Patents Issued in April 18, 2023
  • Patent number: 11628886
    Abstract: A vehicle body side structure includes a side panel assembly and a floor assembly. The side panel assembly has a side sill outer panel part fixed to a side sill reinforcement member and a fastening nut provided on a rear end portion of the side sill reinforcement member. The floor assembly has a wheel arch reinforcement member fixed to an inner panel front portion and a collar interposed between the wheel arch reinforcement member and the inner panel front portion. The side panel assembly is assembled to the floor assembly by fastening a fastening bolt to the fastening nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Hida, Hiroyuki Sakai
  • Patent number: 11628887
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes: a front pillar joined to a dash panel; a front side member extending from the dash panel toward the front of a vehicle; a side sill connected to a bottom end of the front pillar; a rear lower member connecting a rear portion of the front side member and a front portion of the side sill; and a connection member connecting at least two of the front pillar, the side sill, and the rear lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Deok Hwa Hong, Hee Seouk Chung, Hyun Sik Kim, Byeong Cheon Lee
  • Patent number: 11628888
    Abstract: A hood assembly for a vehicle comprises an outer panel, an inner panel disposed inwardly of the outer panel and defining a lower, sealing surface, a crush volume defined between the outer panel and the inner panel; and a bridging member disposed within the crush volume and configured to extend supportively between the outer panel and the inner panel. The bridging member comprises a support surface that is in supportive contact with the outer panel and support members that extend from the support surface toward the inner panel for structural support of the hood assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Cote
  • Patent number: 11628889
    Abstract: A vehicle unit installation structure has: a power generating unit that is installed at a front portion of a vehicle; a driving unit that is installed at a vehicle rear side of the power generating unit, and that drives front wheels of the vehicle; and a floor tunnel that is formed at a floor that is disposed at a vehicle rear side of the driving unit, a width of a front end portion of the floor tunnel being greater than a width of at least a rear end portion of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
  • Patent number: 11628890
    Abstract: An embodiment floor connection structure of a vehicle under body configured to connect a floor panel to side sills on both sides of the under body includes a plurality of box panels, each of the box panels including an opened portion and a closed portion, wherein the box panels are configured to be connected to each other along a vehicle width direction, and wherein a first box panel is coupled to a first side sill through the opened portion of the first box panel and a second box panel is coupled to a second side sill through the opened portion of the second box panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Won Ki Song
  • Patent number: 11628891
    Abstract: An automobile panel that are formed using at least partially using a pultrusion forming process. Examples of automobile panels formed using pultrusion include, but are not limited to tail gates, roofs, hatches, doors, hoods, bed liners, floor liners, bed steps, running boards, bumper covers etc. The automobile panel includes a pultruded core panel formed of a polymer resin material having continuous fibers extending across a length of the pultruded core panel, wherein the pultruded core panel has a plurality of channels extending across a surface of the pultruded core panel, wherein the channels have openings at opposing ends of the surface. Also included is an interior finish panel connected to a first side of the pultruded core panel and an exterior finished panel connected to a second side the pultruded core panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA EXTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark P. Birka, Peter G. DeMarois
  • Patent number: 11628892
    Abstract: The pickup truck tailgate is a replacement tailgate for a pickup truck. The main body or field of the tailgate is made of a metal mesh which allows for smooth air flow through the bed of the truck. The tailgate is also provided with a removable inner section that slides outward. When the tailgate is in a down position, this section may be slide outward to allow for a longer bed area or raised upward when the tailgate is in the vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Nathan Fisher
  • Patent number: 11628893
    Abstract: A rear spoiler device for a motor vehicle contains an upper shell which has an air-guiding outer wall. The upper shell extends longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge and has a central main part and two side parts. The side parts are oriented so as to be inclined relative to the main part and are integrally connected to the main part on a longitudinally extending folded edge. A carrier element is provided which is fastenable to the motor vehicle and which has at least one retaining tab for fastening the upper shell. It is provided that a fastening tab which protrudes in the direction of the retaining tab of the carrier element and which extends along the folded edge is arranged on the inner face of the upper shell remote from the air-guiding outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorben Boesche, Christian Baer
  • Patent number: 11628894
    Abstract: A steering arrangement for a vehicle includes: a hydrostatic steering unit provided with two work ports, a high-pressure port, a low-pressure port, a main branch of the flow arranged between the work ports and the high-pressure port and comprising a dosing device, and an amplification branch arranged between the work ports and the high-pressure port, in parallel with the dosing device, and comprising a flow-rate regulating device of the electrically actuated type, a steering shaft provided with a first end adapted for being connected to a steering member and a second end adapted for being connected to the hydrostatic steering unit, an electric motor configured to set the steering shaft in rotation, and an electronic control unit configured to actuate the flow-rate regulating device as a function of a parameter indicative of an operating condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: OGNIBENE POWER S.P.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Ognibene
  • Patent number: 11628895
    Abstract: A novel sprocket for a track drive of a mobile robot may allow for some deformation of the track so that the track better conforms to the surface on which the robot travels. The novel sprocket also may prevent excessive track deformation or deflection that may result in undesirable de-tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Roman Sanchez, Andrew Paul Czop, Adam Shaker
  • Patent number: 11628896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite motion robot based on springtail movement mechanism, which includes a body, a jumping mechanism, a balance wheel and a control module. The body includes a right pallet, a U-shaped frame, a curved slide, a casing, a fixing plate, a left pallet and a pin block; the control module is installed on the body. Based on springtail jumping motion mechanism and by setting the jumping mechanism and the balance wheel, the invention enables the robot to have capability of movement, such as jumping over obstacles, balance wheeled translation, flipping posture reset, and self-balance resetting which is otherwise difficult to be achieved by traditional balancing carts, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: YANSHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ziming Chen, Xuechan Chen, Kun Zhao, Chen Zhao, Wenjiang Yan, Nan Li, An Yin, Yu Guo, Jingke Song
  • Patent number: 11628897
    Abstract: An anti-theft method for an electric vehicle is provided. The anti-theft method for an electric vehicle includes the following steps. An electronic anti-theft function is activated. Whether the electric vehicle is moving is determined. Whether the temperature of the motor is greater than a critical value is determined. When the temperature of the motor of the electric vehicle exceeds the critical value, the motor is reversed to generate a reverse resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Chu-Hsiang Hsu
  • Patent number: 11628898
    Abstract: A vibration isolator can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance, such as in connection with a bicycle saddle. The bicycle saddle can be operatively connected to a bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be located within a portion of the bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be operatively positioned with respect to the bicycle saddle. The vibration isolator being configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile can include a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator including one or more super elastic material members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Arthur Trager, Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Michael Paul Rowe
  • Patent number: 11628899
    Abstract: A straddled vehicle, including a cross member connecting right and left seat frames, a seat above the cross member and right and left seat frames, left and right side covers, a rear fender, an intake passage formed below the seat, between the left and right side covers and above the rear fender, an air cleaner located in a front part of the intake passage, left and right inlet ports located in a rear part of the intake passage, first and second fastening portions respectively fastening the right and left side cover to the right and left seat frames or to the rear fender. In a rear view of the vehicle, the cross member is convex upward and does not overlap the right or left inlet port, and the first and second fastening portions are located outside the intake passage, or are located inside the intake passage but does not overlap the right or left inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Akimoto, Shidehiko Miyashiro, Toshiyuki Shirai, Yuya Ozaki, Kaori Kubo
  • Patent number: 11628900
    Abstract: A straddle vehicle includes a vehicle body, a headlamp main body, and a driver circuit. The driver circuit drives the headlamp main body. The headlamp main body includes a housing that accommodates a light emission member. The driver circuit is disposed outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomo Yamamoto, Takashi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 11628901
    Abstract: A personal mobility may include a sensor configured to detect an event; a plurality of protruding elements, each of which includes an actuator and a load sensor, protruding from the scaffold and configured of descending according to a load applied thereto or rising according to an output of the actuator; and a controller connected to the sensor and the plurality of protruding elements and configured to determine a position of the sole of the user based on an output of the protruding element descending according to the load of the user among the plurality of protruding elements when the user boards on the scaffold, determine the type of the event based on the output of the sensor and control to raise at least one protruding element among the protruding elements located below the sole based on the type of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seunghyun Woo, Minjae Park, Jong Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 11628902
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for use with a ride-on vehicle which has a frame with at least two wheels. The steering wheel assembly comprises a steering rod operatively coupled to the frame of the ride-on vehicle. The steering rod includes a chuck secured to the steering rod. The chuck includes a body extending between a base and an upper end. The steering wheel assembly further comprises a steering wheel with a sleeve adapted to be coupled to the chuck in a tool-less manner such that the steering wheel is configured to be engaged by a rider for moving the steering wheel and thereby steering the ride-on vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventor: Donald K. Jessie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11628903
    Abstract: A snowmobile having enhanced steering control has driving control system including an electrically actuated device coupled to a steering system having a user operated steering element with the device applying torque to the steering system, a throttle, a plurality of sensors including a torque sensor and at least one additional sensor to generate terrain condition data and operational data, and at least one controller coupled to the device and the sensors. The at least one controller selects a terrain condition mode using the generated terrain condition and generated operational data, determines the torque to apply responsive to the angle and speed of rotation of user operated steering element, and operates the electrically actuated device to apply the torque to the steering system, with the torque being applied only by the electrically actuated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: BRP Megatech Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Blackburn, Luc St-Pierre, Alexandre Frigon, Alexandre Palardy, Francis Gagné
  • Patent number: 11628904
    Abstract: A grip for a bike is disclosed, which comprises a body, a sleeve and a cap. The body has a hollow tube and at least one connector. The hollow tube installs the body onto one of a handle of the bike. The connector extends axially along a lengthwise portion of the body from another end of the body. The sleeve covers the hollow tube. The cap overlies the connector and connecting toward the sleeve to form an inner space. Accordingly, the grip of the present disclosure provides a mean of modular connections for a handle of a bike, which achieves a high degree of customization flexibility and easy assembly advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Zi-Ju Liu
  • Patent number: 11628905
    Abstract: A bushing bypass. The bushing bypass includes a bushing having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bushing also includes an inner diameter surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bushing also includes an outer diameter surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bushing further includes a channel formed in the outer diameter surface. The channel extends from the top surface of the bushing to the bottom surface of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel McCormick, Joshua Coaplen
  • Patent number: 11628907
    Abstract: A cycle braking system is provided where the system comprises a brake sphere engaged with a shaft adjacent to a wheel of a cycle and a brake caliper, where the brake caliper is mounted to a cycle's chassis and aligned around the brake sphere rotor. In one embodiment, the cycle braking system further comprises brake pad(s) with an inner side and a contact side, a brake housing having the brake pad(s) positioned between the caliper and the contact side facing the brake sphere; and the brake caliper connected to a cycle's hydraulic lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron J. Lewis, Joe Fiore
  • Patent number: 11628908
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a chain guide assembly configured to be mounted on a linkage assembly of a bicycle derailleur. The chain guide assembly includes an inner plate, an outer plate, a first connecting bridge and a second connecting bridge. The outer plate is spaced apart from the inner plate. Two opposite sides of the first connecting bridge are respectively connected to the inner plate and the outer plate. Two opposite sides of the second connecting bridge are respectively connected to the inner plate and the outer plate. The inner plate, the outer plate, the first connecting bridge, and the second connecting bridge are made of a single piece. In addition, the disclosure also provides a bicycle derailleur having the chain guide assembly and a structural reinforcement sheet of the chain guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tzung Ye Wu
  • Patent number: 11628909
    Abstract: A coasting clutch and a gear system with a coasting clutch include mutually facing first and second clutch members. The coasting clutch is arranged to operate in an engaged position, wherein the first and second clutch members are axially in mesh and rotating with the same speed, or overrunning and rotating with different speeds. The coasting clutch includes a coasting mechanism arranged to operate the coasting clutch into a coasting position when the clutch is overrunning. In the coasting position, the first and second clutch members are axially arranged further from each other than in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: CA TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Knut Tore Ljøsne, Christian Antal
  • Patent number: 11628910
    Abstract: The present invention provides a string-type mooring system. A support frame is provided on a dock. Two free guide rollers are provided at vertical corresponding positions that are respectively below a cross arm of the support frame and above the dock. The two free guide rollers are respectively wound with a cable. One end of each cable is connected to a platform arm fixed on a platform, and the other end thereof is horizontally connected with one end of a spring. The other ends of the two springs are respectively connected with a hydraulic device. The present invention provides an omnidirectional restoring force for the moored platform through the elastic deformation of the springs to control the movement response of the platform within a certain range. The present invention can adjust the slow change of the vertical position of the platform caused by tidal fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Lei Sun, Chong Fu, Zhe Lin
  • Patent number: 11628911
    Abstract: The boat hook with attached light comprises a telescopic pole and an illuminated tip section. The illuminated tip section may couple to a distal end of the telescopic pole to form a boat hook. The boat hook may be operable as a tool for a boat. The boat hook may be operable as a docking and undocking aid and/or may be operable to pull items from the water using a hook on the illuminated tip section. The length of the telescopic pole may be adjustable. The illuminated tip section may provide illumination for use in dim lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Nathan Steele
  • Patent number: 11628912
    Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for Wake Enlargement System have been disclosed. By using water pick-ups that are mounted on a boat, controlled filling of ballast tanks is possible without the use of pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Murphy
  • Patent number: 11628913
    Abstract: An entertainment barge includes at least two pontoons, a first deck having a front, rear, right side and left side, is attached to both pontoons. A second deck is disposed above and substantially parallel to the first deck. At least two retractable spuds are attached to the deck and are adapted to be lowered into the water to secure the barge in a fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Jamison E. Merriam
  • Patent number: 11628914
    Abstract: A gyroscopic boat roll stabilizer for a boat comprises a gimbal, having a gimbal axis, an enclosure mounted to the gimbal and configured to precess about a gimbal axis, a flywheel assembly rotatably mounted inside the enclosure for generating a torque that is applied to counter a rolling motion of the boat, and a braking system for controlling precession of the enclosure. The braking system is configured to enable precession in the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: WAVETAMER LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Peterson
  • Patent number: 11628915
    Abstract: The instant invention describes devices and methods of measuring the differential air pressure at numerous representative points across the surface of the sail and providing visual feedback of areas of ideal laminar flow and areas of less than optimal airflow with an indication of how the sail must be adjusted to create the maximal differential in airflow. The invention utilizes an array of sensors that detect minute variations in barometric pressure and other data on each side of the sail surface. These sensors are connected together to form a network or net across the sail. This connection can be physical, using wires, or it may be wireless, using for example, but certainly not being limited to, Bluetooth LE 5.0 or other wireless topologies or technologies. Finally it may utilize a combination of wired and wireless connections to fit individual situations and may couple with existing terrestrial and satellite ship networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Sean McNulty
  • Patent number: 11628916
    Abstract: A system and a method produce electrical power for ship propulsion. Power and fuel modules are configured for modular use during travel. The power and fuel modules may be standard freight size containers so that the amount of fuel and power for a trip may be adjusted based on the needs of the trip. A control system may be automated to control loading and unloading of fuel or power modules into the power distribution system, connection or disconnection of fuel or power modules, and adjust distribution of power to the ship's electrical grid based on consumption demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Fourth Tack LLC
    Inventor: Ralph Emerson Matlack
  • Patent number: 11628917
    Abstract: A submersible system is provided having a submersible launch vessel that sends instructions from a mission controller to deploy one or more deployable systems for one or more underwater operations. The submersible launch vessel is submerged within a waterbody. A submersible power supply powers the submersible launch vessel and the one or more deployable systems. One or more communication devices is in communication with the mission controller, and the mission controller is located in one of a remote or a local location relative to the submersible launch vessel. The one or more deployable systems, via the one or more communication devices coupled to the submersible launch vessel, are remote controlled by the mission controller to execute the one or more underwater operations. Also, information associated with the one or more underwater operations including telemetry data is transmitted to the mission controller from the submersible launch vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HonuWorx, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee Wilson, Luke Wissmann, Christopher Carson Sotzing, Wayne Sherry
  • Patent number: 11628918
    Abstract: An amphibious electric scooter includes an electric scooter and a watercraft Including a space for accommodating a portion of the electric scooter, a pivotal concave member disposed in a front portion of the space with the front wheel of the scooter disposed therein, a linking rod having a first end operatively connected to the concave member, a rudder pivotably connected to a second end of the linking rod, first and second rotating shafts adjustably disposed in the space with the rear wheel rotatably disposed thereon, a gearbox meshing with teeth of the first shaft, an inclined drive shaft extending rearward out of the gearbox, and a propeller rotatably secured to an open end of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Chia-Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 11628919
    Abstract: A tiller for an outboard motor has a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a throttle grip on the distal end of the tiller body, and a control switch located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip. A microcontroller is located inside the tiller body, remote from the control switch, and is in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine. The control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller. In response to actuation of the control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller. In one example, the control switch is an idle speed control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Madalyn G. Pielow, Paul M. Kraus, Robert A. Podell
  • Patent number: 11628920
    Abstract: A method of controlling a steering system on a marine vessel includes, in response to receiving a user input to engage a quick steer mode, employing a reduced steering ratio to translate positions of a steering wheel to desired steering angles of a marine drive. A vessel speed of a marine vessel is determined and then compared to a threshold vessel speed. An output limit is determined to prevent the marine vessel from further exceeding the threshold vessel speed while the quick steer mode is engaged. The marine drive is automatically controlled based on the output limit and a steering actuator associated with the marine drive is controlled based on the reduced steering ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle F. Karnick, Andrew J. Przybyl, Kenneth G. Gable, David M. Van Buren
  • Patent number: 11628921
    Abstract: An aircraft fuselage for transporting passengers in a lower deck, the fuselage having a longitudinal axis and interior compartment, having an intermediate floor fastened to the fuselage structure, extending through the interior compartment and dividing the interior compartment into an upper deck and a lower deck, having a support device for supporting the intermediate floor on the fuselage structure. The support device is fastened to the intermediate floor and by an opposite end in the lower deck to the fuselage structure. The support device has a concave form and has an energy absorption element such that in a crash of an underside of the fuselage undergoes a defined plastic deformation and absorbs a defined amount of kinetic energy. In a crash, the fuselage structure is, at the underside of the aircraft fuselage, deformed at most to such an extent that a minimum height between a seat surface of passenger seats in the lower deck and the intermediate floor is not undershot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Bischof
  • Patent number: 11628922
    Abstract: Provided are stiffened stringer panels with integrated plank structures. An example composite panel comprises a skin member having an inner surface, and a plank on the inner surface. The plank comprises a set of layered laminate plies and extends from a first side to a second side. Each laminate ply of the set of layered laminate plies is sized to form a desired geometric profile for each of the first side and the second side. The composite panel further comprises a stringer including a cap portion that spans from the first side of the plank to the second side of the plank to form a first flange portion and a second flange portion, respectively, on the inner surface of the skin member. Base segments of the cap portion conform to the desired geometric profile of respective first and second sides of the plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregory L. Clark
  • Patent number: 11628923
    Abstract: An aircraft, including a fixed nacelle disposed on a wing of the aircraft, the fixed nacelle including a nacelle opening; a proprotor pylon disposed on the wing and rotatable relative to the fixed nacelle between a substantially horizontal position and a non-horizontal position, wherein rotation of the proprotor pylon to a non-horizontal position exposes the nacelle opening; and a movable cover disposed on at least one of the wing and fixed nacelle, said movable cover including a plurality of cover members that are movable between a closed position where at least a portion of the cover members collectively form a protective cover in front of the nacelle opening when the proprotor pylon is positioned in the non-horizontal position and a stowed position where at least a portion of the plurality of cover members are stowed. In other aspects, there is provide a method of covering a nacelle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Abey Kurikesu, Amarjit O. Kizhakkepat
  • Patent number: 11628924
    Abstract: The invention described and claimed in this application is a throttle assembly for a paramotor with an integrated locking mechanism which can be engaged to lock the throttle input in any position to maintain level flight. The throttle locking mechanism can be quickly disengaged as needed by squeezing the throttle control lever. The throttle locking mechanism is also able to be tuned when in the locked position as to attain the ideal engine input for level flight. The throttle locking mechanism can be preset and quickly returned to a designated power setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Pierce Osborn
  • Patent number: 11628925
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a force application device for a control stick of an aircraft comprising a shaft and a control lever configured to rotate the shaft about a first axis, the device comprising: a magnetic brake comprising a braking part configured to be connected to the shaft, and a volume containing a rheological fluid in contact with the braking part, of variable shear resistance as a function of a magnetic field applied to the rheological fluid, a force feedback motor configured to exert a resistive force opposing the rotation of the shaft about the first axis, a motor power source, a movable magnetic element biased towards a position close to the magnetic brake, and distancing means configured to maintain the movable magnetic element in a position away from the magnetic brake, when such distancing means are powered by the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Remi-Louis Lawniczak, Pascal Coppée, Yannick Attrazic
  • Patent number: 11628926
    Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a primary load path for tightly coupling an actuated surface to a reference structure, and a secondary load path having a backlash portion for coupling the actuated surface to the reference structure with backlash, wherein the secondary load path is unloaded during an operative state of the primary load path and loaded during a failure state of the primary load path. A first sensor is configured to sense relative displacement between a portion of the primary load path and a portion of the secondary load path. A controller is operatively coupled to the first sensor, the controller configured to determine a load on the primary load path based on relative displacement sensed by the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Eric A. Polcuch
  • Patent number: 11628927
    Abstract: A method of operating an under-actuated actuator system including a plurality of actuators (3), preferably for operating a multiactuator aerial vehicle (1), wherein the actuators (3) are individual propulsion units of the multiactuator aerial vehicle (1), each actuator having a maximum physical capacity umax, the method including: controlling the actuators (3) by with an actual control input u?k computed from an allocation equation u=D?1up, wherein D?1 is an inverse allocation matrix and up?m is a pseudo control input defined by a system dynamics equation m(x){umlaut over (x)}+c(x,{dot over (x)})+g(x)+G(x)up=fext, wherein x?n is an n-dimensional configuration vector of the system, m(x)?n×n is a state dependent generalized moment of inertia, c(x,{dot over (x)})?n are state dependent Coriolis force, g(x)?n are gravitational forces and fext?n are external forces and torques, and G(x)?n×m is a control input matrix which contains the information of under-actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Volocopter GmbH
    Inventor: Burak Yuksel
  • Patent number: 11628928
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of monitoring force equalization (FEQ) sensors on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a first measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems that include the first actuation system. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the first measured force. The method also includes determining variation in at least a portion of the measured-force time series responsive to the updating. The method also includes identifying a first static condition in the measured-force time series in response to a determination that the variation in the measured-force time series is no greater than a minimum amount of variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton L. Harrell, Christos Bais, Curtis R. Higgens, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., David Adjei
  • Patent number: 11628929
    Abstract: Air acceleration at slot of aircraft wing. In one embodiment, a wing includes an air duct configured to transport air in a spanwise direction along a leading edge of the wing from an air supply source of the aircraft. The wing further includes a discharge duct configured to transport the air in an aft direction from the air duct to an aft end of the wing, and one or more nozzles disposed on the aft end of the wing and configured to accelerate air into a slot between the wing and a flap of the aircraft to increase lift and reduce drag for the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Abdollah Khodadoust, Christopher Colletti
  • Patent number: 11628930
    Abstract: A lift control device actively controls the lift force on a lifting surface. The device has a protuberance near a trailing edge of its lifting surface, which causes flow to separate from the lifting surface, generating regions of low pressure and high pressure which combine to increase the lift force on the lifting surface. The device further includes a means to keep the flow attached around the protuberance or to modify the position of the protuberance in response to a command from a central controller, so as to provide an active control of the lift between a maximum value and a minimum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Arctura, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal E. Fine, John A. Cooney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11628931
    Abstract: An aircraft landing gear comprising: a shock-absorbing main leg having a sprung part for attachment to an aircraft and an un-sprung part including a slider and an axle carrying at least one wheel, the wheel having a toothed ring gear; a drive transmission mounted externally on the sprung part, or on the un-sprung part, of the main leg, the drive transmission having at least one motor and a drive pinion for meshing with the toothed ring of the wheel; and an actuator for lifting the drive transmission into and out of driving engagement with the toothed ring and for maintaining the driving engagement as the landing gear deflects during a ground taxiing operation. Also, a method of operating the aircraft landing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Fraser Wilson, Jeremy Bedarrides, Vladimir Platagea
  • Patent number: 11628932
    Abstract: A multicopter is provided. The multicopter may include a main body part, a wing part having one end connected to the main body part, and the other end connected to a propeller assembly, and a foldable part disposed on the wing part to fold the wing part, wherein the wing part is located above the main body part with respect to a Z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN MOBILITY INNOVATION INC.
    Inventors: Myeong Hun Seung, Woo Tae Cheon, Dae Gone Nam, Han Kyun Jeong
  • Patent number: 11628933
    Abstract: A compound aircraft embodies an array of rotors for vertical flight positioned on support booms and wing elements for cruise flight coupled to a central fuselage housing avionics and a pusher propeller for forward propulsion. The aircraft accommodates a cargo-carrying container with mating of the surfaces between container and fuselage and latching mechanisms for attaching and detaching the container and vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: ELROY AIR, INC.
    Inventors: Terik Weekes, Sean Belardo, Clint Cope, Colin Owen, David Merrill
  • Patent number: 11628934
    Abstract: A system comprising a reel, a tether configured to be wound about the reel, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle attached to the tether. When unmanned aerial vehicle is at rest, the unmanned aerial vehicle resides on the reel. Related methods of operating such a system can be used to extract crop from a field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Aron Crowley
  • Patent number: 11628935
    Abstract: A power recharging system may include an electrical conductor connected to a first aircraft and configured to connect to a second aircraft while the aircrafts are in flight. An AC signal may be induced in the electrical conductor it is in proximity to a changing magnetic field. The system may include a first rectifier circuit at the first aircraft that converts the AC signal into a DC signal for charging the first aircraft and a second rectifier circuit at the second aircraft that converts the AC signal into a second DC signal for charging the second aircraft. The electrical conductor may be part of a communication line. A communication system at the first aircraft may send and receive data communications via the communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Nathan D. Hiller
  • Patent number: 11628936
    Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a line replaceable unit; a data device configured to provide an operational status data concerning the line replaceable unit to the wireless mobile maintenance display unit; a first server configured to store a catalog of parts for repairing the line replaceable unit; and a system controller configured to communicate with a source of replacement parts for the line replaceable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Shad Kish, Aaron J. Roberts