Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Blunck

Timothy W. Blunck 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).

  • Systems and methods for recovering an airship
    Patent number: 8070096
    Abstract: An airship recovery system is disclosed including a first cushion pad configured to create a suction force on an outer portion of the airship to capture the airship during landing. An arm is coupled to the first cushion pad and movable between at least two different vertical positions. In an embodiment the air is movable in multiple degrees of freedom. An actuator device is coupled to move the arm. A sensor device is incorporated to detect the location of the airship relative to the recovery system. A controller is utilized to receive signals from the sensor device regarding the location of the airship and output command signals to the actuator to move the arm and the first cushion pad toward a desired contact location on the airship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfred L. Wood, Timothy W. Blunck, David E. Carlile
  • Systems and Methods for Recovering an Airship
    Publication number: 20100038481
    Abstract: An airship recovery system is disclosed including a first cushion pad configured to create a suction force on an outer portion of the airship to capture the airship during landing. An arm is coupled to the first cushion pad and movable between at least two different vertical positions. In an embodiment the air is movable in multiple degrees of freedom. An actuator device is coupled to move the arm. A sensor device is incorporated to detect the location of the airship relative to the recovery system. A controller is utilized to receive signals from the sensor device regarding the location of the airship and output command signals to the actuator to move the arm and the first cushion pad toward a desired contact location on the airship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Wilfred L. Wood, Timothy W. Blunck, David E. Carlile