Patents by Inventor William McDonnell

William McDonnell 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).

  • Publication number: 20070108345
    Abstract: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventor: William McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20070089433
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a remaining shelf life of a product stored within a container is provided. The system includes a container having a bottom and at least one side extending from the bottom, a timer device coupled to the container, and a display coupled to the timer device. The timer device includes an integrated circuit programmed as a timer, and an output device electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. The display is in communication with the output device for displaying the remaining shelf life of the product stored within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: William McDonnell, Raymond Pozen
  • Publication number: 20050017129
    Abstract: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventor: William McDonnell