Patents by Inventor Kyle Thomas Cravener
Kyle Thomas Cravener 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).
-
Patent number: 11975831Abstract: An exemplary blade lock for a tiltrotor aircraft to enable and disable a folding degree of freedom and a pitching degree of freedom of a rotor blade assembly includes a link pivotally connected to a lever and a bellcrank, where the link is in a center position when the lever is in a locked position disabling the folding degree of freedom and the lever is secured in the locked position when the link is positioned in an over-center position.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Maresh
-
Patent number: 11971277Abstract: A rotor-hub-flap anisotropic-sensor system includes a rotor hub, a plurality of anisotropic-sensor arrangements interoperably coupled to the rotor hub and operable to measure flapping of the rotor hub, a plurality of rotor blades connected to the rotor hub, and at least one flight control computer interoperably coupled to the plurality of anisotropic-sensor arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Patrick Smith, Troy Cyril Schank, Brady Garrett Atkins, Kynn Jerald Schulte
-
Patent number: 11964757Abstract: A lockout system for an aircraft having a rotor assembly. The lockout system includes a drive shaft coupled to and rotatable with the rotor assembly, a nonrotating airframe structure disposed proximate the drive shaft and a lock assembly having first and second lock members. The first lock member is rotatable with the drive shaft and includes a plurality of bearing assemblies. The second lock member is coupled to the nonrotating airframe structure and includes a cradle having a plurality of asymmetric slots each with a leading ramp and a trailing stop. The lock assembly has a disengaged position in which rotation of the drive shaft is allowed and an engaged position in which each of the bearing assemblies is seated within one of the asymmetric slots to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. The lock assembly is actuatable between the engaged and disengaged positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Grant Michael Beall, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Brady Garrett Atkins, Gilberto Morales
-
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
-
Patent number: 11891168Abstract: A gimbal joint may employ a plurality of wear sleeves, each disposed between a pin or pin receptive bore of a first structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a second structure and between another pin or bore of the second structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a third structure. Each of these structures may be adapted to rotate in a single plane, with one structure adapted to also tilt about a first axis, and one other structure adapted to tilt about a second axis. Each integral flanged wear sleeve may comprise a right circular hollow cylindrical body portion, which may be interiorly sized to be retained on one of the pins and externally sized to be retained in one of the pin receptive bores, and a flange portion may radiate from one end of the cylindrical body portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
-
Publication number: 20230406492Abstract: A lockout system for an aircraft having a rotor assembly. The lockout system includes a drive shaft coupled to and rotatable with the rotor assembly, a nonrotating airframe structure disposed proximate the drive shaft and a lock assembly having first and second lock members. The first lock member is rotatable with the drive shaft and includes a plurality of bearing assemblies. The second lock member is coupled to the nonrotating airframe structure and includes a cradle having a plurality of asymmetric slots each with a leading ramp and a trailing stop. The lock assembly has a disengaged position in which rotation of the drive shaft is allowed and an engaged position in which each of the bearing assemblies is seated within one of the asymmetric slots to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. The lock assembly is actuatable between the engaged and disengaged positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Grant Michael Beall, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Brady Garrett Atkins, Gilberto Morales
-
Patent number: 11814153Abstract: A system for retaining a folded proprotor blade in flight. The system includes a mounting plate, a first arm coupled to the mounting plate at an acute angle relative to the mounting plate, and a first deformable pad affixed to the first arm and adapted to contact the folded proprotor blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Maresh, Jonathan Andrew Knoll
-
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
-
Patent number: 11703088Abstract: Embodiments are directed to solid lubricant assemblies for providing over temperature protection for bearings and gears in rotorcraft systems. A solid lubricant enters a fluid state above a certain temperature and is positioned so that fluid lubricant is applied to the bearings or gears.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Tyson Henry
-
Publication number: 20230204389Abstract: A rotor-hub flap-measurement system includes a rotor hub operable to flap relative to a rotational axis of a rotor mast. The rotor hub includes a fork driver fixedly coupled to the rotor mast and operable to rotate about the rotational axis, a drive plate operable to rotate about the rotational axis and to rotate out of a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis, out-of-plane rotation indicating flapping of the rotor hub, and a universal joint coupled to the drive plate and comprising a cross, the cross comprising four trunnions equally spaced azimuthally about the rotational axis. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system also includes a magneto-resistive sensor system coupled to the cross and operable to detect rotation of a first trunnion of the four trunnions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Andrew HARLOFF
-
Publication number: 20230194312Abstract: A rotor-hub-flap anisotropic-sensor system includes a rotor hub, a plurality of anisotropic-sensor arrangements interoperably coupled to the rotor hub and operable to measure flapping of the rotor hub, a plurality of rotor blades connected to the rotor hub, and at least one flight control computer interoperably coupled to the plurality of anisotropic-sensor arrangements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Patrick Smith, Troy Cyril Schank, Brady Garrett Atkins, Kynn Jerald Schulte
-
Publication number: 20230192276Abstract: A rotor-hub flap-measurement system includes a rotor hub operable to flap relative to a main-rotor axis, a flap-linkage arm, a first end of the flap-linkage arm rotatably coupled to the rotor hub, the flap-linkage arm responsive to flapping of the rotor hub, and a magneto-resistive sensor system rotatably coupled to a second end of the flap-linkage arm and responsive to movement of the flap-linkage arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Bell Texton Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Patrick Smith, Troy Cyril Schank, Brady Garrett Atkins, Kynn Jerald Schulte
-
Publication number: 20230182887Abstract: A system for retaining a folded proprotor blade in flight. The system includes a mounting plate, a first arm coupled to the mounting plate at an acute angle relative to the mounting plate, and a first deformable pad affixed to the first arm and adapted to contact the folded proprotor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Andrew MARESH, Jonathan Andrew KNOLL
-
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
-
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
-
Publication number: 20230086036Abstract: An exemplary blade lock for a tiltrotor aircraft to enable and disable a folding degree of freedom and a pitching degree of freedom of a rotor blade assembly includes a link pivotally connected to a lever and a bellcrank, where the link is in a center position when the lever is in a locked position disabling the folding degree of freedom and the lever is secured in the locked position when the link is positioned in an over-center position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Andrew MARESH
-
Patent number: 11591069Abstract: A system for retaining a folded proprotor blade in flight. The system includes a rotary actuator mechanism operable to generate torque via a shaft that rotates about an axis generally parallel to a chordwise direction of the folded proprotor blade, a pair of clamping arms movable in a direction generally parallel to a beamwise direction of the folded proprotor blade, a pair of linkage arms interoperably responsive to the rotary actuator mechanism and coupled between the rotary actuator mechanism and the pair of clamping arms, and a first guide rod extending between the pair of clamping arms in the direction generally parallel to the beamwise direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Kyle Thomas Cravener
-
Patent number: 11535370Abstract: An exemplary blade lock for a tiltrotor aircraft to enable and disable a folding degree of freedom and a pitching degree of freedom of a rotor blade assembly includes a link pivotally connected to a lever and a bellcrank, where the link is in a center position when the lever is in a locked position disabling the folding degree of freedom and the lever is secured in the locked position when the link is positioned in an over-center position.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Maresh
-
Publication number: 20220389967Abstract: Embodiments are directed to solid lubricant assemblies for providing over temperature protection for bearings and gears in rotorcraft systems. A solid lubricant enters a fluid state above a certain temperature and is positioned so that fluid lubricant is applied to the bearings or gears.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Tyson Henry
-
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