Patents by Inventor Dudley E. Smith
Dudley E. Smith 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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Publication number: 20210276701Abstract: A system and method for providing a supplemental power includes: an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a motor-generator coupled to the transmission, and a battery system coupled to the motor-generator. The motor-generator is configured to draw an energy from the transmission and store the energy in the battery system when the engine is driving the transmission. The battery system is configured to discharge the energy to the motor-generator, and the motor-generator is configured to provide the supplemental power to the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Patent number: 11014655Abstract: A system and method for providing supplemental power includes: a motor-generator or a hydraulic pump-motor configured to attach to a transmission of an engine, a controller connected to the motor-generator or the hydraulic pump-motor, and a battery system or a hydraulic accumulator coupled to the motor-generator or the hydraulic pump-motor, respectively. During normal operation of the engine, the engine drives the transmission to rotate rotor blades connected to the transmission, and the motor-generator or the hydraulic pump-motor draws an energy from the transmission and store the energy in the battery system or the hydraulic accumulator, respectively. Upon a manual and/or an automatic control by the controller, the battery system or the hydraulic accumulator discharges the energy to the motor-generator or the hydraulic pump-motor, respectively, and the motor-generator or the hydraulic pump-motor provides the supplemental power to drive the transmission to rotate the rotor blades.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Publication number: 20180362152Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Patent number: 10077105Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Patent number: 9701406Abstract: A rotorcraft includes a proprotor coupled to the wing and a pusher propeller. Power is transferred from the proprotor to the pusher propeller with the use of a torque splitter. The torque splitter contains several gears, including a ring gear which rotates on an axis. The power outputted by the torque splitter is increased or decreased by selectively slowing down the rotation of the ring gear by the use of a clamp.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Robertson, Dudley E. Smith
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Publication number: 20170096219Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Patent number: 9522730Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Publication number: 20160229531Abstract: A rotorcraft includes a proprotor coupled to the wing and a pusher propeller. Power is transferred from the proprotor to the pusher propeller with the use of a torque splitter. The torque splitter contains several gears, including a ring gear which rotates on an axis. The power outputted by the torque splitter is increased or decreased by selectively slowing down the rotation of the ring gear by the use of a clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Robertson, Dudley E. Smith
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Patent number: 9334060Abstract: A method of managing aircraft exhaust includes providing hot air at a hot air mass flow rate, providing cold air at a cold air mass flow rate, and mixing the hot air and the cold air at a variable hot air mass flow rate to cold air mass flow rate ratio, wherein the variable hot air mass flow rate to cold air mass flow rate ratio is selectively maintained independent of at least one of (1) a variation in the hot air mass flow rate and (2) a variation in a translational speed of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Robertson, Dudley E. Smith, Robert M. Laramee
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Patent number: 9290266Abstract: A speed control assembly includes an input drive shaft coupled to a first gear subassembly having a rotatable gear, a second gear subassembly coupled to an output drive shaft, and a linkage coupling the first and second gear subassemblies, wherein the input drive shaft, the first and second gear subassemblies, and the linkage are configured such that a rotational speed of the rotatable gear adjusts a ratio of a rotational speed of the output drive shaft to a rotational speed of the output drive shaft. In some embodiments, the first gear subassembly includes a sun gear coupled to the input drive shaft, one or more planet gears, and a ring gear as the rotatable gear. In some embodiments, the second gear subassembly includes a sun gear coupled to the output drive shaft, one or more planet gears, and a fixed ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Robertson, Dudley E. Smith, Carlos A. Fenny, Walter West Riley
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Publication number: 20160059957Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Patent number: 9180964Abstract: An autorotative enhancement system comprises a transmission having a driveshaft configured to couple to an engine. A mast is configured to couple to multiple rotor blades. An autorotative assist unit is configured to the transmission and is configured to store energy during normal operation and drive the rotor blades through the transmission to provide supplemental autorotative assistance upon loss of engine power.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Publication number: 20150274287Abstract: A speed control assembly includes an input drive shaft coupled to a first gear subassembly having a rotatable gear, a second gear subassembly coupled to an output drive shaft, and a linkage coupling the first and second gear subassemblies, wherein the input drive shaft, the first and second gear subassemblies, and the linkage are configured such that a rotational speed of the rotatable gear adjusts a ratio of a rotational speed of the output drive shaft to a rotational speed of the output drive shaft. In some embodiments, the first gear subassembly includes a sun gear coupled to the input drive shaft, one or more planet gears, and a ring gear as the rotatable gear. In some embodiments, the second gear subassembly includes a sun gear coupled to the output drive shaft, one or more planet gears, and a fixed ring gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Robertson, Dudley E. Smith, Carlos A. Fenny, Walter West Riley
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Patent number: 8998125Abstract: A foldable rotor system for a rotorcraft, the foldable rotor system comprising a rotor assembly operably associated with a driveshaft, the driveshaft being operable associated with an engine, the rotor assembly comprising a rotor blade connected to a grip pin. A swashplate is operable associated with the grip pin in order selectively change a pitch of the rotor blade. A blade fold actuator is operably associated with the grip pin such that the blade fold actuator is configured to fold and unfold the rotor blade about a blade fold axis. During an airplane mode, the rotorcraft can stop and fold the rotor blades so that the rotorcraft relies upon thrust from the engine for propulsion. The rotor blades are folded in a spiral fold path so that the rotor blades remain substantially edgewise, or feathered, during the folding process. The spiral fold path minimizes the aerodynamic drag experienced by the rotor blades while being folded during flight of the rotorcraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Charles Hollimon, Dudley E. Smith, David Ludolph
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Publication number: 20140263820Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation may be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Cory M. Hitte, Bryan Marshall, Carlos Alexander Fenny
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Publication number: 20140084080Abstract: A method of managing aircraft exhaust includes providing hot air at a hot air mass flow rate, providing cold air at a cold air mass flow rate, and mixing the hot air and the cold air at a variable hot air mass flow rate to cold air mass flow rate ratio, wherein the variable hot air mass flow rate to cold air mass flow rate ratio is selectively maintained independent of at least one of (1) a variation in the hot air mass flow rate and (2) a variation in a translational speed of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Daniel B. Robertson, Dudley E. Smith, Robert M. Laramee
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Patent number: 8636242Abstract: The system of the present application includes a system duct in fluid communication with a tailboom duct, the system duct having a downstream portion with an anti-torque cutout and a pro-torque cutout. The system further includes an anti-torque nozzle exteriorly proximate to the anti-torque cutout and a pro-torque nozzle exteriorly proximate to the pro-torque cutout. A rotating sleeve is configured to selectively allow airflow into at least one of the anti-torque nozzle and the pro-torque nozzle. A thrust nozzle is in fluid communication with the system duct. An upper clamshell and a lower clamshell are each configured to selectively control airflow in the thrust nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Dudley E. Smith
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Patent number: 8567709Abstract: A twin-rotor side-by-side compound rotorcraft has a fuselage and variable incident wing assembly that pivots relative to fuselage. The aircraft also has landing gear assembly and a tail fin assembly. The variable incident wing assembly is pivotally attached to the fuselage, and includes wing members, engines fixedly mounted to the wing members or another area of the rotorcraft, and a mast attached at a fixed angle relative to the wing members. Then engines may also be located near the fuselage or another area of the rotorcraft. The variable incident wing assembly is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis, thereby allowing mast orientation in at least a hover mast position and a forward flight mast position. The rotors provide additional forward thrust and the wings provide additional lift, when the mast is in the forward flight mast position.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Walter C. Joiner, Daniel B. Robertson, David J. Ludolph, Jennifer D. Langston
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Publication number: 20130256465Abstract: A twin-rotor side-by-side compound rotorcraft has a fuselage and variable incident wing assembly that pivots relative to fuselage. The aircraft also has landing gear assembly and a tail fin assembly. The variable incident wing assembly is pivotally attached to the fuselage, and includes wing members, engines fixedly mounted to the wing members or another area of the rotorcraft, and a mast attached at a fixed angle relative to the wing members. Then engines may also be located near the fuselage or another area of the rotorcraft. The variable incident wing assembly is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis, thereby allowing mast orientation in at least a hover mast position and a forward flight mast position. The rotors provide additional forward thrust and the wings provide additional lift, when the mast is in the forward flight mast position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Walter C. Joiner, Daniel B. Robertson, David J. Ludolph, Jennifer D. Langston
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Publication number: 20120318910Abstract: The system of the present application includes a system duct in fluid communication with a tailboom duct, the system duct having a downstream portion with an anti-torque cutout and a pro-torque cutout. The system further includes an anti-torque nozzle exteriorly proximate to the anti-torque cutout and a pro-torque nozzle exteriorly proximate to the pro-torque cutout. A rotating sleeve is configured to selectively allow airflow into at least one of the anti-torque nozzle and the pro-torque nozzle. A thrust nozzle is in fluid communication with the system duct. An upper clamshell and a lower clamshell are each configured to selectively control airflow in the thrust nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventor: Dudley E. Smith