Patents Issued in February 21, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190054966
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for vehicle inspection. The system for vehicle inspection installed on an inspection line to inspect an assembled vehicle may include: a wireless terminal connected to the vehicle and configured to externally transmit vehicle state information; an antenna arranged on the inspection line and configured to relay wireless communication of the wireless terminal; a camera arranged upwardly along the inspection line and configured to transmit image information of a photographed vehicle; and a server configured to set a coordinates system and a reference driving line on the inspection line, generate drive control information based on the image information and the vehicle state information such that the vehicle moves along the reference driving line, and transmit the drive control information to the wireless terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jihoon PARK, David OH
  • Publication number: 20190054967
    Abstract: A system and process for gluing two components together includes measuring the temperature of one or both panels to be glued together prior to application of the glue to the panels. If the measured temperature of the panel(s) is outside a predetermined range, the system and process thermally conditions the panel(s) to bring them into the predetermined temperature range for proper adhesion and known and controlled glued panel properties for subsequent riveting of the glued panels. A control unit with predetermined reference values is in communication with the system temperature sensors and thermal conditioning devices to provide uniform gluing quality irrespective of the environmental conditions of the assembly line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano ARDUINO, Giovanni DI STEFANO, Valeria SERPI
  • Publication number: 20190054968
    Abstract: An electric twist-grip operating device is basically provided with a base member and a switch unit. The base member is configured to be mounted around a bicycle handlebar. The switch unit is configured to output a first control signal to control a bicycle apparatus including at least one of a height adjustable seatpost and a suspension, the switch unit including a rotary operating member rotatable with respect to the base member about a longitudinal axis of the bicycle handlebar, the switch unit being configured to output one of the first control signal and a second control signal in response to a movement of the rotary operating member, the second control signal being different from the first control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Yuta KUROKAWA
  • Publication number: 20190054969
    Abstract: A front mudflap that is mounted with or without the front fender of a motorcycle to block water, dirt, and debris includes a bracket, an elastic shield, a support plate, and at least one fastener. The elastic shield is positioned and mounted in between a shield attachment leg of the bracket and the support plate by the at least one fastener. A frame attachment leg of the bracket is mounted to a frame of the motorcycle by the fastening mechanism thus securing the front mudflap to the motorcycle in a horizontal manner. Since the front mudflap is not connected to the front fender, the front mudflap can function with or without the front fender by blocking water, dirt, and debris away from the motorcycle and the rider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Henry Hyun Kwak
  • Publication number: 20190054970
    Abstract: A motorcycle fairing assembly includes: a fairing including an inner fairing and an outer fairing; and a fairing adjustment device which is provided between a motorcycle main body and the fairing and includes height adjuster for adjusting a coupling height of the fairing with respect to the motorcycle main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Hyun-Eui Lee
  • Publication number: 20190054971
    Abstract: The invention allows a rider to operate a bicycle in a recumbent position, and steer the bicycle using a direct underseat steering system. The recumbent position, compared to the typical upright riding position, greatly reduces air resistance and required effort. The direct underseat steering system is mechanically simple, which makes is less costly to manufacture, and the direct steering system is also less likely than linkage-based systems to be damaged in a crash. The frame geometry allows the manufacturer to use inexpensive materials and techniques, while still providing the rider adequate stiffness and durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Chapin Del Sol White
  • Publication number: 20190054972
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electric convenience vehicle (ECV) may include a frame, a plurality of wheels configured to support and move the frame, a user support member supported by the frame, a steering mechanism disposed toward a front portion of the ECV, a motor configured to cause at least one wheel to be propelled forward, propelled backward, or to remain in a fixed position, a throttle, when activated in a first position, may cause the motor to propel the wheel(s) in a forward direction, when activated in a second position, may cause the motor to propel the wheel(s) in a reverse direction, and a control and communications unit (CCU) disposed in front of the user support member, and configured to control operations of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher T. Meehan, Marc M. Barber, Kurt D. Ring, Colt Wright Fletcher, John Thomas Zaniker, Tomas Rodriguez, Wesley Edward Swogger, Hal Gunner
  • Publication number: 20190054973
    Abstract: A front fork of a bicycle may include a suspension system that includes a damper. The damper may include a hollow tube with orifices that may be partially blocked by an adjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster that adjusts the blocker may maintain its axial position in any rotational position. Ambient air may be introduced through a valve and retained in the suspension system. The suspension may include a mechanical spring in a chamber away from the valve that introduces the ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Publication number: 20190054974
    Abstract: A frame for a bicycle includes a front frame, a rear frame, an upper linkage, and a shock absorber. The rear frame is pivoted to the front frame at a main pivot axis. The upper linkage is pivoted to the front frame at a first pivot axis and is pivoted to the rear frame at a second pivot axis. The shock absorber is pivoted to the upper linkage at a third pivot axis and is pivoted to the front frame. When a compression ratio of the shock absorber is in a range between 0% and 60%, a distance variation between a pivot location of the rear frame at the second pivot axis and a pivot location of the rear frame at the main pivot axis reaches a maximum value thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Sung Yi, Shao-Chieh Liu, Tzu-Pin Wu
  • Publication number: 20190054975
    Abstract: A protection device (10, 10?, 10?) for disc brakes of velocipedes of the racing bike, mountain bike, city bike, electric pedal assisted cycle, and/or small motorcycle type, which comprises an interchangeable brake guard (12, 16, 18), secured to a wheel (20) of the velocipede, arrange coaxially to a disc (14) and featuring a basically ā€œCā€-like cross-sectional profile which comprises a front side (12?, 16?, 17) intended for covering a front surface of the disc (14), a rear side (12?, 16?, 17?) intended for partially covering a rear surface of the disc in correspondence with a brake track which pads of a brake caliper (28) act on, and an intermediate side (12??, 16??, 17?) intended for connecting said front side (12?, 16?, 17) and rear side (12?, 16?, 17?) to each other and for covering a peripheral circumferential edge of the disc (14), said brake guard (12, 16, 18) comprising a central opening or hole (13, 15, 29) shaped for a quick coupling and an anti-rotation of said brake guard with respect to an axle (40)
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Angelo Morelli
  • Publication number: 20190054976
    Abstract: An effort-saving bicycle is provided. The bicycle includes at least one wheel. The wheel is centrality provided with a shaft gear at its rim. The shaft gear is connected to a chain that is further connected to a transmission gear. The transmission gear has its shaft connected to one end of a first crank whose opposite end acts as a first crank joint connected to a link's one end at its inner side. The link has its opposite end provided with a pedal. The first crank joint of the link is connected to one end of a second crank through a second crank joint whose opposite end is connected to a second crank-frame joint that is connected to a frame. The specially located transmission gear working with the extended links that connects cranks and pedals allows effort-saving bicycling based on the lever rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: CHIN AN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20190054977
    Abstract: A pedal that includes a pedal body having a clipless structure and a member. The clipless structure includes a lip at a first portion of the pedal and a cleat at a second portion of the pedal. The pedal includes a detachable shoe platform having a cleat portion securable to the lip and a clip securable to the member. The detachable shoe platform may include an adjustable toe clip having a strap, which wraps around a shoe of a rider. The strap is adjustable by an adjustable strap fastener assembly having a lever coupled to a plate secured in a housing. The lever includes a first end biased against the strap and a second end engaged by a trigger. The trigger is operable to move the lever from a closed position to an open position against the bias force, thereby releasing the strap for adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Foundation Fitness, LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Golesh, Patrick A. Warner, Jeffrey G. Stein
  • Publication number: 20190054978
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor-driven moving object that is driven using power from a power storage device, a display device that displays a direction in which the motor-driven moving object is directed to move, and a communicator that wirelessly communicates with a mobile terminal. When the communicator receives direction information indicating the direction in which the motor-driven moving object is directed to move, the display device displays the direction based on the received direction information. A method thereof includes receiving direction information indicating a direction in which the motor-driven moving object is directed to move, the motor-driven moving object being driven using power from the power storage device, and displaying, by the display device provided with the motor-driven moving object, the direction based on the received direction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shoichi TOYA
  • Publication number: 20190054979
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining a wheel circumference of a driven wheel of a vehicle includes measuring a rotational speed of the driven wheel during a predefined time span, measuring an acceleration of the vehicle in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle during a predefined time span, determining a distance traveled by the vehicle based on the measured acceleration, and determining the wheel circumference of the driven wheel based on the measured rotational speed and the ascertained distance traveled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Juergen Stegmaier, Rinaldo Greiner
  • Publication number: 20190054980
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides generally for a hydrofoil system that may allow a surfboard to glide above the water surface. According to the present disclosure, a rider may be able to manipulate a hydrofoil device attached to a surfboard with limited training and athletic ability. The present disclosure provides for a hydrofoil system that may allow riders to use a light leaning motion to adjust the angle of a front wing to create forward thrust to produce a flow for creating lift. In some aspects, the front wing may tilt to reduce downward drag force in a lifting phase while locking into place during a glide to provide a sustained lift of the paddleboard out of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Markus Dombois
  • Publication number: 20190054981
    Abstract: A retractable canopy apparatus for a watercraft. The apparatus has a housing that is supported by a pair of support arms. The housing further includes a retractable cover wound around an elongated rod that can be extended and retracted from a slot of the housing. The retractable canopy apparatus is attached to a watercraft and the extended cover provides a shaded area thereunder for a user to rest. The apparatus is configured to be secured to a side of a watercraft by a fastener, such as a plurality of suction cups, so that a shaded area may be provided to swimmers in an area surrounding the watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Ronald H. Barwick
  • Publication number: 20190054982
    Abstract: A system for managing and controlling a subsea module is described herein. The system includes a deployment module configured to releasably receive and accommodate the subsea module and a load-bearing cable. One end of the load-bearing cable is connected to the subsea module and the other end is connected to a cable control device on the deployment module. The subsea module may be lowered out of and retracted into the deployment module. The subsea module may be configured to hold a subsea vehicle, such as a remotely operated vehicle or autonomous underwater vehicle. The subsea module may also be a remotely operated tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: OCEANEERING AS
    Inventor: Rune HANSEN
  • Publication number: 20190054983
    Abstract: A watercraft chair. The watercraft chair is made of a frame assembly with a seat frame, a backrest frame and a footrest frame. A covering is disposed over the frame assembly. A plurality of fasteners extends from the backrest frame to attach the watercraft chair to a watercraft. The watercraft chair is movable between a folded and usable position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Ronald H. Barwick
  • Publication number: 20190054984
    Abstract: A stand-up paddleboard (SUP) may be configured with a non-retentive binding system to secure a user's foot positioning. In one example, the binding system may include pockets formed from panels extending continuously along edges of the paddleboard, and straps to provide tension on the pockets, to reduce a likelihood of undesired sliding of the user's feet. The pockets of the binding system may allow the user to reposition the user's feet to multiple secured footholds within the binding system, thereby allowing the user's stance and balance to be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Ryan Alexander Saevitz
  • Publication number: 20190054985
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover or case for goods, in particular for use as a cover or case for hobby or sports equipment. In an embodiment, the case has an inner portion, formed of expanded polypropylene (ePP) and defining a cavity for receiving at least part of the item. The case also includes an outer layer, formed of self-reinforcing polypropylene (srPP), arranged to cover an outer surface of at least part of the inner portion. In further embodiments, the cover is formed of two or more sections that may be arranged to at least partially overlap, wherein adjusting the overlap of the at least two sections changes the dimensions of an inner cavity within the cover or case. The case may be telescoping, in order to provide adjustable dimensions for a cavity within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Peter BLADD-SYMMS, Michael TITLEY
  • Publication number: 20190054986
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a fender for a watercraft where the fender passenger safety device includes a three dimensional body. The three dimensional body includes a top area, a bottom area, a middle area, and an internal area. In addition, the fender passenger safety device includes a tunnel area where the tunnel area includes a tunnel entrance formed onto the middle area. The internal tunnel area is located inside of the internal area. In one example, a safety device located on the top area, the bottom area, or the middle area allows a person to bind to the fender passenger safety device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: FENDER, LLC
    Inventor: Michael P. Belanger
  • Publication number: 20190054987
    Abstract: A life raft may include a base having a first side and a second side. The life raft may also include a first canopy coupled to the first side of the base and configured to extend across the first side of the base to form a first chamber defined between the first side of the base and the first canopy. The life raft may further include a second canopy coupled to the second side of the base and configured to extend across the second side of the base to form a second chamber defined between the second side of the base and the second canopy. At least one of the first canopy and the second canopy may define a first plurality of fill ports. The at least one of the first canopy and the second canopy is a bottom canopy configured to extend below the life raft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy C. Haynes, Daniel Bahena
  • Publication number: 20190054988
    Abstract: A snorkeling tube structure with a tube body and a partition portion is provided. The tube body is formed along an axis and has an outer surface and an inner surface which encircles the axis to define an air passage; the axis includes a curved section. The partition portion is formed integrally with the tube body along the axis, and disposed on the inner surface of tube body to divide the air passage into an intake passage and an outtake passage. A method of manufacturing a snorkeling tube structure is also provided, including the following steps: forming a parison including a first passage and a second passage; placing the parison in a mold cavity; injecting air into the first and second passages to inflate the parison towards a wall of the mold cavity; and removing the inflated parison from the mold to get a snorkeling tube structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng SHIUE
  • Publication number: 20190054989
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed having a sensor configured to measure a biological parameter of a diver and transmit a sensor signal. A controller is configured to determine that the biological parameter value correlated to the sensor signal is anomalous and responsively issue a rescue deployment signal to a buoyancy valve assembly. The buoyancy valve assembly has an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized gas and an outlet port connectable to a buoyancy control bladder. The buoyancy valve assembly configured to receive the rescue deployment signal and responsively supply pressurized gas from the inlet port to the outlet port and buoyancy bladder, whereby the diver may ascend the water surface, even if disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher B. Hulbert
  • Publication number: 20190054990
    Abstract: A trolling motor is provided comprising a motor housing, a motor controller operably associated with the motor housing, and a down tube assembly extending from the motor housing. When the trolling motor is in operation on a boat, the down tube assembly will support the motor housing submerged in water. The motor controller is associated with the down tube assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Steven A. Gebhart
  • Publication number: 20190054991
    Abstract: A propeller drive assembly includes a driveshaft for transferring a torque between an engine and a propeller of a water surface vessel, and a housing enclosing the driveshaft. The assembly includes, separately from the driveshaft, a first element and a second element, the first element extending through a first bore of the second element, wherein one of the first and second elements is fixed to the driveshaft and the other of the first and second elements is arranged to be stationary in relation to the housing, and the one of the first and second elements which is fixed to the driveshaft presents in the first bore a first elongated cavity forming a first helix along the first bore, so as to form with the other of the first and second elements a screw pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: AB VOLVO PENTA
    Inventor: Peter TUULIAINEN
  • Publication number: 20190054992
    Abstract: A fuel system for a liquefied gas drive system. The fuel system has a liquefied gas tank and a cooling system for the vaporized content of liquefied gas, which comprises a liquid nitrogen tank, a nitrogen pump, a heat exchanger, and a nitrogen cooler, which are connected to each other in a pipework circuit. The heat exchanger is arranged in the interior of the liquefied gas tank. Also disclosed are a vehicle, a plant and a machine, in each case with a fuel system, and a method for cooling the vaporized content of liquefied gas of a liquefied gas drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kei Philipp Behruzi, Johannes LUX
  • Publication number: 20190054993
    Abstract: A flying object with a landing gear module serving as a floating weight that can be used simultaneously with an airship and an aerial mooring type aerostat, and more particularly, a flying object capable of simultaneously allowing a landing gear to serve as a floating weight, thereby stably simplifying a mooring process of the flying object and manufacturing the flying object at low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Dong Min Kim
  • Publication number: 20190054994
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the aerospace application field, and provides a method for flying a large balloon. In the method, a constraint apparatus is disposed on a balloon capsule to replace a roller, and the constraint apparatus is released progressively in a release process of the balloon capsule, so that the balloon capsule is released progressively and slowly before rising above a pod. This greatly reduces the impact in a flying process, makes it easier to control a flying status of the balloon capsule, and also makes related operations of onsite staffs simpler and controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Dongguan Frontier Technology Institute
    Inventors: Ruopeng LIU, Lin LUAN, Wei HE, Wei HE, Xiang HU, Shikuan XU, Fei ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20190054995
    Abstract: A system for detecting overpressure in an aircraft including a door with a door frame and a door leaf with a first and second door leaf face. The door is mountable in an aircraft where the first door leaf face faces the interior and the second door leaf face faces the surroundings of the aircraft. The door leaf is movably attached to the door frame and selectively movable between an opened position where a door opening defined by the door frame is accessible and a closed position where the door leaf closes off the door opening. The door has a pair of contact faces including a first contact face on the door leaf and a second contact face on the door frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kai Bredemeier, Thorsten Knijnenburg, Matias Mail
  • Publication number: 20190054996
    Abstract: A composite floor panel includes a cover sheet, a base sheet, a core layer, and a plurality of light sources. The cover sheet has a user-facing side and an underside that is opposite from the user-facing side. The base sheet is below the underside of the cover sheet. The core layer includes a plurality of honeycomb cells bonded to one another. The core layer is disposed between the cover sheet and the base sheet. The light sources are configured to emit light through the cover sheet to provide lighting effects above the user-facing side of the cover sheet. The light sources are disposed between the user-facing side of the cover sheet and the core layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Yakentim M. Ibrahim, Karen L. Hills
  • Publication number: 20190054997
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a system of communication between an unmanned aerial vehicle with a ground controller, the UAV having a top side, a bottom side, and an antenna side. The antenna side of the UAV can have a hinge to which a flat panel antenna can be disposed is pivotably coupled. The flat panel antenna can be actively controlled or passively controlled by gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Yu Tian
  • Publication number: 20190054998
    Abstract: A fairing assembly for an aerial vehicle having a tank that forms a body of the vehicle and a wing coupled to the tank is provided. The fairing assembly includes a substructure configured to couple with a tank skin of the tank, a thermal protection system coupled to the substructure, and a seal assembly coupled to the substructure, the seal assembly being configured to overlap at least a portion of an edge of the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. BEST, Jonathan D. EMBLER, John S. KRUSE, Thomas R. PINNEY, Drew L. SMALLWOOD
  • Publication number: 20190054999
    Abstract: A structural panel is provided that includes a first core structure and a second core structure. The second core structure includes a plurality of core components, which components includes a corrugated ribbon, a first wall and a second wall. The corrugated ribbon includes a plurality of baffles and a plurality of porous septums. The baffles and the porous septums are laterally between and connected to the first wall and the second wall. Each of the porous septums are longitudinally between a respective adjacent pair of the baffles. A first of the core components projects longitudinally into and/or along the first core structure at a splice joint between the first core structure and the second core structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Sreenivas Narayanan Nampy, David M. Adams
  • Publication number: 20190055000
    Abstract: An aircraft wing construction assembly that includes a rib with an integral first spar post and a second spar post that is separate from the rib and is attachable to the rib by fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mohammad Barakatain, Mustapha Rahmani
  • Publication number: 20190055001
    Abstract: A method is of designing a composite material that includes stacked reinforced fiber substrates and has a thickness-varying part whose thickness in a stacking direction changes from a large thickness to a small thickness. The method includes setting, as a cut substrate, the reinforced fiber substrate that has the drop-off portion and is positioned between a base substrate and a cover substrate in the stacking direction; performing stress analysis on the base substrate, the cut substrate, and the cover substrate to calculate an evaluation value concerning stress on the cut substrate; and setting, as the cut substrate, a reinforced fiber substrate in the thickness-varying part, based on the calculated evaluation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Sota KAMO, Kiyoka TAKAGI, Tooru SHITANI, Toshio ABE, Sae OBATA, Kosuke TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20190055002
    Abstract: An airfoil structure comprising a main body and at least one control surface attached to the main body by a flexible attachment, the flexible attachment comprising a flexible first surface and a flexible second surface opposed to the flexible first surface, each of the flexible first surface and the flexible second surface having a waveform structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Suat BEKIRCAN
  • Publication number: 20190055003
    Abstract: The present application discloses a foldable propeller, a power assembly and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The foldable propeller includes: a propeller hub, at least two blade assemblies, and a connecting member used for pivotally connecting the propeller hub and the blade assemblies, where each blade assembly is rotatable with respect to the propeller hub, and a rotation axis of each blade assembly is perpendicular to an axial central line of the propeller hub. In the foldable propeller provided by the embodiments of the present application, the blade assemblies can be folded upward or downward with respect to the propeller hub, improving spatial utilization and portability. Moreover, when applied to a tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle, the foldable propeller can further be folded during flight, reducing a flight resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Dongdong LUO, Wenbing SU, Wei SUN, Hailang ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20190055004
    Abstract: A method for operating a rotorcraft includes providing a power hold by performing monitoring one or more operational parameters of the rotorcraft during flight, determining whether operational parameters need adjustment according to a relationship between the operational parameters and operating limits associated with a power setting for the power hold, and determining a flight parameter for one or more flight control devices of the rotorcraft in response to determining that the operational parameters need adjustment. Providing the power hold further includes sending a position set signal to a trim assembly of the rotorcraft to set a first position of a pilot control connected to the trim assembly according to a pilot control setting generated according to the flight parameter, and controlling a flight control device control according to a second position of the pilot control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schaeffer, Luke Dafydd Gillett
  • Publication number: 20190055005
    Abstract: Actuator assemblies and methods of utilizing the same are disclosed herein. The actuator assemblies include a base structure and an actuated arm that are pivotally coupled to the base structure. The actuator assemblies also include a drive assembly that is operatively attached to the base structure and includes an output shaft. The actuator assemblies further include a linear actuator that includes an actuator shaft and an actuated body. The actuator shaft is coupled to and configured to rotate with the output shaft about an actuator shaft axis of rotation. The actuator assemblies also include a linkage that is pivotally coupled to the actuated arm. In addition, the linkage is operatively attached to the actuated body via a joint. The joint defines a plurality of joint axes of rotation that are spaced apart from the actuator shaft axis of rotation of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Stuart David Young
  • Publication number: 20190055006
    Abstract: A hybrid wing aircraft has an engine embedded into a body of the hybrid wing aircraft. The embedded engine has a fan that is received within a nacelle. The body of the aircraft provides a boundary layer over a circumferential portion of a fan. A system delivers additional air to correct fan stability issues raised by the boundary layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Razvan Virgil Florea, William T. Cousins, Thomas G. Tillman, David J. Arend, John D. Wolter
  • Publication number: 20190055007
    Abstract: An airplane including a wing and a wing tip attached to an end of the wing. The wing has a wing leading edge and a wing trailing edge in a wing chord plane. The wing tip includes a winglet and a ventral fin. The winglet has a winglet leading edge continuously transitioning from the wing leading edge, and a winglet trailing edge continuously transitioning from the wing trailing edge. The winglet leading edge may be swept rearward. The winglet includes an adapter section attached to the end of the wing, a transition section attached to the adapter section, a blade section attached to the transition section, the blade section extending above the wing chord plane, and a first tip section attached to the blade section. The ventral fin may be coupled to the winglet at an attachment location adjacent the transition section, and extends below the wing chord plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Louis B. Gratzer
  • Publication number: 20190055008
    Abstract: An active wing extension includes a body portion substantially parallel to a wing of an aircraft, as if it were an extension of the wing. The body portion is attachable to an aircraft wing and includes multiple controllable airflow modification devices coupled thereto. By virtue of having multiple controllable airflow modification devices, the wing extension is capable of adjusting control surfaces of the multiple controllable airflow modification devices in response to in-flight conditions, to reduce wing loads, improve wing fatigue characteristics, increase range, and/or increase efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Guida
  • Publication number: 20190055009
    Abstract: An adjustable electric actuator system includes an actuator output, a compliance element coupled to the actuator output, and an end fitting element encapsulating at least a portion of the compliance element, wherein the compliance element is guided a first distance in a first axial direction by the actuator output, the first distance being limited by a first limitation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: ADAM J. DITZLER, ZAFFIR A. CHAUDHRY
  • Publication number: 20190055010
    Abstract: An amphibious aircraft has a tricycle landing gear that is movable between a retracted, or up, position and an extended, or down, position. Each member of the landing gear is protected in the forward direction by a hydrodynamic protector, or vane, or shoe, such as may tend to create lift when brought into engagement with water, as during landing. The landing gear protector vanes may be mounted to move with extension and retraction of the landing gear. The landing gear wheels may protrude to extend partially downwardly proud of the sole of the shoe. The landing gear actuator and transmission may operate all gear in concert. The shoes may include sacrificial wear members for ground engagement in the event of an inadvertent gear-up landing on terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Eric Brian ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20190055011
    Abstract: A drive train for a helicopter, which includes an engine, a reduction gear and a main gearbox, the reduction gear including an output shaft, which are received in assembled front and rear housings, the output shaft being supported and guided rotatably by a plurality of rolling bearings, mounted in the housings. The drive train includes a redundant mount arranged around the output shaft and between a wall of the main gearbox and the front end of the front housing, and the redundant mount is configured, sized and attached to the wall of the main gearbox and to the front end of the front housing so as to create, if the front housing breaks, a secondary path for absorbing loads passing via the redundant mount, via the output shaft of the reduction gear and via the bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Thomas Marie Joseph DE DREUILLE DE LONGEVILLE, Frederic Nicolas Francois LAISNEZ
  • Publication number: 20190055012
    Abstract: A tail rotor blade for a helicopter includes a blade body defining a longitudinally extending spar cavity, a leading edge forward of the spar cavity, and a trailing edge aft of the spar cavity. Upper and lower airfoil surfaces extend from the leading edge to the trailing edge on opposite sides of the spar cavity. The upper and lower airfoil surfaces define between one another a constant airfoil segment and transition airfoil segments disposed longitudinally adjacent to the constant airfoil segment on inboard and outboard sides of the constant airfoil segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: KRZYSZTOF Kopanski, Daniel A. GRIFFITHS, Joshua A. BREON, Jonathan K. WONG, Benjamin ISABELLA, Michael Skylar LAWSON
  • Publication number: 20190055013
    Abstract: A vehicle for aerial-aquatic locomotion is provided. The vehicle may include a propeller, an electric motor operably coupled to the propeller and configured to rotate the propeller, a maneuvering assembly configured to change an attitude and altitude of the vehicle, and a controller operably coupled to the electric motor and the maneuvering assembly. The controller may be configured to receive a command for the vehicle to exit a first medium and enter a second medium, compute or retrieve a hybrid trajectory, and control the electric motor and the maneuvering assembly to maneuver the vehicle in accordance with the hybrid trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph L. Moore
  • Publication number: 20190055014
    Abstract: A flapping wing driving apparatus includes at least one crank gear capstan rotatably coupled to a crank gear, the at least one crank gear capstan disposed radially offset from a center of rotation of the crank gear; a first wing capstan coupled to a first wing, the first wing capstan having a first variable-radius drive pulley portion; and a first drive linking member configured to drive the first wing capstan, the first drive linking member windably coupled between the first variable-radius drive pulley portion and one of the at least one crank gear capstan; wherein the first wing capstan is configured to non-constantly, angularly rotate responsive to a constant angular rotation of the crank gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Todd Keennon, Alexander Andryukov, Karl Robert Klingebiel, Henry Thome Won
  • Publication number: 20190055015
    Abstract: An approach is provided for intelligent inspection and interaction between a vehicle and a drone. The approach, for example, involves retrieving vehicle specification data for the vehicle. The vehicle specification data identifies one or more sensors of the vehicle, one or more sensor locations on the vehicle corresponding to the one or more sensors, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves configuring the drone device to move from a docked location to the one or more sensor locations on the vehicle based on the vehicle specification data. The approach further involves initiating an inspection function, an interaction function, or a combination thereof between the drone device and the vehicle when the drone device is positioned in proximity to the one or more sensor locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan ALLARD, Frank KOZAK