Patents Issued in April 11, 2024
  • Publication number: 20240116615
    Abstract: A marine propulsion device that reduces white smoke generated during starting includes an engine, a crankshaft, a tilt angle sensor, and an ECU. The engine includes a cylinder, a piston inside the cylinder, and a connecting rod connected to the piston. The crankshaft is connected to the connecting rod. The tilt angle sensor is operable to detect a tilt state of the cylinder such that a first side portion thereof located on an opposite side from the crankshaft is lower than a second side portion thereof located on a same side as the crankshaft. The ECU is configured or programmed to execute a cranking control of a prolonged cranking time based on the tilt state of the cylinder and a stopped time of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Kimitaka SARUWATARI, Hiroshi SUZUKI, Masaya OISHI
  • Publication number: 20240116616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting device (30) for a lever (10) configured for controlling a marine vessel. The mounting device (30) is configured to hold a lever element (14) rotatably about a rotation axis (32) and to adjust an amount of resistance against moving the lever element (14) depending on an angular lever position. In a first angular lever position range, the amount of resistance against further angular deflection increases with an increased deflection of the lever element (14) beyond a neutral position. The present invention further relates to a lever (10) configured for controlling a marine vessel and to a marine vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Padova S.r.l.
    Inventors: Paolo Moruzzi, Massimo Tranquillini, Ferruccio Basurto, Gianluca Straccio, Danilo Selvaggi
  • Publication number: 20240116617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting device (30) for a joystick (10), the mounting device (30) comprising a first and second mounting element (32, 34), a spring element (36) and a ball element (38). The two mounting elements (32, 34) are rotatably attached to allow rotation of the joystick (10) about a central axis (22) of yaw rotation. The spring element (36) is mounted to the first mounting element (32) and urges the ball element (38) against a ball support surface (50) of the second mounting element (34). The ball support surface (50) is inclined such that rotation of the stick element (16) about the central axis (22) away from a neutral yaw position causes increase of tension in the spring element (36), biasing the joystick (10) towards the neutral yaw position. Further, the invention relates to a joystick (10) and a marine vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Padova S.r.l.
    Inventors: Paolo Moruzzi, Massimo Tranquillini, Ferruccio Basurto, Gianluca Straccio, Danilo Selvaggi
  • Publication number: 20240116618
    Abstract: A marine propulsion device includes a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a circulator, a case, and an attachment body. The second gear is meshed with the first gear. The third gear is meshed with the first gear, and the third gear is coaxial with the second gear and opposed to the second gear. The circulator is between the second gear and the third gear. The case includes an internal space in which the first gear, the second gear, the third gear, and the circulator are located. The case includes an attachment hole to which the circulator is attached. The attachment body is inserted into the attachment hole so as to attach the circulator to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Kimitaka SARUWATARI, Akihiro NOMA, Masanari MORI, Yushi FUJITA, Hiroaki KAGEYAMA, Shinobu MUROUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240116619
    Abstract: A digital twin computation section collects a speed of an own ship, a position of the own ship, and a heading of the own ship in real time, and reproduces an actual hull motion of the own ship realized at a current steering angle on a navigational electronic marine chart. A simulation computation section displays, on the navigational electronic marine chart, an assumed hull motion of the own ship determined by calculation that assumes that a force acting on the hull is a driving force at the current steering angle. A resultant force of external forces computation section calculates an acting direction and a magnitude of a resultant force of external forces acting on the hull based on a ship speed difference, ship position difference, and heading difference between the actual hull motion and the assumed hull motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: JAPAN HAMWORTHY & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazushi TOMITA, Hirotaka YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240116620
    Abstract: A portable hand held boat thruster for use on a boat in a body of water. There is a hand held control unit having a switch, a power source connected to the switch, a shaft extending from the hand held control unit, a propulsion device which is connected to the switch by way of the shaft; and a bumper operably connected about the propulsion device such that when the switch is actuated in an on position, the propulsion device creates a thrust and enables the bumper to be disposed against a hull of the boat to aid in docking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Matthew Nogle
  • Publication number: 20240116621
    Abstract: A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: H2 Clipper, Inc.
    Inventors: Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Robert H. Shelton, Shawn Merritt
  • Publication number: 20240116622
    Abstract: An aerospace vehicle system, preferably including one or more capsules, and optionally including one or more propulsion modules and/or safety modules. A capsule, preferably including a pressure vessel including a structural frame and one or more windows, and optionally including a cabin. In alternate embodiments, the system can additionally or alternatively function as a terrestrial vehicle, a watercraft, and/or any other suitable vehicle. A method of operation, preferably including operating the aerospace vehicle system in flight, while maintaining a pressure differential between the pressure vessel interior and an environment surrounding the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Space Perspective Inc.
    Inventors: Rodger Farley, Jane Poynter, Taber MacCallum, Daniel James Window, Nicholas Adrian Moyes
  • Publication number: 20240116623
    Abstract: The novel wing design disclosed herein has a cambered, swept wing design for aircraft application that can achieve steady state flight via the integration of an electric motor driven lift-thrust system that can provide both vertical thrust for take-off and horizontal thrust for flight propulsion by the selective use of fan blades connected to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Ramon David Bermudez Onopa
  • Publication number: 20240116624
    Abstract: A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes launching a UAV and deploying at least one portion of a wing assembly from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the at least one portion of the wing assembly extends away from a body of the UAV. Deploying the portion of the wing assembly, which may be an outboard portion of a wing assembly, includes deflecting an aerodynamic control surface on the at least one portion of the wing assembly to cause an aerodynamic force to move the portion of the wing assembly into the deployed configuration without assistance from a spring or motor. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a UAV having a body and a plurality of wing assemblies carried by the body, at least a portion of a wing assembly is deployable using aerodynamic forces and without assistance form a spring or motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher NOSKOWICZ
  • Publication number: 20240116625
    Abstract: An airfoil having a leading-edge and a trailing edge as well as a suction side and a pressure side is provided. The suction side including an injector slot towards the leading edge. There may be at least one additional slot towards the trailing edge. The airfoil may be configured for an aircraft. A method of operating an aircraft using such airfoil is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Allan MOLBECH
  • Publication number: 20240116626
    Abstract: An aircraft, a method of controlling the aircraft, and a control system for the aircraft has a fuselage and tilt-wing movable relative to the fuselage. A plurality of main propulsors coupled to main propellers that is coupled to the tilt-wing, which are configured to provide a first maximum amount of thrust. A plurality of auxiliary propulsors coupled to auxiliary propellers that are spaced apart from the tilt-wing, which are configured to provide a variable amount of thrust. A controller signals the main propulsors to operate at the first maximum amount of thrust when the tilt-wing moves from the cruise position to the transition position, and signals the auxiliary propulsors to operate at the variable amount of thrust when the tilt-wing is in the transition position in which the first maximum amount of thrust and the variable amount of thrust together provide an overall thrust to descend and land the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Francesco Giannini
  • Publication number: 20240116627
    Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes a plurality of lift propellers configured to rotated by lift motors to provide vertical thrust during takeoff, landing and hovering operations. The lift propellers are configured to generate a cooling airflow to cool the lift motors during use. During a cruise operation when the VTOL aircraft is in forward motion, the lift propellers may be stowed in a stationary position. Therefore, the cooling airflow may be reduced or eliminated when it is not needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Kumar BODLA, Bharat TULSYAN, Christopher M. HEATH, Kerry MANNING, Alan D. TEPE
  • Publication number: 20240116628
    Abstract: A system for an aircraft includes a tiltable proprotor that is tiltable between a lift position for providing lift for the aircraft and a forward flight position for providing forward propulsion for the aircraft is provided. The system includes at least one actuator for adjusting a tilt angle of the tiltable proprotor; and at least one passive damper connected to the tiltable proprotor and configured to limit a rate of change of the tilt angle of the tiltable proprotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Anthony BENO, Benjamin Scott DYER, Nathan Daniel STORRS
  • Publication number: 20240116629
    Abstract: A tilt propeller for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft includes a linked low pitch stop (LLPS). The LLPS serves as a secondary pitch control system that is activated when a primary pitch control system fails. The LLPS may include a pitch rod coupled to a propeller blade yoke, and a mechanical coupling that correlates the tilt angle of the propeller with a pitch angle setting of the LLPS. The pitch rod may be separated by a gap from the mechanical coupling during normal operation. If the primary pitch control fails, the pitch rod is forced into contact with the mechanical coupling to close the gap and form a load-bearing path to control the pitch angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan STORRS, Jonathan BENO
  • Publication number: 20240116630
    Abstract: Methods for predicting a yield of fruit growing in an agricultural plot are provided. At a first time, a first plurality of images of a canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from an aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the first plurality of images, a first number of detectable fruit is estimated. At a second time, a second plurality of images of the canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from the aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the second plurality of images, a second number of detectable fruit is estimated. Using at least the first number of detectable fruit and the second number of detectable fruit and agricultural plot information, predict the yield of fruit from the agricultural plot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin MELTZER, Michael WOOTTON, James PATERSON, Munsanje MWEENE, Joshua Washington PERRY
  • Publication number: 20240116631
    Abstract: Various countermeasure dispensing systems (or CMDSs) and method of use are described herein. CMDS may include a dispenser assembly operably engaged with a platform where at least one electrical connection provides electrical communication between the dispenser assembly and a sequencer. CMDS may also include a magazine assembly operably engaged with the dispenser assembly, wherein the magazine assembly comprises a magazine configured to hold at least two countermeasure expendables. CMDS may also include a breechplate assembly operably engaged with the magazine assembly and adapted to dispense the at least two countermeasure expendables. CMDS may also include at least one magazine identification switch (MIS) operably engaged with the magazine assembly and the breechplate assembly. CMDS may also include that the at least one MIS is configured to enable the sequencer and the breechplate assembly to selectively dispense at least one countermeasure expendable from the at least two countermeasure expendables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Kohl, Jeffrey A. Gensler, Parker T. Hyink
  • Publication number: 20240116632
    Abstract: A recoil device is provided for a gun having a barrel with a breech. The device includes a breech nut, a brake assembly, a pneumatic spring and a counter-recoil buffer. The breech nut has first and second adjacent sides. The brake assembly includes a brake cylinder that mounts to the breech nut on the first side. The pneumatic spring mounts to the breech nut on the second side. The counter-recoil buffer attaches to the pneumatic spring. The brake cylinder and the pneumatic spring internally push fluids for recoil absorption and return in response to firing the gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Buckler, Michael M. Canaday, Thomas Klebert Houck, Jr., Gregory Noble Fish, William Michael McCoy, Nathan Arnold Lambert, Timothy Gerald Burcham, Xavier Anthony Quinn, Douglas Lawrence Ramers, Sabrina Hong-Yee Lau
  • Publication number: 20240116633
    Abstract: A movable cargo support for an aircraft cargo hold or passenger cabin includes a base member with its bottom surface having one or more support sections to support the base member on a floor surface. The base member includes wheel assemblies having a wheel member rotatable about a rotation axis and movably mounted on the base member to pivot about a steering axis of the wheel assembly and which can be altered between an extended position where the wheel member protrudes beyond the support plane and a retracted position where the wheel member does not extend beyond the support plane. Each wheel assembly has a biasing member biasing the wheel member towards the extended position and configured so the biasing force exceeds the force by X % at most which forces the wheel member towards the retracted position when the wheel members are on a floor surface and one or more cargo elements are on the support surface having the maximum allowable weight of the one or more cargo elements for the cargo support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Dirk Meiranke, Ralf Schliwa, Hermann Benthien, Andreas Poppe
  • Publication number: 20240116634
    Abstract: Lateral sleep systems for aircraft are disclosed. A first lateral sleep apparatus is positioned on a first side of a divider adjacent a first seat, the lateral sleep apparatus includes a first headrest and a first cradle. The first cradle supports the first headrest and includes a first panel mounting interface coupling the first headrest to a first support ledge of the divider. A second lateral sleep apparatus is positioned on a second side of the divider adjacent a second seat, where the second lateral sleep apparatus includes a second headrest and a second cradle. The second cradle supports the second headrest and includes a second panel mounting interface coupling the second headrest to a second support ledge of the divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Nyein Chan Aung, Mark Armstrong, Arthur de Bono, Robbie Napper
  • Publication number: 20240116635
    Abstract: A tactile signal seat belt sleeve has tactile signal producing elements arrayed along a sleeve that is adapted to fit over a seat belt for a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The elements may be arranged, for example, along the body-facing side of the belt. Each sleeve incorporates a signal-receiving element that allows for the activation of vibration-producing motors embedded in the fabric of the seat belt sleeve or belting. Vibration motors, such as piezoelectric devices, can be used to produce the tactile feedback. The haptic feedback assembly is connected to an interface unit that uses data from aircraft systems to sense, for example, the aircraft altitude and pitch, roll and yaw system. The interface unit generates signal to haptic devices to create appropriate vibrations patterns to the sleeve. The vibrations may be used to indicate directions of turn using output signals from various navigations systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Irving Cook
  • Publication number: 20240116636
    Abstract: A tray table assembly and a passenger seat arrangement including a tray table assembly. The tray table assembly includes a tray table coupled to a motion path element determining a motion path of the tray table between stowed and deployed positions. In embodiments, the motion path element may be implemented as at least one of a helical shaft, helical slot, and helical ramp. The motion path combines rotational and vertical motion such that an angular change of the table caused by rotational movement simultaneously causes an elevation change of the tray table. In some embodiments, the tray table may lower when rotated toward the deployed position and raise when rotated toward the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jeremy F. Malecha, Travis K. Finlay, Tracy N. Pence, Mark B. Dowty
  • Publication number: 20240116637
    Abstract: A cockpit table system includes an airplane cockpit having a pair of front seats. A console is positioned in front of the seats and includes a central section that extends between the seats. The central section has a first lateral wall positioned adjacent to a first one of the seats and a second lateral wall positioned adjacent to a second one of the seats. A top wall extends between the first and second lateral walls. A frame is mounted to the console and is positioned adjacent to and outside of each of the first and second lateral walls. A first tray is mounted on the frame adjacent to the first lateral wall and a second tray is mounted on the frame adjacent to the second lateral wall. The first and second trays laterally extend away from each other and over their respectively adjacent seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Inflight Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Trever Andrew Rossini
  • Publication number: 20240116638
    Abstract: An aircraft includes external structures, and one or more thermal emitters integrated with one or more of the external structures. The one or more thermal emitters are configured to generate heat to deice the one or more external structures. The one or more thermal emitters are configured to receive electrical power from one or more of an auxiliary power unit of the aircraft, a power distribution system of the aircraft, one or more engines of the aircraft, or an external power cart that is separate and distinct from the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Everette Albrecht, Richard John Loftis, Marcus Anthony Belcher, Edwin John Smith, Kristofer Logan Peterson, Collin William Childs, Benjamin David Walker, Jonathan William Udell, Doria Pei, Robert N. Jaeger, Sara Jane Lynn, Mirza Mustafayev, Ignas Sabet-Kazilas, Varun Suri
  • Publication number: 20240116639
    Abstract: An electric propulsion system comprising an electric motor assembly. The electric motor assembly may include a housing having an internal volume, a stator ring disposed about a perimeter of the internal volume, and a rotor positioned within the stator. The electric motor assembly may include a main shaft connected to the rotor via a gear reduction, wherein the main shaft extends through the rotor. The electric motor assembly may include a collar connected to the main shaft, wherein the collar encircles the main shaft, and at least a portion of the collar is configured to direct a fluid away from the main shaft and toward the stator ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation Inc.
    Inventors: Scott GRAVES, Robert Wayne MOORE
  • Publication number: 20240116640
    Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft having a heat exchanger to cool fluids used in an electrical engine, the electric propulsion system comprising at least one electrical engine mechanically connected directly or indirectly to a fuselage of the VTOL aircraft and electrically connected to an electrical power source. The electrical engine may comprise an electrical motor having a stator and a rotor; a gearbox assembly comprising a sun gear; at least one planetary gear; a ring gear; and a planetary carrier. The electric engine may include an inverter assembly comprising a thermal plate and an inverter assembly housing; an end bell assembly that is connected to the thermal plate of the inverter assembly; and a heat exchanger comprising an array of cooling fins and tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation Inc.
    Inventors: Scott GRAVES, Alan D. TEPE
  • Publication number: 20240116641
    Abstract: An electrical propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises an electrical motor assembly and an inverter assembly. The inverter assembly comprises a housing, a capacitor assembly, at least one printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), and a plurality of positioning pins. The capacitor assembly comprises a center hole, at least one capacitor, a capacitor housing having at least one busbar, and a plurality of through holes in the capacitor housing. The capacitor assembly and the at least one PCBA are positioned inside the housing. The plurality of positioning pins pass through the through the plurality of through holes of the capacitor housing and the at least one PCBA and are connected to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. TEPE, Stephen Michael SPITERI, Scott GRAVES, Alan BALDWIN, Wei WU, Robert Wayne MOORE, Michael ZWIERS, Diederik MARIUS
  • Publication number: 20240116642
    Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the electric propulsion system including an electrical motor having a stator and a rotor. The electric propulsion system may include a main shaft possessing at least one shoulder on an outer surface of the main shaft. The electric propulsion system may include a gearbox assembly comprising a sun gear that is concentrically aligned with the main shaft at least one planetary gear that interfaces with the sun gear. The electric propulsion system may include a planetary carrier, wherein a center of the planetary carrier is concentrically aligned with the main shaft. The electric propulsion system may include a propeller flange assembly that travels through the rotor, and an axial buttress positioned in the at least one shoulder located on the main shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation Inc.
    Inventor: Scott GRAVES
  • Publication number: 20240116643
    Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the electric propulsion system including an electrical motor having a stator and a rotor. The electric propulsion system may include a main shaft possessing at least one shoulder on an outer surface of the main shaft. The electric propulsion system may include a gearbox assembly comprising a sun gear that is concentrically aligned with the main shaft at least one planetary gear that interfaces with the sun gear. The electric propulsion system may include a planetary carrier, wherein a center of the planetary carrier is concentrically aligned with the main shaft. The electric propulsion system may include a propeller flange assembly that travels through the rotor, and an axial buttress positioned in the at least one shoulder located on the main shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Archer Aviation Inc.
    Inventor: Scott GRAVES
  • Publication number: 20240116644
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly for an aircraft comprising a dual-flow turbine engine equipped with a fan, an aerodynamic outer shroud acting as a nacelle as well as a mounting pylon, the propulsion assembly having a secondary flow path defined by an outer radial defining surface formed by the shroud, the turbine engine including stator vanes, and the mounting pylon comprising a part housed in the secondary flow path, referred to as upstream part. According to the invention, the upstream part of the pylon extends radially from the inner radial defining surface, along a radial pylon height strictly less than a total radial height of the secondary flow path, and the upstream part of the pylon extends in the downstream direction from a root part of one of the stator vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Eva Julie LEBEAULT, Anthony BINDER, Laurent SOULAT
  • Publication number: 20240116645
    Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system can include a heat engine torque sensor connected between a heat engine and a combining gear box to sense a heat motor input torque input to the combining gear box, an electric motor torque sensor connected between an electric motor and the combining gear box to sense an electric motor input torque input to the combining gear box, and a combining gear box torque sensor connected to an output of the combining gearbox. The system can include a HEP controller operatively connected to each of the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor to receive one or more torque signals therefrom. The controller can be configured to output one or more output signals as a function of the signals from each of the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michael MARK, Paul C. IMEL, Leonid GUERCHKOVITCH
  • Publication number: 20240116646
    Abstract: [Object] To detect airspeed and an airflow direction with respect to an airframe of a motorized aircraft with high accuracy without increasing the cost and weight and rapidly control attitudes of an electric propulsion system and the airframe in accordance with fluctuations of the airspeed and airflow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroshi KOBAYASHI, Kentaro YOKOTA, Akira NISHIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20240116647
    Abstract: A component for an aircraft and an aircraft with such component. The component includes a heat source enclosed by a housing, heat exchanger, heat sink, at least one structural suspension element, and an air duct. Each structural suspension element is attached to an inner surface of the housing and supports one or more of the heat source within the housing. The heat sink is part of the housing and configured to guide air from an inside of the housing an outside of the housing. Each heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the heat source. Each heat exchanger is fluidly connected to the heat sink via an inlet line and a return line for a coolant. The air duct is configured to guide ambient air from the outside through the housing, past each of the at least one structural suspension element, and through the heat sink out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Kristian Zimmermann, Christian Metzner, Uwe Beier, Jorge A. Carretero Benignos
  • Publication number: 20240116648
    Abstract: An aircraft comprising a structure, a tank housed in the fuselage, and fastening means which comprise a front fastening system, a rear fastening system and a lateral fastening system. The front system comprises a front plate, two lateral connecting rods and a central connecting rod that are fastened between the front plate and the tank. The rear system comprises a rear plate and a rear connecting rod fastened between the rear plate and the tank. The lateral system comprises a lateral connecting rod fastened between the structure and the tank, wherein one of the connection points is behind the other connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Anthony MERTES
  • Publication number: 20240116649
    Abstract: A fuel tank for an aircraft, including a fuel pumping system which includes a set of hoses, first ends of which are distributed over a lower part of the tank, a manifold to which second ends of the different hoses of the set of hoses are connected as input, an output of the manifold being connected to a fuel pump, a fuel level sensor associated with each hose of the set of hoses and placed in the vicinity of the first end of said hose, and a valve associated with each hose and controlled by a control system which is configured such that when the fuel level sensor associated with this hose detects a low fuel level, the valve is controlled into a closed position, and otherwise the valve is controlled into an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Frédéric SICK
  • Publication number: 20240116650
    Abstract: An aircraft, including a hydrogen consumer and a hydrogen supply device for supplying the hydrogen consumer with hydrogen, the hydrogen supply device having a cryogenic hydrogen tank for storing liquid hydrogen. In order to lower the weight while improving performance of the hydrogen tank during different flight conditions, embodiments of the aircraft further include a suspension arrangement with suspension elements for suspending the hydrogen tank on a structure of the aircraft, wherein the hydrogen tank includes a tank wall made from fiber reinforced composite material, and wherein the suspension arrangement includes a plurality of first tensile loaded dry fiber suspension elements fixed to load introduction areas on the hydrogen tank such that the suspension elements extend essentially tangential to a surface of the hydrogen tank at the associated load introduction area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Christian METZNER, Uwe BEIER, Kristian ZIMMERMANN
  • Publication number: 20240116651
    Abstract: An exterior aircraft light with integrated light output monitoring includes a light source support, at least one light source, arranged on an outward facing side of the light source support, an aperture in the light source support, a light collection surface, arranged to direct an output monitoring light portion of the light, emitted by the at least one light source, through the aperture in a predefined angular range with respect to the light source support. The light also includes a light detector, arranged on a back side of the light source support, and a total internal reflection optical element, arranged to direct the output monitoring light portion, having travelled through the aperture in the predefined angular range with respect to the light source support, to the light detector via total internal reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Jha, Andre Hessling-von Heimendahl, Marion Depta
  • Publication number: 20240116652
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing stringers for aircraft, wherein the stringer comprises two semi-stringers, includes steps of placing tows on a flat surface for forming the semi-stringers independently or at the same time, the placement being made by partially overlapping the tows and orientating the tows on the flat surface according to boundaries of the flat surface, the tows covering the boundaries of the flat surface; and cutting the tows so that a shape of the tows corresponds to the shape of the flat surface defined by boundaries of the flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Georgina GALERA CÓRDOBA, Victor DIAZ DIAZ, Fernando MUÑOZ AJENJO, Antonio TORRES ESTEBAN, Jose Maria BLANCO SAIZ
  • Publication number: 20240116653
    Abstract: Example coil guns and methods of using coil guns are described herein. An example coil gun includes a first pancake module; a second pancake module, where the first pancake module and the second pancake module are each formed of a winding with an inner superconducting material layer and an outer ordinary conductor layer, where the first pancake module and the second pancake module are physically and/or inductively coupled to propagate a quench of a superconducting state of the first pancake module to the second pancake module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Lance D. Cooley, Christian M. Hubicki
  • Publication number: 20240116654
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for rendezvous with an orbiting object comprising: launching a tug and a servicer into a client orbit; separating the servicer from the tug; and docking the servicer with a client. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided system for rendezvous with an orbiting object comprising: a first spacecraft raft comprising a tug capable of towing a second spacecraft, wherein the second spacecraft is a servicer configured to dock with a tumbling client orbiting object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Astroscale Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lindsay, Takashi Iwai
  • Publication number: 20240116655
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for capturing a space target. The system includes a plurality of capturing devices, a delivery device, a launching device, and a deceleration and recovery device, each of the plurality of capturing devices is configured to be launched into a target orbit to capture a defunct space target, the delivery device is configured to deliver, along a preset delivery trajectory, each of the plurality of capturing devices to a first preset location in the launching device, the launching device is configured to launch each of the plurality of capturing devices located at the first preset location into the target orbit to capture the defunct space target, and the deceleration and recovery device is configured to decelerate each of the plurality of capturing devices after it is launched and flies a preset distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Harbin Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jinsheng GUO, Fan WU, Shi QIU, Jian CHEN, Cheng WEI, Hongxu WANG
  • Publication number: 20240116656
    Abstract: A drive is provided that comprises at least one pair of coaxial linear guides configured to counterrotate about a rotational axis and a pair of eccentric masses arranged and constrained for reciprocating movement along the coaxial linear guides. Each eccentric mass reciprocates from a first end to a second end and back again to the first end of its corresponding linear guide in a first period of time that is equal to a second period of time required for the corresponding linear guide to complete a full rotation. This results in a phenomenon by which the eccentric masses are constrained to one hemisphere of the circular sweep of the linear guides, producing an internally derived directional thrust. To steer the drive, one of several different mechanisms are used to differentiate the phases, angular momentums, and or displacement between the linear guides of the linear guide-and-piston subsystems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: SpaceDyne Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse W. Flippo, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240116657
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a life support system (LSS) for a spacecraft includes a gas accumulator configured to store a gas, the gas accumulator including a non-metallic inner lining. A fluid processor is fluidly connected to the gas accumulator configured to produce one or more life sustaining fluids from at least the gas. A supply conduit can be fluidly connected to the fluid processor configured to supply the one or more life sustaining fluids to one or more portions of the spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Yehia F. Khalil
  • Publication number: 20240116658
    Abstract: A propeller guard 2 includes: a propeller guard body 10 configured to surround a propeller 30 of a flight vehicle 20; and a rotating member 40 provided on a side surface of the propeller guard body 10, in which the rotating member 40 is able to rotate around at least a horizontal base axis in a case where the rotating member 40 is in contact with a vertical plane located outside the propeller guard body 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke UCHIBORI, Yujin HAMANO, Kazuaki WATANABE, Masafumi NAKAGAWA, Atsushi ARATAKE
  • Publication number: 20240116659
    Abstract: A vertical bag-making/filling/packaging machine (1) comprises; a top folding portion (20) which forms a first fold (F1) by folding a side of a band-shaped film (F) into a Z-shape; a bottom folding portion (30) which forms a second fold (F5) by folding a center of the film (F) into an M-shape; a top seal portion (40) which forms a top gusset (G3) and a spout portion (G7) protruding from the top gusset (G3) by heat-welding the first fold (F1) and side edges (E1 and E2) of the film (F) so as to make the film (F) into a tube shape; and a bottom-seal portion (50) which forms a bottom gusset (G4) by heat-welding the second fold (F5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: ORIHIRO Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Orihiro Tsuruta, Masataka Tsuruta, Akira Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20240116660
    Abstract: A transporter apparatus for products includes a first conveyor, provided with seats for receiving said products and provided to move said products in a first advance direction, a compaction unit, positioned downstream of the first conveyor and a second conveyor positioned downstream of said compaction unit. The compacting unit includes a support surface on which the products coming from the first conveyor are deposited, and a movement member provided to move the products placed on the support surface towards each other in a second advance direction, so as to form compact columns of products substantially parallel to the second advance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea BIONDI, Umberto ZANETTI, Enrico CAMPAGNOLI, Luca CAVAZZA
  • Publication number: 20240116661
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an automatic bundling tool device (ABT) for bundling a bundling good by means of a one-piece-tie (OPT). In aspects, an ABT includes a holding unit configured to receive, hold, and release a respective OPT; a motion guiding unit configured to guide a motion of the holding unit between a receiving position and a releasing position; a claw unit configured to guide a strap of the respective OPT around the bundling good; and a tip guiding unit with at least one guiding flap element configured to guide a tip of the respective OPT towards an entrance of the claw unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas Schwinn, Taro David Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20240116662
    Abstract: A process for packaging a product including the steps of providing a cleaning wipe that includes nonwoven strips and moving the cleaning wipe in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cleaning wipe. A gas is moved from positions on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and beyond the longitudinal edges of the cleaning wipe to bend the free ends of the nonwoven strips out of plane relative to the fixed ends of the strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Terra Louise DENT, Nayda Liz RAMOS MEDINA, Nicola John POLICICCHIO, Agnes Elaine WELLS, Brian Lee KEITH
  • Publication number: 20240116663
    Abstract: A method for producing a capsule, includes providing a base body made of a plastic and having a base region, a circumferential side wall, and a circumferential base body flange adjacent to the circumferential side wall; providing a cover made of a plastic; filling the base body with an extraction material; placing the cover on the base body so that a fastening portion of the cover contacts the base body flange, and fastening the cover flange to the base body flange by ultrasonic welding. When fastening the cover flange, an inner surface of the fastening section makes contact with a flange surface of the base body flange. A sonotrode having mechanical vibrations applied thereto is pressed against an outer surface of the fastening section or of the base body flange, and mechanical vibrations liquefy plastic material of the cover or of the base body flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Ralf Müller
  • Publication number: 20240116664
    Abstract: An auto sort and label (ASL) system includes a conveyor, a controller, a sensor, and a label, print, and apply (LPA) system. The conveyor conveys articles through the ASL system. The sensor is positioned along the conveyor and identifies an article. The controller receives sensor data from the sensor. The LPA is positioned alongside the conveyor and prints labels in sequence with the corresponding article as it travels along the conveyor and applies the labels to the corresponding articles as the article passes the LPA. The controller controls the conveyor such that a gap and/or pitch between a first article and a second article is adjusted to an optimal distance to match the operation capability of the LPA. The controller verifies placement and contents of the label upon the article as defined by sensor data and accepts or rejects the labeled article for further handling based on the verification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Khalil Najjar, Michael Hildebrand