Patents by Inventor William Swindt Butterfield

William Swindt Butterfield 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: 11970264
    Abstract: An electrically-powered VTOL aircraft has a fuselage with a cabin flexibly connected to a powerplane assembly that includes a plurality of electrically-powered rotors and booms. The powerplane assembly can pitch and roll relative to and independently of the cabin, thereby generating efficient fore, aft and lateral thrust while the cabin attitude remains unchanged. This provides a stable passenger experience and enhanced performance and controllability with reduced cost and complexity. In some embodiments, the fuselage is vertically elongated and the powerplane assembly mounts above the fuselage such that a person may walk beneath the rotors completely erect without the fear of being struck by any of the rotors. Using a vertically elongated cabin in conjunction with a relatively high powerplane provides various performance benefits that improve controllability and maneuverability particularly in congested environments, reduce complexity and costs, and enhance passenger safety and experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: William Swindt Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20230406487
    Abstract: An electrically-powered VTOL aircraft has a fuselage with a cabin flexibly connected to a powerplane assembly that includes a plurality of electrically-powered rotors and booms. The powerplane assembly can pitch and roll relative to and independently of the cabin, thereby generating efficient fore, aft and lateral thrust while the cabin attitude remains unchanged. This provides a stable passenger experience and enhanced performance and controllability with reduced cost and complexity. In some embodiments, the fuselage is vertically elongated and the powerplane assembly mounts above the fuselage such that a person may walk beneath the rotors completely erect without the fear of being struck by any of the rotors. Using a vertically elongated cabin in conjunction with a relatively high powerplane provides various performance benefits that improve controllability and maneuverability particularly in congested environments, reduce complexity and costs, and enhance passenger safety and experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: William Swindt Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20230406488
    Abstract: An electrically-powered VTOL aircraft has a fuselage with a cabin flexibly connected to a powerplane assembly that includes a plurality of electrically-powered rotors and booms. The powerplane assembly can pitch and roll relative to and independently of the cabin, thereby generating efficient fore, aft and lateral thrust while the cabin attitude remains unchanged. This provides a stable passenger experience and enhanced performance and controllability with reduced cost and complexity. In some embodiments, the fuselage is vertically elongated and the powerplane assembly mounts above the fuselage such that a person may walk beneath the rotors completely erect. A VTOL docking station is also disclosed that is configured to allow the aircraft to land without the use of landing gear. The docking station also includes electrical components configured to automatically provide charging to the aircraft when the aircraft is docked with the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: William Swindt Butterfield