Other

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Kenneth Ray Cox

Kenneth E Seho

An enhanced mobility wheelchair with semi-autonomous control logic includes criteria for selecting level, stair, and slope modes. Each mode progresses through criteria-invoked phases as the wheelchair travels. Each axis performs an assigned duty for each mode and phase combination to seek a defined target. Control logic invokes stair mode from the level mode when steps are sensed. Criteria restricts negotiating obstacle angles and heights encountered beyond capability and permits reversed travel to exit obstacle. Front and rear support systems include the ability to sense both forward and backward facing steps by adding distance sensors, sensing linkage and rotary sensors. Legrest adjustment raises the feet for forward step climbing and shortens the wheelchair length for tight turns. Steep down slope and steep up slope modes are invoked from a small angle slope mode. Absolute measurement of spider rotation and spider cam engagement does not require adjustment.

Enhanced mobility wheelchair

A self-propelled battery-powered wheelchair replaces an ordinary wheelchair and provides improved access to homes. The wheelchair includes stair climbing, slope climbing, and reclining while requiring only minimal driver skill and strength. Operation on level ground is similar to the operation of a conventional wheelchair. Support for normal operation is provided by a rear caster and wheels on the front corners. Its compact width and length enable negotiating narrow doorways and turning in small spaces. To ensure stability on stairs, moveable skids are mounted to the four corners of the wheelchair. Parallelogram linkages move the front skids down and forward during climbing. Another parallelogram linkage moves the caster and rear skids up and at an angle during climbing. The wheelchair is steerable on stairs as needed to align with the stair path and accommodate slightly spiraling stairs. The wheelchair accommodates stair steps of different riser heights and tread lengths. A pair of spoked or spider wheels with small wheels at the ends of the spokes are rotably mounted to the sides of the wheelchair. The spider wheels engage the stairs to propel and stabilize the wheelchair during climbing of stairs. Methods are provided to monitor and control the pitch attitude of the wheelchair and nearness of wheelchair supporting components to the stairs. Motion and control are provided by electric motors, sensors, a computer, and driver inputs. Propulsion power for conventional level operation, slope climbing, and stair climbing operation is transmitted through the same motors and wheels.

Battery powered stair-climbing wheelchair

A wing flap structure includes a wing, a flap, and a hinge mechanism connecting the wing and the flap. The hinge mechanism includes first and second hinge links connected between the wing and the flap. The pivot points for the hinge links are oriented so that as the flap moves away from the wing, the flap moves in a circular arc path relative to the wing. The first hinge link includes a first elongate link having a first end rotatably connected to the wing. The second hinge link includes a second elongate link having a first end rotatably connected to the second end of the first link, and having a second end rotatably connected to the flap. The rotatable connections have axes of rotation that meet at a point below the wing to define an axis of rotation for the circular arc of the flap. The hinge mechanism is contained substantially along the circular arc of the flap as the flap is extended and retracted. A drive mechanism is connected to the wing and to the flap for moving the flap through a circular arc. The drive mechanism is also contained substantially along the circular arc path of the flap. The drive mechanism is powered by a linear actuator. The drive mechanism controls the pivot points of the hinge to ensure that the flap follows a circular arc as it extends, and provides lateral stability for the structure.

Scissor linkage type slotted flap mechanism

An airplane arresting gear has a generally planar frame (20) having a front end and a rear end that is adapted to be attached at the front end to a structure of the airplane for pivotal movement about a frame pivot axis (FPA) substantially parallel to the airplane z-axis between a stowed position in which the frame (20) resides within the fuselage skin and a deployed position in which the frame (20) extends rearwardly and obliquely downwardly with respect to the x-axis of the airplane. A shank (30) having a cable hook (80) at the rear end is coupled at its front end to the rear end of the frame (20) for pivotal movement about a shank pivot axis between a deployed position in which the shank (30) extends rearwardly from the shank pivot axis and a stowed position in which the shank (30) extends generally forwardly from the shank pivot axis and lies abreast of the frame (20). A deploying damper-actuator (70), which is coupled between the frame (20) and the structure of the airplane moves the frame (20) from the stowed position to the deployed position. A retractor actuator (92), which is likewise coupled between the frame (20) and the structure of the airplane, moves the frame (20) from the deployed position to the stowed position. An actuator mechanism (74), which is connected between the frame (20) and the shank (30), moves the shank (30) between the deployed and stowed positions. An up-swing damper (52) prevents the frame/shank unit (10) from contacting the fuselage.

Side-folding airplanes arresting gear

A self propelled wheel chair is adaptable to climbing and descending stairs and steep slopes. The wheel chair is foldable for transporting and storing. Operation on level ground is similar to the operation of a conventional wheel chair. The wheel chair is supported by caster wheels on the front corners and by spider wheels on the rear corners. Skids are mounted to the caster forks for stabilizing the front of the chair during climbing operations. The casters are mounted to parallelogram linkages on the front of the wheel chair. The parallelogram linkages move the casters down and forward for repositioning to the climbing mode. The spider wheels are rotatably mounted to four bar linkages on the wheel chair side frames. The spider wheels engage the stairs to propel and stabilize the wheel chair during climbing or descending of stairs. The four bar linkages sequence the repositioning of the spider wheels and casters for climbing. Weight is shifted to the spider wheels for climbing so that they can provide climbing forces without slipping. Propulsion and transition control and power are provided by individual hand wheels linked by chain drives to the spider wheels and transition linkages. Propulsion power for both conventional level operation and stair climbing operation is transmitted through the same hand wheels and spider wheels. The hand wheels are grounded to the wheel chair structure by no back brakes to brake the wheel chair linkages and spider wheels in place when the hand wheels are released by the passenger.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

Kenneth Ray Cox