Patents Issued in October 6, 2020
  • Patent number: 10793226
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided including a power boost regulator operative to provide load matched voltage operation of an AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Markus Hoffet, Peter Erasmus, Joshua J. Stevens, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Brad W. Teubner
  • Patent number: 10793227
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a column floater with extended cylinder and a ring buoy-group, which comprises an upright buoy at a water surface, an extended cylinder, a positioning system and a topsides. The top of the upright buoy is above the water surface and a moonpool is either set or not in the center of the upright buoy through the top to the bottom. The extended cylinder, connecting to the bottom of the upright buoy and extending downwards, includes two types of fixed and sliding to form a column floater with fixed extended cylinder and a column floater with sliding extended cylinder respectively. The positioning system is one or two combined of mooring system and DP system. The column floater with extended cylinder is a new type floating platform with multi-purpose, combining advantages of the spar platform and the current cylindrical FPSO, high performance, safety and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Zhirong Wu
  • Patent number: 10793228
    Abstract: A pontoon boat is provided that includes at least two pontoons running longitudinally beneath the boat and providing buoyancy thereto; a deck framework mounted above and connected to the pontoons; a deck mounted on the deck framework; a recessed deck portion extending downwardly through the deck and the deck framework, the recessed deck portion forming a cavity into the deck including a bottom and side walls forming a basin extending into and beneath the deck; and at least one seat adjacent the recessed deck portion and mounted to the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Steven Vogel, Brad Roy Fishburn, Blair A. Donat
  • Patent number: 10793229
    Abstract: A multi-anchor depth control system for a boat or other watercraft having a line for securing anchors to the boat, at least two anchors attached at or near opposing ends of the line, a depth finder, and a controller configured to automatically adjust the amount of line released from the boat to maintain the anchors on the floor of the body of water in which the boat is floating, based upon information obtained from the depth finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: CUTTING EDGE INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: William Mawson, Stephen V. Weigman
  • Patent number: 10793230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mooring tensioning arrangement for a floating structure or a vessel (11), comprising -a mooring line (3, 5, 7) having a first mooring part (3) and a second mooring part (5, 7), divided by a midwater coupling (4, 40, 400, 111), said at least a portion of the mooring line (3, 5, 7) is made of synthetic material, -said mooring line (3, 5, 7) is extending between an anchor (2) arranged on the seabed and a pulling unit (9, 10, 42) arranged separate from the floating structure or vessel (11), said mooring line (3, 5, 7) is extending at least via a fairlead pulley or a chain wheel (8, 80) arranged on the floating structure (11) between the anchor and the pulling unit (9, 10, 42) when the mooring line (3, 5, 7) being pre-tensioned, -a chain stopper (6, 60) being arranged in connection with the mooring line (3, 5, 7) between the anchor (2) and the floating vessel or structure (11) for tensioning the part of the mooring line (3, 5, 7) situated between the floating structure (11) and the ancho
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SEASYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Torkjell Lisland
  • Patent number: 10793231
    Abstract: A weather mitigation assembly for reducing the surface temperature of the ocean to mitigate developing oceanic weather systems includes a buoy that is floated on the ocean. An air pump is coupled to the buoy and a plurality of tethers is each coupled between the buoy and the ocean floor for keeping the buoy in a selected spot. A network of bubble pipes is each laid along the ocean floor. A supply pipe is fluidly coupled between the air pump and the network of bubble pipes. In this way the air pump can pump air into the network of bubble pipes. Each of the bubble pipes releases air bubbles upwardly toward the surface of the ocean urge cool water on the ocean floor upwardly toward the surface of the ocean. In this way the surface of the ocean can be cooled thereby reducing thermal energy available for developing weather systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Carl Comstock
  • Patent number: 10793232
    Abstract: A system to transfer people and/or cargo during offshore operations includes a base with a stationary part and a moveable part that is rotatable relative to the stationary part about a substantially vertical first axis; a support arm having a first free end and a second free end opposite the first free end of the support arm; a boom having a first free end and a second free end opposite the first free end of the boom; a load support element; a measurement system; an actuator system; and a control system. The support arm at a location in between the first and second free end of the support arm is mounted to the moveable part of the base such that the support arm is rotatable relative to the moveable part about a substantially horizontal second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Eagle-Access B.V.
    Inventor: Willem Frederik Prins
  • Patent number: 10793233
    Abstract: A rigid or inflatable stand up paddleboard (SUP) conversion kit to provide a stable recreational platform for fishing. diving, hunting, nature photography, birdwatching or other activity. A detachable frame positions a pair of pontoons rearward relative to the SUP to avoid interference with rowing. A rolling storage case stores activity accessories such as diving or fishing equipment. After securing the storage case to the SUP, the case serves as a storage seat. A rear canopy frame may be assembled onto the SUP in order to support a rear canopy to conceal the user; and a front canopy frame may assembled onto the SUP in order to provide additional concealment that may be used for a hunting dog. The various conversion kits are compact and self-contained, and can fit easily in the trunk of a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Dean Morgan, Jeanna Jett
  • Patent number: 10793234
    Abstract: This invention is directed toward a fin box capable of accepting either a Futures or an FCS fin without the need for any additional products being added to either the fins or the fin box. The box has an internally-adjustable wedge that can force the bottom of a fin into an indent, thereby giving it a cant or angle. The box also has channels for both FCS and Futures fins, such that a user can easily exchange either brand of fin without adding or subtracting items from the fins or fin boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: John DeCourcey Milne, Tyler Stokes Callaway
  • Patent number: 10793235
    Abstract: The utility model relates to the field of articles for swimming, and relates to a lying ring for infants, comprising a main body; a bottom surface of the main body is provided with a chest supporting cushion, and the inner side of the main body is provided with a first waist protecting cushion and a second waist protecting cushion. The lying ring further comprises a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap; one end of the first shoulder strap and one end of the second shoulder strap extend to a back surface of the chest supporting cushion and are merged to form a crotch connecting strap; and the two shoulder straps are connected into a whole or integrated in one piece with the crotch connecting strap, so that the two shoulder straps are on the same connecting piece as two waist protecting cushions and the crotch connecting strap. The length of the crotch connecting strap and the shoulder straps can be adjusted at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Weixin Zhou
  • Patent number: 10793236
    Abstract: The invention provides an object (10) that during use is at least partly submerged in water, the object (10) further comprising an anti-biofouling system (200) comprising an UV emitting element (210), wherein the UV emitting element (210) is configured to irradiate with UV radiation (221) during an irradiation stage one or more of (i) a part (111) of an external surface (11) of said object (10) and (ii) water adjacent to said part (111) of said external surface (11), wherein the light source (220) is at least controllable between a first UV radiation level and a second UV radiation level, wherein the first UV radiation level is larger than the second UV radiation level, wherein the object (10) is selected from the group consisting of a vessel (1) and an infrastructural object (15), wherein the object (10) further comprises a control system (300) configured to control said UV radiation (221) as function of input information comprising information of one or more of (i) a location of the object (10), (ii) moveme
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Andre Salters, Roelant Boudewijn Hietbrink
  • Patent number: 10793237
    Abstract: A small watercraft launch comprises a watercraft receiving area defined by a bottom member and side walls. At least one of the side walls defines a port to enable access to the watercraft receiving area (and to a watercraft positioned in the therein). A plurality of aligned notches extending downwardly from the top surface of the side walls on opposite sides of the port which are sized to receive an oar/paddle shaft to allow a boater to pull the small watercraft forward along the small watercraft launch. Lastly, the small watercraft launch has a connecting portion at a bottom of the outer surface of at least one of the launch side walls configured to connect the small watercraft launch to a dock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: E-Z-DOCK, INC.
    Inventors: Dustin Imel, Adam Wald, Larry D. Molohon
  • Patent number: 10793238
    Abstract: A personal flotation device may include a chest portion, an abdominal portion, and a connecting portion positioned between the chest portion and the abdominal portion. The width of the connecting portion may be smaller than the width of both the chest portion and the abdominal portion. The connecting portion may extend only from a center region of the chest portion. The chest portion, abdominal portion and connecting portion may be arranged to together form an approximately I-shaped portion. The personal flotation device may be secured to a garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: FT Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Betz, Michael J. Lobsinger
  • Patent number: 10793239
    Abstract: A diving mask includes a faceplate secured to a frame, a flexible skirt having a partition delimiting an upper viewing chamber from a lower breathing chamber, a snorkel having an inlet channel for inhaled air and at least one escape channel for exhaled air, the snorkel being a continuation of the upper part of the frame, the inlet channel for inhaled air leading into the upper chamber, whilst the first escape channel for exhaled air communicates with the lower chamber. The frame is rigid and inside the frame there is arranged at least one first inner duct for exhaled air having an upper end leading into the escape channel for exhaled air, and a lower end in fluid communication with the lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DECATHLON
    Inventors: Cédric Caprice, Raphaël Girault, Gabriele Cucchia
  • Patent number: 10793240
    Abstract: The present invention provides a snorkel having smaller respiratory dead space or volume. The snorkel includes a mouthpiece and a tube with an inhalation lumen and an exhalation lumen. A distal one-way inhalation valve is placed inside the inhalation lumen; and a distal one-way exhalation valve is placed inside the exhalation lumen. The invention also provides a method for reducing the volume of a respiratory dead space in a snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Kun Yuan Tong, John Tong
  • Patent number: 10793241
    Abstract: An autonomous underwater base for handling an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with seismic sensors for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The autonomous underwater base includes a storing module configured to store the AUV; an inlet/outlet module configured to control access of the AUV to the storing module; and a control module having a positioning system configured to adjust a position of the base in water. The positioning system autonomously drives the storing module from a first position to a second position underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Guevel, Pierrick Daniel
  • Patent number: 10793242
    Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes a plurality of releasable panel members that are initially in a storage state in which the releasable panel members form a closed housing and the underwater vehicle is neutrally buoyant, an actuatable effector that is retained in the closed housing. The effector has an anchor and a positively buoyant upper unit opposite the anchor. When the plurality of releasable panel members are released to open the closed housing, the effector is separable from the releasable panel members and maintained in a vertically downward direction by the anchor and the positively buoyant upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Andrew D. Wilby, Joseph M. Misulia
  • Patent number: 10793243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable propeller (1) for a boat, e.g. for a sailboat or a multihull yacht, where the foldable propeller (1) comprises a hub (2) with a plurality of blades, each blade comprising a blade root arranged to pivot around a separate pivot pin in order to be either in a first operative orientation, where the blade (4) is pointing mainly in a radial direction, or in a second inoperative orientation, where the blade is pointing mainly in an axial direction. The hub (2) comprises a number of hub flanges (28) for holding the pivot pins (9). The pivot pin (9) comprises at its second end (21) a head (26) with a recess (24) that accommodates the first end (20) of another of the pivot pins (9) inside the head (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Flexofold ApS
    Inventors: Jack Skrydstrup, Ulrik Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10793244
    Abstract: Provided is an outboard motor raising and lowering apparatus that is capable of automatically changing the speed of raising/lowering of an outboard motor according to the status of the outboard motor. An outboard motor raising and lowering apparatus (1) includes: a first fluid passage that connects a pump (42) and a lower chamber(s) of one or more tilt cylinders (14); a second fluid passage that connects the first fluid passage and a lower chamber(s) of one or more trim cylinders (12); a switching valve (60) provided at the second fluid passage; and a control section (100) configured to control the switching valve (60) with reference to a watercraft status signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiko Saito, Yoshimitsu Komuro
  • Patent number: 10793245
    Abstract: A safety system for a boat, watercraft or other vehicle includes a kill switch connected to the motor for preventing the motor from running under dangerous circumstances. The system includes a fob that wirelessly communicates with the kill switch, so that the motor only runs when the fob is within a predetermined distance from the captain's console. Other sensors communicate with the kill switch, either hard-wired together or wirelessly, upon detection of dangerous situations, including proximity sensors to detect if a swimmer is near the propeller or if the captain is not in position at the helm, gate sensors to detect when gates on the boat are in an open position, and ladder sensors to detect when a ladder is in a down position. The system may also include an alarm emitting a visual or audible warning to the boat captain based on input from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Daniel Scott Trotter
  • Patent number: 10793246
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide anti-tilt assemblies for reducing the strain of an air ballast when used to change the direction of a high altitude balloon. For instance, in one example, a balloon includes a balloon envelope having an air ballast and a plurality of support tendons and a payload assembly. The balloon also includes an anti-tilt assembly arranged between the balloon envelope and the payload assembly. The anti-tilt assembly includes a support structure having a plurality of line connections arranged at a top end of the support structure and a connection member at a bottom end of the support structure. The connection member is attached to the payload assembly. The anti-tilt assembly also includes a plurality of support lines connected at to one of the support tendons and to the connection member. In addition, each support line is arranged to pass through a corresponding one of the line connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Loon LLC
    Inventors: John Cromie, Gopal Ravi
  • Patent number: 10793247
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an enclosure positioned in a crown of the aircraft and extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The crown is above a passenger cabin of the aircraft. The aircraft includes an equipment rack coupled to a first side of the enclosure. The equipment rack is configured to hold at least one electronic component. The aircraft further includes an entryway on a second side of the enclosure that is opposite to the first side. The entryway provides access to the enclosure from the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel Fan
  • Patent number: 10793248
    Abstract: Devices and methods to capture moisture at a structural member in a vehicle. The devices include a flexible tray that can snap-fit onto an exterior of the structural member. Once attached, the flexible tray can collect moisture from the structural member. A diverter is coupled to the flexible tray. The diverter diverts the collected moisture away from the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Cory Michael Hitchcock, Adam Joseph Brockett, Kenneth George Davis
  • Patent number: 10793249
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises at least one thermal insulation component, which is made of a nano-porous material, the pore structure of which is open-pored such that when the aircraft is in flight operation, a pressure in the pores of the thermal insulation component corresponds to the ambient pressure at the flight altitude of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH
    Inventor: Florian Kurfiss
  • Patent number: 10793250
    Abstract: A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary Ernest Georgeson, Kenneth Harlan Griess
  • Patent number: 10793251
    Abstract: Hinge pins for foldable aircraft wings are described. An example apparatus includes a hinge pin to rotatably couple a foldable tip of an aircraft wing to a fixed structure of the aircraft wing. The hinge pin includes a first flange, a second flange spaced apart from the first flange along a central axis of the hinge pin, and a through hole oriented along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric S. Kamila, Warren H. Steyaert, David D. Boes, Daniel E. McGinty, Ryan A. Fear, Renato Felicio, Eric G. Gruner, Matthew S. Elenbaas, Ian C. Burford, Eric D. Blohm
  • Patent number: 10793252
    Abstract: An apparatus for covering an opening in a fuselage of an aircraft includes a track and a plurality of panels, coupled to the track. At least one of the panels is movable along the track relative to an adjacent one of the panels between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kevin Tsai
  • Patent number: 10793253
    Abstract: An aircraft wing comprising a movable flap which is able to move in rotation relative to a fixed central body, flexible piping and a rail for guiding the movable flap and the flexible piping. The flexible piping-runs along the rail and is secured to the rail close to a distal end of the rail. The wing comprises a structure for holding the flexible piping against or close to the guiding rail, which is borne by the fixed central body. The wing also comprises a housing for accommodating the flexible piping. The housing comprises a wall which is shaped such that the flexible piping coils up inside the housing, being pressed against the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SONACA S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Dumont, Sylvain Penouilh
  • Patent number: 10793254
    Abstract: A soft-in-plane proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode. The proprotor system includes a hub, a plurality of proprotor blades and a plurality of blade support assemblies coupling the proprotor blades with the hub. Each blade support assembly includes a flapping bearing coupled to the hub and a yoke having first and second longitudinal sections with outboard grip members and an inboard arcuate section connecting the first and second longitudinal sections and coupled to the flapping bearing. A lead-lag damper is coupled between the hub and an inboard station of the respective proprotor blade. A twist shank is coupled between the outboard grip members of the yoke and an outboard station of the respective the proprotor blade. The twist shank defines a virtual lead-lag hinge outboard of the yoke and coincident with the respective pitch change axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Bradley Stamps, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Thomas Clement Parham, Jr., Gary Miller, Richard Erler Rauber
  • Patent number: 10793255
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling the pitch angle of a propeller and rotor assembly that selectively limit the pitch angle according to a selected mode of operation. The system includes an actuator having forward and aft chambers, an oil transfer bearing (OTB), and a fine stop collar. The fine stop collar including a first passage in fluid communication with the OTB and forward chamber during a ground-based mode of operation, and a second fluid passage being in fluid communication with the OTB and forward chamber during a flight-based mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Krzysztof Miszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 10793256
    Abstract: A control circuit for changing the angle of propeller blades includes a propeller pitch change mechanism, and a fixed-displacement pump providing the supply of oil from an engine oil return system. A valve has an outlet port to direct oil from a cavity of the valve, and a pitch port in fluid communication with the pitch change mechanism. A spool of the valve is operable between a first position and a second position to respectively open and close the outlet port, and direct oil flow away from or to the pitch change mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: David Waddleton
  • Patent number: 10793257
    Abstract: In an example, a system includes a first controller for controlling a first-flight-control surface, a second controller for controlling a second-flight-control surface, and a first override system including a mechanical linkage between the first controller and the second controller. The first override system is configured such that: (i) while less than a first threshold amount of force is applied to the mechanical linkage, movement of the first controller causes a corresponding movement of the second controller and vice versa, and (ii) while greater than the first threshold amount of force is applied to the mechanical linkage, the first controller and the second controller move separately. The system also includes a second override system operable to permanently disconnect the mechanical linkage responsive to greater than a second threshold amount of force applied to the mechanical linkage. The second threshold amount of force is greater than the first threshold amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mitchell Johnson
  • Patent number: 10793258
    Abstract: A landing control method includes detecting whether a landing indication signal is received, and controlling an aircraft to automatically land in a pre-set landing mode if the landing indication signal is received. A takeoff control method comprises detecting whether a takeoff indication signal is received, and controlling an aircraft to automatically take off in a pre-set takeoff mode if the takeoff indication signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Canlong Lin
  • Patent number: 10793259
    Abstract: An automatic pilot device for a rotary wing aircraft and rotary wing aircraft comprising such device are disclosed. In one aspect, the automatic pilot device comprises at least one automatic pilot assembly including at least two primary actuators, at least one or each of the primary actuators incorporating an electronic computation unit. The computation unit is configured to: communicate with a measuring system configured to generate measuring signals and/or a cockpit configured to generate control signals as a function of the actions by a crew, and compute, as a function of the measuring signals and/or control signals, a piloting setpoint for the primary actuator incorporating the computation unit and/or a piloting setpoint for at least one or each other primary actuator of the automatic pilot assembly, for the piloting of the aircraft by the automatic pilot device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: François Colonna, Gilles Thouvenot, Alain Auger
  • Patent number: 10793260
    Abstract: Aircraft and methods and systems for controlling performance of an aircraft. The methods and systems allow the aircraft to meet a performance requirement using a set of aircraft flight data and actuators connected to control surfaces. Performance data for primary and secondary actuators are obtained to select between a primary control law for controlling the primary control surface, a secondary control law for controlling the secondary control surface, and a blended control law that controls the primary and secondary control surfaces together. If the primary control surface cannot meet the aircraft performance requirement using the primary control law, the blended control law is implemented if the primary and secondary control surfaces can be used together to meet the performance requirement; otherwise the secondary control surface is used, using the secondary control law, to meet the aircraft performance requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul C. Strefling, Michael D. Bills, Bruce Mays Fritchman, John Koon-hung Ho, Kioumars Najmabadi, Edward E. Coleman, Thomas C. Ramsey, Jr., Steven Cook Stone, Paul J. Cline
  • Patent number: 10793261
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for an aircraft includes a support strut operatively coupled to a hinge axis of a flight control member of the aircraft, a hydraulic actuator operatively coupled to the flight control member via a pivot element, and an electro-mechanical actuator (EMA) having first and second opposing ends and a biasing member. The first end is operatively coupled to a support structure of the aircraft, and the second end is operatively coupled to both the support strut and the hydraulic actuator. The biasing member moves between a compressed state and an expanded state in response to a varying biasing load exerted on a surface of the flight control member, thereby reducing an amount of current needed to drive the EMA, as well as a number of high-pressure hydraulic cycles of the hydraulic actuator to control the flight control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Fox, Eric Anton Howell, Jeffrey M. Roach
  • Patent number: 10793262
    Abstract: A mechanical link (100) comprises a shaft (102) having a central axis (128). At least a portion of a first end portion (104) of the shaft (102) is received within an opening (142) of a first mounting interface (108) with a clearance fit. The shaft (102) is rotatable and translatable relative to the first mounting interface (108). A second mounting interface (110) is threadably coupled with a second end portion (106) of the shaft (102). A tubular sleeve (114) circumscribes a portion of the shaft (102) and comprises a slot (116). A pin (112) extends from the shaft (102) and passes through the slot (116). A stop (124) is coupled with the second end portion (106) and fixed to the shaft (102). A washer (126) circumscribes a portion of the shaft (102) between the tubular sleeve (114) and the stop (124). A spring (122) biases the tubular sleeve (114) toward the stop (124). A first jam nut (132) is threadably coupled with the second end portion (106) between the second mounting interface (110) and the stop (124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Edward Joseph Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 10793263
    Abstract: A rotor for a hover-capable aircraft is described that comprises: a drive mast; a hub operatively connected to the drive mast and rotatable about a first axis; and at least two blades hinged to the hub, via a rigid or elastically deformable connection, so as to be able to assume an attitude rotated about and/or translated along at least a second axis with respect to said hub; the aircraft further comprising sensor means configured to detect the attitude of at least one said blade with respect to the hub; the sensor means are configured to acquire an optical image associated with the attitude of the blade with respect to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Redaelli, Luca Riviello, Attilio Colombo, Lorenzo Trainelli, Emanuele Zappa, Alberto Rolando, Potito Cordisco, Edoardo Vigoni, Mauro Terraneo, Riccardo Grassetti
  • Patent number: 10793264
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor hub having a central axis, the rotor hub rotatable about the central axis. A plurality of flexible structural members extend radially outwardly from the rotor hub, each flexible structural member substantially U-shaped and having a first arm extending from the hub, a second arm extending from the hub, and an end portion connecting the first arm to the second arm at a radially outboard end of the flexible structural member. A clamp member is positioned between the first arm and the second arm of each structural member and secured thereto to tie deflection of the first arm to deflection of the second arm. A rotor blade is secured to each flexible structural member of the plurality of flexible structural members via the clamp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Lucien Nussenblatt, David H. Hunter, Justin Thomas
  • Patent number: 10793265
    Abstract: An expendable rotary wing unmanned aircraft capable of storage in a cylindrical housing includes a longitudinally extending body having an upper end and a lower end; and a pair of counter-rotating coaxial rotors each located at respective ends of longitudinally-extending body, wherein each rotor includes two or more blades, each blade rotatably coupled to a remainder of the rotor at a hinged joint and thereby extending along a length of the body in a storage configuration and extending radially outward from the body in a flight configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Steven K. Tayman
  • Patent number: 10793266
    Abstract: Commercial supersonic aircraft and associated systems and methods. A representative commercial supersonic aircraft includes a fuselage configured to carry a crew and between 20 and 60 passengers, a delta wing mounted to the fuselage, and a propulsion system carried by at least one of the wing and the fuselage, the propulsion system including a plurality of engines, at least one variable-geometry inlet, and at least one variable-geometry nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BOOM TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Blake Scholl, Joseph Ray Wilding, Joshua Krall, Andrew P. Berryann, Michael Reid
  • Patent number: 10793267
    Abstract: Disclosed are a body of an unmanned aerial vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle including the same. The body includes a housing arranged in a first direction and including at least four housing sidewalls and an opening defined by the housing sidewalls and configured to receive a battery pack, a propeller support extending a specific distance from each housing sidewall in a second direction away from the center of the housing and perpendicular to the first direction and having, on a distal end, a motor and a propeller connected to the motor, and a PCB disposed on at least one of the housing sidewalls and associated with operating the motor and the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu Seong Lee, Tae Kyun Kim, Bae Seok Lim, Youn Hyung Choi, Seung Nyun Kim, Yong Sang Yun
  • Patent number: 10793268
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, and a drone. The drone is configured to be secured, in a secured state, to the motor vehicle and released from the motor vehicle. The drone is a flying drone that is driven using propellers. The drone, in the secured state, serves to air-condition the motor vehicle using the propellers by pushing air into the passenger vehicle through a roof of the vehicle. The roof defines openings that correspond to a propeller circumference that allow air, generated by the propellers, to flow into the passenger vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Patent number: 10793269
    Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes a testing and calibration system that enables automated testing of movable parts of an unmanned aircraft. The testing and calibration system uses a camera-based technique to determine the position and angle of movable parts, in order to establish whether or not those parts are moving in a manner consistent with correct function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Zipline International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Abeles, Keenan Wyrobek
  • Patent number: 10793270
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body having a plurality of sides and a plurality of arms extendable from the central body. Each arm of the plurality of arms comprises a plurality of foldable sections. Each arm of the plurality of arms is configured to transform between a flight configuration and a compact configuration. When an arm is in the flight configuration, the plurality of foldable sections of the arm are extended away from the central body. When an arm is in the compact configuration, the plurality of foldable sections of the arm are folded toward a corresponding side of the central body such that the plurality of foldable sections are substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hanping Chen, Mingxi Wang, Xiangyu Chen, Qi Zhou, Yuwei Wu
  • Patent number: 10793271
    Abstract: The present invention relates;—to a drone comprising a fuselage (1) provided with a carrying means (11, 12) capable of allowing a belly-to-ground flight position and an inverted flight position, at least one propulsion means (2), autonomous navigation instruments and an axial compartment (10) forming a recess incorporated into an upper part of the fuselage in order to receive a parachutist (h) in the lying position, avionics provided with programmable control means coupled to the autonomous navigation instruments and means for releasing said parachutist controlled by said avionics, characterised in that said release means are designed and intended to ensure the release of said parachutist in the inverted flight position, and,—to a piece of airborne intervention equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DAE
    Inventor: Thierry Demonfort
  • Patent number: 10793272
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system is provided including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage, a tether having a first end secured to a winch system positioned in the UAV and a second end secured to a payload coupling apparatus, a payload coupling apparatus receptacle positioned in the fuselage of the UAV, a payload having a handle, wherein the handle of the payload is positioned within a slot in the payload coupling apparatus. A method of securing a payload to a UAV is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Shannon, Andre Prager, Zhefei Li, Kyle Liske
  • Patent number: 10793273
    Abstract: The invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle having a dropping device (20) for a first load (21) and a second load (22). The dropping device (20) comprises an actuation element (31) which performs a first movement in order to drop the first load (21) and which performs a second movement in order to drop the second load (22). The invention also relates to an associated method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MICRODRONES GMBH
    Inventor: Falk Lowe
  • Patent number: 10793274
    Abstract: A payload coupling apparatus is provided including a housing, wherein the housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower tip on the housing beneath the slot, and wherein the slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. A method of delivering a payload using the payload coupling apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon
  • Patent number: 10793275
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an aircraft, such as a tiltrotor, having an internal payload storage area. A rotatable deployment system is mounted within the payload storage area. The rotatable deployment system comprises a frame that is configured to rotate between a stowed position and a deployment position. Two extendible arms are attached to the frame, wherein each extendible arm is configured to move in opposite directions between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. Each extendible arm has a fixed end and a moving end. A payload mounting point on each moving end. The payload mounting point allows a payload to pan and tilt in azimuth and elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Robert Chavez, Brent Chadwick Ross