The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 19, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2012
Robert Parks, San Jose, CA (US);
Adam Woodworth, Melrose, MA (US);
Peter Lively, Boston, MA (US);
Thomas Vaneck, Gloucester, MA (US);
Kimberly Kohlhepp, Somerville, MA (US);
Justin Mcclellan, Boston, MA (US);
Robert Parks, San Jose, CA (US);
Adam Woodworth, Melrose, MA (US);
Peter Lively, Boston, MA (US);
Thomas Vaneck, Gloucester, MA (US);
Kimberly Kohlhepp, Somerville, MA (US);
Justin McClellan, Boston, MA (US);
Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Manassas, VA (US);
Abstract
A foldable wing for use with a very high altitude aircraft capable of operating at an altitude at or above 85,000 feet is disclosed. The foldable wing may employ a spiral fold deployment, wherein a hinge between each segment of the foldable wing is slightly offset from the perpendicular. Successively positioned wing segments fold over one another. Alternatively, the hinges are substantially perpendicular so that each respective wing segment folds linearly against the next wing segment. An inflatable rib, with inflatable arms, can be inflated to provide a force against two adjacent arms, thereby deploying the wing segments through a full 180° of rotation.