Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Stephens

Thomas G. Stephens 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: 11661952
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe, ducted fans, and ducts for carrying pressurized air for lift and thrust supplied by the fans. The ducts form part of the airframe and carry static and dynamic loads applied to the airframe. Ducting members supply lift and thrust and transmit them to other airframe components. The ducts also carry the ducted air to exits set distant from the fans to permit flight control of the aircraft. Ducting members also form airfoils creating lift for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20210003146
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe, ducted fans, and ducts for carrying pressurized air for lift and thrust supplied by the fans. The ducts form part of the airframe and carry static and dynamic loads applied to the airframe. Ducting members supply lift and thrust and transmit them to other airframe components. The ducts also carry the ducted air to exits set distant from the fans to permit flight control of the aircraft. Ducting members also form airfoils creating lift for the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: AvionOne Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10788047
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe, ducted fans, and ducts for carrying pressurized air for lift and thrust supplied by the fans. The ducts form part of the airframe and carry static and dynamic loads applied to the airframe. Ducting members supply lift and thrust and transmit them to other airframe components. The ducts also carry the ducted air to exits set distant from the fans to permit flight control of the aircraft. Ducting members also form airfoils creating lift for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: AvionOne Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20190301486
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe, ducted fans, and ducts for carrying pressurized air for lift and thrust supplied by the fans. The ducts form part of the airframe and carry static and dynamic loads applied to the airframe. Ducting members supply lift and thrust and transmit them to other airframe components. The ducts also carry the ducted air to exits set distant from the fans to permit flight control of the aircraft. Ducting members also form airfoils creating lift for the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: AvionOne Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Patent number: 9437993
    Abstract: A device for imparting electrical energy to one or more male plugs, the device including at least three female receiving ports for receiving the blades from one or more male plugs wherein the at least three female receiving ports are positioned within the device side by side such that the first female receiving port is capable of receiving a hot blade from the male plug, the second female receiving port is capable of receiving a neutral blade from the male plug and the third female receiving port is capable of receiving a hot blade from the male plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20160204561
    Abstract: A device for imparting electrical energy to one or more male plugs, the device including at least three female receiving ports for receiving the blades from one or more male plugs wherein the at least three female receiving ports are positioned within the device side by side such that the first female receiving port is capable of receiving a hot blade from the male plug, the second female receiving port is capable of receiving a neutral blade from the male plug and the third female receiving port is capable of receiving a hot blade from the male plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120049530
    Abstract: A wind driven generator includes a rotor disposed in a cylindrical duct and supported by a frame for rotation in response to wind flowing through the duct. The rotor includes plural circumferentially spaced paralleled rotor blades supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Each blade is supported for pivotal movement to change blade pitch, angle of attack or camber as the rotor rotates. A pitch or camber control motor, self-governing wind vane mechanism, or governing mechanism is operable to move a circular cam to vary blade pitch or camber to control rotor speed. The duct is mounted on a mast having a base supported on a foundation for pivotal movement to face the wind for maximizing air flow through the duct. Electric power generators are connected to opposite ends of the rotor at respective power output or drive shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas G. Stephens, Stephen C. Else
  • Publication number: 20110272948
    Abstract: A wind driven generator includes a rotor disposed in a cylindrical duct and supported by a frame for rotation in response to wind flowing through the duct. The rotor includes plural circumferentially spaced paralleled rotor blades supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Each blade is supported for pivotal movement to change blade pitch, angle of attack or camber as the rotor rotates. A pitch or camber control motor, self-governing wind vane mechanism, or governing mechanism is operable to move a circular cam to vary blade pitch or camber to control rotor speed. The duct is mounted on a mast having a base supported on a foundation for pivotal movement to face the wind for maximizing air flow through the duct. Electric power generators are connected to opposite ends of the rotor at respective power output or drive shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: BroadStar Developments LP
    Inventors: Thomas G. Stephens, Stephen C. Else
  • Patent number: 7911076
    Abstract: A wind driven generator includes a rotor disposed in a cylindrical duct and supported by a frame for rotation in response to wind flowing through the duct. The rotor includes plural circumferentially spaced paralleled rotor blades supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Each blade is supported for pivotal movement to change blade pitch, angle of attack or camber as the rotor rotates. A pitch or camber control motor, self-governing wind vane mechanism, or governing mechanism is operable to move a circular cam to vary blade pitch or camber to control rotor speed. The duct is mounted on a mast having a base supported on a foundation for pivotal movement to face the wind for maximizing air flow through the duct. Electric power generators are connected to opposite ends of the rotor at respective power output or drive shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadstar Developments, LP
    Inventors: Thomas G. Stephens, Stephen C. Else
  • Publication number: 20080258469
    Abstract: A wind driven generator includes a rotor disposed in a cylindrical duct and supported by a frame for rotation in response to wind flowing through the duct. The rotor includes plural circumferentially spaced paralleled rotor blades supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Each blade is supported for pivotal movement to change blade pitch, angle of attack or camber as the rotor rotates. A pitch or camber control motor, self-governing wind vane mechanism, or governing mechanism is operable to move a circular cam to vary blade pitch or camber to control rotor speed. The duct is mounted on a mast having a base supported on a foundation for pivotal movement to face the wind for maximizing air flow through the duct. Electric power generators are connected to opposite ends of the rotor at respective power output or drive shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: X BLADE SYSTEMS, LP
    Inventors: Thomas G. Stephens, Stephen C. Else
  • Patent number: 7370828
    Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft is provided with longitudinally oriented counter-rotating rotors with circumferentially spaced variable pitch elongated rotor blades connected at their opposite ends to rotatable support rings mounted on the aircraft fuselage. Rotor downwash may be guided laterally and longitudinally by respective sets of moveable guide vanes. Propulsion may be obtained by an engine providing thrust and power take-off for driving the rotors. An auxiliary or second engine may be drivingly connected to the rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: X Blade Systems LP
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7365448
    Abstract: A wind driven generator includes a rotor disposed in a cylindrical duct and supported by a frame for rotation in response to wind flowing through the duct. The rotor includes plural circumferentially spaced paralleled rotor blades supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Each blade is supported for pivotal movement to change blade pitch, angle of attack or camber as the rotor rotates. A pitch or camber control motor or self-governing wind vane mechanism is operable to move a circular cam to vary blade pitch or camber to control rotor speed. The duct is mounted on a mast having a base supported on a foundation for pivotal movement to face the wind for maximizing air flow through the duct. Electric power generators are connected to opposite ends of the rotor at respective power output or drive shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: X Blade Systems LP
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20080042445
    Abstract: A wind driven generator includes a rotor disposed in a cylindrical duct and supported by a frame for rotation in response to wind flowing through the duct. The rotor includes plural circumferentially spaced paralleled rotor blades supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Each blade is supported for pivotal movement to change blade pitch, angle of attack or camber as the rotor rotates. A pitch or camber control motor or self-governing wind vane mechanism is operable to move a circular cam to vary blade pitch or camber to control rotor speed. The duct is mounted on a mast having a base supported on a foundation for pivotal movement to face the wind for maximizing air flow through the duct. Electric power generators are connected to opposite ends of the rotor at respective power output or drive shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: X BLADE SYSTEMS LP
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stephens