Patents Issued in February 20, 2024
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Patent number: 11905008Abstract: A VTOL aircraft comprising a plurality of motor assemblies, each configured to generate thrust by movement of air past the motor assembly along a respective axis of thrust of the motor assembly, and a wing, wherein 1) the orientations of the axes of thrust are each fixed, during operation of the aircraft, at a constant respective pitch angle oblique to a pitch orientation of the wing; 2) the plurality of motor assemblies is operable together to both fully support the aircraft in a hovering mode, and to propel the aircraft forward in a forward flight mode; 3) the wing does not intersect with any right cylinder centered on any motor assembly and having a central longitudinal axis aligned with the axis of thrust of the motor assembly, and having a radius equal to a radius of a propeller of the motor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Air Vev LtdInventor: Chen Rosen
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Patent number: 11905009Abstract: The rotary airfoil 100 defines a cross section and a span, wherein the cross section is a function of the point along the span (e.g., spanwise point) and defines an upper surface and a lower surface at each spanwise point. The rotary airfoil 100 also defines, at a cross section, a lift coefficient (CL) that is a function of the angle of attack at which the airfoil is rotated through the air. The system can optionally include: a rotor hub to mount the rotary airfoil, a tilt mechanism to pivot the rotary airfoil between a forward configuration and a hover configuration, and a pitching mechanism to change the angle of attack of the rotary airfoil 100.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.Inventors: Gregor Veble Mikic, JoeBen Bevirt, Jeremy Bain, Alex Stoll
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Patent number: 11905010Abstract: An aircraft has a pilot compartment and a power source, apparatus adapted to control attitude and direction, apparatus adapted to vary power of the power source, sensors sensing at least altitude, airspeed, power level, and aircraft attitude, a CPU coupled to a data repository, to the sensors and to actuators adapted to change the flight attitude and direction and to vary power, and safe flight envelope data and conditions stored in the data repository defining flight conditions at boundaries of safe and unsafe operation. The CPU monitors the sensors while the aircraft is in operation, determines if flight status is outside the safe flight envelope, and if so, drives appropriate actuators to manipulate the apparats adapted to control flight attitude and direction and/or the apparatus adapted to vary power of the power source in a programmed manner until the flight status is within the safe flight envelope.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventors: Chip West Erwin, Marinus Bernard Bosma
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Patent number: 11905011Abstract: An air mobility may include a wing portion extending from a fuselage of the air mobility; a folded portion provided at an edge portion of the wing portion, configured to extend from the wing portion to form a part of the wing portion during unfolding of the folded portion, and configured to move to overlap with the wing portion during folding of the folded portion, so that an area of air resistance in a vertical direction of the wing portion is reduced; an actuator connected to the folded portion and configured to provide power to the folded portion, so that the folded portion is unfolded or folded to the wing portion; and a controller connected to the actuator and configured to control the actuator, so that the folded portion is folded during vertical takeoff or landing of the fuselage, and configured to control the actuator to unfold the folded portion during cruising of the fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Sang Hyun Jung, Kyu Hoon Cho, Chung Sik Yim, Jae Young Choi
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Patent number: 11905012Abstract: A transport system identifies an attribute of a ground on the basis of sensing data obtained by sensing the ground in a transport destination area, which is performed in flight by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle transporting an article, and determines a region in the ground as an arrangement place of the article on the basis of the identified attribute.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.Inventors: Mitsuru Nakazawa, Hiroaki Iwase
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Patent number: 11905013Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which comprises causing an article to be picked up and delivered via a working drone substantially without human intervention. The working drone is coupled to a support drone via a tether. The working drone is controlled via a wireless communication system that transmits signals from the support drone to the working drone. The wireless communication system constructed to communicate with a box that receives deliveries via the drone.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventors: Brandon Thomas Pargoe, William Stavanja, Danny Neal, Charles Neal
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Patent number: 11905014Abstract: A technique for operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a terminal area from which the UAVs are staged includes charging a plurality of the UAVs on charging pads disposed in a staging array at the terminal area. Merchant facilities for preparing packages for delivery by the UAVs are disposed about a periphery of the staging array. The UAVs are relocated under their own propulsion from interior charging pads to peripheral loading pads of the staging array as the peripheral loading pads become available and the UAVs are deemed sufficiently charged and ready for delivery missions.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: WING Aviation LLCInventors: James Schmalzried, Benjamin Jacobs, Brandon Jones, Stephen Lacy, Jonathan Lesser, Aditya Undurti, André Prager
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Patent number: 11905015Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle for mounting a clamp to a line includes a body, a first propeller attached to the body, a second propeller attached to the body, and a third propeller attached to the body. The body is between at least one of the first propeller and the second propeller, the first propeller and the third propeller, or the second propeller and the third propeller. A guide is attached to the body and is configured to support the clamp for mounting to the line by flying the unmanned aerial vehicle toward the line. The guide is configured to support the clamp such that an imaginary clamp line between a first jaw of the clamp and a second jaw of the clamp when the clamp is in an arrested position is non-parallel to a plane intersecting the first propeller, the second propeller, and the third propeller.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Preformed Line Products Co.Inventors: Benjamin Franklin Ciesielczyk, Adam Michael Deel, Cameron Joseph Clines, Jacob Jeffrey Palmer, Andrew James Hanneman, Jonathon Randall Olszewski
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Patent number: 11905016Abstract: A roller unit for moving a slat of an aircraft wing is provided. The roller unit is adjustable in height and axial position to adjust a gap between an idle roller and a guide rail integral with the slat. The idle roller is carried by an eccentric pin having a stem portion with a threaded portion and an axially grooved end portion. A threaded annular element cooperates with the threaded portion of the stem portion to define a desired axial position of the idle roller. An anti-rotation annular element, coupled in an axially slidable manner with the grooved end portion of the stem portion, may be coupled with the threaded annular element to prevent rotation thereof on the threaded portion of the stem portion. The threaded annular element and the anti-rotation annular element are tightened together between a pair of nuts.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventor: Angelo Trinchillo
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Patent number: 11905017Abstract: A wireless assembly for use with a long line, an aircraft and a battery is provided, the wireless assembly comprising: a hook, which includes an electro-mechanical actuator; a waterproof housing mounted on the hook; a wireless receiver which includes a microprocessor, is retained in the waterproof housing and is in electrical communication with the electro-mechanical actuator; a wireless transmitter, which includes a microprocessor; and a switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter, the wireless transmitter and the switch for locating in the aircraft. A method of wirelessly controlling the release of a load from the hook is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventor: Brian Sallows
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Patent number: 11905018Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for motorized control of a tether, such as for purposes of user interaction and feedback. In particular, a UAV's control system may determine one or more operational parameters of a motor for a winch disposed in the UAV, the winch including the tether and a spool. The control system may then detect in the one or more operational parameters, an operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of an intentional user-interaction with the tether. Based on the detected operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of the intentional user-interaction with the tether, the control system may determine a motor response process. Then, the control system may operate the motor in accordance with the determined motor response process.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Wing Aviation LLCInventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon
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Patent number: 11905019Abstract: A passenger cabin area includes at least one aisle extending along a longitudinal axis of the passenger cabin area, a seating area next to the aisle in the direction of a transverse axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, of the passenger cabin area and in which at least one passenger seat is provided, and a plurality of sleeping berths arranged above the seating area in the direction of a vertical axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, of the passenger cabin area. Each sleeping berth is accessible from the aisle of the passenger cabin area via a stairway element assigned individually to the sleeping berth.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventor: Tobias Schmidt-Schäffer
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Patent number: 11905020Abstract: Examples provide a door assembly including a dual operation slide device for a sliding privacy door associated with a seat unit. The door assembly includes a sliding door movably mounted to a door support member of a seat unit. The door slides laterally between a retracted position and a deployed or partially deployed position. The dual operation slide device includes a trigger and release mechanism for switching the door assembly from a primary track system used during a normal operation mode to a secondary track system used during a backup operation mode if the primary track becomes jammed or otherwise malfunctions based on manual activation of a release lever or force applied activation. The dual operation slide device enables a user to return the sliding door to a retracted position after a failure of the primary slide units to operate in the normal operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Adient Aerospace, LLCInventors: Timothy Scotford, Paul Morgan, Robert Raikes, Paul Edwards
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Patent number: 11905021Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a repair system for a planetary exploration parachute. The repair system includes a folding piece and a fuse, the fuse is provided in the folding piece, a sensing signal for reflecting an impact force of dust is received by the fuse, fusing is generated in the fuse when the sensing signal is greater than a preset threshold, and the folding piece is changed from a folded state to an unfolded state after the fusing is generated in the fuse, so as to automatically repair a damaged part of the parachute.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: SOOCHOW UNIVERSITYInventors: Tao Chen, Xuyan Hou, Yongbin Wang, Jiali Yu, Lining Sun
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Patent number: 11905022Abstract: Disclosed herein is a helicopter flight support for use in case of emergencies. The helicopter flight support comprises a motor which causes a threaded shaft to turn which is coupled to an underside of the helicopter. This causes outer supports and inner supports to be deployed until they reach a wing-like configuration. The interior of the wing comprises a plurality of support cables for tensioning the wing. The helicopter flight support further comprises upper and lower support cables mounted to the tips of the wing to provide horizontal stability.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventor: Schain Lolatchy
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Patent number: 11905023Abstract: An evacuation slide to provide an egress path from an exit of an aircraft. The evacuation slide includes one or more slide lanes. One or more jump targets and indicators are positioned along each of the slide lanes to visually inform persons how to enter a ramp of the slide. Lights illuminate one or more sections of the slide to further provide visual guidance on how to enter the ramp.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Robert J. Lenaburg, Paul J. Wilcynski, Rodney M. Burgin, Steven P. McDonald, Bruce E. Wallace
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Patent number: 11905024Abstract: An electric propulsion architecture for a multi-rotor vertical take-off and landing aircraft includes four electric generators; and four pairs of rotors. For each rotor, a first electric motor is configured to operate in an active mode, and a second electric motor is configured to be in a standby mode and being able to operate in an active mode in a breakdown situation. A propeller is coupled to the electric motors, wherein, for each pair of rotors, one of the electric generators powers the first electric motors, and another of the electric generators powers the second electric motors. The rotors form counter-rotors and for each counter-rotor, the electric motors are each powered by one of the four electric generators so that the four electric generators power the electric motors of the rotors of each counter-rotor.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: SAFRANInventors: Clélia Level, Christophe Maury, René Meunier, Bruno Thoraval
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Patent number: 11905025Abstract: A system for mounting an engine on an aircraft. The system includes a lower forward element, lateral linkages, an upper forward element, and an aft element. The lower forward element couples a forward portion of an engine core with a lower forward portion of a pylon. The linkages extend laterally between the lower forward element and the forward portion of the engine core. The upper forward element couples an outer portion of the fan case with an upper portion of the pylon. The aft element is spaced aftwardly apart from the lower and upper forward elements, and couples an aft portion of the engine core to an aft portion of the pylon. The system reacts all major moments acting on the engine, and the system does not extend beyond an outer periphery of the fan case, which eliminates the need for or minimizes the height of an aerodynamic fairing.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.Inventor: Randall Ray West
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Patent number: 11905026Abstract: An example system includes a throttle control for managing power in a hybrid propulsion system that includes an electrical propulsion unit configured to operate using electrical energy sourced from an electrical energy storage system (ESS) and/or one or more electrical generators, the throttle control comprising: a control lever movable through a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including: a regeneration position; an off position; a maximum electric only position; a maximum continuous dual source position; and a maximum non-continuous dual source position.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KGInventors: Stephen Andrew Long, David Kopeschka, Michael P. Dougherty, Mark McLaren
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Patent number: 11905027Abstract: A system and method for a multi-compartment, liquified gas fuel tank. The liquified gas fuel tank comprises at least a tank a first compartment and a second compartment. The liquified gas fuel tank comprises a junction configured to fluidly connect the at least two compartments of the at least a tank to enable more efficient storage of liquified gas fuel.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: JetZero, Inc.Inventor: Blaine Knight Rawdon
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Patent number: 11905028Abstract: An aircraft comprises a hydrogen-fuelled propulsion system, a plurality of like generally cylindrical hydrogen storage tanks and a conveying system arranged to convey hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tanks to the hydrogen-fuelled propulsion system. The aircraft further comprises a fuselage having a cargo bay (502) including one or more (510A-G) of the plurality of hydrogen storage tanks, the longitudinal axes (511A-G) of the one or more hydrogen storage tanks within the cargo bay extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (501) of the fuselage and lying in one or more planes (595, 597) extending across the width dimension of the cargo bay. The hydrogen storage tanks within the cargo bay have a common aspect ratio R in the range 4.2?R?25.7, allowing the volume of space with the cargo bay occupied by stored hydrogen to be maximised or approximately maximised.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Malcolm L Hillel, Alexis Lambourne
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Patent number: 11905029Abstract: System and methods for passive power sharing of parallel sources are provided. Aspects include a first DC power supply including a first generator and a rectifier circuit, a second DC power supply including a second generator and a second rectifier, wherein a first output of the first DC power supply and a second output of the second DC power supply are commonly coupled at a common bus point, a first current sensing device coupled between the first output of the first DC power supply and the common bus point, a first generator controller configured to receive a first current signal from the first current sensing device, analyze the first current signal to determine a first voltage droop value based on the first current signal, and operate the first DC power supply to reduce a first voltage output of the first DC power supply by the first voltage droop value.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Michael C. Harke, John F. Defenbaugh, William S. Heglund
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Patent number: 11905030Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device with control panel (1) for air vehicles and for controlling the suitability of inputs entered into the control panel (CP) by a pilot in order to operate air vehicle and to give automatic input to the control panel (CP) independent of pilot in the event that predetermined conditions are met.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: TUBITAKInventors: Fatih Geridönmez, Tu{umlaut over (g)}rul Adigüzel
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Patent number: 11905031Abstract: A method of measuring airflow velocity using an integrated heating airspeed tube where the integrated heating airspeed tube has a tube body and a heating component. The tube body is provided with a heating cavity, the heating component is located inside the heating cavity, and the heating component and the tube body are integrally formed. The heating component and at least two static pressure air inlet channels are physically separate but overlap in a lengthwise directly within a horizontal portion of the airspeed tube. The tube body integrally forms the static pressure air inlet channel, the dynamic pressure air inlet channel, the heating cavity, the dynamic pressure air inlet hole, and the static pressure air inlet hole as a unitary one-piece structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO., LTD.Inventor: Yu Tian
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Patent number: 11905032Abstract: Provided is an aircraft, a system, and a method whereby the visibility of the aircraft from a predetermined point can be improved. The aircraft includes at least one memory and at least one processor. Program code includes control code configured to cause the at least one processor to perform orientation change control for causing a first face to face a predetermined point, the first face being a face of the aircraft and having a predetermined color, or display control for causing an image of the predetermined color to be displayed on a second face, the second face being a display surface of a display device of the aircraft and a partial face or an entire face facing the predetermined point.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.Inventor: Toshiaki Tazume
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Patent number: 11905033Abstract: A method of determining whether a landing event of an aircraft is hard may comprise: receiving, by a controller via a stroke position sensor, a stroke profile as a function of time for a shock strut; receiving, by the controller via a gas pressure sensor, a gas pressure in a gas chamber of the shock strut; receiving, by the controller via a wheel speed sensor, a wheel speed of a tire in a landing gear assembly; calculating, by the controller, multiple time dependent functions based on the stroke profile of the shock strut, based on the gas pressure, a shock strut temperature, and the wheel speed; and comparing, by the controller, the multiple time dependent functions to respective predetermined thresholds to determine whether the landing event is hard.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Adnan Cepic, Ebenezer Kielstra, Amir Fazeli
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Patent number: 11905034Abstract: A system for displaying an omnidirectional light show for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed herein. The system comprises an LED matrix comprising a plurality of LEDs distributed on the outer surface area of a body of the UAV. A Ground Control Station (GCS) is communicatively coupled to the UAV and is configured to transmit at least one flight program and at least one light program, wherein the at least one flight program and the at least one light program are synchronized in time and events. A LED light control unit is configured on the UAV and is communicatively coupled to the GCS for receiving instructions from the GCS to control a plurality of LED parameters in accordance with the at least one flight program and the at least one light program.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Microavia International LimitedInventors: Ivan Biriuk, Denis Kotov
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Patent number: 11905035Abstract: An aircraft light comprises a support board; a light source, arranged on the support board; a first optical element, which is at least partially light transmissive, which is arranged over the light source, and which is fixed to the support board; and a second optical element, which is at least partially light transmissive, wherein the first optical element is interposed between the light source and the second optical element. The first optical element has a first engagement portion and the second optical element has a second engagement portion. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion establish a positive fit between the first optical element and the second optical element. At least a portion of light, which is emitted by the light source in operation, passes through the first optical element and through the second optical element.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Anil Kumar Jha, Andre Hessling von Heimendahl, Andreas Ueberschaer
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Patent number: 11905036Abstract: A base apparatus for docking of at least one flying apparatus includes a controller. The controller outputs information of a location to which the base apparatus is to be moved, the location being determined based on a predetermined condition including a condition related to the battery level of the at least one flying apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Takeshi Higuchi, Toi Kanda
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Patent number: 11905037Abstract: An aerial vehicle takeoff and landing system, an aerial vehicle takeoff and landing apparatus, and an aerial vehicle capable of reducing the influence of the ground effect and capable of taking off and landing smoothly even in a comparatively small and limited space. A pair of rails are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween, and are arranged with a space in an extension direction on at least an under side and one end side. An aerial vehicle has a suspension portion provided at an upper portion thereof so as to be inserted between the rails from the one end side. With the suspension portion is inserted between the rails, the aerial vehicle can be suspended at a predetermined landing position of the rails, and the aerial vehicle suspended at the landing position can take off.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignees: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, NPO INTERNATIONAL RESCUE SYSTEM INSTITUTEInventors: Kenjiro Tadakuma, Satoshi Tadokoro, Kazunori Ohno, Yoshito Okada, Masahiro Watanabe, Daiki Fujikura, Toshi Takamori
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Patent number: 11905038Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a section of a fuselage of an aircraft. The method includes pulsing a half barrel section of the fuselage along a track in a process direction, utilizing an indexing feature associated with the half barrel section to determine a desired contour for a portion of the half barrel section, and enforcing the desired contour onto the half barrel section using components that enforce an inner mold line and components that enforce an outer mold line when the half barrel section is out of tolerance from the desired contour.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones
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Patent number: 11905039Abstract: Two components of an aircraft structure are joined by providing a threaded opening in one of them and supporting an alignment insert in that opening. The alignment insert is used to guide drilling of the second component such that a hole is produced which is aligned with the threaded opening, for instance using an alignment projection which physically guides a drill. The alignment insert may then be removed. A fastener is then inserted through that hole and into the threaded opening, then tightened to form the completed joint.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: Christopher Alan Bate, Tim Jones
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Patent number: 11905040Abstract: A cart for supporting a part to be inspected in a non-destructive testing (NDT) machine. The cart includes a base with wheels, a first support extending upright from the base, a second support extending upright from the base, and mounting fixtures being removably attachable to the first and second supports and having mounting ends engageable with the part to support the part from the first support or the second support. The base is displaceable with the wheels to enter and exit the NDT machine. The cart is lockable upon being within the NDT machine to secure the cart in position.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Frédéric Laliberté
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Patent number: 11905041Abstract: A method of tracking an engine cooler in an aircraft includes recording an orientation of the engine cooler as orientation N. Prognostic health management data of the aircraft is tracked. A maintenance check of the aircraft is performed based on the tracked prognostic health management data. Whether to rotate an orientation of the engine cooler is determined with an aircraft maintenance database based on the tracked prognostic health management data of the aircraft. A recommendation is provided by the aircraft maintenance database as to whether to rotate the engine cooler. The orientation of the engine cooler is recorded as orientation N+1.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Donald E. Army, John W. Kowalski
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Patent number: 11905042Abstract: A signal associated with a motor is obtained where the motor is included in a aircraft that has flight capabilities. A motor wear metric that represents an amount of wear experienced by the motor is determined based at least in part on the signal. It is determined, at a flight computer that is included in the aircraft, whether to restrict the flight capabilities of the aircraft based at least in part on the motor wear metric. The flight capabilities of the aircraft are restricted in the event it is so determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Dennis Young Kwon, Alexander David Selwa
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Patent number: 11905043Abstract: Systems and methods are described for computing a trajectory of an object in space to a secondary body (M2) in orbit around a primary body to land on, or capture into orbit, or flyby M2 in a Three-Or-More Body Problem. A special plotting of sampled vectors from M2 are integrated backward using a Poincaré Map to form a “Swiss Cheese plot” to find a nominal trajectory. A funnel-like set of trajectories can be constructed along the nominal trajectory for navigation purposes. A global resonant encounter map over a sphere around M2 can be constructed to provide trajectories to, for example, flyby any point near M2, capture into orbit over any point about M2, land on any point on M2. Besides space exploration, there are many applications to the development of Cislunar space commercialization and colonization including asteroid capture and mining.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Martin W. Lo, Brian D. Anderson, Ryan Burns, Damon Landau, Jared T. Blanchard
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Patent number: 11905044Abstract: A solar sail includes a bus and a plurality of separate movable vanes coupled to the bus. Each movable vane includes a reflective surface for generating solar radiation pressure and propel the solar sail in space. Each vane may be movable relative to the bus in a fully deployed configuration such that an amount of thrust generated by solar radiation pressure on each vane is controllable.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: L'Garde, Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel C. Barnes, Darren D. Garber
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Patent number: 11905045Abstract: Provided herein are various enhanced systems, apparatuses, and techniques for on-surface analysis of celestial or terrestrial surfaces, such as for discovery and analysis of water ice deposits, locations, abundances, and depths. An example herein includes a swarm of spherical payloads sequentially deployed by a deployment host across a large area of a surface to impact the surface, sense properties of the surrounding environment using avionics and scientific instrumentation, and to establish a communication network to collect and transmit collected data.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Joshua William Ehrlich
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Patent number: 11905046Abstract: Systems and method of wrapping an object are disclosed. An object wrapping system includes a contractible loop, a positioning system, and a wrapping material system. The contractible loop is configured to be deployed in an expanded position and a contracted position. The positioning system is configured to position an object in alignment with an aperture defined by the contractible loop. The wrapping material system is configured to position a wrapping material between the object and the aperture. The positioning system is configured to move the object into the wrapping material and through the aperture when the contractible loop is deployed in the expanded position. The contractible loop is configured to deploy into the contracted position to at least partially close the wrapping material around the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Mt. Adams Orchards CorporationInventors: Don M. Gibson, Doug G. Gibson, Shane C. Dittrich, Kristopher R. Okelberry, Michael P. Baker, Peter O. Ashworth, Mark E. De Kleine, Tyler Dale
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Patent number: 11905047Abstract: A transport unit transports a package combination through a wrapping unit that wraps it with a cutout such that a front end of the cutout and a rear end of the cutout are arranged to overlap each other while lying on the transport unit. The transport unit includes a wrapping belt that passes through the wrapping unit for conveying the combination along a transport plane from an inlet to an outlet. The wrapping belt comprises long belts and short belts that are parallel to each other and that circulate in a transport direction. The long belts extend from the wrapping-belt inlet to the wrapping-belt outlet and the short belts extends from the wrapping-belt inlet as far as an end region that falls short of the wrapping-belt outlet. Each of the short belts is arranged between a pair of the long belts, thereby forming free spaces between the long belts.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Bernd Cox, Michael Jörissen
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Patent number: 11905048Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wrapping machine (1) that includes a roping carriage (300) configured to manipulate a sheet of film into a reduced-width rope form to secure a load (L) of goods to a pallet (P).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: Yrjö Suolahti, Martti Anttonen, Niko Aarras
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Patent number: 11905049Abstract: A binding machine is configured to feed a wire in a first direction, to curl the wire, to surround a to-be-bound object with the wire, to return the wire in a second direction opposite to the first direction, to wind the wire on the to-be-bound object, and to twist the wire, thereby binding the to-be-bound object. The binding machine includes: a main body; a reel accommodation unit; a wire feeding unit; a curl forming unit; a binding unit; a grip; a starter; and a feeding path. The reel accommodation unit is provided in the main body on an opposite side to the curl forming unit with respect to the starter, and the feeding path is provided with a load reducing part configured to reduce a load of the wire or the reel accommodation unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.Inventors: Yusuke Yoshida, Kouichirou Morimura, Ichiro Kusakari
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Patent number: 11905050Abstract: A system for packaging two or more containers with a paperboard carrier having two or more apertures. Each aperture has a plurality of tabs formed at an inside edge thereof that bend upward when contacting a lower edge of a chime of one of the containers. The system includes a platen having apertures for pressing the carrier down uniformly onto the containers and carrier supports configured for maintaining the carrier in a flat configuration as the platen presses the carrier onto the containers substantially simultaneously. Some embodiments of the system include a manual applicator, while other embodiments include a semi-automatic apparatus that utilize linear actuators to facilitate loading the carriers and applying the carriers to a group of containers. Methods of use are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: FISHBONE PACKAGING INC.Inventors: Keith James Elliott, Kevin Alan L'Heureux, Wayne Gebhardt
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Patent number: 11905051Abstract: A loading device for loading storage and transport receptacles or trays for plastic receptacles, such as plastic bottles, is disclosed which has a transport system for the trays that can be operated automatically and a transferring device for the plastic receptacles. The transferring device has a multi-gripper for securely grasping a predetermined number of plastic receptacles arranged in the form of a row. A stabilizing system is arranged in a loading station for the trays, which stabilizing system has a first support rack and a second support rack, which are arranged essentially parallel to one another and can be at least partially inserted into a tray that is to be loaded.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ALPHA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Jürgen Riedmann
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Patent number: 11905052Abstract: A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT).Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Douglas Machine Inc.Inventors: Aaron M. Frederick, Kasey W. Dillon, Rick W. Lukanen, Jr., Craig Sholts, Jeffery L. Lenarz, Matthew R. Crissinger, Andrew J. Bye, Eric A. Timmerman
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Patent number: 11905053Abstract: A biodegradable whole leaf pillow tea bag is provided, along with a system and method for manufacturing biodegradable whole leaf pillow tea bags. The method for manufacturing the whole leaf pillow tea bags includes the steps of providing a biodegradable infusion substrate having two opposing edge; creating a sleeve from the biodegradable infusion substrate by infusing the two opposing edges of the substrate together and closing the sleeve at its bottom; placing whole leaf tea in the bottom of the sleeve; vertically feeding the sleeve containing the whole leaf tea into a heat sealing machine that will, at predetermined intervals create heat seals across the sleeve to create pillow bags; cutting the pillow bags from one another across the heat seal. In one example, the biodegradable infusion substrate may contain hemp and/or the whole leaf tea may be infused with CBD oil or other supplements. The same method of manufacturing may be used to create a biodegradable pillow bag containing coffee.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventor: Vanessa Braxton
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Patent number: 11905054Abstract: The invention comprises a method for packaging a dispensable substance, such as a food product, whipped cream, a hydrocarbon, or an air freshener, the method comprising the steps of: placing a first product component into a container, the container comprising a valve dispensing port; adding a second product component into the container, the second product component comprising at least one of: (1) a solid form of the second product component and (2) a liquid form of the second product component; sealing the container; and warming, after the step of sealing, the second product component in the container at least ten degrees Celsius, where the step of warming results in a phase change of all of the second product component into a gas phase, at least a portion of the gas phase of the second product component dissolving into the first product component to form the dispensable substance.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventors: W. Davis Lee, Warren R. Kirsch, Christian T. Metcalfe
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Patent number: 11905055Abstract: In an example embodiment, a doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive plant material, a bracket assembly connected to the hopper assembly, and a roller in a hopper opening defined by the hopper assembly extending through the hopper assembly. An interior surface of the hopper assembly may define the hopper opening. The bracket assembly may include a shaft extending across a portion of the hopper opening. The roller may be in the portion of the hopper opening of the hopper assembly and may extend between a first part and a second part of the interior surface of the hopper assembly. The roller may be connected to the shaft and may be configured to rotate with rotation of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: Jarrod Wayne Chalkley, Loren Theodore Duvekot
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Patent number: 11905056Abstract: A cartoning machine including a carton supply station (e.g., a rotary carton supply station, a linear carton supply station, a non-linear carton supply station, or the like) and a handling station operatively coupled to the carton supply station. The carton supply station provides, on a selective basis, cartons, such as carton blanks, pre-formed cartons, or the like. The carton supply station of the cartoning machine provides for movement of magazines with respect to a robot in the handling station that may have a distal end secured in a stationary and fixed location. As such, different magazines with dissimilar cartons may be moved to a picking location adjacent the robot, as dissimilar cartons are required. Further, the cartons within the magazines may be moved to a pre-determined pick-up location such that the robot is repeatably picking a carton from the pre-determine pick-up location.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: INTERTAPE POLYMER CORP.Inventors: David Showman, Bojan Jovanovic
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Patent number: 11905057Abstract: A mailer machine including a mailer supply station (e.g., a rotary mailer supply station, a linear mailer supply station, a non-linear mailer supply station, or the like) and a handling station operatively coupled to the mailer supply station. The mailer supply station provides, on a selective basis, mailers having different attributes. The mailer supply station of the mailer machine provides for movement of magazines with respect to a robot in the handling station that may have a distal end secured in a stationary and fixed location. As such, different magazines with dissimilar mailers may be moved to a picking location adjacent the robot, as dissimilar mailers are required. Further, the mailers within the magazines may be moved to a pre-determined pick-up location such that the robot is repeatably picking a mailer from the pre-determine pick-up location.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Intertape Polymer Corp.Inventor: Bojan Jovanovic