Innovation Timeline
Aerospace & Defense
Jet propulsion, GPS, stealth technology, and the IP behind aviation and space exploration.
Landmark patents
89
Total citations
2,265
Span
1903 – 2025
Milestones
18
1900s
How the Wright Brothers Invented Modern Airplane Control
The foundational patent for the first successful powered, heavier-than-air flying machine that could be controlled in flight.
19 citations
How Elmer Sperry Invented the Gyroscopic Compass for Ships
A 1917 patent for a navigation tool that uses a spinning wheel to find true north without relying on magnetic compasses.
2 citations
1910s
Robert Goddard's Early Design for Liquid-Fueled Rocket Engines
A foundational 1914 patent by Robert Goddard detailing the basic mechanical structure of a rocket engine using liquid fuel.
59 citations
How Floyd Smith Designed the Modern Parachute Pack and Harness
A 1923 patent for a parachute system that introduced a reliable pack and harness design for aviators to safely exit aircraft.
5 citations
1930s
Igor Sikorsky's Early Design for a Vertical Takeoff Aircraft
A 1935 patent by aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky detailing a mechanical configuration for an aircraft capable of direct vertical lift.
16 citations
Frank Whittle's Early Jet Engine Design
Frank Whittle's 1937 patent for an aircraft propulsion system using a gas turbine, which laid the foundation for modern jet engines.
50 citations
The Discovery of Teflon
This 1941 patent describes the creation of polytetrafluoroethylene, a slippery, heat-resistant plastic discovered by accident that became known as Teflon.
74 citations
1940s
Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil's Frequency Hopping Secret Communication System
A 1942 patent for a radio-controlled torpedo guidance system that used synchronized player piano rolls to hop between frequencies, preventing enemies from jamming the signal.
82 citations
How the Rogallo Flexible Wing Kite Works
A 1948 patent for a kite with a flexible, non-rigid wing that uses air pressure to maintain its shape during flight.
23 citations
1970s
How Passive Satellite Navigation Works Without Sending Signals
A 1970s system for finding your location on Earth by listening to satellite signals without ever having to transmit a signal yourself.
31 citations
The Molecular Structure of Kevlar High-Strength Fiber
Stephanie Kwolek's 1971 patent for DuPont describing the molecular alignment and manufacturing of extremely strong, lightweight synthetic aramid fibers, which became famous as Kevlar.
141 citations
How to Calculate Distance to a Radio Signal Using Two Antennas
A 1970s Navy system that calculates the distance to a radio-emitting target by measuring the tiny time and phase differences between signals arriving at two separate antennas.
16 citations
Making Strong, Porous PTFE: The Gore-Tex Process
This patent describes a specific process for rapidly stretching a highly crystalline form of PTFE plastic to create a strong, porous material with a unique internal structure, forming the basis for products like Gore-Tex.
1,364 citations
2000s
A Rotating Space Station for Catching and Launching Cargo
A patent for a rotating space station that uses long, extendable cables to catch and release cargo payloads while orbiting a planet.
18 citations
How Wind Turbine Blades Reduce Noise with Small Fins
This patent describes how small, flat fins attached to the tips of wind turbine blades can reduce noise and improve efficiency by managing swirling air, called vortices.
17 citations
Wind Turbine Blades with a Deeply Curved Front Surface
This patent describes a wind turbine blade designed with a deeply curved, concave front surface and a high camber ratio to potentially capture more wind energy.
6 citations
Wind Turbine Blades with Noise-Reducing Serrated Edges
This patent describes a wind turbine blade design that reduces noise by attaching a special serrated plate to its trailing edge, integrated directly into one of the blade's outer surfaces.
20 citations
How a MEMS Sensor Uses a Reference to Improve Z-Axis Accuracy
This patent describes a tiny sensor that measures up-and-down motion more accurately by including a special surrounding structure that helps cancel out environmental interference.
22 citations
How Satellites Handle Super Fast User Data Using Shared Antennas
This patent describes a satellite system boosting data capacity by having satellites receive high-speed user data, relay it via crosslinks to other satellites, and then send it to ground stations, often using a single antenna for both user and ground connections.
25 citations
How Wind Turbine Blades Get More Lift with Extra Parts
This patent describes adding special front and back parts to a wind turbine blade to create specific air channels, making the blade generate more power from the wind.
14 citations
2010s
How Satellites Use Lasers and Colors to Send Data Fast
This patent describes a satellite communication system that uses two low-orbit satellites linked by a high-speed laser beam, which splits light into different colors to send massive amounts of data quickly between ground stations or aircraft.
2 citations
Improving MEMS Sensor Accuracy with a Co-located Reference Structure
This patent describes a tiny sensor (MEMS) that measures motion, especially up-and-down (z-axis), by including a special stable reference part electrically connected to the moving part, which helps cancel out environmental noise and makes measurements much more accurate.
4 citations
How Spacecraft Use Layered Nets to Stop Orbital Debris
A system using multiple layers of specialized fiber nets with varying densities to catch and break up space junk before it hits a satellite.
3 citations
A Modular Launch System with an Expandable Mast for Spacecraft
A spacecraft launch system that uses an expandable mast to connect a nose and tail, allowing it to carry modular payloads and land horizontally after releasing them.
4 citations
How a Snake Robot Uses Two Arms to Work Together
This patent describes a snake-like robot with at least two movable arms that work together to perform complex tasks, like inspecting pipes or lifting heavy objects.
27 citations
How a Wind Turbine Shroud Can Adjust Its Blades to Control Power
This patent describes a wind turbine design where a ring-shaped casing around the main rotor has small, adjustable blades that can change their angle to control how much wind hits the rotor and how much power is generated.
10 citations
How Satellites Use Thrusters to Balance Solar Panels
A design for a satellite that uses strategically placed thrusters to counteract the physical twisting force caused by sunlight hitting its solar panels.
1 citation
How Spacecraft Calculate Maneuvers to Change Orbits Near Another Satellite
A mathematical method for onboard computers to calculate the precise engine burns needed for one satellite to change its orbital plane while moving relative to another satellite.
1 citation
How Tiny Bumps on Wind Turbine Blades Reduce Noise
This patent describes how small, specially shaped bumps or grooves on a wind turbine blade's underside can reduce noise by controlling airflow and preventing turbulence.
5 citations
How to Launch Spacecraft Using Giant Cannons Instead of Rockets
A method for launching space vehicles into orbit using high-speed impulsive forces like cannons, precisely timed to rendezvous with existing satellites.
2 citations
How Rocket Rings Help Boosters Land Safely
Blue Origin's patent for a ring-shaped structure on a rocket that helps control airflow during descent and assists in separating rocket stages.
1 citation
A Solid-State Oxygen Thruster for Spacecraft Propulsion
A compact space thruster that generates thrust by electrically pulling oxygen ions out of a solid material using memristor-like switching behavior.
How Satellites Send Internet Signals Using Light Beams
This patent describes a ground system that sends many internet data streams to a satellite using a single optical light beam, allowing the satellite to broadcast radio signals without needing to change their frequency.
1 citation
How a Drone Flies Ahead of a Moving Ground or Water Vehicle
This patent describes a method where an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flies ahead of a mobile base station, like a boat or ground vehicle, by predicting the base station's future path and scouting the area in advance.
12 citations
How a Drone Can Fly Ahead of a Moving Vehicle
This patent describes a system where a drone flies a non-linear path, deliberately spaced from a moving ground or water vehicle, using the vehicle's future path information to stay ahead or in a specific relative position.
2 citations
High-Flying Aircraft Relays Satellite Internet to Ground Users
This patent describes a communication system that uses satellites, high-altitude aircraft, and ground stations to send data, specifically using lasers for space links and cloud-penetrating radio waves for ground links.
12 citations
How Tiny Sensors Stay Steady When Their Mounts Shake
This patent describes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor design that uses special springs and a stable internal mass to keep its measuring parts steady, even when the sensor's attachment points are vibrating or moving.
3 citations
How Multiple Space Projectiles Can Assemble Themselves In Mid-Air
A system that launches several projectiles into the sky simultaneously and uses onboard controls to have them connect or transfer fuel while flying.
3 citations
LiDAR System for Seeing Through Shiny Objects
Toyota's patent on a LiDAR system that can ignore blinding reflections from shiny surfaces to better see what's around a vehicle.
9 citations
How a Spinning Lidar Sensor Creates 3D Maps
This patent describes a 3D Lidar sensor that uses a laser bar for one-dimensional sensing and a spinning part to scan in two dimensions, all inside a static outer case with a special window.
7 citations
How a Host Spacecraft Refuels Another Satellite Without Using Its Fuel Tank
A system where a host satellite carries and attaches small, non-propelled fuel modules to other satellites, feeding propellant directly into their engines to bypass damaged or empty onboard storage.
1 citation
How Rocket Lab Secures Satellites Inside Their Launch Dispensers
A mechanical system that allows engineers to tighten and secure a satellite inside a launch container from the outside after the door is already closed.
2 citations
How Airport Vehicles Automatically Park Safely Next to Airplanes
A smart navigation system that helps airport service vehicles like catering trucks park safely at aircraft doors by identifying targets and avoiding restricted zones.
Building Metal Parts Without Melting: Solid-State 3D Printing System
This patent describes a system for building or repairing metal parts by frictionally heating and stirring materials together without melting them, precisely controlling the material's internal structure as it's made.
18 citations
Aircraft Design for Sustained High-G Turns with Low Thrust
This patent describes an aircraft designed with unique wings, body, and engine placement to make tight, sustained turns with less engine power than traditional planes.
How Drones Test Their Balance While Flying
A system for drones to shift their center of gravity during flight while simultaneously measuring how that change affects their stability and performance.
1 citation
How Rockets Catch Up to Satellites Faster Using Out-of-Plane Steering
A method for launching rockets to reach a space station or satellite in less than one full orbit by steering the rocket sideways during launch.
9 citations
How Aircraft Engine Oil Is Drained and Checked Automatically
A specialized tool on an extendable arm that connects to an airplane to drain engine fluid and test its quality in real-time.
How to Build an Aircraft Tail Using One-Shot Composite Curing
A manufacturing process for creating an aircraft's rear fuselage and vertical tail as a single, integrated composite structure to reduce weight and assembly time.
How to Rent Out Space on Satellites for Different Customers
A system for managing a fleet of satellites so multiple customers can share the same hardware to run their own specific space-based tasks.
How Satellites Use Split Thrusters to Reach Orbit Faster
A method for satellites with electric engines to manage their power usage by staggering when they fire thrusters, allowing them to reach their final orbit more quickly.
How Boeing 3D Prints Strong Lightweight Spacecraft Panels
A method for printing a single-piece, high-strength spacecraft panel using 3D printing to create complex internal trusses that eliminate the need for bolts or welds.
How Boeing Shortens Engine Exhaust Fairings to Save Weight
A design for aircraft engine exhaust systems that allows the protective fairing behind the engine to be shorter, reducing weight and drag.
How High-Altitude Satellites Relay Data for Fast-Moving Low-Orbit Satellites
This patent describes how a high-throughput satellite (HTS) in a fixed orbit can dynamically track and relay data from fast-moving low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to ground stations by precisely switching its focused radio beams.
23 citations
How a Nuclear Reactor's Rotating Drum Controls Power
This patent describes a rotating drum for nuclear reactors, especially mobile ones, that uses tubes filled with different materials to absorb or scatter neutrons, precisely controlling the reactor's power output.
8 citations
2020s
How AI Helps Pilots Talk to Flight Management Systems
A system that uses artificial intelligence to understand pilot requests and automatically trigger the right flight data or software services.
How Boeing Stacks Electric Space Vehicles for Launch
A design for a launch vehicle that carries two space vehicles stacked on top of each other, both using electric propulsion systems for movement in space.
2 citations
How Space Taxis and Locomotives Move Satellites Between Orbits
A modular system using a small 'rendezvous' vehicle to collect satellites and a larger 'locomotive' vehicle to haul them to their final destination in space.
2 citations
How High-Altitude Parafoils Use Spring-Loaded Rods to Open Automatically
A system for high-altitude balloons that uses flexible, spring-loaded rods to force a parachute-like wing to snap open in the thin air of the upper atmosphere.
4 citations
How Autonomous Air Taxis Use Hand Gestures and 3D Mapping
A system for operating air taxis that uses hand gestures for control and crowd-sourced 3D mapping to navigate urban environments.
1 citation
How Aircraft Systems Detect Mechanical Wear by Comparing Real-Time Performance
A system that monitors aircraft parts by comparing their actual physical movement against a computer simulation to spot mechanical degradation or performance delays.
How a Battery Automatically Disconnects Itself During Overheating
A safety system for battery packs that uses a heat-sensitive material to physically break the electrical connection between cells if they get too hot, preventing thermal runaway.
How Spacecraft Servicing Pods Maneuver and Refuel Other Satellites
A specialized robotic pod designed to dock with aging satellites and use a flexible, multi-jointed boom arm to adjust their orbit or velocity.
2 citations
How One Person Can Control Two Robots as a Team
This patent describes a system where a single operator can control two separate robots together as one unified machine, or switch to control them individually, using a master control system.
2 citations
How Satellite Swarms Keep Their Solar Panels and Antennas Pointed Correctly
A system for managing large satellite arrays in orbit that balances the need to point solar panels at the sun and antennas at the Earth while keeping the structure stable.
1 citation
How Self-Driving Cars Detect Dirty Lidar Sensors
Waymo's 2024 patent on a self-driving car system that uses two scans from a rotating Lidar sensor to spot dirt or obstructions on its lens.
1 citation
How to See Where Gear Teeth Touch Using Glowing Oil
This patent describes a method for precisely mapping where gear teeth contact each other by applying a special glowing oil mixture, rolling the gears, and then observing the resulting pattern under ultraviolet light.
1 citation
How Drones Use Temperature Maps to Safely Start Controlled Fires
A system for drones to drop ignition balls for controlled burns while using thermal sensors to navigate away from dangerous heat and optimize fire patterns.
How Tiny Water-Powered Thrusters Steer Small Satellites
A method for building microscopic water-based rocket engines that use heat to push water through tiny nozzles to steer small satellites in space.
How Solar Sails Use Moving Vanes to Steer in Space
A solar sail design that uses multiple independently moving reflective vanes made of shape-memory materials to steer spacecraft using only the pressure of sunlight.
7 citations
How Delivery Drones Self-Calibrate and Pass Safety Checks Before Takeoff
A system for automated drone maintenance stations that check if a drone is safe to fly by verifying its GPS, weight, and physical condition without human help.
9 citations
How Jet Engines Use Heat to Automatically Adjust Airflow
A GE patent for a jet engine component that changes shape based on temperature to automatically control how much cooling air flows into the engine core.
How Aircraft Automatically Adjust Exterior Lights Using Computer Vision
An automated system for airplanes that turns on landing and taxi lights based on altitude and uses AI to adjust brightness depending on real-time visibility conditions.
1 citation
How to Improve 3D Printing Using Cold Spray Metal Deposition
A method for perfecting metal 3D printing by analyzing how spray angles affect material quality and adjusting the printer's path to fix errors.
How Training Systems Share AI Knowledge Without Sharing Private Student Data
This patent describes a system where different student training centers can improve their AI models by sharing general learning patterns, not private student data, to make training better for everyone.
1 citation
How to Precisely Control Solid-State 3D Printing for Stronger Materials
This patent describes a system for precisely controlling solid-state additive manufacturing, allowing real-time adjustments to create specific material structures without melting, using continuous material feeds.
9 citations
How Satellites Sync Timing for Faster 5G Internet Connections
A method for terminal devices to calculate precise timing offsets when connecting to 5G satellite networks, reducing the need for constant data updates from base stations.
How a Sealed Electric Motor Stays Cool Inside
This patent describes a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor sealed in an airtight compartment that uses openings in its spinning rotor to create an internal airflow, cooling the motor by transferring heat to the end caps.
Electrical Wire with a Heat-Resistant Plastic Coating
This patent describes an electrical wire coated with a specific plastic blend, a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), designed to withstand high temperatures and improve durability.
How to 3D Print Metal Parts with Easy-to-Remove Supports
This patent describes a method for 3D printing complex metal objects with support structures that can be easily removed after the final part is made solid, by using a special non-stick layer in between.
1 citation
How a Tool Automatically Installs Blind Rivet Nuts
This patent describes a method for a tool to automatically install a blind rivet nut by first pushing it against a surface, then rotating it, and finally pulling it back to deform and secure it.
How a Compact Digital Phased Array Antenna System Works
This patent describes a system for an advanced antenna that can steer radio signals using digital technology, packed into a compact, managed unit.
How a Digital Phased Array Antenna System Works
This patent describes a compact, multi-band antenna system that uses digital technology to steer radio waves, allowing it to communicate in multiple directions and frequencies without physically moving.
How a Digital Phased Array Antenna Steers Radio Signals Electronically
This patent describes a system that uses many small antennas and digital processing to precisely aim and receive radio signals, like a smart, electronic spotlight for radio waves.
How Drones Land and Charge Automatically on a Smart Base Station
This patent describes a smart base station for drones that uses moving parts to guide a drone into place for charging and secure storage.
A Digital Antenna System for Steering Radio Signals
This patent describes a digital antenna system that uses multiple small antennas and digital processing to precisely aim radio signals across different frequency bands, while also managing power and heat.
Automated Drone Charging Hub with a Locking Arm
This patent describes a special charging station for drones that can move out to meet the drone, connect to it, and then lock it in place while it charges.