Patents by Inventor Steven J. Foland

Steven J. Foland 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: 12263753
    Abstract: In an aspect a system for energy tracking in an electric aircraft. A system includes at least a battery pack. At least a battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules. A system includes a sensing device. A sensing device is configured to detect a battery parameter of at least a battery module of a plurality of battery modules. A sensing device is configured to generate battery data as a function of a detected battery parameter of at least a battery module. A system includes a computing device. A computing device is in electronic communication with a sensing device. A computing device is configured to receive battery data from a sensing device. A computing device is configured to determine an energy amount of a plurality of battery packs as a function of battery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: BETA AIR LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Foland
  • Patent number: 12214675
    Abstract: A system for dynamic excitation of an energy storage element configured for use in an electric aircraft includes a plurality of propulsors mechanically connected to the electric aircraft. The system includes a plurality of energy storage elements electrically connected to the plurality of propulsors. The system includes a bus element, wherein the bus element is electrically connected to the plurality of energy storage elements and a cross tie element connected to the bus element configured to disconnect a first energy storage element from a second energy storage element. The system includes a modulator unit electrically connected to the bus element configured to modulate a first electrical command to the first energy storage element and a second electrical command to the second energy storage element. The system includes at least a sensor configured to detect an energy datum corresponding to the first energy storage element as a function of the modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: BETA AIR LLC
    Inventors: Herman Wiegman, Steven J. Foland
  • Patent number: 12208907
    Abstract: A system for estimating flight range of an electric aircraft. The system generally includes at least a sensor and a computing device. The at least a sensor is communicatively connected to at least a flight component. The at least a sensor is configured to detect a performance datum of the at least a flight component. The computing device is communicatively connected to the at least a sensor. The computing device is configured to receive the performance datum from the at least a sensor, determine an energy performance datum from the performance datum, determine a flight performance datum from the performance datum, generate a projected flight range datum as a function of the energy performance datum and the flight performance datum, and display the projected flight range datum. A method for estimating flight range of an electric aircraft is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: BETA AIR LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Foland
  • Publication number: 20240424948
    Abstract: A system for predicting degradation of a battery for use in an electric vehicle is presented. The system includes a monitor unit configured to compile operating data for at least one battery module in a battery pack of the electric aircraft. A computing device coupled to the monitor unit is configured to generate a digital twin of the at least one battery pack module. The computing device simulates, via the digital twin, a degradation of the at least one battery pack module based on the operating data for the at least one battery module. The computing device predicts a future performance of the at least one battery pack module based on the simulated degradation of the at least one battery pack module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventor: Steven J. Foland
  • Publication number: 20240420579
    Abstract: In an aspect of the present disclosure is a system for in-flight re-routing of an electric aircraft including a battery pack configured to provide electrical power to the electric aircraft; a sensor configured to detect at least a temperature metric of the battery pack and generate a temperature datum based on the at least a temperature metric; a controller communicatively connected to the sensor, the controller configured to: receive the temperature datum from the sensor; and re-route the electric aircraft based on the temperature datum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, Lochie Ferrier, John Charles Palombini, Nick Warren
  • Patent number: 12128792
    Abstract: A system for predicting degradation of a battery for use in an electric vehicle is presented. The system includes a computing device communicatively connected to at least a pack monitor unit, wherein the at least a pack monitor unit is configured to detect a battery pack datum of a plurality of battery modules incorporated in a battery pack. The computing device is further configured to receive the battery pack datum as a function of the at least a pack monitor unit, generate, as a function of the battery pack datum, a battery pack model associated with the battery pack of the electric vehicle, and determine a battery degradation prediction as a function of the battery pack datum and the battery pack model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Foland
  • Publication number: 20240330534
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a battery model is provided. Battery model may be generated using measurement data and/or fleet data related to one or more battery packs of one or more electric aircraft. Battery model may then be used to determine performance analytics of the one or more battery packs for reference by a user to improve power source usage and operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Foland
  • Publication number: 20240305115
    Abstract: Aspects relate to a system for discharging a power source of an electric aircraft. System may be configured to transfer power from the electric aircraft via a charging connection. In one or more embodiments, a charging station in electric communication with the power source may discharge the power source. For example, a controller communicatively connected to the electric aircraft may be configured to receive a supply request from a user and subsequently, generate a control signal that initiates a transfer of electrical power from the power supply to discharge the power source so that power data associated with the discharge may be collected and transmitted to the controller or a remote device of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, John Charles Palombini
  • Patent number: 12080177
    Abstract: A computing device for determining a revised flight plan as a function of battery temperature in an electric aircraft is disclosed. The computing device includes a battery model that may receive a flight plan and communicate with a machine-learning model, which may be trained as a function of a training set correlating data describing the flight plan to battery temperature labels. The battery model may generate a temperature output using the machine-learning model and determine the revised flight plan using the machine-learning model if the temperature output exceeds a threshold temperature. The computing device may receive the temperature output from the battery model and compare the temperature output to the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Foland
  • Patent number: 12080176
    Abstract: In an aspect of the present disclosure is a system for in-flight re-routing of an electric aircraft including a battery pack configured to provide electrical power to the electric aircraft; a sensor configured to detect at least a temperature metric of the battery pack and generate a temperature datum based on the at least a temperature metric; a controller communicatively connected to the sensor, the controller configured to: receive the temperature datum from the sensor; and re-route the electric aircraft based on the temperature datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, Lochie Ferrier, Nick Warren, John Palombini
  • Publication number: 20240211009
    Abstract: A system for determining remaining useful energy in an electric aircraft, the system including a computing device where the computing device is configured to measure a internal state datum of a battery as a function of at least a sensor, receive the internal state datum from the at least a sensor, generate a useful energy remaining datum as a function of the internal state datum and a battery model, and display the useful energy remaining datum to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, Herman Wiegman
  • Publication number: 20240199247
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a resource remaining datum of an electric aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory communicatively connected to the processor. The memory contains instructions configuring the processor to receive aircraft data from at least a sensing device, wherein the at least a sensing device is configured to measure at least a parameter of a battery pack of the electric aircraft and generate aircraft data as a function of the at least a parameter of the battery pack of the electric aircraft. The memory contains instructions configuring the processor to determine a reserve energy as a function of a flight mode of the electric aircraft and determine a resource remaining datum as a function of the aircraft data and the reserve energy, wherein the resource remaining datum is related to the battery pack of the electric aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, Thomas Henck, Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11970294
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a resource remaining datum of an electric aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory communicatively connected to the processor. The memory contains instructions configuring the processor to receive aircraft data from at least a sensing device, wherein the at least a sensing device is configured to measure at least a parameter of a battery pack of the electric aircraft and generate aircraft data as a function of the at least a parameter of the battery pack of the electric aircraft. The memory contains instructions configuring the processor to determine a reserve energy as a function of a flight mode of the electric aircraft and determine a resource remaining datum as a function of the aircraft data and the reserve energy, wherein the resource remaining datum is related to the battery pack of the electric aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Beta Air, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, Thomas Henck, Herman Wiegman
  • Publication number: 20240051399
    Abstract: A system for dynamic excitation of an energy storage element configured for use in an electric aircraft includes a plurality of propulsors mechanically connected to the electric aircraft. The system includes a plurality of energy storage elements electrically connected to the plurality of propulsors. The system includes a bus element, wherein the bus element is electrically connected to the plurality of energy storage elements and a cross tie element connected to the bus element configured to disconnect a first energy storage element from a second energy storage element. The system includes a modulator unit electrically connected to the bus element configured to modulate a first electrical command to the first energy storage element and a second electrical command to the second energy storage element. The system includes at least a sensor configured to detect an energy datum corresponding to the first energy storage element as a function of the modulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Herman Wiegman, Steven J. Foland
  • Patent number: 11861948
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a resource remaining datum of an electric aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory communicatively connected to the processor. The memory contains instructions configuring the processor to receive aircraft data from at least a sensing device, wherein the at least a sensing device is configured to measure at least a parameter of a battery pack of the electric aircraft and generate aircraft data as a function of the at least a parameter of the battery pack of the electric aircraft. The memory contains instructions configuring the processor to determine a reserve energy as a function of a flight mode of the electric aircraft and determine a resource remaining datum as a function of the aircraft data and the reserve energy, wherein the resource remaining datum is related to the battery pack of the electric aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, Thomas Henck, Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11860698
    Abstract: A system for determining remaining useful energy in an electric aircraft, the system including a computing device where the computing device is configured to measure a internal state datum of a battery as a function of at least a sensor, receive the internal state datum from the at least a sensor, generate a useful energy remaining datum as a function of the internal state datum and a battery model, and display the useful energy remaining datum to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, Herman Wiegman
  • Publication number: 20230419741
    Abstract: In an aspect, an assembly for gauging fuel of an electric aircraft is presented. A assembly includes a plurality of battery packs of an electric aircraft. Each battery pack of a plurality of battery packs includes a plurality of battery modules. An assembly include at least a battery sensor in electronic communication with a battery pack of a plurality of battery packs. At least a battery sensor is configured to measure battery data. An assembly includes a computing device communicatively connected to at least a battery sensor. A computing device is configured to receive battery data from at least a battery sensor. A computing device is configured to determine a landing energy as a function of battery data. A computing device is configured to provide landing energy to a user through a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Cullen Jemison, Braedon Lohe, Nathan William Joseph Wiegman, Steven J. Foland
  • Patent number: 11855469
    Abstract: Aspects relate to a system for discharging a power source of an electric aircraft. System may be configured to transfer power from the electric aircraft via a charging connection. In one or more embodiments, a charging station in electric communication with the power source may discharge the power source. For example, a controller communicatively connected to the electric aircraft may be configured to receive a supply request from a user and subsequently, generate a control signal that initiates a transfer of electrical power from the power supply to discharge the power source so that power data associated with the discharge may be collected and transmitted to the controller or a remote device of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Foland, John Charles Palombini
  • Publication number: 20230406153
    Abstract: A system for predicting degradation of a battery for use in an electric vehicle is presented. The system includes a computing device communicatively connected to at least a pack monitor unit, wherein the at least a pack monitor unit is configured to detect a battery pack datum of a plurality of battery modules incorporated in a battery pack. The computing device is further configured to receive the battery pack datum as a function of the at least a pack monitor unit, generate, as a function of the battery pack datum, a battery pack model associated with the battery pack of the electric vehicle, and determine a battery degradation prediction as a function of the battery pack datum and the battery pack model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Foland
  • Patent number: 11833911
    Abstract: A system for dynamic excitation of an energy storage element configured for use in an electric aircraft includes a plurality of propulsors mechanically connected to the electric aircraft. The system includes a plurality of energy storage elements electrically connected to the plurality of propulsors. The system includes a bus element, wherein the bus element is electrically connected to the plurality of energy storage elements and a cross tie element connected to the bus element configured to disconnect a first energy storage element from a second energy storage element. The system includes a modulator unit electrically connected to the bus element configured to modulate a first electrical command to the first energy storage element and a second electrical command to the second energy storage element. The system includes at least a sensor configured to detect an energy datum corresponding to the first energy storage element as a function of the modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Herman Wiegman, Steven J. Foland