The Boeing Company

Daniel I Newman

Nathan D Hiller

Michael J Duffy

Christopher R Holtorf

Robert Ryan Wilkins, Jr

Anthony Samaritano

Stephen Dyess

John H Harris

John H Harris, Iii

Raymundo B Torrez

Alicia Hong

John R Chisholm

Robert Ryan Wilkins

A system includes a detector attachment member and a communication system. The detector attachment member includes a first end configured to be coupled to an unmanned aerial vehicle; a second end configured to be coupled to a detector; and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the body of a length selected such that an interference of the unmanned aerial vehicle at the detector is less than an interference threshold. The detector attachment member also includes a lift system coupled to the body. The communication system is coupled to the detector attachment member and is configured to provide communication between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the detector.

Anomaly detection via self-lifting detector attachment member of unmanned aerial drone

Embodiments herein describe UAVs that utilize tail boom assemblies from pre-existing aircraft designs as lift generating elements. In one embodiment, a UAV includes a fuselage having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first tail boom coupler disposed at the first end, and a second tail boom coupler disposed at the second end. Each of the first tail boom coupler and the second tail boom coupler are configured to mechanically couple with a plurality of tail boom assemblies procured from a pre-existing aircraft design.

Expedited design and qualification of unmanned aerial vehicles

An aerial vehicle includes one or more rotors and a cargo container. The one or more rotors are configured to propel the aerial vehicle. The cargo container defines a cargo volume and is configured to travel with the aerial vehicle during propulsion by the one or more rotors. The cargo container is further configured to contain, at least, the one or more rotors, when the aerial vehicle is not configured for moving cargo.

Self-contained aerial cargo vehicle

Disclosed herein is one embodiment of a thrust system that includes at least one modular thrust unit and at least one control module. The at least one modular thrust unit includes a base that is made from structural members that are inter-connectable in a plurality of different structural configurations. The at least one modular thrust unit further includes at least one thrust generator coupleable to the base in a thrust configuration and at least one power source operable to deliver power to the at least one thrust generator. The at least one control module is coupleable to the at least one modular thrust unit and operable to control at least one of the at least one thrust generator and the at least one power source.

Modular thrust system

A multi-position landing gear for an aircraft may include a first landing skid disposed on a bottom side of the aircraft, and a second landing skid disposed on one of a top side or the bottom side of the aircraft, wherein the first landing skid and the second landing skid are rotatable relative to the aircraft.

Multi-position landing gear

Autonomous propulsion apparatus and methods are disclosed. An example autonomous propulsion unit includes a flight controller capable of executing flight control instructions stored in a memory of the autonomous propulsion unit; and a propulsor to generate propulsion in accordance with the instructions for a payload carrier to which the autonomous propulsion unit is coupled, wherein the flight controller is to provide flight control for the propulsor in an absence of flight control instructions from the payload carrier.

Autonomous propulsion apparatus and methods

Described herein is an aircraft that includes a fuselage with a higher portion and a lower portion. The aircraft also includes two fixed wings that are coupled to and extend from opposing sides of the lower portion of the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft includes a tilt-rotor assembly that is coupled to each of the two fixed wings.

Tilt-rotor vertical-lift aircraft

A portable autonomous terminal guidance system can be located in an aircraft landing zone. The terminal guidance system generates a signal indicative of the position, the terrain, and the meteorological conditions where the guidance system is located. A receiving aircraft may process the signal produced by the terminal guidance system to generate a self-contained GPS obstacle-avoidance approach path for the aircraft to the landing zone.

Growing community of inventors

Lafayette Hill, PA, United States of America

Daniel I Newman