XTI Aerospace, Inc. has announced that its subsidiary, XTI Aircraft Company, has taken significant steps to protect its intellectual property related to the TriFan 600, a groundbreaking fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft currently under development.
The company recently submitted a non-provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trade Office and filed notice with the 157 countries participating in the Patent Cooperation Treaty for innovations related to the TriFan 600. This move comes after XTI Aircraft secured a new utility patent from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) on February 12, 2024, also related to the TriFan 600.
The new patent applications and the previously granted China patent cover various technical and functional aspects of the TriFan 600, including the pivoting ducted fans that rotate between vertical lift and horizontal thrust. This innovative design is intended to enable the TriFan 600 to seamlessly transition from vertical takeoff to forward cruise, offering a unique combination of efficiency and flexibility in air travel.
Scott Pomeroy, chairman and chief executive officer of XTI Aerospace, emphasised the importance of these patent applications in solidifying the company’s position as a market leader in the powered-lift aircraft category. “The new patent applications illustrate our ongoing commitment to innovation,” Pomeroy stated. “Issuance of the China patent further enhanced our existing patent portfolio around the TriFan 600 in the U.S., Europe, and several other countries. In addition to guarding against unauthorised use of our intellectual property, we plan to leverage our portfolio to differentiate ourselves in the market and to facilitate strategic growth and expansion.”
The TriFan 600 aeroplane is poised to revolutionise point-to-point air travel by offering the comfort, speed, and range of similarly sized conventional business aircraft while providing the flexibility, convenience, and pinpoint transportation achievable only with a VTOL aircraft. XTI Aerospace is targeting various markets, including business, commuter, and regional airline markets, as well as charter, other private air services, and medevac operators.
The company has already made significant progress in the development of the TriFan 600, having conducted multiple hover tests of a two-thirds-scale unmanned proof-of-concept configuration. Furthermore, XTI Aerospace recently announced the signing of a Letter of Intent with AVX Aircraft Company for further design and development of the TriFan 600. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the development program while significantly reducing expenses for certain engineering capabilities and services.
As XTI Aerospace continues to innovate and protect its intellectual property, the company is well-positioned to disrupt the aviation industry with its cutting-edge TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft. The strengthened patent portfolio not only safeguards the company’s unique designs and technologies but also serves as a valuable asset in facilitating strategic partnerships and expanding its market presence. With the ongoing development of the TriFan 600 and the support of key collaborators, XTI Aerospace is poised to redefine the future of air travel, offering unparalleled flexibility, convenience, and efficiency to a wide range of customers and industries.