Patents by Inventor Frank B. Stamps

Frank B. Stamps 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).

  • Dual series damper system
    Patent number: 9481455
    Abstract: A dual series damper includes a fluid damper portion and a elastomeric damper portion. The fluid damper portion includes a first housing, a first connection member, and a piston coupled to the first connection member. The piston divides an interior of the first housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston has a fluid passage in the piston, the fluid passage being configured to provide fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. The elastomeric damper portion includes a second housing, a second connection member coupled to the second housing, and an elastomer between the first housing and the second housing. When a lead/lag force is introduced to the dual series damper, the fluid damper portion behaves rigidly so that the elastomeric damper portion dampens the lead/lag oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Mithat Yuce, David A. Popelka, Frank B. Stamps, Mark A. Wiinikka
  • Swashplateless active blade pitch control with a mechanical delta-3 restraint having an instantaneous blade pitch-flap coupling response
    Patent number: 9476312
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a hub configured to couple to a mast, a grip configured to couple to the hub and a rotor blade, a pitch actuator coupled to the grip and configured to change a pitch of the rotor blade relative to the mast, and a delta-3 restraint coupled to the pitch actuator, wherein the delta-3 restraint is fixed relative to the mast. An apparatus comprising a hub configured to couple to a mast, a grip configured to couple to the hub and a rotor blade, a pitch actuator coupled to the grip and configured to change a pitch of the rotor blade relative to the mast, and a delta-3 restraint coupled to the pitch actuator, wherein the delta-3 restraint is configured to control the pitch of the blade relative to the mast when the pitch actuator fails, and wherein the delta-3 restraint provides an instantaneous blade pitch-flap coupling response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Foskey, Frank B. Stamps
  • Rotor system shear bearing
    Patent number: 9457897
    Abstract: A shear bearing for a rotor system has a four bar linkage and a grip configured to retain a flexural yoke and the grip is connected between a first set of opposing links of the four bar linkage. A rotor system has a flexural yoke and a shear bearing configured to perform at least one of transmitting forces to the yoke and receiving forces from the yoke, wherein the yoke is free of cavities for receiving the shear bearing. A rotational system has a flexural yoke and a damper disposed on a surface of the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Drew Sutton, Frank B. Stamps
  • Rotor hub vibration attenuator
    Patent number: 9452828
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has at least one weight mounted in a rotating system of a rotor hub of the aircraft, each weight being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hub relative to the hub and to each other weight. Drive means are provided for rotating each weight about the axis of rotation at a selected speed for creating oscillatory shear forces that oppose and attenuate rotor-induced vibrations having a selected frequency. A vertically oriented vibration attenuator is configured to oppose and attenuate vertical rotor induced oscillatory forces that would otherwise travel vertical down the rotor mast and into the airframe. A vibration attenuator having weights rotating about separate axes offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, David A. Popelka, Frank B. Stamps
  • Method and apparatus for improved vibration isolation
    Patent number: 9446841
    Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning passage. A piston assembly is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is allowed to flow from the fluid chambers through the tuning passage. A metering valve is actuated up and down in order to change the effective diameter of the tuning passage, resulting in a change to the isolation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps
  • Constant velocity joint with control mechanism
    Patent number: 9399513
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a constant velocity (CV) joint includes a first yoke, a second yoke, and a control mechanism. The first yoke is configured to be rotatably coupled to an input device about a first axis and configured to receive the input device through a first opening. The second yoke is rotatably coupled to the first yoke about a second axis and rotatably coupled to an output device about a third axis. The control mechanism is adapted to constrain the first yoke and the second yoke so as to achieve a substantially CV characteristic between the input device and the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Drew A. Sutton, Christopher Foskey, Dudley Smith, Frank B. Stamps
  • Hybrid sliding element and elastomeric bearing
    Patent number: 9399512
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a bearing is situated in a rotor system. The bearing features a housing having a first opening therethrough, a first member disposed within the first opening and having a second opening therethrough, and an elastomeric bearing disposed within the second opening and having a third opening therethrough configured to receive a shaft. The first member having at least one substantially curved surface. A sliding element bearing disposed between the housing and the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Hunter Davis, Frank B. Stamps
  • Self pumping and priming adhesive joint system
    Patent number: 9382933
    Abstract: A tube form assembly includes an inner member and an outer member. Each of the inner and outer members has an offset which creates a cavity therebetween. During assembly of the tube form assembly, an adhesive is located in the cavity and squeezed out and through the adjacent bond lines between the inner member and outer member. The pressurization and flow of adhesive outward from the cavity facilitates removal of air bubbles, as well as prevents the introduction of air bubbles into the bond line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps
  • Blade-pitch control system with indexing swashplate
    Patent number: 9365288
    Abstract: The present application includes a blade-pitch control system with an indexing swashplate. A swashplate assembly has a non-rotating portion and a rotating portion and an indexing portion of the mast. The swashplate assembly is translatably affixed to the indexing portion. A pitch link connects the rotating portion of the swashplate assembly to each blade. Translation of the swashplate assembly along the indexing portion causes a change in pitch of the blades and a corresponding indexing of the rotating portion of the swashplate assembly relative to the mast, the indexing causing a change in an angular orientation of each pitch link, thus providing for selected pitch-flap coupling between flapping motion of the yoke and pitch motion of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, Richard E. Rauber
  • Rotor Hub Bearing System
    Publication number: 20160152328
    Abstract: The bearing system is configured for treating and reacting dynamic loading within a rotor hub of rotorcraft. The bearing system includes an outer member having a plurality of alternating outer elastomeric layers and shim layers. The outer member has an inboard surface configured for bonding to an inboard bearing support, and the outer member has an outboard surface configured for bonding to an outboard bearing support. The bearing system has an inner member bonded to an interior surface of the outer member. The inner member can include a rigid inner core, as well as a plurality of elastomeric layers and shim layers configured to react torsional movements of the rotor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Hunter Davis, Frank B. Stamps
  • Elastomeric damper with heater
    Patent number: 9353820
    Abstract: A damper system includes a damper and a heater operably associated with the damper. The method includes heating the damper with heat energy from the heater and then monitoring and regulating the heat energy to the damper with a sensor and control subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Schofield, Dan Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps
  • Aircraft rotor with discrete flap hinge
    Patent number: 9352830
    Abstract: An aircraft rotor assembly has upper and lower hub plates adapted to be mounted to a central rotor mast for rotation therewith. A plurality of radial arms is connected to at least two flap bearings mounted between the hub plates and forming a discrete flap hinge, each flap hinge defining a flap axis and allowing rotation of the associated arm relative to the hub plates and about the corresponding flap axis. Each of a plurality of blade grips is rotatably connected to one of the arms for rotation about a pitch axis and adapted for mounting of a blade to each blade grip, such that each blade is capable of rotation with the grip about the pitch axis and capable of rotation together with the corresponding arm relative to the hub plates and about the corresponding flap axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, David A. Popelka, Tom Donovan, Patrick R. Tisdale, Richard E. Rauber
  • Hybrid fluid elastomeric damper
    Patent number: 9334920
    Abstract: A damper includes a housing that forms a fluidly sealed cavity for receiving a fluid therein. The fluid is configured to change fluid properties as electrical energy is induced. An electrical subsystem provides electrical energy to the fluid, which is monitored with a control subsystem. The method includes inducing the fluid with electrical energy to change the dampening effects of the damper in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Modrzejewski, Bryan Judd, Dan Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps, Emily Schofield
  • SCISSORING FOLD ARRANGEMENT FOR DUAL PLANE FOUR BLADED ROTOR HUBS
    Publication number: 20160122013
    Abstract: A rotor blade system includes a first hub assembly having a first set of rotor blades and rotatably attached to a rotor mast, a second hub assembly having a second set of rotor blades and rotatably attached to the rotor mast, the second hub assembly being positioned at a space relative to the first hub assembly, a torque splitter device engaged with both the first hub assembly and the second hub assembly, and a locking device operably associated with the torque splitter device. The method includes rotating the first hub relative to the second hub via the torque splitter until the first set of rotor blades align with the second set of rotor blade about a common horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Terry Thompson, Frank B. Stamps
  • Elastomeric bearing with tapered shims
    Patent number: 9327832
    Abstract: The centrifugal force bearing includes a plurality of tapered metal shims such that the thicker end of each tapered metal shim near the inner portion of bearing. The bearing can include a plurality of tapered elastomeric members that are consequently tapered so that the inner portions are narrower than the outer portions. The tapered metal shims can increase the axial stiffness in the direction of the centrifugal force, thereby reducing the axial deflection under loading, as compared to non-tapered shims. Further, reducing axial deflection reduces clearance issues that may arise when the rotor blade is allowed to axial deflect significant distances. As such, the tapered metal shims can increase the capacity of the bearing. Tapering the metal shims can decrease the compression induced shear strain near the outer portions of the elastomeric member, where loads are typically higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps
  • Rotorcraft flapping lock
    Patent number: 9327831
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a flapping lock for a rotor system includes a downstop, a flapping stop, and an actuator. The downstop is in mechanical communication with a shaft. The flapping stop is in mechanical communication with a rotor hub. The actuator is operable to move the downstop towards the flapping stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Schank, Frank B. Stamps
  • ANTI-DRIVE MECHANISM FOR RISE AND FALL ROTATING CONTROL SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20160101851
    Abstract: A rotor blade system includes a hub assembly pivotally attached to a rotor blade, a mast attached to the hub assembly, and a swashplate engaged with the mast, the swashplate includes a non-rotating ring and a rotating ring. The method to raise the swashplate includes using an anti-drive link system pivotally engaged with a transmission top case and pivotally engaged with the non-rotating ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Jason L. Hoyle, Frank B. Stamps
  • Method and apparatus for improved vibration isolation
    Patent number: 9297439
    Abstract: A vibration isolator having a housing defining a fluid chamber, piston assembly, tuning passage, and a switchable fluid path assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston assembly is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is allowed to flow within the housing. Actuation of a valve in the switchable fluid path assembly selectively controls fluid flow within the fluid path of the switchable fluid path assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps
  • ROTORCRAFT FLAPPING LOCK
    Publication number: 20160083087
    Abstract: A method of selectively preventing flapping of a rotor hub includes providing a flapping lock proximate to a rotor hub and shaft assembly and moving the flapping lock from an unlocked position to a locked position, the flapping lock operable in the locked position to prevent at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft, the flapping lock operable in the unlocked position to allow the at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Troy Schank, Frank B. Stamps
  • VIBRATION CONTROL WITH ACTIVE LAG DAMPER
    Publication number: 20160083088
    Abstract: A rotor system includes a hub assembly, a first, second, and third rotor blade rotatably attached to the hub assembly, a first, second, and third damper pivotally attached to the hub assembly and pivotally attached to the first, second, and third rotor blade, respectively, and a control system operably associated with the first, second, and third damper. A method to control vibratory forces exerted on the hub assembly via the first and second rotor blade includes separately controlling a dynamic spring rate of each of the first and second dampers with the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: David E. Heverly, II, Frank B. Stamps, Michael Smith