Kitty Hawk Corporation

Dennis Young Kwon

Alexander David Selwa

Timothy Robert Huntzinger

Madeline Elliott Parker

First and second signals respectively associated with first and second motors are obtained. First and second motor wear metric that respectively represent an amount of wear associated with the first and second motors are determined based at least in part on the first and second signals, respectively. It is determined whether at least one of the first or second motor wear metrics exceeds a failure threshold. The VTOL vehicle is automatically prevented from performing a vertical takeoff attempt if least one of the first or second motor wear metrics exceeds the failure threshold. The first and second rotors are respectively positioned at first and second angles relative to a horizontal plane, at least during a hovering mode of the VTOL vehicle. The first and second angles are different angles. The first and second motors are respectively associated with the first and second rotors.

Motor wear metric generator

A landing zone indicator system which includes a battery that is configured to power a controller and a human vision output device, a controller that is configured to control human-visible light that is output by the human vision output device, and a human vision output device where the human-visible light output by the human vision output device generates an illuminated landing zone for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle.

Landing zone indicators

A signal associated with a motor is obtained where the motor is included in a aircraft that has flight capabilities. A motor wear metric that represents an amount of wear experienced by the motor is determined based at least in part on the signal. It is determined, at a flight computer that is included in the aircraft, whether to restrict the flight capabilities of the aircraft based at least in part on the motor wear metric. The flight capabilities of the aircraft are restricted in the event it is so determined.

In an embodiment, a system for air cooling in a wet environment includes a propeller coupled to a vehicle capable of at least one of: taking off from and landing on water. The system includes a battery configured to power the propeller, a float configured to hold the battery, and a flap in the float. The flap is configured to open in response to air pressure to permit airflow into the float to cool the battery.

Float with flaps for air cooling in an aircraft

In an embodiment, a system for generating a motor wear metric includes a process configured to obtain a signal associated with a motor of an aircraft, determine a motor wear metric based at least in part on the obtained signal, and output information about motor wear based at least in part on the determined motor wear metric. The system includes a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions and store the determined motor wear metric.

Spring-loaded flaps for air cooling in a wet environment

In an embodiment, a system for battery shifting for center of gravity (CG) control includes a battery holder and a controller. The battery holder is adapted to change between a first battery position and a second battery position in a vehicle. The battery holder being in the first position causes the vehicle to have a first CG and the battery holder being in the second position causes the vehicle to have a second CG. The controller is configured to move the battery holder into the first position at least some of the time when the vehicle is flying at a first angle such that the vehicle has a CG in a first vehicle location, and move the battery holder into the second position at least some of the time when the vehicle is flying at a second angle such that the vehicle has a CG in a second vehicle location.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Dennis Young Kwon