Patents Issued in January 22, 2019
  • Patent number: 10183703
    Abstract: A mud flap assembly includes a flexible elongated spine to which protective scales are permanently or removable attached in a spaced apart array with an overlapping configuration. An attachment, such as an adhesive, magnets, or weatherstrip is fixed to the spine. The attachment secures the spine to a flange or edge of a fender of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Jaeger Brothers Automotive Accessories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Jaeger, Jonathan Jaeger
  • Patent number: 10183704
    Abstract: A vehicle body has a side sill, which has an upper wall and a lower wall, and a floor plate. The side sill and the floor plate are connected to each other. The side sill has a hollow profile, and the floor plate is designed such as to overlap the upper wall and/or the lower wall of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jyrki Majamaeki
  • Patent number: 10183705
    Abstract: In a lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which comprises a suspension cross member, a side member, and first and second reinforcing members which are provided in a closed cross section formed by the side member and a slant portion, the suspension cross member being fixed by fastening a bolt which is inserted through the suspension cross member to a weld nut which is vertically fixed to a bottom plate portion of the side member, the first reinforcing member is joined to a front-side semicircular portion of a peripheral portion of the weld nut and the second reinforcing member is joined to a rear-side semicircular portion of the peripheral portion of the weld nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Narahara, Masaya Nishimoto, Takahiro Aonuma, Kazuto Ishii, Ken Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10183706
    Abstract: A node for interconnecting frame members of a frame, the node including a single piece node body. A plurality of cup-shaped node connectors are disposed on the node body. Each of the plurality of node connectors include a closed end attached to the node body and an open end opposite the closed end and extending away from the node body. A sidewall extends between and connects the closed end to the open end. A tenon is formed on the open end. The tenon is shaped and sized to fit within a frame member. A transition is formed between the sidewall and the tenon defining a peripheral, radially outwardly facing groove in cooperation with the frame member, the groove shaped and sized to receive a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tad Miller, Arun L. Gain, Stan Eads
  • Patent number: 10183707
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relate to a device and system that include an outdoor power equipment power unit or cart configured to releasably couple a number of different interchangeable attachments or work implements to a common power unit, where some attachments include and/or require operator presence control, while other attachments do not include and/or require operator presence control. The outdoor power equipment power unit includes a power transfer coupling member operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to transfer rotational power to the associated attachment; and an operator presence actuation member operatively coupled to the operator presence control member, the operator presence actuation member configured to rotate in response to user actuation of the operator presence control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INC
    Inventors: Jason R. Ertel, Paul Stephens, Robert Allen, Bill Rabbitt
  • Patent number: 10183708
    Abstract: A vehicle has first and second parts with at least one road wheel. The first part pivotally connects to a connecting member at two spaced apart points to pivot about a first axis relative and the second part pivotally connects to the connecting member at two spaced apart points 18 to pivot about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the second axis, intersecting at a pivot point. A first drive shaft rotatably mounts to the first part and extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first part, a second drive shaft rotatably mounts to the second part and extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second part. The first and second drive shafts connect by a universal joint so that the two shafts to pivot relative to each other about the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Ronald Samuel Blackhurst
  • Patent number: 10183709
    Abstract: A crawler with a wear limit indicator comprises a crawler main body, sprocket holes formed to pass through a central portion of the crawler main body at equal intervals, core metals configured to be inserted and installed in-between the sprocket holes, left lugs configured to protrude from one surface of the crawler main body and simultaneously overlap with the sprocket holes and one of the core metals, right lugs configured to protrude from the other surface of the crawler main body and simultaneously overlap a pair of adjacent core metals, and a wear limit indicator configured to protrude from front and rear surfaces of the left lugs and the right lugs and inform that a replacement time for a crawler has come when worn-out surfaces of the left lugs and the right lugs are placed on the same horizontal plane as the wear limit indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: TR BELTRACK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Woojeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10183710
    Abstract: Combination of a drive wheel and a gearbox for a continuous track system, the gearbox (1) comprising an annular input member (2) for connection to an end part (14) of a drive axle input member (16) and an annular output member (4) connected to the drive wheel (3), the annular input member (2) and annular output member (4) being coaxially arranged with respect to a longitudinal axis (6) of the gearbox (1). The combination further comprises an annular transmission unit (8) coaxially arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis (6) of the gearbox (1) and connecting the annular input member (2) and annular output member (4) through a gear ratio (R) of less than one, the gear ratio (R) being a ratio of an angular input velocity of the annular input member (2) to an angular output velocity of the annular output member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZUIDBERG TECHNIEK HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Jeroen Emiel Zuidberg
  • Patent number: 10183711
    Abstract: The present invention provides an amphibious caterpillar track shoe, which has a novel structure and has greater buoyancy while increasing the durability of the track shoe by means of a foam buoyant member and a fixing frame, and has webbed protruding parts capable of improving the movement speed of a track vehicle on water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Chung Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 10183712
    Abstract: Provided is a walking control method enabling stable walking operation to be realized, a walking control program and a biped walking robot. A walking control method includes, during walking operation of a biped walking robot having a position of center of gravity being adjusted at a predetermined reference angle that enables the robot to be upright, a step of acquiring information indicative of an inclination angle of an upper body relative to the reference angle, and a step of operating, with one of a first leg and a second leg not being grounded due to the walking operation, the first leg and the second leg such that the upper body is maintained within a predetermined angle range relative to the reference angle according to the inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10183713
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame and an electronic security device. The frame includes a hollow space and at least one opening. The hollow space is configured within the frame. The at least one opening is configured in the frame and the at least one opening is connected to the hollow space. The electronic security device is configured such that it is accommodated within the hollow space of the frame. The electronic security device includes a retractable locking shackle configured to assume a locked position and a retracted position by moving through the at least one opening configured in the frame. The locked position of the retractable locking shackle restricts a movement of a wheel of the bicycle and the retracted position enables free movement of the wheel of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: LINKA GROUP LTD.
    Inventor: Mohamed Mohamed
  • Patent number: 10183714
    Abstract: A control pad system for a motorcycle has a substantially U-shaped saddle-like unit having a horizontally-disposed upper portion adapted to engage a frame of a motorcycle beneath a seat of the motorcycle, with downward-extending first and second opposite side portions, disposed on each side of the motorcycle frame with the upper portion engaged to the motorcycle frame, and two control pads fashioned from resilient rubber-like material, each having a length, a height and a thickness, one each of the control pads mounted to each of the first and second opposite side portions, such that an outer surface of each control pad is presented outwardly from the motorcycle frame on each side portion. The control pads are positioned in a manner to enable the rider to grip the control pads between the knees, constraining the rider's position forward and rearward on the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MX Control Tech
    Inventor: James Lee Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10183715
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support element for the human body, including a padding component and a base component or body, the base component including an upper, in use, surface, as well as a lower, in use, surface, the padding component includes an upper, in use, surface, and a lower, in use, surface designed to engage the upper, in use, surface of the base component, the support element including removable anchoring means of the base component to the padding component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Selle Royal S.P.A.
    Inventors: Barbara Bigolin, Claudio Checchin, Marco Malfatti
  • Patent number: 10183716
    Abstract: A seat connecting device includes a first base unit for coupling with a bicycle seat and a second base unit. The first base unit includes an extension having a first end portion with first teeth and a connecting portion. The second base unit includes a body and a connecting member. The body includes a second end portion with second teeth and a sliding groove extending through the second end portion. The connecting member extends through the sliding groove and is detachably connected to the connecting portion. The connecting member selectively presses against a side of the second end portion distant to the second teeth. The second teeth disengageably engages with the first teeth. A water bottle holder can be mounted to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Patent number: 10183717
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame, and an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members. Additionally, the two-wheeled vehicle includes an upper and lower fairing assembly that cooperate together to define wind flow around the vehicle. The vehicle may include a trunk to support cargo therein when the vehicle is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Holt, John M. Nutter
  • Patent number: 10183718
    Abstract: This design incorporates four separate modules which are bolted together in this succession: a welded, structural single-unit steering tube/downtube module; independent, twin, front-to-rear horizontal frame rails which serve as the support for the rider to stand; a welded, structural single-unit module to mount shock absorbers and a swingarm; and, a welded swingarm. The defined space between the twin frame rails and the two adjoining modules can be modified by altering the length of the frame rails and/or using spacers between each rail and its corresponding module at the bolt-on location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Greg Privitelli
  • Patent number: 10183719
    Abstract: A passenger trailer apparatus for towing a passenger behind a mobility scooter is provided. The mobility scooter has a tow bar or hitch. The passenger trailer apparatus comprises a trailer frame and an axle mounted to and through the trailer frame. A tire is rotatably, releasably mounted to each end of the axle. The platform has a top surface and a bottom surface with the bottom surface of the platform mounted to the trailer frame. A chair assembly is mounted to the top surface of the platform with the chair assembly sized and shaped for receiving a passenger. A receiver bar having a first end and a second end is provided. The first end of the receiver bar is connected to the platform and the second end of the receiver bar capable of being releasably connected to the tow bar or hitch of the mobility scooter. The passenger trailer apparatus provides secure, reliable performance, quick assembly and breakdown, and easy transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: David McManus
  • Patent number: 10183720
    Abstract: An engine support structure for a saddled vehicle inhibits transmission of engine vibration to a vehicle body frame and keeps rigidity of the vehicle body frame. The engine support structure for a saddled vehicle includes a pair of mounted portions (21) provided integrally with an engine (E) and disposed at lateral ends in a vehicle width direction of the engine (E), a pair of engine supporting brackets (27) disposed at lateral ends in the vehicle width direction of a vehicle body frame (1) and extending to the mounted portions (21), respectively, and engine mounting portions (31) provided at the brackets (27), respectively, in which each of the mounted portions (21) is mounted to a corresponding one of the engine mounting portions (31) with at least one damper member (51) provided therebetween to be independently elastically displaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shiken Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10183721
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a mounting bracket, a hydraulic unit and a shift unit. The mounting bracket includes a handlebar clamp defining a handlebar mounting axis. The hydraulic unit is provided on the mounting bracket and includes a cylinder housing defining a cylinder bore, a hydraulic reservoir and a piston. The hydraulic reservoir is fluidly connected to the cylinder bore. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore along a cylinder axis of the cylinder bore. The shift unit is provided on the mounting bracket and includes a wire take-up member pivotable about a take-up axis. The wire take-up member of the shift unit and the hydraulic reservoir are disposed between the handlebar mounting axis and the cylinder axis as viewed along a first direction parallel to the take-up axis of the wire take-up member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO COMPONENTS (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Chee Keong Ng, Sui Cheng Ng
  • Patent number: 10183722
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for adaption of a front fork of a motorcycle. In one example, an adapter includes a slot extending inward from a proximal end of the adapter; axle openings on opposite sides of the adapter; and access openings extending inward from a distal end of the adapter to the slot. The slot can be configured to align with an end of a fork leg assembly of a motorcycle and the axle openings can be configured to align with an axle channel of the fork leg assembly. The access openings can provide access to fasteners of the fork leg assembly. In another example, a method includes positioning an adapter on the end of the fork leg assembly, inserting an axle into an axle channel through axle openings of the adapter, and securing the end cap onto the axle using fasteners accessible through openings of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventors: Misty Michelle McNeeley, Dennis Eugene McNeeley
  • Patent number: 10183723
    Abstract: A bicycle control device for use with a road bicycle includes a hydraulic brake control device and a shift control device. The brake and shift control devices are disposed within a housing. The brake control device includes a master cylinder arranged in the housing. A piston assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within the master cylinder. A brake lever is operatively coupled to the piston such that the brake lever pulls the piston from a rest position to an actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Swanson, Mark Santurbane
  • Patent number: 10183724
    Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic operating system is basically provided with a first base member, a piston, a first operating member, a second base member and a second operating member. The first base member includes a first bicycle fixing structure and a hydraulic cylinder defining a cylinder bore. The piston is movably disposed in the cylinder bore of the first base member. The first operating member is movably mounted to the first base member. The first operating member is operatively coupled to the piston to move the piston in the cylinder bore of the first base member. The second base member includes a second bicycle fixing structure. The second operating member is movably mounted to the second base member. The second operating member is operatively coupled to the piston to move the piston in the cylinder bore of the first base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Nobukatsu Hara, Kenji Kamada, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 10183725
    Abstract: A power-driving motor for power-driving bike is provided, of which the length is obviously larger than its width. A rotor of the power-driving motor is provided at the outside of the stator so as to make the distance from the rotor to the motor spindle increase; namely, a torque increases and then an arm increases, thereby, making the motor spindle supply a higher output torque to the connected driving unit when the rotor rotates. The motor, based on the length of a conventional power-driving motor, may supply a higher output torque to solve the defect of a conventional motor implemented with an inner rotor of which the output torque is insufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: X'POLE PRECISION TOOLS INC.
    Inventor: Bach Pangho Chen
  • Patent number: 10183726
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus that attaches to a hull of a boat to disrupt water flow around the hull such that a wake created behind the boat is larger, differently positioned, and/or differently shaped. The apparatus includes a base and a blade. The blade is equipped with a mount structure that attaches the base to the blade. The blade can be reversibly mountable to the base such that either face of the blade faces a desired direction. The apparatus provides tool-free adjustment between a first configuration in which the base is mounted to the blade and a second configuration in which the base and the blade are separated. In some embodiments, the apparatus is removably attached to the hull by one or more suction cups. Additionally, the apparatus can be inflatable. The invention further provides a deployable lanyard assembly and a splash deflector for use with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: McNaughton Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick James McNaughton
  • Patent number: 10183727
    Abstract: In an offshore system having a floating vessel, a turret within a hull opening, and a bearing assembly including a support row assembly axially transferring the weight of the turret to the vessel and allowing the vessel to weather vane about the turret, a method and arrangement for in situ remediation of a damaged support row assembly. An outer upper ring is removed from an outer lower ring and a support ring is installed on the outer lower ring. A lower race and support rollers of a remedial support row assembly are installed on the support ring. A reaction ring is positioned above the support ring and connected to an inner ring secured to the turret. The inner ring is axially displaced relative to the outer lower ring and the turret axial loading is transferred to the remedial support row assembly between the support ring and the reaction ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SOFEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Lindblade, Miles A. Hobdy, David M. Seaman
  • Patent number: 10183728
    Abstract: A method for conversion of a Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) to an FLNG vessel for offshore stranded gas reservoirs and at-shore or near-shore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Kwangho Shin
  • Patent number: 10183729
    Abstract: The invention notably relates to a water surface autonomous vessel having a hull and configured to be connected, through a lead-in cable having a negative buoyancy, to an end of a seismic cable having a neutral buoyancy and adapted for midwater data acquisition, wherein the water surface autonomous vessel comprises a winch for varying the deployed length of the lead-in cable, and the hull of the autonomous vessel forms a conduct at the back of the autonomous vessel in the direction of deployment of the lead-in cable. This provides an improved solution for seismic prospecting in aquatic mediums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KIETTA
    Inventors: Luc Haumonte, Laurent Velay
  • Patent number: 10183730
    Abstract: A floating hydrocarbon processing/storage structure with a first and second assembly, each including a hull having side walls, one or more storage tanks and a deck structure, a connection structure interconnecting the hulls, processing equipment situated on the deck structures, at least one riser connected to a subsea hydrocarbon well and to the processing equipment and/or storage tanks, with a mooring system connecting the processing/storage structure to the sea bed, each hull including a hull deck structure bridging the side walls, the connection structure including a central deck extending at or near the height of the hull deck structures along at least 70% of the length of the hulls, the central deck supporting at least one of: risers vertically extending from the central deck between the hulls to the sea bed, fluid ducts horizontally supported on the central deck, and at least one drilling/work-over rig or crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS INC.
    Inventors: Theodorus Johannes Bernardus Brinkel, Willem Cornelis Van Wijngaarden
  • Patent number: 10183731
    Abstract: Dive computers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a mobile phone handset, including a microprocessor, a microphone connected to the microprocessor, a speaker connected to the microprocessor, a telephone transceiver connected to the microprocessor, memory, a display, and an external connector for communicating with external devices wherein the memory contains a software application, and a waterproof housing including a pressure transducer, where the mobile phone handset is located within the waterproof housing and connected to the pressure transducer via the external connector, and wherein the software application configures the mobile phone handset to create a dive log stored in memory, wherein the dive log comprises recorded information including depth of submersion information recorded from the pressure transducer and display the recorded information during the dive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Pelagic Pressure Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Robert R. Hollis, John E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10183732
    Abstract: Optical detectors and methods of optical detection for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are disclosed. The disclosed optical detectors and may be used to dynamically position UUVs in both static-dynamic systems (e.g., a fixed light source as a guiding beacon and a UUV) and dynamic-dynamic systems (e.g., a moving light source mounted on the crest of a leader UUV and a follower UUV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: University of New Hamphire
    Inventors: Barbaros Celikkol, Firat Eren, Shachak Pe'eri, Yuri Rzhanov, M. Robinson Swift, May-Win Thein
  • Patent number: 10183733
    Abstract: The purpose is to provide a program, method and device for controlling a movable body (e.g., single-propeller single-rudder ship) to move the movable body while keeping it orientated in a given direction. A controlling module may cause the movable body to stay at a fixed point position by controlling a thrust generator and a moving direction adjustor to orient the movable body to a direction of a disturbance estimated by a disturbance direction estimating module so that the movable body is not drifted by the disturbance. Every time the changing module sequentially changes the fixed point position, the controlling module may move the movable body to the changed fixed point position. Thus, the control device of the movable body of this disclosure may sequentially move the movable body while keeping it oriented to the direction of the disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kishimoto, Hitoshi Maeno, Masashi Imasaka
  • Patent number: 10183734
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a support structure, an outer skin coupled to the support structure, and a port that defines a break in the support structure and extends through the outer skin. The aircraft also includes a receptacle coupled to portions of the support structure proximate the port, such that the receptacle routes at least a portion of the load borne by the support structure around the break defined by the port. The receptacle includes an opening defined therein. The aircraft further includes a removable payload assembly coupled within the receptacle opening, and a pressure ring configured to form a seal between an inner surface of the receptacle and an outer surface of the payload assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Georgian Aerospace LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Scimone, Richard Vollmar, Joel Simansky, Jason Henke
  • Patent number: 10183735
    Abstract: A window frame assembly for an aircraft, includes a window frame of composite material, adapted for attachment in a window opening of an aircraft, having an outer flange with an exterior surface and an interior surface, a metal erosion shield attached to the exterior surface of the outer flange, and a polymer adapter ring, attached to the interior surface of the outer flange. The window frame has a substantially constant thickness, and the erosion shield has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape. The adapter ring has a sloped engagement surface configured for supporting a window pane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: David E. Gideon, Ian E. Schroeder, Kristin L. Hall, Kin M. Ng, Megan C. Kinney, Greg M. Reyneke, Randall D. Wilkerson, Richard R. Rosman, Aaron W. Bartel
  • Patent number: 10183736
    Abstract: Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Doty, Richard W. Burns, Alan Jon Jacobsen, Sophia Shu Yang
  • Patent number: 10183737
    Abstract: A high lift system for an aircraft includes at least one lift flap arranged on a wing forming a gap between a leading edge of the wing and a trailing edge of the lift flap in an extended position of the lift flap, and at least one flap adjustment mechanism for moving the lift flap between a retracted and at least one extended position relative to the wing. The wing includes a depression with a leading depression edge for accommodating the lift flap in a retracted position, and arranged in such an area of the wing that a correspondingly formed trailing edge region of the lift flap includes a curvature, by which the gap between the leading edge of the wing and trailing edge of the lift flap is convergent. A convergent and improved gap increases the efficiency of a high lift system without any active or movable means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Karsten Schröder
  • Patent number: 10183738
    Abstract: A control augmentation system for high aspect ratio aircraft has aileron/flaperon and throttle position sensors; spoiler and flap controls; a mode switch with manual, and landing modes; and a controller driving left and right spoiler and flap servos, the controller including at least one processor with memory containing firmware configured to: when the mode switch is in manual mode, drive both spoiler servos to a symmetrical position according to the spoiler control; when the mode switch is in landing mode, drive the left spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, and the right spoiler to a position dependent on aileron and throttle position, the left and right spoiler positions differing whenever ailerons are not centered, and an average of spoiler positions is more fully deployed when the throttle position is at a low-power setting than when the throttle position is at a high-power setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Marc Arnold
  • Patent number: 10183739
    Abstract: An actuator device includes a first and second actuators. The actuator device comprises a control system that is configured to switch the first actuator to a standby state and switch the second actuator to an active state in response to a first condition set wherein a hydraulic value in a first hydraulic system is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value and a second hydraulic value in a second hydraulic system is equal to or more than the predetermined second threshold value; and in response to a second condition set wherein the first hydraulic value is equal to or less than the predetermined first threshold value, the second hydraulic value is less than the predetermined second threshold value, and a difference between a current position and target position of a cylinder of the first actuator is equal to or more than a predetermined third threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Hara
  • Patent number: 10183740
    Abstract: An aircraft with a fuselage, wings, horizontal stabilizers and a vertical stabilizer, wherein on a front portion of the vertical stabilizer an elongated one-piece nose element is mounted which forms lateral air guide surfaces. To the front end of the nose element a perforated metal plate nose member is attached. The front end of the nose element being closed and between this closed front end and the nose member an elongated air channel is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Gerber
  • Patent number: 10183741
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hood Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Corydon C. Roeseler, Caleb Andrew Woodruff, Daniel Pepin Reiss
  • Patent number: 10183742
    Abstract: A direct orientation vector rotor (DOVER) for use on rotary wing aircraft includes a gear set for multidirectional rotor orientation based on the spherical coordinate system; an inclination mechanism, wherein the rotor is moved from the 0° horizontal position to an inclined position; a rotational turret, wherein the rotor is moved along the azimuth and wherein the inclination mechanism is housed; and a motion-adapted gear lubrication housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Raymond George Carreker
  • Patent number: 10183743
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconfiguring flight control of an aircraft during a failure while the aircraft is flying. The method and apparatus provide a control law that is software-implemented and configured to automatically send flight control data to a mixing/mapping matrix. The method and apparatus also provide a reconfiguration management tool configured to communicate with the mixing/mapping matrix in order to safely transfer authority from a failed actuator to a back-up actuator. The method and apparatus also provide a sensor management tool for providing input to the reconfiguration management tool in order to smooth any transient conditions that may occur during reconfiguration. The method and apparatus provide for a way of smoothing any possible transient situation that might otherwise occur by employment of a fader, the fader being used to gradually convert positioning of failed actuators and positioning of reconfigured actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Shyhpyng Jack Shue, John James Corrigan, Eric Thomas Bird, Tommie Lynn Wood, Alan Carl Ewing
  • Patent number: 10183744
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a hybrid aircraft includes a fixed-wing propulsion system and a multirotor propulsion system. The multirotor propulsion system includes a propeller coupled to a motor shaft. A motor drives the propeller via the motor shaft. The hybrid aircraft further includes a magnetic orientation detent to prevent the propeller of the multirotor propulsion system from rotating when power to the multirotor propulsion system is removed. The magnetic orientation detent further includes a plurality of magnets coupled to the circumference of the motor shaft and a detent magnet magnetically coupled to the plurality of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Dustin Eli Gamble
  • Patent number: 10183745
    Abstract: An aircraft is described and includes a fuselage, a wing coupled to the fuselage, and a rotor system including a proprotor system and an engine. An interconnect driveshaft gear is configured to communicate mechanical energy between a gearbox and an interconnect driveshaft. An accessory gear is coplanar with and in mechanical communication with the driveshaft gear. A proprotor gear is coplanar with and in mechanical communication with the interconnect driveshaft gear and the accessory gear and communicates mechanical energy to the proprotor system. An engine gear coplanar and in mechanical communication with the interconnect driveshaft ear, the accessory gear, and the proprotor gear transmits mechanical energy to the proprotor system via the proprotor gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brent C Ross, Steven R Ivans
  • Patent number: 10183746
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system and a pod assembly selectively attachable to the flying frame. The distributed propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by the flight control system, thereby enabling the flying frame to have a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 10183747
    Abstract: A multicopter with boom mounted rotors is disclosed. In various embodiments, a multicopter includes multiple rotors, each mounted substantially horizontally on a distal end of a boom. The multicopter further includes a plurality of boom extensions, each boom extension being associated with a corresponding boom and each boom extension being configured to extend an associated distal end of said corresponding boom by an amount determined based at least in part on a swept area associated with a rotor mounted at or near said associated distal end. The multicopter includes a material, such as netting, secured to the aircraft and of a size sufficient to reach a far end of one or more of said boom extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Aldo Daniele Longhi, Todd Reichert, Cameron Robertson, Joseph Roop, Christopher Scott Saunders, Zachais Vawter
  • Patent number: 10183748
    Abstract: A fact checking system utilizes social networking information and analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The social networking fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information and/or provides a status of the information, including automatically modifying a web page to include the fact check results. The fact checking system is able to be implemented utilizing a drone device. The drone device is able to be implemented in conjunction with a security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Lucas J. Myslinski
  • Patent number: 10183749
    Abstract: A fact checking system utilizes social networking information and analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The social networking fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information and/or provides a status of the information, including automatically modifying a web page to include the fact check results. The fact checking system is able to be implemented utilizing a drone device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Lucas J. Myslinski
  • Patent number: 10183750
    Abstract: A line connection arrangement for units in an aircraft cabin having a unit, a line connector and a receiving area for a trolley. The trolley is movable over the cabin floor on laterally attached castor pairs, and is insertable from a front into the receiving area and locked therein so that its rear panel faces a back of the receiving area. The line connector is connected to a connector in the area of the floor of the cabin. A line extending between the connector and the line connector emerges at least partially out of the cabin floor in the trolley receiving area and, in the case of a locked trolley, laterally offset from the castor pairs, and, projecting at least partially above the cabin floor, extends towards the back of the receiving area. The line runs upwards between the trolley rear panel and the back of the receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Johannes Gonnsen
  • Patent number: 10183751
    Abstract: Side-facing belted aircraft seats include a tactile signaling unit to induce movement of the seat occupant. For such purpose, the signaling unit may be provided with a signaling lid covering a female buckle of a lap belt restraint assembly. The signaling lid is moveable between a closed position wherein engagement of a male tab of the lap belt with the female buckle is precluded and an open position wherein engagement of the male tab with the female buckle is allowed. The signaling lid thereby provides tactile stimulation when in the open position thereof to induce the seated occupant to shift on the cushioned seat so that a midsaggital plane of the occupant is aligned with an offset plane of the seat that is offset by a predetermined distance toward one side of the seat relative to a midplane of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventors: Luis Gustavo D'Andrea Demétrio Corr{tilde over (e)}a, Viviane Cavalcante de Mello Matos, Beenal Gharia, Carlos Henrique Belloni Mourão, Divanir Fernando Neves Fernandes Gonçalves Pires, Oliver Turci de Camargo
  • Patent number: 10183752
    Abstract: The vehicle seat of the present disclosure has a base unit, a tray, and a connection terminal. The base unit is disposed on a rear side of the backrest and has a storage section. The tray has a through-hole or a notch which a connection device of a predetermined size passes and is disposed so as to be movable between a storage position located in the storage section of the base unit and an open position of the tray unfolded from the storage position. The connection terminal that is disposed on the base unit at a position that meets with the through-hole or the notch of the tray located at the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Goichi Matsuda, Kaname Tomita