Patents Issued in December 26, 2017
  • Docking control for vessels
    Patent number: 9849947
    Abstract: A control system for a suspension system of a multi-hulled vessel, the vessel including a chassis portion, at least two hulls moveable relative to the chassis portion. The suspension system of the vessel provides support of at least a portion of the chassis above the at least two hulls, and includes adjustable supports and at least one motor to enable adjustment of a support force and/or displacement of the adjustable supports. The control system includes a fender friction force input for receiving at least one signal indicative of a friction force on a fender portion between a fixed or floating object and the vessel chassis portion, and in response to the fender friction force input, the control system is to adjust the support force and/or displacement between the chassis portion and the at least two hulls to reduce or minimize the friction force on the fender portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Nauti-Craft Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Michael James Longman
  • Personal flotation assembly with protective shell
    Patent number: 9849948
    Abstract: A personal flotation assembly is provided that includes flotation device and a protective shell extending therefrom. The flotation device is a buoyant structure that includes an open interior, such as a ring or similar shape. Along the lower end of the flotation device is a protective shell. The shell includes a spiral expansion spring therein and a resilient construction, whereby the shell is adapted to compress against the flotation device when stored and expand outward when deployed. When deployed, the shell forms a rounded sidewall, an enclosed lower, and an interior volume sized to receive the floating user. The shell is made of a resilient material and is water permeable. Therefore, the flotation assembly supports a floating user and protects the user when adrift for long periods. Additional locating elements may be secured to the floatation device, including strobes or signal generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Bryan Skipworth
  • Collapsible flotation device
    Patent number: 9849949
    Abstract: A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kelsyus, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Arias
  • Floatation device
    Patent number: 9849950
    Abstract: A floatation device is configured to provide floatation without interfering with a user's upper body movement. The floatation device has a first set of four straps adapted to encircle the user's hips. A right thigh floatation pad and a right back hip floatation pad are joined to the first four straps. A first elastic band is joined to the first four straps and a waist floatation pad. A second set of four straps are adapted to encircle the user's hips. A left thigh floatation pad and a left back hip floatation pad are joined to the first four straps. A second elastic band is joined to the second four straps and a second waist floatation pad. Three elastic bands are joined to four floatation pads and the second elastic band. Three straps with buckles are attached to the elastic bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Mark A. Stickler
  • Diving buoyancy compensator jacket
    Patent number: 9849951
    Abstract: A buoyancy compensator jacket for scuba diving includes an inflatable and deflatable bladder; a backplate part, to which the bladder and elements fastening at least one breathing gas cylinder are attached; and at least one pair of shoulder straps for securing it to the torso of a user and at least one ventral securing strap or ventral closure of the jacket. The jacket further includes a sternal securing element composed of at least one sternal or chest strap, which has at least one costal connection element distinct from the pair of shoulder straps and connecting the sternal strap to the backplate part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mares S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Angelini, Chiara Pareti, Enrico Oneto
  • Snorkel upper discharging head having waterproof device
    Patent number: 9849952
    Abstract: A snorkel upper discharging head has a waterproof device. The snorkel upper discharging head comprises a snorkel upper discharging head body and a floating drum, an air inlet hole is arranged at the front end of the snorkel upper discharging head body and is sleeved with a sealing ring, the snorkel upper discharging head body is internally provided with an air duct communicated with the air inlet hole, circular arc sliding slots are arranged at the left and right inner sides of the snorkel upper discharging head body, the floating drum is clamped in the circular arc sliding slots, and a water seal face jointed with the sealing ring is arranged in the middle of the floating drum; the snorkel upper discharging head having the waterproof device not only has simple and compact structure and excellent waterproof effect, but is also eye-pleasing and fashionable in appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: DONGGUAN LONGWELL SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chin Hsien Wung
  • Autonomous underwater vehicle for marine seismic surveys
    Patent number: 9849953
    Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body extending along an axis X and having a head portion, a middle portion, and a tail portion, wherein the middle portion is sandwiched between the head portion and the tail portion along the X axis; a cross-section of the middle portion, substantially perpendicular on the X axis, having a triangular-like shape; the head portion including a base portion having the triangular-like shape and configured to match the middle portion; the head portion having a tip that, when projected along the X axis on the base portion, substantially coincides with a centroid of the base portion having the triangular-like shape; and a seismic payload located within the body and configured to record seismic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICE SAS
    Inventor: Thierry Brizard
  • Glass sphere type pressure housing including titanium band and a multi-joint underwater robot system for deep sea exploration using the same
    Patent number: 9849954
    Abstract: A deep-sea exploration multi-joint underwater robot system and a spherical glass pressure housing including a titanium band are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology
    Inventors: Bong-Huan Jun, Hyung-Won Shim, Jin-Yeong Park, Seong-Yeol Yoo, Hyuk Baek, Pan-Mook Lee
  • Marine surface propulsion device
    Patent number: 9849955
    Abstract: An embodiment of a device for marine surface propulsion of a watercraft is provided that facilitates high speed performance in combination with steering and/or trimming control. The propulsion device may include a support member supportably interconnectable to and pivotable about one or both of a reclined axis and upright axis relative to a watercraft transom. A propeller shaft may be supported by the support member for pivotable movement therewith, and may have a first end interconnectable to a watercraft engine output. A hub body and a plurality of propeller blades may be interconnected to a second end of the propeller shaft for co-rotation therewith, wherein the hub body and propeller blades are pivotable with the support member about the reclined and/or upright axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Fred Kiekhaefer
  • Pump device and ship propulsion machine
    Patent number: 9849956
    Abstract: A pump device includes a first case, a second case, a sacrificial anode. The first case has a channel in which hydraulic fluid flows. The second case provides in contact with the first case. The sacrificial anode is coupled to one of the first case and the second case and suppresses corrosion of the first case and the second case. At least one of the first case and the second case includes an insulating section that interrupts electric coupling between the first case and the second case. The pump device further includes a valve member provided in the channel, controlling the flow of the hydraulic fluid flowing in the channel, and electrically coupling the first case and the second case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayato Tsutsui, Takahiko Saito, Atsushi Kagawa
  • Systems and steering actuators for steering outboard marine engines
    Patent number: 9849957
    Abstract: A steering actuator is for steering an outboard marine engine about a steering axis. The steering actuator comprises a housing; a piston device that is disposed in the housing, wherein hydraulic actuation of the piston device causes the outboard marine engine to pivot about the steering axis; and a valve device that is disposed in the housing. The valve device controls a flow of a hydraulic fluid to move the piston device in a first piston direction and to move the piston device in an opposite, second piston direction. Movement of the piston device in the first piston direction causes the outboard marine engine to pivot in a first pivot direction and movement of the piston device in the second piston direction causes the outboard marine engine to pivot in an opposite, second pivot direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Flint Grahl, John A. Groeschel
  • Packaging aftertreatment system of engine of a marine vessel
    Patent number: 9849958
    Abstract: A packaging system for enclosing an aftertreatment module associated with an engine is described. The packaging system includes a housing structure configured to enclose the aftertreatment module therein, the housing structure being coupled to an exhaust conduit of the engine. The housing structure includes a base portion and a plurality of side portions extending from the base portion. The base portion and the plurality of side portions define a chamber for receiving the aftertreatment module therein. Further, the packaging system includes a equipment rack configured to receive one or more components of the accessory system. The equipment rack includes a top end and a bottom end, the top end being distal from the bottom end and configured to couple with the base portion of the housing structure. The bottom end of the equipment rack is supported on a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Patel, Richard C. Kulaga, Deep Bandyopadhyay
  • Marine pod drive system
    Patent number: 9849959
    Abstract: A drive train in a marine vessel includes a marine pod drive unit and an inboard engine operatively connected by a driveshaft. To protectively enclose the driveshaft, a guard sleeve having a tubular configuration is disposed around the driveshaft and extends between the marine pod drive unit and the inboard engine. The first sleeve end of the guard sleeve is coupled to a first coupling collar on the marine pod drive unit using a first annular packing and the second sleeve end is coupled to a second coupling collar on the inboard engine using a second annular packing. The first and second annular packings enable relative angular displacement between the guard sleeve and the marine pod drive unit or the inboard engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick McDonald, Andrew A. Hutchison, Jonathan Steinbrink, Patrick Lee, Hashim M. Marzuq
  • Tiller control device
    Patent number: 9849960
    Abstract: A kit is provided which can be installed on a sailboat and used to selectively control the position of the tiller of the sailboat to allow the helmsman to leave the tiller unattended for a limited period of time. The kit is to be mounted on the transom of the sailboat and comprises: a mounting receiver adapted to be attached to the transom; an arm having a rearward end adapted to be attached to said mounting receiver and to extend forwardly therefrom and a forward end; and a saddle mount adapted to be attached to the forward end of said arm and having a u-shape adapted to receive a said tiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Technical Consulting Associates LLC
    Inventors: Sam Garofalo, James C. Sisco, Jr.
  • High altitude balloon with a payload separation assembly
    Patent number: 9849961
    Abstract: A high altitude balloon including a payload, a balloon film with lifting gas disposed within the balloon film, a sealing ring operably coupled to the balloon film, a retention element configured to retain the payload in contact with the sealing ring, and a release element configured to cause the retention element to release the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor Evan Matthews, Anthony Paul Fry, Jessica Marie Lavigne, Rafy Uddin Athar
  • Apparatus to lift and fill a balloon
    Patent number: 9849962
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to filling and lifting high altitude balloons. For instance, one example system for lifting and filling a balloon having a balloon envelope includes an apparatus for use with the balloon envelope. The apparatus includes a load line, a fill tube having a hollow portion nested within the load line and a termination member attached to the fill tube and load line. The load line is configured to lift the balloon envelope during inflation. The fill tube extends through the load line and is configured to allow lift gas to pass through the hollow portion. The termination member is configured to mate with an opening in the balloon envelope so that lift gas can pass through the hollow portion of the fill tube and into the opening in the balloon envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Ratner
  • Beam flange clamp, structural beam joint with beam flange clamps and method for forming a structural beam joint
    Patent number: 9849963
    Abstract: A beam flange clamp includes a clamp body having a first vise jaw portion with a first gripping surface and a second vise jaw portion with a second gripping surface. The first gripping surface and the second gripping surface are oriented parallel to each other, are facing the same direction and are offset in height by a predetermined clamping distance. The at least one bolting hole is formed through the first vise jaw portion perpendicularly to the first gripping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Westphal, Jan Richardson Busshoff, Christian Rekert, Benjamin Klotz, Marko Roeschmann, Goulamhossein Nalband-Abbasi
  • Aerial vehicle with frame assemblies
    Patent number: 9849964
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a transformable aerial vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a transformable aerial vehicle includes: a central body and at least two transformable frames assemblies respectively disposed on the central body, each of the at least two transformable frame assemblies having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the central body and a distal portion; an actuation assembly mounted on the central body and configured to pivot the at least two frame assemblies to a plurality of different vertical angles relative to the central body; and a plurality of propulsion units mounted on the at least two transformable frame assemblies and operable to move the transformable aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao, Hao Du, Mingxi Wang
  • Manufacturing method of reinforced structure
    Patent number: 9849965
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a reinforced structure includes a step of preparing a stringer that has a fiber exposed surface, a step of disposing an electrically conductive protection member on the fiber exposed surface to cover at least a part of the fiber exposed surface, a step of arranging the stringer on a skin having an uncured resin component, and a step of curing the skin after the arranging. The electrically conductive protection member includes a composite material made of combination of a resin component and an electrically conductive fiber component. The step of curing includes curing the skin and the electrically conductive protection member simultaneously. The manufacturing method can prevent edge glow without increasing the number of production steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Taku Yamamori
  • Fuselage structure for accommodating tails and canards of different sizes and shapes
    Patent number: 9849966
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage with structural interfaces for connection to any one or more of a variety of vertical tails, horizontal tails and canards. Vertical tails, horizontal tails and/or canards of different sizes, shapes, sweep angles, box chords, and/or root chords may connect to the fuselage without changing the structural layout or configuration of the fuselage structural interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Schmidt, Samuel Thomas Walton
  • Composite rib for an aircraft
    Patent number: 9849967
    Abstract: A rib is disclosed for use in a torque box of a wing structure provided on an aircraft. The wing structure has a skin panel and a stringer coupled to the skin panel. The rib includes a web defining at least one stringer hole sized to receive the stringer, a shear tie coupled to the web and configured to engage the skin panel, and a clip positioned adjacent the at least one stringer hole. The clip has a base coupled to and aligned with the web, a head extending at an angle relative to the base and configured to engage the stringer, and a transition portion extending between the base and the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Dobberfuhl, Matt D. Uhlman, William J. Moon
  • Propeller
    Patent number: 9849968
    Abstract: A propeller includes a hub coaxially surrounding a longitudinal axis. A ring shroud coaxially surrounds the longitudinal axis and is spaced radially from the hub. At least one propeller blade is fixedly attached to both the hub and ring shroud and extends radially therebetween for mutual rotation therewith. At least one stub blade has a first stub end radially spaced from a second stub end. The first stub end is fixedly attached to a selected one of the hub and ring shroud. The second stub end is cantilevered from the first stub end and is radially interposed between the first stub end and the selected one of the hub and ring shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon J. Linch, Kyle M. Rahrig
  • Lightweight propeller blade with improved retention capacity
    Patent number: 9849969
    Abstract: A propeller blade assembly includes a spar extending along a propeller blade axis and an outer sleeve surrounding the spar portion at a root end of the rotor blade assembly. The spar is adhesively bonded to the outer sleeve at an interface portion. A spar maximum diameter along the interface portion is larger than an outer sleeve minimum diameter along the interface portion. A method of assembling a propeller blade includes installing an outer sleeve over a spar at a root end of the spar, the spar a not fully cured composite component, and urging the spar into compressive conformance with the outer sleeve at an interface portion of the propeller blade assembly. A spar maximum diameter along the interface portion is larger than an outer sleeve minimum diameter along the interface portion. The spar is cured thereby adhesively bonding the spar to the outer sleeve at the interface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Nagle, Stephen L. Smith
  • Turbo engine with propeller(s) for an aircraft with a system for changing the pitch of the propeller
    Patent number: 9849970
    Abstract: A turbo engine includes a system for changing a pitch of blades of a propeller, the system including an annular fluid cylinder with a linear drive and a link mechanism linking the cylinder to the blades of the propeller to change an orientation of the propeller. The annular cylinder of the system can be rigidly mounted on a fixed housing supporting the propeller and internal to the propeller, unlike the blades mounted in an external rotating hub of the propeller, and the link mechanism includes a displacement transfer bearing fixed, on one side, to the mobile part of the cylinder and cooperating, on the other side, with a mechanism linking to the blades of the rotating hub of the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: SNECMA, GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Didier Rene Andre Escure, Denis Louis Bocquet, Gilles Alain Charier, Aleksander Szymandera, Marek Malitka, Jan Sikorski, Christopher Carrington
  • Brake axle sleeve
    Patent number: 9849971
    Abstract: An aircraft brake system may include an axle and a brake axle sleeve. The brake axle sleeve may have a plurality of recesses asymmetrically disposed about an inner circumference of the brake axle sleeve. The plurality of recesses may attenuate vibrations in the aircraft brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd Rook
  • Aircraft autonomous pushback
    Patent number: 9849972
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for controlling speed of an aircraft during an autonomous pushback maneuver, i.e. under the aircraft's own power without a pushback tractor. The method includes applying a torque to at least one landing gear wheel of the aircraft, the torque being in a direction opposite to the backwards rolling direction of rotation of the landing gear wheel. The torque applied does not exceed a limit for ensuring aircraft longitudinal stability. For longitudinal stability the torque applied should not cause the aircraft to risk a tip-over event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: James Morris, Antonio Colosimo
  • Impact absorber device, particularly for aircraft
    Patent number: 9849974
    Abstract: An impact absorber device (10) of a fixed landing skid of an aircraft (1) is described. The device comprises a female element (20), a male element (30) and a core (40) arranged between said female element and said male element, wherein said female element comprises a cavity and said male element comprises a support and pressure surface for supporting said core, wherein said core comprises a body with controlled plastic deformation of a metallic material. In embodiments of the invention, the core comprises an extruded body having a honeycomb structure or a body comprising a spirally wound metallic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SIA AEROSPACE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Joyce Adriano Losi
  • Deflection cone in a reaction drive helicopter
    Patent number: 9849975
    Abstract: A rotor hub for a reaction drive type helicopter includes a cylindrical sidewall having a top and an open bottom which defines an interior volume. A top plate closes the top of the cylindrical sidewall, and at least two pipe sections extend outwardly from the cylindrical sidewall. Each pipe section extends through the sidewall in communication with the interior volume. A horizontal vane is carried in an inlet of the pipe section and extends horizontally across the inlet. A three dimensional body extends downwardly from a central axis of the top plate into the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: RJ HELICOPTER CORPORATION
    Inventor: David J. White
  • Noise reducing profile for helicopter rotor blade tracking wedges
    Patent number: 9849976
    Abstract: A tracking wedge, a rotor and a method for modifying a movement of air over a tracking wedge. According to aspects of the disclosure, a tracking wedge used to correct the tracking of a helicopter rotor blade may include one or more acoustic management mechanisms. The acoustic management mechanisms may change the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge. In some examples, changing the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge may reduce noise generated by the use of the tracking wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard Piechowicz
  • Site management system, in-flight detection method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program of site management system
    Patent number: 9849977
    Abstract: A site management system includes an unmanned airplane being switchable between an airplane mode for high speed flight and a VTOL mode for low speed flight, a working vehicle working in a civil construction site, a shape detection sensor provided in the unmanned airplane to detect a shape of the civil construction site, and an external control apparatus that controls flight of the unmanned airplane, driving of the working vehicle, and driving of the shape detection sensor. The external control apparatus moves the unmanned airplane to an observation area by performing the high speed flight. Further, the external control apparatus detects a shape of the observation area by driving the shape detection sensor while performing the high speed flight or by driving the shape detection sensor while performing low speed flight by switching from the airplane mode to the VTOL mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanahashi
  • Detecting of navigation data spoofing based on sensor data
    Patent number: 9849978
    Abstract: Techniques for determining whether data associated with an autonomous operation of an unmanned vehicle may be trusted. For example, a first set of data may be provided from a source external to the unmanned vehicle. A second set of data may be accessed. This second set may be provided from a source internal to the unmanned vehicle and may be associated with the same autonomous operation. The two sets may be compared to determine whether the first set of data may be trusted or not. If untrusted, the autonomous navigation may be directed based on the second set of data and independently of the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gerard Carmack, Narasimha Rao Lakkakula, Nima Sharifi Mehr
  • Providing services using unmanned aerial vehicles
    Patent number: 9849979
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to provide support via a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An illustrative medical-support system may include multiple UAVs, which are configured to provide support for a number of different situations. Further, the medical-support system may be configured to: (a) identify a remote situation, (b) determine a target location corresponding to the situation, (c) select a UAV from the fleet of UAVs, where the selection of the UAV is based on a determination that the selected UAV is configured for the identified situation, and (d) cause the selected UAV to travel to the target location to provide support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Eric Peeters, Eric Teller, William Graham Patrick
  • Personal propulsion devices with improved balance
    Patent number: 9849980
    Abstract: A personal propulsion device, including a platform configured to support a passenger's body; and at least one fluid discharge nozzle coupled to the platform and angled with respect to the platform, where the angle defined between the nozzle and the platform is between approximately 95° and 120°; where the personal propulsion device is configured to receive pressurized fluid from a remote pressurized fluid source, and where the personal propulsion device is configured to achieve flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Raymond Li
  • Payload-release device position tracking
    Patent number: 9849981
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using a delivery device that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The location of the delivery device can be determined as it is lowered to the ground using image tracking. The UAV can include an imaging system that captures image data of the suspended delivery device and identifies image coordinates of the delivery device, and the image coordinates can then be mapped to a location. The UAV may also be configured to account for any deviations from a planned path of descent in real time to effect accurate delivery locations of released payloads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: James Ryan Burgess, Joanna Cohen
  • Rescue hoist end-effector
    Patent number: 9849982
    Abstract: An end-effector for a hoist includes a drive and an articulating arm. The articulating arm includes support disks, control cables extending through the support disks, and a hoist cable extending through the support disks. The drive includes an actuator connected to one of the control cables. The actuator deploys and retracts the control cables, thereby displacing the articulating arm from an end-effector axis. The drive also includes a stabilizer mounted on a drive housing, the stabilizer generates a stabilizing moment in response to the articulating arm displacing from the end-effector axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Annina M. Baker Kreiser, David L. Kreiser, Ryan Brown, John Michael Burke, Aidan J. Rischmann
  • Aerodynamically shaped, active towed body
    Patent number: 9849983
    Abstract: An aerodynamically shaped, active towed body includes a fuselage curved along its vertical and horizontal longitudinal plane. The fuselage has a unit chamber and a load chamber. A transverse plane of the fuselage is triangular, two upper corners being located on an upper face of the fuselage and a lower corner being located on a lower face of the fuselage. Each of two wings is subdivided into a small and a large segment. The small segment points downwards and is attached to the fuselage in a region of the lower corner and the large segment points upwards and is attached to the small segment. Each of the small segments comprise an additional load chamber. The towed body further includes a tail fin, rudders that are each adjustable by the control device and a coupling for the towing cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUER POLAR-UND MEERESFORSCHUNG
    Inventors: Andreas Herber, Dirk Kalmbach, Ruediger Gerdes, Hans-Joerg Bayer
  • Lighting apparatus with optical member having asymmetric light incident surface
    Patent number: 9849984
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a row on an elongated wiring board; and a lens covering all the LEDs and controlling distribution of light emitted from each LED. An optical axis of the light emitted from each LED is orthogonal to the wiring board. The lens has a light emitting surface that controls distribution of the light emitted from each LED. When the light emitting surface is divided into at least three regions, the lens performs light distribution such that light radiated from a region is distributed in a direction tilted with respect to the optical axis of the light emitted from the LED. Thus, asymmetric distribution of light is achieved when the optical axis of the light from the LED is the axis of symmetry, and further, the luminous flux in the direction tilted with respect to the optical axis is increased most.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Ohta, Tadashi Murakami
  • Foldable divider device for an aircraft cabin
    Patent number: 9849985
    Abstract: A divider device for an aircraft cabin including elongate bar elements, each planar and flexible to assume a linear state extending rectilinearly along a longitudinal axis parallel to a plane, each bar element curved in a first stable state, to deform into its first stable state when bent towards the stable state to a predetermined extent, the bar elements arranged side-by-side and adjacent bar elements are pivotably inter-connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Mayer
  • Aircraft galley unit
    Patent number: 9849986
    Abstract: An aircraft galley unit including a floor-side unit comprising a table provided on an upper face and a storage section provided in a side portion thereof. An entire outer periphery of the floor-side unit is surrounded by aisles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Nojiri, Yoshihisa Tsutsui
  • Aircraft sideboard
    Patent number: 9849987
    Abstract: An aircraft sideboard includes a first portion with a first top surface and a first panel. The first top surface is disposed substantially horizontally at a first height and the first panel is disposed substantially vertically adjacent to the first top surface. A second portion is disposed adjacent to the first portion at a first end of the first portion. The second portion includes a second top surface and a second panel. The second top surface is disposed substantially horizontally at a second height and the second panel is disposed substantially vertically adjacent to the second top surface. A table is stowed interiorly to the first portion. The table extends from the first portion when deployed. The first top surface is immovable. The table deploys by tilting the first panel along a pivot axis defined adjacent to a bottom end thereof. The first height is greater than the second height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Gagnon, Tom Deka, Patrick Fahmy, Michele Monardo
  • Interactive aircraft cabin
    Patent number: 9849988
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin having seats with at least one of which is paired with a passenger terminal to communicate wirelessly. A control unit of the seat transmits data on the capabilities for adjusting the seat to the passenger terminal. The passenger terminal transmits instructions for adjusting the seat to the control unit of the seat. The passenger terminal includes application software to interpret the data received from the control unit of the seat to display a representation of the possible adjustments on a screen of the passenger terminal and to interpret actions by an operator on keys of the passenger terminal as instructions for adjusting the seat. A main computer of the cabin handles the communication between the passenger terminals and crew terminals to transmit, via displays on screens of the terminals, requests from a passenger to the crew and from the crew to a passenger or group of passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: STELIA AEROSPACE
    Inventors: Blaise Carles, Pascal Carratero
  • Bed mode mechanism for aircraft passenger seat
    Patent number: 9849989
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat (100) has a seat bottom frame (150), and the seat bottom frame (150) is supported by an eccentric cam (210). A seat back frame (170) which rotates about a support point (250) is provided with a damper mechanism (300). When the seat back frame (170) is tilted forward from an upright position about the support point (250), a gas damper (310) is compressed and prevents rapid tilting. This energy assists force for returning the seat back to the upright position. The eccentric cam (210) rotates and lowers the seat bottom frame (150) so as to prevent cushions from being collapsed. A lock mechanism (400) highly rigidly retains the seat back frame at a bed mode position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaji Ozaki, Nozomu Tagami, Sanae Ootake
  • Environmental control system utilizing shoestring cycle to maximize efficiency
    Patent number: 9849990
    Abstract: An environmental control system comprising that utilizes recirculation air. The environmental control system includes an inlet configured to supply bleed air at a first energy from a source to the environmental control system, where the environmental control system supplies the bleed air at a second energy to a chamber. The environmental control system also includes an air cycle machine comprising a compressor and a turbine, where the air cycle machine receives the recirculation air from the chamber and the recirculation air is bleed air at a third energy flowing from the chamber to the air cycle machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Louis J. Bruno
  • Deicer zones with shedding-enhanced borders
    Patent number: 9849991
    Abstract: An ice protection system comprises deicing zones each including an envelope defining an ice-protection area. Adjacent envelopes have spanwise edge regions flanking shared interzone borders. The edge regions are provided with nonlinear contours having features which project-and-recess in a direction generally parallel to the airstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Galdemir Botura, Brian Burkett, Milan Mitrovic
  • Inline pressure regulating valve assembly with inlet pressure bias
    Patent number: 9849992
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first enclosed flexible pressure chamber. A first extension arm extends from a first endwall of the first enclosed flexible pressure chamber. A second enclosed flexible pressure chamber includes a second extension arm extending from a second endwall of the second enclosed flexible pressure chamber. A lever arm is disposed on a pivot. A first end of the lever arm is attached to the first extension arm and a second end of the lever arm is attached to the second extension arm. A variable restriction element is connected to the second end of the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Goodman, Zhijun Zheng, Michael D. Greenberg
  • First equipment heating device
    Patent number: 9849993
    Abstract: An aircraft provided with at least two pieces of aeronautic equipment, a first piece of equipment (25) including a part intended to be arranged at a skin (27) of the aircraft and elements for heating the part, characterized in that the heating elements include a thermodynamic loop including a closed circuit in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the closed circuit including an evaporator (14) associated with functional elements (80) of the second piece of equipment (81) of the aircraft forming a heat source giving off heat during their operation and a zone in which a condensation of the heat transfer fluid can occur in the appendage to heat it, and in that outside the evaporator (14), the circuit in which the fluid circulates is formed by a tubular channel with an empty section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Claude Sarno, Romain Hodot
  • Soft cover release mechanism for evacuation slides
    Patent number: 9849994
    Abstract: An emergency evacuation assembly may comprise an inflatable slide, a soft cover containing the inflatable slide, a lace holding the soft cover closed, a pin retaining the lace, and a pneumatic actuator configured to release the lace by pulling the pin. In various embodiments, the pneumatic actuator may include a housing, a cylinder disposed within the housing, a plunger disposed within the cylinder, a seal disposed within the cylinder, and a spring disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Schmidt, Helperus Ritzema Rautenbach
  • Aircraft nacelle comprising a spacing system which is intended to maintain the two cowls spaced apart
    Patent number: 9849995
    Abstract: An aircraft nacelle with a system to provide spacing between two halves of a cowl. The cowls open and close by rotating about an axis in the upper regions of the cowls, and the cowls have indexing features in a region of the lower edges. The indexers are in sliding contact the spacing system, which is rigidly mounted to the nacelle. The spacing system comprises a housing for receiving the indexers and two levers with features for prescribing the movement of the cowls. The spacing system further comprises an actuator and a plurality returns to assist the movement of the cowls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Florent Bonneau, Julien Lezerac
  • Engine electrical load shed control
    Patent number: 9849996
    Abstract: A method of engine electrical load shed control includes receiving an accessory load indicator corresponding to an accessory load of an engine. A request for acceleration of the engine is detected. One or more electrical buses are depowered based on the accessory load indicator exceeding a shedding threshold and detection of the request for acceleration of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John H. Judge, Nicholas D. Kefalas, Mark P. Eisenhauer, Frederick L. Bourne, Robert J. Andrejczyk, Michael Patrick Wade
  • Method for synchronising the engines of an airplane with dual intermediate state
    Patent number: 9849997
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing the engines of an airplane according to one activation logic having a deactivated state (20), an armed state (22), and one activated state (16), in which: the switching (36) of the synchronization from the armed state to the activated state is carried out via a first and then a second successive intermediate state (38, 39) of the activation logic, every instance of the activation logic switching from the second intermediate state (39) to the activated state involves the following: taking into consideration, on each engine, the activation state of the synchronization, and exchanging said data between the engines, the switching of the activation logic of one of the engines to the activated state requires that the safety and activation conditions of the other engine are all met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Safan Aircraft Engines
    Inventor: Florent Nobelen