公开(公告)号：US20250033765A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-30

申请号：US18435742

申请日：2024-02-07

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Benjamin Otto Berry ,  Graham Bowen-Davies ,  Madeline Elliott Parker ,  Cameron Robertson ,  Christopher Scott Saunders

IPC: B64C27/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U80/70

Abstract: A plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.

公开(公告)号：US11106221B1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-31

申请号：US16694604

申请日：2019-11-25

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: B64C27/52 ,  G05D1/04 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D1/00 ,  B64C27/20 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64F1/02

Abstract: In response to a change in a state of at least some part of a vehicle, a control signal associated with countering the change in the state while the vehicle is in an occupant change state is generated. The control signal is sent to a rotor in the vehicle while the vehicle is in the occupant change state, wherein the control signal causes the rotor to move in a manner that is counter to the change in the state and the rotor rotates about a substantially vertical axis of rotation and enables the vehicle to perform vertical takeoffs and landings.

公开(公告)号：US12037136B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-16

申请号：US17129517

申请日：2020-12-21

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L53/16 ,  B60L53/30 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64U50/37 ,  H02J7/00

CPC classification number: B64F1/362 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L53/16 ,  B60L53/30 ,  B64C29/0025 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64U50/37 ,  H02J7/0045 ,  B60L2200/10

Abstract: A vertical landing is performed by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle above a charger where the eVTOL vehicle includes a rotor that is configured to rotate during an occupant change state to keep the eVTOL vehicle stationary during the occupant change state. A vertically-oriented male charging port that is part of the eVTOL vehicle and a female charging port that is part of the charger are detachably coupled and a battery in the eVTOL vehicle is charged using the charger while the vertically-oriented male charging port and the female charging port are detachably coupled.

公开(公告)号：US11815911B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US17385296

申请日：2021-07-26

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: G05D1/04 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D1/00 ,  B64C27/20 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64F1/02 ,  B64U30/10 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/14

CPC classification number: G05D1/046 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/20 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64C29/0033 ,  B64D1/00 ,  B64F1/0295 ,  B64U30/10 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/14

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that includes a flight controller and a rotor. During a vertical landing state, during which the VTOL vehicle is performing a vertical landing, the flight controller decides whether to switch from the vertical landing state to a self adjusting state and in the event it is decided to do so, the flight controller switches from the vertical landing state to the self adjusting state. During the self adjusting state, the flight controller generates a control signal for a rotor where the control signal causes: (1) the rotor to rotate during the self adjusting state and (2) the VTOL vehicle to stay in place during the self adjusting state, such that an occupant is able to enter or exit the VTOL vehicle during the self adjusting state.

公开(公告)号：US20210300194A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-30

申请号：US17147282

申请日：2021-01-12

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: B60L53/24 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B60L53/36 ,  B60L53/52

Abstract: An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle is positioned to be in a charging position on the ground, wherein the eVTOL vehicle is capable of performing vertical take-offs and landings. The battery is charged while in the charging position on the ground using a wind turbine that includes the rotor.

公开(公告)号：US20210356974A1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-18

申请号：US17385296

申请日：2021-07-26

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: G05D1/04 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C27/20 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64D1/00

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that includes a flight controller and a rotor. During a vertical landing state, during which the VTOL vehicle is performing a vertical landing, the flight controller decides whether to switch from the vertical landing state to a self adjusting state and in the event it is decided to do so, the flight controller switches from the vertical landing state to the self adjusting state. During the self adjusting state, the flight controller generates a control signal for a rotor where the control signal causes: (1) the rotor to rotate during the self adjusting state and (2) the VTOL vehicle to stay in place during the self adjusting state, such that an occupant is able to enter or exit the VTOL vehicle during the self adjusting state.

公开(公告)号：US20210300594A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-30

申请号：US17129517

申请日：2020-12-21

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B60L50/60 ,  H02J7/00 ,  B60L53/16

Abstract: A vertical landing is performed by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle above a charger where the eVTOL vehicle includes a rotor that is configured to rotate during an occupant change state to keep the eVTOL vehicle stationary during the occupant change state. A vertically-oriented male charging port that is part of the eVTOL vehicle and a female charging port that is part of the charger are detachably coupled and a battery in the eVTOL vehicle is charged using the charger while the vertically-oriented male charging port and the female charging port are detachably coupled.

公开(公告)号：US10913547B1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-09

申请号：US16836539

申请日：2020-03-31

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: B64F1/00 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B60L50/60 ,  H02J7/00 ,  B60L53/16

Abstract: A vertical landing is performed by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle above a charger where the eVTOL vehicle includes a rotor that is configured to rotate during an occupant change state to keep the eVTOL vehicle stationary during the occupant change state. A vertically-oriented male charging port that is part of the eVTOL vehicle and a female charging port that is part of the charger are detachably coupled and a battery in the eVTOL vehicle is charged using the charger while the vertically-oriented male charging port and the female charging port are detachably coupled.

公开(公告)号：US12140968B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-12

申请号：US18376358

申请日：2023-10-03

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Sebastian Thrun ,  Benjamin Otto Berry

IPC: G05D1/04 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/20 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64C27/41 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D1/00 ,  B64F1/02 ,  B64F1/12 ,  B64U30/10 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/14 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/46

Abstract: During a vertical landing state, it is decided whether to switch from the vertical landing state to a self adjusting state. The VTOL vehicle includes the flight controller, the rotor, and a fuselage where the rotor is coupled to the fuselage via a vertical connector. If it is so decided, there is a switch from the vertical landing state to the self adjusting state. During the self adjusting state, a control signal for a rotor is generated where the control signal causes: (1) the rotor to rotate during the self adjusting state and (2) the VTOL vehicle to remain in a fixed position during the self adjusting state, in response to the control signal, and independent of docking infrastructure. During a rotors off state, a rotor off control signal is generated for the rotor that causes the rotor to turn off.

公开(公告)号：US11939046B1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-26

申请号：US17513256

申请日：2021-10-28

Applicant: Kitty Hawk Corporation

Inventor： Benjamin Otto Berry ,  Graham Bowen-Davies ,  Madeline Elliott Parker ,  Cameron Robertson ,  Christopher Scott Saunders

IPC: B64C27/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U80/70

CPC classification number: B64C27/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2211/00 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U80/70

Abstract: A plurality of propellers generate vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.