Patents by Inventor Andrew Ryan Maresh
Andrew Ryan Maresh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11891167Abstract: A teeter flap lock for an aircraft may include at least one pair of diametrically positioned teeter flap lock plates extending from a rotor teetering hinge, spaced apart from a rotor mast of the aircraft. A teeter flap lock block is positioned about the rotor mast and is configured to fit between the teeter flap lock plates and the rotor mast. The teeter flap lock block fits between and contacts the teeter flap lock plates in an engaged position, and is movable between the engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the teeter flap lock plates. The teeter flap lock enables flapping of rotors coupled to the rotor mast via the teetering hinge when the teeter flap lock block is in the disengaged position and disables flapping of the rotors when the teeter flap lock block is in the engaged position.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Bryan Kenneth Baskin, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Ryan Maresh
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Patent number: 11767006Abstract: A rotor assembly for generating thrust for a vehicle. The rotor assembly includes a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blade assemblies coupled to the rotor hub. Each rotor blade assembly includes a metallic bearing race, a composite rotor blade and a metallic coupling assembly. The composite rotor blade has a root section with a radially outwardly tapered outer surface. The metallic coupling assembly has a radially inwardly tapered inner surface that receives the radially outwardly tapered outer surface of the root section of the rotor blade therein to provide a centrifugal force seat for the rotor blade. The coupling assembly includes at least two circumferentially distributed coupling members. The coupling assembly is configured to couple the rotor blade to the bearing race and to provide a centrifugal force load path therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, John Richard McCullough, Robert Patrick Wardlaw, Paul K. Oldroyd
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Patent number: 11745853Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Kyle Thomas Cravener
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Publication number: 20230145902Abstract: A rotor assembly for generating thrust for a vehicle. The rotor assembly includes a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blade assemblies coupled to the rotor hub. Each rotor blade assembly includes a metallic bearing race, a composite rotor blade and a metallic coupling assembly. The composite rotor blade has a root section with a radially outwardly tapered outer surface. The metallic coupling assembly has a radially inwardly tapered inner surface that receives the radially outwardly tapered outer surface of the root section of the rotor blade therein to provide a centrifugal force seat for the rotor blade. The coupling assembly includes at least two circumferentially distributed coupling members. The coupling assembly is configured to couple the rotor blade to the bearing race and to provide a centrifugal force load path therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, John Richard McCullough, Robert Patrick Wardlaw, Paul K. Oldroyd
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Publication number: 20230118750Abstract: A teeter flap lock for an aircraft may include at least one pair of diametrically positioned teeter flap lock plates extending from a rotor teetering hinge, spaced apart from a rotor mast of the aircraft. A teeter flap lock block is positioned about the rotor mast and is configured to fit between the teeter flap lock plates and the rotor mast. The teeter flap lock block fits between and contacts the teeter flap lock plates in an engaged position, and is movable between the engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the teeter flap lock plates. The teeter flap lock enables flapping of rotors coupled to the rotor mast via the teetering hinge when the teeter flap lock block is in the disengaged position and disables flapping of the rotors when the teeter flap lock block is in the engaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Bryan Kenneth Baskin, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Ryan Maresh
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Patent number: 11623742Abstract: An elastomeric bearing assembly has a housing, a centrifugal force bearing axially captured relative to the housing, and a sliding cap disposed between the housing and the centrifugal force bearing.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Christopher Edward Foskey
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Publication number: 20230101186Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a blade lock comprising a fold lock adapted to prevent folding of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to allow folding of the rotor blade in a pitch-lock position. The blade lock further comprises a pitch lock adapted to allow pitch movement of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to prevent pitch movement of the rotor blade in the pitch-lock position. A spring-loaded link pivotally connects both the fold lock and the pitch lock and is adapted to provide passive, overcenter locking in the fold-lock position. An actuator is coupled to the pitch lock and is adapted to move the pitch lock and the fold lock between the fold-lock and pitch-lock positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Brady Garrett Atkins, Kynn J. Schulte, Troy Schank
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Patent number: 11511848Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a blade lock comprising a fold lock adapted to prevent folding of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to allow folding of the rotor blade in a pitch-lock position. The blade lock further comprises a pitch lock adapted to allow pitch movement of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to prevent pitch movement of the rotor blade in the pitch-lock position. A spring-loaded link pivotally connects both the fold lock and the pitch lock and is adapted to provide passive, overcenter locking in the fold-lock position. An actuator is coupled to the pitch lock and is adapted to move the pitch lock and the fold lock between the fold-lock and pitch-lock positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Brady Garrett Atkins, Kynn J. Schulte, Troy Schank
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Publication number: 20220135215Abstract: There is disclosed in one example a mechanical assembly, including: a parent part including a parent part lug; a bushing to pass through the lug, the bushing comprising a central inner diameter, and respective left and right relief zones having a second inner diameter different from the central inner diameter; and a through-pin to pass through the bushing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Robert P. Wardlaw, Glenn Shimek
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Patent number: 11235858Abstract: A mechanism for folding a rotor blade that is rotatably coupled to a blade cuff about a blade-fold axis between an extended position and a folded position. The mechanism includes a swash plate configured to translate relative to a mast, a pitch link rotatably coupled to the swash plate, a pitch horn rotatably coupled to the pitch link, a crank coupled to the pitch horn, and a link rotatably coupled to the crank and rotatably coupled to the rotor blade. The pitch horn and the crank being configured to commonly rotate relative to the blade cuff about a crank axis in response to translation of the swash plate, wherein the crank axis passes through the blade cuff.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Troy Cyril Schank, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Chyau-Song Tzeng
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Publication number: 20210362837Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a blade lock comprising a fold lock adapted to prevent folding of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to allow folding of the rotor blade in a pitch-lock position. The blade lock further comprises a pitch lock adapted to allow pitch movement of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to prevent pitch movement of the rotor blade in the pitch-lock position. A spring-loaded link pivotally connects both the fold lock and the pitch lock and is adapted to provide passive, overcenter locking in the fold-lock position. An actuator is coupled to the pitch lock and is adapted to move the pitch lock and the fold lock between the fold-lock and pitch-lock positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2020Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Brady Garrett Atkins, Kynn J. Schulte, Troy Schank
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Patent number: 11136116Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a double Hooke's joint gimbal in a rotor system. An upper Hooke's joint has four arms extending radially outward to define first and second axes, and a lower Hooke's joint has four arms extending radially outward to define third and fourth axes. A pair of connectors couple the upper Hooke's joint and the lower Hooke's joint. A first set of bearings are positioned between arms on the upper and lower Hooke's joints and the connectors. The first set of bearings comprise an elastomer, such as elastomeric journal bearings. The upper Hooke's joint is coupled to a yoke and rotor blades by a driver assembly that allows rotor blade flapping. The lower Hooke's joint is coupled to and driven by a mast. A spherical bearing allows the upper Hooke's joint to move laterally along the mast.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Chyausong Tzeng, Russell Mueller
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Publication number: 20210291960Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2020Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Kyle Thomas Cravener
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Patent number: 10946955Abstract: A propulsion assembly for a rotorcraft includes a mast and a proprotor hub assembly coupled to the mast and having a gimballing degree of freedom relative to the mast. The proprotor hub assembly includes a hook receiver. The propulsion assembly includes a gimbal lock positioned about the mast. The gimbal lock includes a locking ring and a gimbal lock hook. The gimbal lock is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position relative to the proprotor hub assembly. The gimbal lock enables the gimballing degree of freedom in the disengaged position and disables the gimballing degree of freedom in the engaged position. The gimbal lock hook is hooked to the hook receiver in the engaged position to secure the locking ring to the proprotor hub assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Troy Cyril Schank, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Chyau-Song Tzeng
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Publication number: 20210070432Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a double Hooke's joint gimbal in a rotor system. An upper Hooke's joint has four arms extending radially outward to define first and second axes, and a lower Hooke's joint has four arms extending radially outward to define third and fourth axes. A pair of connectors couple the upper Hooke's joint and the lower Hooke's joint. A first set of bearings are positioned between arms on the upper and lower Hooke's joints and the connectors. The first set of bearings comprise an elastomer, such as elastomeric journal bearings. The upper Hooke's joint is coupled to a yoke and rotor blades by a driver assembly that allows rotor blade flapping. The lower Hooke's joint is coupled to and driven by a mast. A spherical bearing allows the upper Hooke's joint to move laterally along the mast.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Chyausong Tzeng, Russell Mueller
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Patent number: 10933985Abstract: A propulsion assembly for a rotorcraft includes a mast and a proprotor hub assembly coupled to the mast and having a gimballing degree of freedom relative to the mast. The propulsion assembly includes a gimbal lock assembly positioned about the mast and including a plurality of radially outwardly extending and circumferentially distributed rollers. The gimbal lock assembly is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position relative to the proprotor hub assembly. In the disengaged position, the gimbal lock assembly enables the gimballing degree of freedom. In the engaged position, the rollers of the gimbal lock assembly contact the proprotor hub assembly to disable the gimballing degree.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Troy Cyril Schank, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Chyau-Song Tzeng
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Patent number: 10807705Abstract: In one embodiment, a rotor blade may comprise a blade body, a spar structure, and a blade nose. The blade body may comprise a skin, wherein the skin is configured to form an airfoil shape, and wherein the airfoil shape comprises an inboard end, an outboard end, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The spar structure may comprise a first spar cap and a second spar cap, wherein the first spar cap is coupled to an upper portion of the skin, and wherein the second spar cap is coupled to a lower portion of the skin. The blade nose may comprise a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured to house a plurality of modular weights at a plurality of radial blade locations, wherein the plurality of radial blade locations comprises a range of locations between the inboard end and the outboard end.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Drew A. Sutton, Mark E. Wasikowski, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Nolan B. Phillips
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Patent number: 10494090Abstract: In one embodiment, a rotor hub comprises a hub plate, a yoke for attaching a plurality of rotor blades, a plurality of yoke support bearings, and a plurality of cushioned damper bearings for attaching a plurality of dampers.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Jason C. Owens, Frank B. Stamps, Andrew Paul Haldeman, Robert P. Wardlaw, John R. McCullough, Gary Miller, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Drew A. Sutton
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Publication number: 20190300164Abstract: An elastomeric bearing assembly has a housing, a centrifugal force bearing axially captured relative to the housing, and a sliding cap disposed between the housing and the centrifugal force bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Christopher Edward Foskey
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Publication number: 20190077502Abstract: In one embodiment, a rotor hub comprises a hub plate, a yoke for attaching a plurality of rotor blades, a plurality of yoke support bearings, and a plurality of cushioned damper bearings for attaching a plurality of dampers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Jason C. Owens, Frank B. Stamps, Andrew Paul Haldeman, Robert P. Wardlaw, John R. McCullough, Gary Miller, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Drew A. Sutton