Patents Issued in August 21, 2018
  • Patent number: 10053174
    Abstract: A method for adjustably supporting a seat back of a vehicle includes securing a vehicle engaging member to the vehicle body, the vehicle engaging member including a supporting section; and adjustably coupling a seat back receiving member to the vehicle engaging member, the seat back receiving member including (i) a base that is adjustably coupled to the supporting section, the base being alternatively positioned in a first vertical position and a second vertical position relative to the supporting section; and (ii) a receiver that is coupled to the base, the receiver being configured to receive the seat back. When the base is in the first vertical position, the seat back is at a first height relative to the vehicle seat. Additionally, when the base is in the second vertical position, the seat back is at a second height relative to the vehicle seat that is different than the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: High End Seating Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Lars Roulund
  • Patent number: 10053175
    Abstract: A bicycle lighting device includes a reflection cup in which a light collection unit and a light source and are respectively located therein. A speed detector is connected to the bicycle lighting device and a controller so as to detecting the speed of a vehicle moving toward the bicycle. The light collection unit collects brightness of the headlight of the vehicle. A pulse width modulation unit is electrically connected to the light collection unit and the light source. The pulse width modulation unit adjusts the flashing frequency of the light source according to the speed of the vehicle moving toward the bicycle lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GUAN HUNG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 10053176
    Abstract: A fuel tank of a motorcycle is disposed between a head pipe and a rider's seat. A cylindrical body forming a filler port is disposed at an upper portion of a tank main body of the fuel tank. A first mounting portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body projecting from the upper portion of the tank main body. A tank upper portion cover is mounted on the first mounting portion so as to cover an upper portion of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuji Kajio, Takeshi Kashihara, Satoshi Morotomi
  • Patent number: 10053177
    Abstract: A motorcycle is disclosed, which includes which includes a first and second saddlebag, a monitoring unit configured to monitor a tilt of the motorcycle, and a bag adjustment unit configured to lift the saddlebags when the tilt of the motorcycle exceeds a tilt threshold. A method and computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed, which facilitate various acts. These acts include facilitating a communication between a remote unit and the motorcycle, and controlling an aspect of at least one of the monitoring unit or the bag adjustment unit via the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Lawrence Garcia
  • Patent number: 10053178
    Abstract: A cycling gage assembly comprises a housing, a dial gauge face, a first antenna, a second antenna, a motor assembly a printed circuit board and a battery. The housing has a rotating bezel, a transparent cover, and a rear cover. The transparent cover structured to fit within the rotating bezel. The rotating bezel structured to fit at least partially over the rear cover. The dial gauge face has a top and a bottom and structured behind the transparent cover the dial gauge face having a first slot and a second slot, the slot. The first antenna has a portion coupled with the first slot of the dial gauge face and a portion along a bottom of the dial gauge face. The second antenna has a portion coupled with the second slot of the dial gauge face and a portion along a bottom of the dial gauge face. The motor assembly coupled with the dial gauge face. The printed circuit has a microcontroller, a Bluetooth circuit and a global positioning system (GPS) circuit. The microcontroller coupled to drive the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Omata, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Bleecker, John-Rhys Newman
  • Patent number: 10053179
    Abstract: The present invention provides a foldable electric vehicle and a foldable vehicle frame thereof, wherein the foldable electric vehicle comprises a front frame adapted for being pivotally arranged on a vehicle body of a cycle, a back frame adapted for being pivotally arranged on a vehicle body of a cycle and an actuating arm arranged between the front frame and the back frame, wherein the actuating arm forms a front end and a rear end, wherein the front frame is pivotally arranged on the front end of the actuating arm, and the back frame is pivotally arranged on the rear end of the actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Beijing Onemile Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Chunlei Xie
  • Patent number: 10053180
    Abstract: Improved suspension and steering systems for a trike may include a steering assembly including a power steering assembly coupled to a steering wheel and a front frame assembly. The front frame assembly may include a front plate coupled to a steering hub and two front suspension piston and sleeve assemblies. The front plate and steering hub may be positioned above the front tire so that front tire rotates about an axis that is substantially perpendicular with the surface of the road. This system reduces and/or eliminates problems associated with traditional steering assemblies, such as wheel flop, limited tire life, driver burden, and the like. In addition, the front suspension piston and sleeve assemblies also may be positioned substantially perpendicularly to the road surface to reduce and/or eliminate lateral forces on the trike and changes to the overall geometry of the trike during usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Tower Trikes, Inc.
    Inventor: James Gesto
  • Patent number: 10053181
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is provided with a mounting bracket, a shift unit, an attachment member and an operating member. The shift unit is disposed in the mounting bracket. The attachment member is removably attached to the mounting bracket. The operating member is movably mounted on the attachment member. The operating member is mechanically coupled to the shift unit to operate the shift unit while the attachment member is attached to the mounting bracket, and the operating member is mechanically disengaged from the shift unit while the attachment member is removed from the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Fukao, Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Patent number: 10053182
    Abstract: Cup seals are fitted to a cylinder hole of a hydraulic pressure master cylinder. A plunger is movably inserted into the cylinder hole via the cup seals. A fluid chamber is formed on an outer circumferential side of the cylinder hole and between the cup seals so as to communicate with a fluid storage chamber through a fluid communication hole. The plunger is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom and provided with a recess portion opening toward a bottom portion of the cylinder hole. A hydraulic pressure chamber is defined between the recess portion and the bottom portion. Plural communication ports are formed in a circumferential wall of the recess portion, to penetrate the circumferential wall. When the plunger is in an initial position and is in a non-operating state, the communication ports connect the hydraulic pressure chamber and the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10053183
    Abstract: In order to improve a master unit for vehicles, in particular for vehicles steered by a handlebar, comprising a housing, a master cylinder unit provided in the housing, an actuation unit for manually actuating the master cylinder unit with a push lever pivotable relative to the housing about a push lever pivot axis and with a push element transmitting a movement of the push lever to the master cylinder unit, which push element is provided on the push lever and, when the actuation unit is manually actuated, acts, via a pressure surface at a contact point, on a contact surface of the master cylinder unit, such that an optimal adaptation to the particular circumstances is possible, it is proposed that, in order to adjust a transmission ratio of the actuation unit with which the actuation unit acts on the master cylinder unit, a lever arm effective in the event of the actuation is adjustable between the contact point and the push lever pivot axis by means of an adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Ruopp
  • Patent number: 10053184
    Abstract: A bicycle motor control system, configured to control a drive motor that is provided on a bicycle, comprises a controller configured to control a drive motor that is configured to selectively output driving force in accordance with a manual drive force, and cause the drive motor to stop when a detected manual drive force, sensed by a manual drive force sensor, falls below a predetermined force threshold value, which is set in accordance with a crank angle of a crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Patent number: 10053185
    Abstract: A bicycle crankset, which is adapted to connect to a chain, includes a chainring and a crankarm. The chainring has a plurality of teeth, a plurality of connecting bores of first noncircular motion path, and a plurality of connecting bores of circular motion path. The crankarm has a plurality of connecting arms to be selected to secured to the connecting bores of first noncircular motion path or the connecting bores of circular motion path. The chainring provides a first noncircular path of motion when the connecting arms of the crankarm are secured to the connecting bores of first noncircular motion path, and chainring provides a circular path of motion when the connecting arms of the crankarm are secured to the connecting bores of circular motion path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Drivetrain Tech Solution Inc.
    Inventor: Po-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10053186
    Abstract: A plurality of sprockets which are coaxial with respect to a sprocket rotation axis, are arranged with axial spacing from each other and have different numbers of teeth which are constructed for positive-locking engagement with a bicycle chain. The pinion arrangement has a gear range quotient which is formed by division of the number of teeth of the sprocket having the largest diameter by the number of teeth of the sprocket having the smallest diameter, and has a packing density quotient which is formed by division of the number of sprockets in the sprocket arrangement by the axial spacing measured in millimeters of the axially outermost pinions from each other. The pinion arrangement may have a gear range packing coefficient, formed from the product of the gear range quotient and the packing density quotient, which is greater than 1.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Henrik Braedt, Matthias Reinbold
  • Patent number: 10053187
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first sprocket body, a plurality of first sprocket teeth, a bearing unit mounting section, and a first torque-transmitting structure. The plurality of first sprocket teeth extend radially outwardly from a first radially outer periphery of the first sprocket body with respect to a rotational center axis. The bearing unit mounting section is at least partly provided to a first radially inner periphery of the first sprocket body. The first torque-transmitting structure is configured to transmit pedaling torque to a second sprocket separately disposed adjacent to the first sprocket without another sprocket between the first sprocket and the second sprocket. The first torque-transmitting structure is provided to a first bicycle inbound facing surface and is a separate member from the second sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamada
  • Patent number: 10053188
    Abstract: A chain guide for a bicycle having may include a base frame and a height adjustment member connected to the base frame and slidable relative to the base frame and lockable in a first position by engaging a first locking member. A retaining member may be pivotally connected to the height adjustment member and may be pivotable about a pivot axis a retaining position, in which the retaining member is positioned to obstruct lateral movement of the chain away from the chainring thereby preventing lateral misalignment between the chain and the chainring, and a removal position, in which the retaining member does not obstruct lateral movement of the chain away from the base frame while the height adjustment member is locked in the first position. The pivot axis may be spaced apart from the first locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: D3 Innovation Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Staples
  • Patent number: 10053189
    Abstract: A bicycle electric front derailleur is disclosed that includes a support body that is configured to be attached to a frame of the bicycle, a chain guide connected to the support body through a linkage, an electric motor that drives the linkage to displace the chain guide among toothed wheels of a motion transmission system, and a battery power supply unit. The battery power supply unit is supported by the chain guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Paolo Pasqua
  • Patent number: 10053190
    Abstract: An article with controllable wettability includes a substrate and a layer of a composite material supported on the substrate. The layer has an exposed surface and the composite material includes particles that have controllable polarization embedded fully or partially in a matrix. A controller is operable to selectively apply a controlled variable activation energy to the layer. The controllable polarization of the particles varies responsive to the controlled variable activation energy such that a wettability of the exposed surface also varies responsive to the controlled variable activation energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: United Technologies Corporation, The University of Connecticut
    Inventors: David Ulrich Furrer, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Paul Elliott, Stephen P. Stagon, Hanchen Huang
  • Patent number: 10053191
    Abstract: A core layer suitable for a multilayer composite including at least one surface layer and one core layer, the surface layer arranged to at least partially cover the core layer and be fixedly connected thereto, wherein the core layer has elements composed of wood, which elements have plate-like regions arranged in zig-zag-shaped fashion, wherein a plate-like zig region of an element with an adjoining plate-like zag region of the element form a common edge between them, in such a way that the wood element of zig-zag-shaped form is formed, wherein elements of zig-zag-shaped form are arranged in the core layer such that two such edges of two different elements cross one another at a non-zero angle, and wherein the two elements are fixedly connected to one another at the crossing point. In one embodiment, a wood element of zig-zag-shaped form may be adhesively bonded to a planar wood element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: WOOD INNOVATIONS LTD
    Inventors: Thomas Eckstein, Achim Moeller, Hans-Joachim Danzer
  • Patent number: 10053192
    Abstract: An improved mounting device and assembled configuration for deploying a manually operated pullout shade system of the type having a tensioned roller member carrying a flexible canvas sheet and parallel tubular actuators therefor. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mounting device is disclosed for securing the manual pullout shade system onto an arching tubular overhead structure onboard a boat so that the pullout shade may be adjusted in its working attitude and maintained in proper position for deployment. The mounting device includes a set of clamp members each constructed in the form of a figure “8” with associated circular sections on each clamp member being rotatably coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: RODAN ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald K. Russikoff
  • Patent number: 10053193
    Abstract: A system for securing a watercraft to a dock includes a first sensor for automatically detecting a securing point to which to dock the watercraft, an extendable arm with a cable inside, the cable having a proximal end for mounting to the watercraft, and a grasping element mounted to a distal end of the cable and configured to reversibly engage the securing point. A method for securing a watercraft to a dock includes automatically detecting a securing point on the dock, extending an arm from the watercraft toward the securing point, wherein the arm houses a cable having a proximal end mounted to the watercraft, and reversibly engaging the securing point using a grasping element mounted to a distal end of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Ira Nachem
  • Patent number: 10053194
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an adapter for launching miniature sonobuoys from a standard sized sonobuoy launching container. The adapter includes a first cylindrical member, a second cylindrical member, and a diverter member, and is disposed within the container. The first member includes a central passage that retains a first miniature sonobuoy. The second member includes a central passage retains a second miniature sonobuoy. The second member further includes at least one channel that extends through the sidewall of the second member. The diverter member is in fluid communication with the at least one channel and the central passage of the second member. The diverter is configured to divert a first burst of air along the at least one channel to launch the first miniature sonobuoy and divert a second burst of air along the central passage of the second cylindrical member to launch the second miniature sonobuoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Majewski, Thomas Lithen, Xiaochun Fisher, Robert Eschbach
  • Patent number: 10053195
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a boom assembly attached to a side of a parent ship, for capturing and refueling smaller vessels at a safe distance from the parent ship to enable refueling while the parent ship is travelling at about 5 to about 8 knots. The boom assembly includes a first boom segment and a second boom segment pivotally connected to each other, with the second boom segment connected to an upright pivotable post. The boom assembly includes a vessel capturing device for capturing the smaller vessels. The boom assembly may be adjusted to a stowage configuration and an operational configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert J. Galway
  • Patent number: 10053196
    Abstract: Embodiments include a retrofit pontoon system including a pontoon, the pontoon having a pontoon body defining a first cavity, a retrofit assembly, the retrofit assembly including a first lateral tube, wherein the first lateral tube is sized to pass through a first aperture formed in the pontoon body and a selectively fillable container, where the first lateral tube is operably coupled with the selectively fillable container, a main tube, where the main tube is fluidly coupled with the first lateral tube, and a pump, the pump being coupled with the main tube such that operation of the pump selectively fills and drains water from the selectively fillable container, where filling the selectively fillable container lowers the profile of the pontoon in the water and emptying the selectively fillable container raises the profile of the pontoon in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Lawrence Donald Sporing
  • Patent number: 10053197
    Abstract: A pair of rowing devices is installed on respective port (left) and starboard (right) sides of a watercraft such as a rowboat, kayak or canoe. Unlike in conventional rowing the operator sits forward facing the bow (front). By pulling the inboard portion of the oars towards the stern (back) while the blade is in the water, the watercraft is propelled forward. The system described herein reverses the direction of the blades motion through the water using a gearbox. The gearbox also allows for feathering of the paddles, that is, changing the angle of the paddle in relation to the water. This is done by turning the handle throughout the movement of the oars as done with traditional oars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Chris Wencloff
  • Patent number: 10053198
    Abstract: A lug track system for crawfish boats approximately 8 feet wide and 14-feet long for the use of guiding a boat along a shallow water track system thereby replacing a steel lug wheel on an existing crawfish boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Alcee John Thibodeaux
  • Patent number: 10053199
    Abstract: A multi-purpose personal watercraft for deployment in different configurations as desired by a user. The multi-purpose personal watercraft comprises a base frame which forms a watercraft base which includes side extensions, an aft floor board, and a bow portion, as well as two opposing mirror image side floats with which the base frame is selectively integrated. When in place, the opposing side floats form the multi-purpose personal watercraft's U shaped hull and enable the selective attachment of a rudder assembly behind the multi-purpose personal watercraft's stern. With respect to propulsion, base frame is configured to enable the selective deployment of pedal propellers, a user's legs, or a trolling motor. A dual steering system enables the control of up to two discrete steering mechanisms from a single position on the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Robin Smith
  • Patent number: 10053200
    Abstract: A universal boat propulsion system is provided for a boat that is defined in a length direction, a width direction, and a depth direction. The universal boat propulsion system includes a support assembly that spans the boat in the width direction, a clamping assembly that secures the support assembly on the boat, and a pair of shafts coupled to respective opposite ends of the support assembly. Each shaft in the pair of shafts extends in a depth direction. A pair of propulsion devices produce thrust to propel the boat. Each propulsion device in the pair of propulsion devices is supported by a respective one of the shafts. A user input device controls operation of the pair of propulsion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan D. Koetsier, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 10053201
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and an apparatus in an electric propulsion arrangement of a sailing vessel, wherein the sailing vessel has a traction device provided with an electric motor and with a propeller mechanism, the electric motor of traction device is arranged to be used, if necessary, in forward drive and reverse drive as well as during sailing as a generator for charging the accumulators of the sailing vessel. The propeller mechanism comprises a propeller hub with blades, a hollow propeller shaft fixed at its first end to the propeller hub, a shaft controlling the pitch angles of the propeller blades, said control shaft rotating inside the propeller shaft, and a servomotor rotating the control shaft. The servomotor is fixed to the second end of the propeller shaft to be rotatable along with the propeller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SERVOPROP OY
    Inventor: Kari Marttila
  • Patent number: 10053202
    Abstract: A marine electric power steering system includes an actuator assembly, a power steering module, and a cable assembly. The actuator assembly includes an actuator assembly input and an actuator assembly output. The actuator assembly input is operatively coupled to a steering shaft. The power steering module includes a power steering module input that is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly output and a power steering module output. The cable assembly is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly output and the power steering module input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Weber, Matthew R. Burk, Andrew E. Maschke
  • Patent number: 10053203
    Abstract: A composite stiffener is provided with an integral conductive element extending longitudinally through an entire length of the composite stiffener to form a portion of an electrical ground/return system in a composite structure. The integral conductive element provides both structural strength and conductivity, and may be formed from graphite nanotube filaments, carbon nanofibers or nanoparticles, or a metallic filler material. The integral conductive element is disposed in a terminal portion of the composite stiffener and may include a terminal tab for connecting to the ground/return system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter Holemans, Matthew Stauffer
  • Patent number: 10053204
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a height of a ceiling panel in an aircraft and a corresponding method is disclosed. The system includes an arm and at least one ceiling support latch, wherein each of the at least one ceiling support latches is attached to the arm. The system further includes an adjustable fitting attached to the arm, wherein the adjustable fitting includes (i) a first sliding block attached to the arm, (ii) a second sliding block attached to a support structure, and (iii) an adjustment screw. Adjustment of the adjustment screw forces the first and second sliding blocks to move relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Timothy Todd King, Kenneth G. Davis, Matthew R. Thomas, Mark J. Nadvornick, James R. McCune, Jason W. Mullins
  • Patent number: 10053205
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead comprises a plurality of material plies arranged one above the other, wherein each material ply contains reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix material. The reinforcing fibers, in at least one first material ply are oriented in such a manner that their longitudinal axes lie in an angle range of ±2° about a radial direction of the pressure bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Claas De Jong, Markus Mueller, Karim Grase, Matthias Jessrang, Thomas Konsolke, Lars Fiedler, Jelle Bloemhof
  • Patent number: 10053206
    Abstract: A rigid polymer porous material sheet is produced by feeding a slurry of polymer mixture comprising ultrafine polyvinylchloride particle, non-phthalate plasticizer, foaming agent and thermal stabilizer, polymer chips, fillers and fire retardant chemicals into a heated mold and pressing the mixture with high applied pressure. The temperature of the mold is below 190° C. to soften the polymer mixture and decompose the foaming agent forming the closed cell polyvinylchloride foam with 10 to 40% density with closed air cells. The thermal resistance of the rigid polymer porous sheet and sound attenuation properties are significantly improved. The rigid polymer porous sheet can be bent at sharp angles without crack formation facilitating its use as wall boards. The sheets produced may be embossed or molded to produce decoration boards, advertising boards, cabinet doors and furniture with decorative features. They can also be used in aeronautical applications as acoustic thermal insulation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Michael A. Pero, III
  • Patent number: 10053207
    Abstract: A fairing system for a rotary wing aircraft is provided including a shaft fairing mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation. A de-rotation system contained with the shaft fairing includes a toroidal continuously variable transmission configured to control the rotation of the shaft fairing about the first axis of rotation. A position control system includes at least one position sensor and a controller. The at least one position sensor is configured to monitor a position of the shaft fairing relative to the first axis of rotation. The controller is operably coupled to the at least one position sensor and the de-rotation system. The controller is configured to adjust a gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission in response to a sensed position of the shaft fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: John C. Cox
  • Patent number: 10053208
    Abstract: Ground effect acting on an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, may be simulated by discharging a gas around propeller blades of the aerial vehicle while the propeller blades are rotating. For example, a gas, such as air, may be discharged at or near the tip of the propeller blades with enough velocity to disrupt the airflow around the blade tips, thereby altering the sound generated by rotation of the propeller blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Allan Ko
  • Patent number: 10053209
    Abstract: An improved winglet design is presented for aircraft wherein the winglet configuration is well suited for aircraft wings having moderate to no aft swept, or wings having forward swept. The winglets (302) are located at the outer end of each wing (300) and curve upwardly as they extend outwardly from their intersection (304) with the wings (300). The curvature profile (303) of the winglets (302) when viewed from the rear (or front) of the aircraft at least approximates a specified curve profile made up of more than one curved section, e.g. the winglet trailing edge profile (305) having a perpendicular projection onto a plane normal to the winglet inner or root chord (342), said projection creating a winglet profile curve approximating a compound curve composed of two arc segment (306, 307).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Aerostar Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen R. Speer
  • Patent number: 10053210
    Abstract: An aircraft undercarriage comprising a telescopic linear rod (0, 0?, 0?) comprising first and second sliding rod portions. The undercarriage further comprises: a first permanent magnet set (1a, 1a?, 1a?) fastened to the first rod portion (1, 1?, 1?); and a second permanent magnet set (2a, 2a?, 2a?) fastened to the second rod portion (2, 2?, 2?); the first and second permanent magnet sets (1a, 1a?, 1a?, 2a, 2a?, 2a?) generating a magnetic repulsion force between the first rod portion (1, 1?, 1?) and the second rod portion (2, 2?, 2?) and maintaining a first annular space (E1) between the first rod portion and the second rod portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MESSIER-BUGATTI-DOWTY
    Inventor: Carlo Necci
  • Patent number: 10053211
    Abstract: An active landing gear damping system and method for decelerating a vehicle during a terrain impact event, such as an aircraft landing or crash. The system monitors aircraft state data and terrain information to predict an impact of the vehicle with the terrain. The system can then determine a target damper force for each landing gear of the vehicle and a predicted damper velocity at the time of impact. Each landing gear can include an adjustable damper valve, wherein adjustment of the damper valves varies the damping coefficient of the respective dampers. The system can adjust valves of the respective dampers to provide the target force based on the predicted damper velocity. After an impact begins, the system can continuously monitor and adjust the valve to maintain the target force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Terrence S. Birchette, Akif O. Bolukbasi
  • Patent number: 10053212
    Abstract: A coaxial, dual rotor system includes a first rotor assembly located at a rotor axis and rotatable thereabout and a second rotor assembly located at the rotor axis radially inboard of the first rotor assembly and rotatable thereabout. A rotationally fixed static mast is located radially between the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly. A transmission includes a rotor input shaft including a first sun gear and a second sun gear. A star gear arrangement is operably connected to the first sun gear and to the static mast to drive rotation of the first rotor assembly about the rotor axis and a planetary gear arrangement is operably connected to the second sun gear and to the static mast to drive rotation of the second rotor assembly about the rotor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10053213
    Abstract: A multi-copter lift body aircraft has a push or pull propeller and a lift body that has a first airfoil shape on a front to rear cross-section and a second airfoil shape on a left to right cross-section. The lift body is made from a top shell and a bottom shell. The lift body has a nose and a tail. Multi-copter propellers are attached to the lift body. The multi-copter propellers provide a lift at low speeds and the lift body provides a lift at high speeds. Avionics can be stored in a hollow cavity of the lift body. The avionics may include a control circuit, batteries, and a radio receiver. The multi-copter has a lift body made from an upper shell and a lower shell. The lift body has an optimum attack angle at a cruising speed, and the lift body provides a combined lift mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Pinnacle Vista, LLC
    Inventor: Haofeng Tu
  • Patent number: 10053214
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a layer material configured to be arranged on a rotor blade tip of a helicopter comprises at least one light emitting or reflecting section that emits or reflects light after being exposed to a remote light source. The light source can be arranged on the body of the helicopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Schoen, Andre Hessling-Von Heimendahl
  • Patent number: 10053215
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic on-blade actuation system includes a pair of linear motors, a pair of flexible bladders and a pair of hydraulic units. Each linear motor outputs linear force in response to input. The pair of flexible bladders attach to opposite sides of a rotorcraft blade. Each hydraulic unit connects a linear motor to a flexible bladder to hydraulically transmit the linear force of the linear motor to the flexible bladder to actuate the rotorcraft blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Troy Schank
  • Patent number: 10053216
    Abstract: A tethered passive wing system for the conversion of flow energy into electric energy which exhibits optimized aerodynamic and mechanical properties for reliable and efficient operation and is only connected through one or more tensile elements to a converter unit and comprises an optimized combination of rigid, non-flexural structural elements such as, for example, beams and shell structures and flexible fabric structures, such as, for example, membranes, films, laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: ENERKITE GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Bormann, Stefan Skutnik, Christian Gebhardt, Maximilian Ranneberg
  • Patent number: 10053217
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to the present invention includes a housing mounted on a vehicle and having an inner space, the housing provided with a launching unit, an unmanned aerial vehicle accommodated in the housing and configured to be launched from the housing when a driving state of the vehicle meets a preset condition, wing units mounted to the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to allow the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle in response to the launch from the housing, an output unit disposed on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a controller configured to control the wing units to move the unmanned aerial vehicle to a position set based on information related to the driving state when the unmanned aerial vehicle is launched, and control the output unit to output warning information related to the driving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Taehoon Cho, Choonghwan Shin
  • Patent number: 10053218
    Abstract: A system for positioning an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided including a position reference system including an electromagnetic radiation transmitter configured to modulate a transmission signal to encode location information associated with a coordinate system relative to the electromagnetic radiation transmitter. The system further includes an unmanned aerial vehicle including at least one control device configured to control a position of the unmanned aerial vehicle and an electromagnetic radiation receiver configured to receive the transmission signal. The unmanned aerial vehicle further includes a control system configured to control the at least one control device based at least in part on the location information received by the electromagnetic radiation receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Steven Feldmann, Michael Joseph Dell'Anno, Mauricio Castillo-Effen, James Gerard Lopez, Frank Saggio, III, William J. Berendsen
  • Patent number: 10053219
    Abstract: A displacement system for an airplane seat comprising a sitting portion, a backrest and a legrest, the displacement system comprising a support structure, a sitting portion structure connected to the support structure on a first plane (?), and a kinematic mechanism for displacement acts on at least the sitting portion structure to pass between a first sitting configuration and at least a second cradle configuration and vice versa, a surface of the sitting portion comprising at least a first back portion lying on the first plane (?), and a second front portion lying on a second plane (?), the portions being constrained in rotation with each other in passage between the first configuration to the second configuration, and vice versa, the kinematic mechanism for displacement being configured to act on the second portion so that, in different configurations, the second portion is inclined at different angles with respect to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: OPTIMARES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Braca, Alessio Morsicani, Andrea Giordano
  • Patent number: 10053220
    Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system, powered solely using electrical energy, to draw bleed air from outside the aircraft and deliver conditioned air to the aircraft's interior, includes at most three motorized rotary machines, which include: independent first and second motorized turbocompressors, each turbocompressor includes a turbine compressor and an electric motor; and a motor compressor interconnected between the turbocompressors via an interconnection pipe. The motor compressor: generates a primary air flow, which drives a secondary air flow, allowing a breathing air flow to be cooled in a first operation phase, corresponding to a ground operation or at relatively low altitude and relatively low aircraft speed; be at shutdown or at low idle in a second phase of operation at relatively low altitude and relatively high aircraft speed; and, provide a top up breathing air flow in a third phase of operation at relatively high altitude and relatively high aircraft speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-AEROSPACE TOULOUSE SAS
    Inventors: Guillaume Galzin, Vincent Gomez
  • Patent number: 10053221
    Abstract: A multi-staged suspension line length parachute is provided. The parachute may comprise a canopy, a suspension line, a bundle, a bundling confluence, a traditional confluence, and a riser. The parachute may also comprise a cutter and a cutter pin puller configured to activate the cutter. The bundle may comprise a bundling line configured to secure secondary length from the suspension line. The parachute may deploy to a first length. In response to tension on the cutter pin puller, the cutter may activate to sever the bundling line in the bundle, causing the secondary length of the suspension line to release. The parachute may then deploy to a second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Mastrolia, Kassidy L. Carson
  • Patent number: 10053222
    Abstract: An air vehicle power and thermal management system includes an aircraft controller structured to distribute power provided by a gas turbine engine between a cooling system and an electrically powered load. The controller is configured to direct the power to create a first duration cooling power to the cooling system to cool the engine fuel cooling medium over a first power time period. The controller is configured to shift the power to reduce the first duration cooling power to create a load electrical power to drive the electrically powered load over a second power time period. By operation of the controller to shift the power from the first duration cooling power to the load electrical power a second duration cooling power is provided to the cooling system to cool the electrically powered load using the engine fuel cooling medium that was cooled during the first power time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10053223
    Abstract: A control system for an aircraft refueling boom controls the movements of the boom in certain areas in a total field of movement volume of possible boom movements based on the location of the boom in the total field of movement volume and based on the current rate of movement of the boom in the total field of movement volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kimberly Hinson, Jung Soon Jang, Richard Golob, Justin Cleve Hatcher, Jeffrey Lee Musgrave