Patents by Inventor Duane L. Hicks

Duane L. Hicks 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).

  • Tail rotor authority control for a helicopter
    Patent number: 5607122
    Abstract: An apparatus for interconnection in a helicopter tail rotor control linkage for changing the pitch of the tail rotor blades in response to predetermined inputs is provided. The apparatus comprises a linkage member having a variable geometry, an actuator, and a control unit. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit utilizes a microcontroller to monitor inputs corresponding to ambient air condition and automatically vary the maximum tail rotor pitch so as to provide maximum tail rotor authority over a range of altitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Duane L. Hicks, William L. McKeown, Tommie L. Wood