for powering the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit, and a cooling system coupled to the electric motor and the inverter module, the cooling system comprising a coolant path for circulating a coolant through or adjacent to the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Bradley Landseadel, Joey Milia, Scott MacAfee, Martin van der Geest
  • Patent number: 11560235
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion unit includes an electric motor, at least one accessory unit used for operating the electric motor, an inverter module, the inverter module including a plurality of inverters for powering the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit, and a cooling system coupled to the electric motor and the inverter module, the cooling system comprising a coolant path for circulating a coolant through or adjacent to the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Bradley Landseadel, Joey Milia, Scott MacAfee, Martin van der Geest
  • Publication number: 20220250756
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion unit includes an electric motor, at least one accessory unit used for operating the electric motor, an inverter module, the inverter module including a plurality of inverters for powering the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit, and a cooling system coupled to the electric motor and the inverter module, the cooling system comprising a coolant path for circulating a coolant through or adjacent to the electric motor and the at least one accessory unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Bradley Landseadel, Joey Milia, Scott MacAfee, Martin van der Geest
  • Publication number: 20220200383
    Abstract: An electric motor comprises a rotor and a stator having a yoke. The yoke includes a plurality of teeth mounted to the yoke and being aligned substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the motor, each tooth including a first radial end adjacent to the yoke and a second radial end extending from the yoke, a plurality of field coils, each field coil being wrapped around a tooth, and a coolant circulation path including a first coolant channel defined between adjacent field coils and a second coolant channel defined between adjacent field coils and between the first radial ends of adjacent teeth. A third coolant channel may be defined between adjacent field coils and between the second radial ends of adjacent teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Wagner, Scott MacAfee, Hans Leuthold, Jeff Cortes, Martin Van der Geest
  • Patent number: 11323214
    Abstract: A fault-tolerant command and control system including a plurality of flight devices, a plurality of flight computers, a distribution network including a plurality of switches and cables connecting the plurality of flight devices to the plurality of flight computers, and a power source connected to the distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott MacAfee, JoeBen Bevirt, Jason Ryan
  • Publication number: 20210339881
    Abstract: The power system can include: a plurality of batteries, a plurality of electric propulsion units, flight computers, and power connections. The propulsion assemblies can include a motor, a propeller, and one or more inverters. The power system can optionally include a plurality of flight actuators. However, the power system can include any other suitable set of components. The power system functions to provide aircraft propulsion and/or aircraft control authority during flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan
  • Publication number: 20200092052
    Abstract: A fault-tolerant command and control system including a plurality of flight devices, a plurality of flight computers, a distribution network including a plurality of switches and cables connecting the plurality of flight devices to the plurality of flight computers, and a power source connected to the distribution network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Scott MacAfee, JoeBen Bevirt, Jason Ryan
  • Publication number: 20200010187
    Abstract: A power system with a reliability enhancing battery architecture for electric motors adapted for use in an aerial vehicle. Individual batteries may be used to power a subset two or more motors in systems with six or more motors, for example. Each motor may be powered may be powered by two or more subsets of batteries, allowing accommodation for motor failure. With a failed motor in a vertical take-off or landing mode, power may be diverted to other motors to continue proper attitude control, and to provide sufficient thrust. With a failed motor a second motor offset from the failed motor may be powered down to facilitate attitude control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan