Patents by Inventor Stanley W. Bird

Stanley W. Bird 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: 9371077
    Abstract: The invention comprises an improved method and apparatus for securing a tractor-trailer or other powered vehicle to a flatbed railcar (flatcar). The vehicle is driven onto the flatcar until the powered wheels of the vehicle reach a set of rollers. The vehicle then drives these rollers (or a treadmill) which power a mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic system which latches the wheels of the vehicle to the flatcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Stanley W. Bird
  • Patent number: 8011614
    Abstract: The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, an inexpensive, lightweight flying vehicle using fixed pitch helicopter blades powered by ramjet engines mounted to a power-ring which transfers torque to the lifting rotors. The use of fixed pitch blades eliminates the need for a tail boom and tail rotor, as well as for variable incidence control of blade pitch and/or cyclic and collective rotor-pitch controls. An optional ballistic parachute may be deployed for emergency landings. A radial shroud encloses the ramjet engines to act as a sound shield. Since the rotor has a fixed pitch, lift may be controlled by rotor speed, where increased speed results in ascent, and decreased speed, descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Stanley W. Bird
  • Publication number: 20090039206
    Abstract: The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, an inexpensive, lightweight flying vehicle using fixed pitch helicopter blades powered by ramjet engines mounted to a power-ring which transfers torque to the lifting rotors. The use of fixed pitch blades eliminates the need for a tail boom and tail rotor, as well as for variable incidence control of blade pitch and/or cyclic and collective rotor-pitch controls. An optional ballistic parachute may be deployed for emergency landings. A radial shroud encloses the ramjet engines to act as a sound shield. Since the rotor has a fixed pitch, lift may be controlled by rotor speed, where increased speed results in ascent, and decreased speed, descent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Stanley W. Bird