IP Library Granted Patent US 11,691,715
Granted Patent B2
US 11,691,715 · App. 16/265,314 · Granted Jul 4, 2023

Aircraft system for reduced observer visibility

Inventors: Christopher Eugene Fisher (Thousand Oaks, CA); Steven Bradley Chambers (Simi Valley, CA); Pavil Belik (Simi Valley, CA); Austin Craig Gunder (Red Lion, PA); John Peter Zwaan (Simi Valley, CA)
Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
B64C5/02B64C3/10B64C5/06B64C9/00B64C39/024B64C39/12B64U10/25B64U20/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,691,715
App. No.
16/265,314
Granted
Jul 4, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An aircraft apparatus is disclosed that has a fuselage boom having proximal and distal ends, a wing coupled to a proximal end of the fuselage boom and at least one transparent stabilizer coupled to a distal end of the fuselage boom.

Claims (27)

1. An aircraft apparatus, comprising:

a tubular fuselage boom having a proximal end and a distal end;

a wing coupled to the fuselage boom at a proximal end of the fuselage boom, wherein the wing comprises a port outboard wing section and a starboard outboard wing section;

a stabilizer coupled to the distal end of the fuselage boom;

a servo having a servo arm; and

a servo horn slidably coupled to the stabilizer to slidably receive and detachably couple the servo arm to the stabilizer;

wherein each of the port outboard wing section and the starboard outboard wing section comprise curved leading edges of varying radii; and

wherein each of the port outboard wing section and the starboard outboard wing section comprise curved trailing edges of varying radii.

2. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the curved leading edges of varying radii and the curved trailing edges of varying radii closely mimic a bird.

3. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transparent stabilizer coupled to the distal end of the fuselage boom.

4. The aircraft apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the visibility of the transparent stabilizer is reduced.

5. The aircraft apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the transparent stabilizer is a flat plate airfoil, and wherein the flat plate airfoil minimizes reflections of the sun to a ground location.

6. The aircraft apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the transparent stabilizer is rotatably coupled to the distal end of the fuselage boom.

7. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the starboard outboard wing section comprises a transparent material.

8. The aircraft apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the port outboard wing section comprises a transparent material.

9. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the starboard outboard wing section comprises transparent materials.

10. The aircraft apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the port outboard wing section comprises transparent materials.

11. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the starboard outboard wing section is detachably coupled to the aircraft apparatus, and wherein the port outboard wing section is detachably coupled to the aircraft apparatus.

12. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is a transparent stabilizer.

13. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer comprises a flat-plate airfoil.

14. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer consists of clear polycarbonate plastic.

15. The aircraft apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transparent stabilizer is a horizontal stabilizer, and further comprising:

a vertical stabilizer positioned proximate to said horizontal stabilizer;

a rigid pin extending from the fuselage boom; and

an attachment clip coupled to the vertical stabilizer, the attachment clip having a channel to receive the rigid pin;

wherein the vertical stabilizer is rotatable about the rigid pin.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 19, 2021
From: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 055343/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2019
From: FISHER, CHRISTOPHER EUGENE; CHAMBERS, STEVEN BRADLEY; BELIK, PAVIL; ZWAAN, JOHN PETER; GUNDER, AUSTIN CRAIG
To: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 048220/0594 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 15870467 · Jan 12, 2018
Continuation 14184542 · Feb 19, 2014
Continuation PCTUS2012051176 · Aug 16, 2012
Provisional Application 61525655 · Aug 19, 2011
Related Publication 20190161163A1 · May 30, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,649,565