Airplane And Helicopter Sustained Patents (Class 244/6)
  • Patent number: 11370323
    Abstract: An aircraft has an energy battery, a power battery, lifting rotors and cruise propellers and is configured such that the energy battery supplies the cruise propellers in cruising phases and the power battery supplies the lifting rotors in take-off and landing phases. The aircraft also includes a reserve power battery. The reserve power battery is configured to selectively supply power to the lifting rotors in an emergency. The reserve power battery is rechargeable, and, during the cruising phases, the energy battery is configured to charge the power battery and the reserve power battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Mikel Fauri
  • Patent number: 11358714
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage and propellers, wherein the propellers can be retracted beneath the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Bender, Mikel Fauri
  • Patent number: 11347242
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for flight control prioritization. An example apparatus includes a thrust state determiner to determine a first thrust margin between a first limit of first available power for first rotors of a rotorcraft and a first thrust state associated with the first rotors, determine a second thrust margin between a second limit of second available power for second rotors of the rotorcraft and a second thrust state associated with the second rotors, and identify the first thrust margin or the second thrust margin as a selected thrust margin based on a vertical control profile of the rotorcraft, and a command generator to determine a first vertical control command based on the selected thrust margin and a second vertical control command, the second vertical control command being executed by the rotorcraft, and control the rotorcraft based on the first vertical control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan E. Kashawlic, Brandon R. Brown
  • Patent number: 11299287
    Abstract: Aspects relate to systems and methods for orienting a thrust propulsor in response to a failure event of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. An exemplary system includes a plurality of lift propulsors mechanically connected to a VTOL aircraft, wherein each of the plurality of lift propulsors are configured to produce lift, a plurality of sensors, wherein at least a sensor is configured to detect a failure of at least a lift propulsor, and transmit a failure datum, a thrust propulsor mechanically attached to the VTOL aircraft with an orientable joint, wherein the thrust propulsor is configured to produce thrust and orient the thrust propulsor as a function of a thrust orientation datum, and a flight controller configured to receive the failure datum, generate a thrust orientation datum as a function of the failure datum, and transmit the thrust orientation datum to the orientable joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Moy, Riley Griffin, Lochie Ferrier, Collin Freiheit
  • Patent number: 11292593
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to aircraft vehicles, specifically vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that include propellers. A propeller is coupled to a boom and the boom includes a boom control effector. The boom control effector is configured to direct the airflow behind or below the propeller. The boom control effector can be configured to control the yaw movement of the aircraft and mitigate noise from the propeller. A boom control effector can be a single effector or a split effector. The split effector may operate in conjunction with a boom that operates as a resonator to reduce noise produced by the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Moore, John Conway Badalamenti, Ian Villa, Adam Warmoth, David Josephson
  • Patent number: 11273920
    Abstract: A method and to a device for managing energy of a hybrid power plant of a multi-rotor aircraft during a flight. The hybrid power plant comprises a thermal engine, an electricity generator, and a plurality of electric motors, together with a plurality of electrical energy storage devices. The aircraft has a plurality of rotors driven in rotation by respective electric motors. The flight of the aircraft comprises a takeoff stage, a cruising stage, and a landing stage, the takeoff stage and the landing stage being performed solely while consuming electrical energy. The method enables an electrification ratio RElec of the flight to be calculated as a function of the amounts of electrical and thermal energy that are consumed during the takeoff, landing, and cruising stages, thereby limiting the use of the thermal engine to the least possible amount during the cruising stage, and consequently reducing the associated nuisance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Marc Gazzino, Bernard Faure
  • Patent number: 11198506
    Abstract: An aircraft including a body, a first propeller assembly, a second propeller assembly, a flight control surface, and a parachute. The first propeller assembly is coupled to the body and configured to provide vertical lift. The second propeller assembly is coupled to the body and configured to provide horizontal thrust. The flight control surface is operably coupled to the body. The parachute extends from the body and is arranged to facilitate aircraft takeoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Copeland Wallace-Morrison
  • Patent number: 11186367
    Abstract: Transitioning multicopters use front tiltwings to provide improved failsafe methods of landing in event of propulsor failure. A dicopter version provides for efficient use of two propulsors with multiple modes of failsafe landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: The Suppes Family Trust
    Inventor: Galen Suppes
  • Patent number: 11130565
    Abstract: A battery powered helicopter uses one or more torque arms as the power source directly driving the main rotor blades, causing them to rotate. The helicopter does not require a combustion engine, a clutch, a reducer, a tail driver, a tail boom, a tail rotor, or a fuel supply system. The output shaft of the high-energy motor is coaxial with the main rotor shaft. The centrifugal force of one or more motor(s) is negligible or minimized. The torque arm assembly includes a plurality of torque arms. Each of the torque arms of the plurality of torque arms includes a propeller and a driving system. The torque arm propellers are hinged so that they can move between a first closed position and a second open position to institute an autorotation safety system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Dawei Dong
  • Patent number: 11124289
    Abstract: Systems and methods of prioritizing the use of flight attitude controls of aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. A method includes determining an optimal flight attitude state for the aircraft during flight, the aircraft including first and second wings with first and second pylons coupled therebetween forming an airframe with a two-dimensional distributed thrust array and a plurality of aerosurfaces coupled to the airframe; monitoring the current flight attitude state of the aircraft; identifying deviations between the current flight attitude state and the optimal flight attitude state; ordering the flight attitude controls of the aircraft based upon the flight attitude control authority of each in the current flight attitude state; and implementing the highest order flight attitude control to bias the aircraft from the current flight attitude state toward the optimal flight attitude state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 11066156
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle includes one or more propeller units operable to provide thrust for takeoff or hover flight and one or more propulsion units operable to provide thrust for forward flight. At least one propeller unit includes a shaft coupled to a motor, and a first propeller blade and a second propeller blade that are both connected to the shaft. The second propeller blade is located substantially opposite the first propeller blade, and the second propeller blade has a surface area substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation that is greater than a corresponding surface area of the first propeller blade. While the aerial vehicle is in forward flight in a first direction and the motor is turned off, the first propeller blade and the second propeller blade are each configured to orient in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction, such that the first propeller blade is oriented substantially upwind of the second propeller blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Parsa Dormiani, James Ryan Burgess
  • Patent number: 11034445
    Abstract: Systems for wing structure and attachment to frame for Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a UAV includes an H-frame having a wing spar secured to two or more boom carriers. The wing spar includes two or more mounting locations, where each of the two or more mounting locations of the wing spar secures a horizontal propulsion unit. The boom carriers include a plurality of mounting locations, each of the plurality of mounting locations of the boom carriers securing a vertical propulsion unit. The UAV also includes a pre-formed wing shell attached to the H-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Adam Woodworth, Adem Rudin, Stephen Benson
  • Patent number: 10994829
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a fixed-wing VTOL aircraft. The rotor assembly is configured to provide vertical flight for the fixed-wing VTOL aircraft. In one embodiment, the rotor assembly includes a hub assembly, a first rotor blade affixed to the hub assembly, and a second rotor blade affixed to the hub assembly. The hub assembly orients the second rotor blade in relation to the first rotor blade about an axis of rotation of the hub assembly with the first rotor blade and the second rotor blade vertically stacked when the hub assembly is stopped for wing-borne flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, Matthew S. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 10974838
    Abstract: A safe, quiet, easy to control, efficient, and compact aircraft configuration is enabled through the combination of multiple vertical lift rotors, tandem wings, and forward thrust propellers. The vertical lift rotors, in combination with a front and rear wing, permits a balancing of the center of lift with the center of gravity for both vertical and horizontal flight. This wing and multiple rotor system has the ability to tolerate a relatively large variation of the payload weight for hover, transition, or cruise flight while also providing vertical thrust redundancy. The propulsion system uses multiple lift rotors and forward thrust propellers of a small enough size to be shielded from potential blade strike and provide increased perceived and real safety to the passengers. Using multiple independent rotors provides redundancy and the elimination of single point failure modes that can make the vehicle non-operable in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: WISK AERO LLC
    Inventor: Ilan Kroo
  • Patent number: 10935985
    Abstract: A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry and an output circuitry. The propulsor trim prediction circuitry is configured to generate a predicted proprotor nacelle trim value based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The output circuitry is configured to output a proprotor nacelle command based on the predicted proprotor nacelle trim value. The proprotor nacelle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a nacelle angle of a proprotor of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph G. Irwin, III, David G. Miller, Nathaniel T. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10877487
    Abstract: A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value for a target state of an aircraft based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The control circuitry further includes an output circuitry configured to output a propulsor collective blade pitch angle command based on the predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value. The propulsor collective blade pitch angle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a blade pitch angle of a propulsor of the aircraft. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuitry includes a pitch attitude trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted pitch attitude trim value. The output circuitry is configured to output an aircraft pitch attitude trim command, configured to cause an adjustment in a pitch angle of the aircraft, based on the predicted pitch attitude trim value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph G. Irwin, III, David G. Miller, Nathaniel T. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10850828
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage having a longitudinal axis, a wing assembly, and a fuselage positioning mechanism operatively connecting the fuselage to the wing assembly. The fuselage positioning mechanism is operable to move the fuselage relative to the wing assembly in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis between a fuselage maximum forward position and a fuselage maximum aft position. When the aircraft for flight, a position of a center of gravity of the aircraft relative to a center of lift is determined. The fuselage can be moved relative to the wing assembly to bring the center of gravity within an allowable range of distances from the center of lift to balance the aircraft for flight. The fuselage positioning mechanism can be automated to allow adjustment of the fuselage position during the flight of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew D. Grubb, Peter J. Kunz, Wayne D. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 10775784
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle may include a control unit configured to send control signals in order to control flight of the aerial vehicle, propulsion units configured to control the attitude of the aerial vehicle, propulsion controllers configured to send commands to a corresponding propulsion unit of the propulsion units based on the control signals, and inertial measurement units (IMU). Each of the IMUs is configured to provide attitude information to a corresponding one of the propulsion controllers. In this way, there is one propulsion controller for each of the propulsion units and one IMU for each of the propulsion controllers. When there is a failure at the control unit, each of the propulsion control unit units are configured automatically generate the commands and control the propulsion units in order to attempt to stabilize the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: WING Aviation LLC
    Inventor: Kaiwen Gu
  • Patent number: 10737786
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A plurality of hydraulic or electric motors are disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes in a distributed configuration. A propeller is proximate to a leading edge of the closed wing or spokes and operably connected to each hydraulic or electric motor. A source of hydraulic or electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes and coupled to each hydraulic or electric motor disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes. A controller is coupled to each hydraulic or electric motor, and one or more processors communicably coupled to each controller that control an operation and speed of the plurality of hydraulic or electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Carlos Alexander Fenny, Rohn Lee Olson, Andrew James Zahasky
  • Patent number: 10712752
    Abstract: A system and method of increasing the control authority of redundant stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) actuators by utilizing feedback between systems such that one system may compensate for the position of a failed actuator of the other system. Each system uses an appropriate combination of reliable and unreliable inputs such that unreliable inputs cannot inappropriately utilize the increased authority. Each system may reconfigure itself when the other system actuator fails at certain positions so that the pilot or other upstream input maintains sufficient control authority of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventors: Brady G. Atkins, James E. Harris, Carl D. Griffith
  • Patent number: 10703472
    Abstract: A rotary winged aircraft includes an airframe and a drive system located at the airframe. A main rotor system is positioned at the airframe and is operably connected to the drive system to provide lift for the rotary winged aircraft. An auxiliary propulsor is located at the airframe and includes a plurality of propeller blades rotatable about a propulsor axis. Collective and cyclic pitch input applied to the auxiliary propeller blades increases yaw performance of the aircraft. A method of operating a rotary wing aircraft includes powering an auxiliary propulsor secured to an airframe of the aircraft and including a plurality of propeller blades rotatable about a propulsor axis. Individual propeller blades are cyclically rotated about their respective propeller blade axes to cyclically change a propeller blade pitch. Rotation of the aircraft about a yaw axis is induced via the collective and cyclic pitch change of the propeller blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark W. Scott
  • Patent number: 10648455
    Abstract: A flying apparatus is provided that comprises a airfoil (1) with a streamlined profile for generating an aerodynamic lift force vector (L) acting on the flying apparatus when being exposed to an apparent air flow. The flying apparatus also comprises at least three drive units (4, 42; 5, 51; 6, 61) being adapted to generate a resulting thrust force vector acting on the flying apparatus, the thrust force vector being alignable essentially in parallel with the aerodynamic lift force vector (L). For controlling the aerodynamic pitch of the flying apparatus, the flying apparatus comprises at least one control surface (31, 11). Furthermore, the flying apparatus has an aerodynamic neutral point (NP) that lies, along the longitudinal centre axis (10) and in the direction from the leading edge (17) to the trailing edge (18) of the airfoil (1), behind the centre of gravity (CG) of the flying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: TwingTec AG, EMPA Eidg. Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt
    Inventors: Rolf Luchsinger, Flavio Gohl
  • Patent number: 10640204
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a substantially polygonal perimeter frame and a central frame. The perimeter frame includes a front wing, a lower rear wing, and an upper rear wing. The wings provide lift to the UAV when the UAV is moving in a direction that includes a horizontal component. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV may also include one or more thrusting motors and corresponding thrusting propellers. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the thrusting motor(s) may be engaged and the thrusting propeller(s) will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky Dean Welsh, Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III
  • Patent number: 10618656
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft has a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe having a wing with oppositely disposed wing tips. Tip booms respectively extend longitudinally from the wing tips. Forward rotors are coupled to the forward ends of the tip booms and aft rotors are coupled to the aft ends of the tip booms. The forward rotors are reversibly tiltable between a vertical lift orientation, wherein the forward rotors are above the tip booms, and a forward thrust orientation, wherein the forward rotors are forward of the tip booms. The aft rotors are reversibly tiltable between a vertical lift orientation, wherein the aft rotors are below the tip booms, and a forward thrust orientation, wherein the aft rotors are aft of the tip booms. One of a plurality of payload modules is interchangeable coupled to the airframe, wherein each payload module has a respective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Kip Gregory Campbell
  • Patent number: 10604241
    Abstract: A battery powered helicopter uses one or more torque arms as the power source directly driving the propeller to rotate. The helicopter does not require a combustion engine, a clutch, a reducer, a tail driver, a tail boom, a tail rotor, or a fuel supply system. The output shaft of the high-energy motor is coaxial with the main rotor shaft. The centrifugal force of one or more motor(s) is negligible or minimized. The torque arm assembly includes a plurality of torque arms. Each of the torque arms of the plurality of torque arms includes a propeller and a driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Dawei Dong
  • Patent number: 10549852
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a vehicle including an engine and a rotor including a plurality of rotor blades in a path of exhaust from the engine. The vehicle includes a rotor control assembly configured to connect the rotor to a rotation force source to rotate the rotor and configured to rotate the rotor at a prescribed minimum rotation rate greater than zero based on at least one of disengaging the rotor from the rotation force source and receiving a control signal to disengage the rotor from the rotation force source. The rotor control assembly is designed to rotate the rotor at the prescribed minimum rotation rate based on at least one system attribute of the vehicle that is affected by a rotation rate of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashley Devito, Henry E. Voegeli, Joseph Pantalone, III
  • Patent number: 10549839
    Abstract: A wing (5) having a base section (5) and a tip section (13), the base section (7) having a first end portion (9) and a second end portion (11), the tip section (13) having a third end portion (15) and a fourth end portion (17), wherein the second end portion (11) and the third end portion (15) are coupled so that the tip section (13) is pivotable with respect to the base section (7) about a pivot axis (19, 19?), and an actuating arrangement having an actuator (21) which is coupled to the base section (7) and the tip section (13) and which is operable to effect a pivotal movement of the tip section (13) relative to the base section (7) between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH, Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Christoph Winkelmann, Johannes Rupp, David Brakes
  • Patent number: 10526077
    Abstract: A flight system for an aircraft and method for controlling a clearance between a first rotor disk and a second rotor disk of an aircraft is disclosed. The flight system includes a sensor for measuring an angle of deviation of at least one of a first rotor disk and a second rotor disk of the aircraft to indicate a clearance between the first rotor disk and the second rotor disk as well as sensors for measuring a flight condition of the aircraft. A control allocation module uses the measured angle of deviation and the flight condition of the aircraft to determine an allocation of control settings to axis-controlling devices of the aircraft to attain a selected pitch of the aircraft, wherein the allocation is based at least on the measured angle of deviation and the flight state of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ole Wulff, Derek Geiger
  • Patent number: 10338540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for optimized global management of a power network of an aircraft comprising a plurality of items of power equipment, characterized in that it comprises a module 40 for selecting at least one optimization objective (19) from a plurality of predetermined objectives, a module (42) for receiving equipment data, a module (41) for receiving aircraft data, and a module (43) for determining operating setpoints (22) of the power equipment from equipment data (21) and aircraft data (20) which is suitable for achieving at least one selected optimization objective (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
    Inventors: Fabien Mercier-Calvairac, Antoine Drachsler, Romain Thiriet
  • Patent number: 10322814
    Abstract: An aircraft design where the one or multiple numbers of vertical stabilizer each has a lifting propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: AutoflightX International Limited
    Inventor: Yu Tian
  • Patent number: 10315759
    Abstract: A vehicle with superior performance and reliability. The vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, uses three swashless, variable-pitch vertical lift main rotors with a yaw tail rotor system. Two rear main rotors are optionally tiltrotors, which pivot to increase forward speed without the increased coefficient of drag inherent in tilting the entire vehicle. The three main rotors are positioned in an equilateral triangular configuration, improving balance, increasing load-bearing strength, and making it more compact in size. Movements are controlled through changes in pitch of the rotors, allowing the motors to maintain constant governed rotations per minute, maximizing drivetrain efficiency. Various embodiments allow for smaller vehicle size with greater performance than prior art vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Reza Nemovi, Robert Bartlett
  • Patent number: 10099802
    Abstract: A method for providing data associated with rollover of an aircraft is provided. The method detects a potential dynamic rollover condition for the aircraft based on at least one of a current rotor thrust, a slope of terrain surrounding the aircraft, a state of ground contact components, and a position of a lateral center of gravity, by at least one processor onboard the aircraft, wherein the potential dynamic rollover condition indicates imminent rollover of the aircraft occurring within a predetermined period of time; and presents an alert associated with the potential dynamic rollover condition via an aircraft onboard display communicatively coupled to the at least one processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mahipal Reddy, Anil Kumar Songa
  • Patent number: 10093427
    Abstract: An aircraft which has a supporting structure which has at least one fuselage, a wing structure and at least one drive apparatus. The drive apparatus has at least one propeller and a drive motor. The aircraft has at least one energy store for providing energy for operation of the drive apparatus. The at least one drive apparatus and the at least one energy store are mechanically connected to the supporting structure and/or the wing structure of the aircraft by a securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Simon Burns
  • Patent number: 10054946
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a gimbal; a first camera; a second camera to detect a point of interest on ground; at least one sensor; a first motor; a second motor to operate the first camera and the second camera to maintain horizontality; and at least one processor electrically connected to the first camera, the second camera, the at least one sensor, the first motor, and the second motor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to detect a change in an angle; control the second motor to control the second camera to maintain horizontality; determine whether the point of interest is changed; if the point of interest is not changed, control the first motor to maintain hovering; and, if the point of interest is changed, control the first motor to maintain hovering by moving to original position before moving and compensating for tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Young-Chul Shin, Wu Seong Lee
  • Patent number: 10017278
    Abstract: A gyroscopic orbiter with vertical takeoff and vertical landing capabilities can transition between different functional modes while in-flight. The orbiter typically includes a fuselage, a front boom, a front propulsion unit, a rear boom, and a rear propulsion unit. The front boom is mounted at two pivot points to a bow of the fuselage by the front boom. The rear boom is mounted at two pivot points to a stern of the fuselage by the rear boom. One functional mode is the vertical takeoff and landing mode, wherein the propulsion units are oriented parallel to each other and are directed upward. Another functional mode is the shuttle mode, wherein the propulsion units are oriented at an angle with each other, and the front propulsion unit is directed forward. Another functional mode is the high speed mode, wherein the propulsion units are oriented collinear with a roll axis of the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Norman Hesse
  • Patent number: 9926076
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling maneuverability of an aircraft includes receiving one or more signals indicative of commanded peak rotary acceleration at a first timeperiod; determining a signal indicative of an actual peak rotary acceleration for the first timeperiod in response to the receiving of the one or more signals for commanded pilot acceleration; and determining signals indicative of actual rotary acceleration for a second timeperiod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashok Agnihotri, Steven D. Weiner, Vineet Sahasrabudhe
  • Patent number: 9889928
    Abstract: The lift, propulsion and stabilizing system for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft of the invention consists of applying during vertical flight on, below or in the interior of the fixed-wing aircraft one or more rotors or large fans each one with two or more horizontal blades, said rotors are activated by means of turboshafts, turbofans or turboprops with a mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical transmission, and the respective motors. Using lifting and/or stabilizing and/or controlling fans and/or oscillating fins and/or air blasts. Placing the horizontal lifters near at least one end of the longitudinal axis and of the transverse axis of the aircraft. Generally said stabilizing elements form 90° with one another and with the central application point of the rotor or application of that which results from the lift forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Manuel Salz
  • Patent number: 9845151
    Abstract: A rotorcraft (1) having: a lift rotor (5); a wing (10) extending from a first end (11) carrying a first propulsive propeller (21) to a second end (12) carrying a second propeller (22); landing gear (30); and a tail (40). The rotorcraft (1) is provided with two fuselages (51, 52) secured to said wing (10) between said first and second propulsive propellers (21, 22) in such a manner as to present an inter-fuselage space (60) having no propeller between said fuselages (51, 52), each fuselage (51, 52) including at least one undercarriage of said landing gear (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventor: Jean Nicola
  • Patent number: 9845150
    Abstract: A safe, quiet, easy to control, efficient, and compact aircraft configuration is enabled through the combination of multiple vertical lift rotors, tandem wings, and forward thrust propellers. The vertical lift rotors, in combination with a front and rear wing, permits a balancing of the center of lift with the center of gravity for both vertical and horizontal flight. This wing and multiple rotor system has the ability to tolerate a relatively large variation of the payload weight for hover, transition, or cruise flight while also providing vertical thrust redundancy. The propulsion system uses multiple lift rotors and forward thrust propellers of a small enough size to be shielded from potential blade strike and provide increased perceived and real safety to the passengers. Using multiple independent rotors provides redundancy and the elimination of single point failure modes that can make the vehicle non-operable in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: Ilan Kroo
  • Patent number: 9714090
    Abstract: An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing includes an aircraft assembly which includes at least one first wing portion providing a lift force during a horizontal flight, at least one wing opening disposed on a vertical axis of the at least one first wing portion and at least one propeller-based thruster positioned inside the at least one wing opening to provide vertical thrust during a vertical flight. The aircraft assembly can further include air vents positioned inside at least one of the wing openings. The air vents can further include louvres positioned over or under the air vents to open and close the wing openings. The thruster can further be used to provide flight control for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SUNLIGHT PHOTONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sergey V. Frolov, Michael Cyrus, John Peter Moussouris
  • Patent number: 9499253
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for designing and manufacturing a composite structure, such as a composite rotor blade spar or composite rotor blade. A first mold may define a first mold surface and a second mold may include a rigid layer and a heated layer secured to the rigid layer and defining a second mold surface. A plurality of heating elements embedded in the second mold may be activated according to different temperature progressions to cure portions of the uncured composite rotor blade positioned coextensive therewith. In some embodiments, the second mold defines a root portion and first and second branch portions. A shear web may be placed between the branch portions during curing. The blade spar may define a complete airfoil contour or have fairings secured thereto having lines extending therethrough to a tip jet. A tip jet mounting structure and blade root attachment apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Owen White
  • Patent number: 9302762
    Abstract: A pitching stabilization means has at least one stationary stabilization surface extending in a thickness direction from a bottom face to a top face and in a transverse direction from a leading edge towards a trailing edge. The stabilization surface has at least one slot passing through the thickness of the stabilization surface from the top face to the bottom face. The slot is arranged within the stabilization surface between the leading edge and the trailing edge so as to allow a flow of air coming from a rotor to pass from the top face towards the bottom face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Jean-Loup Gatti, Remy-Elian Arnaud
  • Patent number: 9242738
    Abstract: A safe, quiet, easy to control, efficient, and compact aircraft configuration is enabled through the combination of multiple vertical lift rotors, tandem wings, and forward thrust propellers. The vertical lift rotors, in combination with a front and rear wing, permits a balancing of the center of lift with the center of gravity for both vertical and horizontal flight. This wing and multiple rotor system has the ability to tolerate a relatively large variation of the payload weight for hover, transition, or cruise flight while also providing vertical thrust redundancy. The propulsion system uses multiple lift rotors and forward thrust propellers of a small enough size to be shielded from potential blade strike and provide increased perceived and real safety to the passengers. Using multiple independent rotors provides redundancy and the elimination of single point failure modes that can make the vehicle non-operable in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Zee.Aero Inc.
    Inventor: Ilan Kroo
  • Patent number: 9169010
    Abstract: A tiltrotor rotor hub comprises first and second configurations of yokes arranged in two parallel and axially offset planes, each having an equal number of two or more yokes substantially equally spaced about a mast, wherein a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke. Another tiltrotor rotor hub is selectively positionable for operation in helicopter/airplane/transition modes and comprises substantially parallel and axially offset first and second planes, each containing a plurality of blade yokes arranged about a central axis and a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke. Another tiltrotor rotor hub is coupled to a tiltrotor mast and comprises a stacked arrangement of blade yokes wherein a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke, and a plurality of mounting components coupling each yoke to the overlapping azimuthally adjacent yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Foskey, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 9150307
    Abstract: A method of controlling a high speed rotary wing aircraft (1) comprising: a fuselage (2); at least one main rotor (3); at least one variable pitch propulsive propeller (4); at least two half-wings (11, 11?) positioned on either side of said fuselage (2); at least one horizontal stabilizer (20) provided with a movable surface (21, 21?); and at least one power plant driving said main rotor (3) and each propulsive propeller (4) in rotation. Said method serves to adjust the lift of said half-wings (11, 11?) and the lift of the horizontal stabilizer (20) so that the collective pitch of said blades (31) of said main rotor (3) is equal to a setpoint collective pitch, so that the longitudinal cyclic pitch of said blades (31) of said main rotor (3) is equal to a setpoint longitudinal cyclic pitch, and so that the lateral cyclic pitch of said blades (31) of said main rotor (3) is equal to a setpoint lateral cyclic pitch during a stabilized stage of flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventor: Paul Eglin
  • Patent number: 9139310
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for swapping the battery on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV may be able to identify and land on an energy provision station autonomously. The UAV may take off and/or land on the energy provision station. The UAV may communicate with the energy provision station. The energy provision station may store and charge batteries for use on a UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Mingxi Wang
  • Patent number: 9126678
    Abstract: A rotor system for tilt rotor aircraft comprises an engine disposed at a first fixed location on a wing member; a prop-rotor pylon mechanically coupled to the engine along a drive path, and a gearbox disposed in the drive path. The prop-rotor pylon is rotatably mounted on a spindle, and the prop-rotor pylon is configured to selectively rotate about a rotational axis of the spindle between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The gearbox comprises a rotational axis aligned with the rotational axis of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brent C. Ross, David R. Bockmiller, Mark L. Isaac, Brian J. Cox
  • Publication number: 20150136897
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft (1), preferably an unmanned aircraft (UAV), drone, or Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), comprising a rigid wing (2) which enables aerodynamic horizontal flight, and at least four rotors (4, 4?) which are driven by means of controllable electric motors (5) and which can be pivoted between a vertical starting position and a horizontal flight position by means of a pivoting mechanism (7), wherein all electric motors (5) and rotors (4) are arranged on the wing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: LOGO-TEAM UG (HAFTUNGSBESCHRANKT)
    Inventors: Florian Seibel, Michael Wohlfahrt, Michael Kriegel
  • Patent number: 9026274
    Abstract: An apparatus is described comprising: at least one processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: regulate an operation of a motor based at least in part on a control imposed on an output torque of the motor and a rate of change of a speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Hartman, Timothy Fred Lauder, Russell L. Halstead, Christopher L. Winslow, Michael L. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9016616
    Abstract: By using the interaction between the wind flow and the stabilizer arranged in the wind flow and along the direction of the wind flow, this invention provides the flying object that secures the stability of device or aircraft or stabilizer itself unified with the stabilizer by above effect. The interaction mentioned above is that when the wind flow hits the stabilizer at a certain angle, the wind flow changes the direction, and the power corresponding its reaction is given to the stabilizer by its reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kawaguchi