IP Library Granted Patent US 11,618,331
Granted Patent B1
US 11,618,331 · App. 17/515,512 · Granted Apr 4, 2023

Proximity detection systems and methods for facilitating charging of electric aircraft

Inventor: Herman Wiegman (South Burlington, VT)
Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
B60L53/36B64D27/24B64F1/362B60L53/16B60L2200/10
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,618,331
App. No.
17/515,512
Granted
Apr 4, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

A proximity detection system for facilitating charging of electric aircraft. The proximity detection system includes at least a computing device. The at least a computing device is configured to receive a detection datum from at least a sensor, determine a proximal element as a function of the detection datum, and communicate a notification as a function of the proximal element to at least one of the electric aircraft and a charging structure. The detection datum includes information on at least one of the electric aircraft and the charging structure. The proximal element includes information on a spacing between the electric aircraft and the charging structure. A proximity detection method for facilitating charging of an electric aircraft is also provided.

Claims (28)

1. A proximity detection system for facilitating charging of electric aircraft, the system comprising:

at least a computing device, wherein the at least a computing device is configured to:

receive a detection datum from at least a sensor, wherein the detection datum comprises information on at least one of an electric aircraft and a charging structure, and wherein the at least a sensor is housed within the electric aircraft;

determine a proximal element as a function of the detection datum, wherein the proximal element comprises information on a spacing between the electric aircraft and the charging structure; and

communicate a notification as a function of the proximal element to at least one of the electric aircraft and the charging structure, wherein communicating the notification further comprises:

communicating directions to the charging structure;

communicating the notification through a pilot control of a cockpit of the electric aircraft, wherein the electric aircraft is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle; and

automatically maneuvering the electric aircraft to the charging structure as a function of the directions.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the notification includes a tactile feedback notification communicated through the pilot control.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a computing device is at the electric aircraft.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a computing device is at the charging structure.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is spaced from both the electric aircraft and the charging structure.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the charging structure comprises a charging station designating an area for an eVTOL to land and takeoff from.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein charging structure comprises a charging connector configured to removably mate with a charging port of the electric aircraft.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein electric aircraft is airborne when the proximal element is determined.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electric aircraft is on ground when the proximal element is determined.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pilot control comprises a foot brake.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal element comprises information on whether the electric aircraft is within a threshold distance from the charging structure.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the notification is determined through a machine-learning process configured to input the proximal element and output the notification.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a sensor is at the charging structure.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least a sensor is spaced from both the electric aircraft and the charging structure.

15. A proximity detection method for facilitating charging of electric aircraft, the method comprising:

receiving, by at least a computing device, a detection datum from at least a sensor, wherein the at least a sensor is housed within the electric aircraft, wherein the detection datum comprises information on at least one of an electric aircraft and a charging structure;

determining, by the at least a computing device, a proximal element as a function of the detection datum, wherein the proximal element comprises information on a spacing between the electric aircraft and the charging structure; and

communicating, by the at least a computing device, a notification as a function of the proximal element to at least one of the electric aircraft and the charging structure, wherein communicating the notification further comprises communicating directions to the charging structure through a pilot control of a cockpit of the electric aircraft, wherein the electric aircraft is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and automatically maneuvering the electric aircraft to the charging structure as a function of the directions.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein determining the proximal element further comprises determining whether the electric aircraft is within a threshold distance from the charging structure.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein determining the proximal element further comprises determining a distance between the electric aircraft when it is airborne and the charging structure.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein determining the proximal element further comprises determining a distance between the electric aircraft when it is on ground and the charging structure.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 8, 2021
From: WIEGMAN, HERMAN
To: BETA AIR, LLC
Reel/Frame 058048/0918 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,709,410