Patents by Inventor Michael F. Mullen

Michael F. Mullen 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).

  • Publication number: 20240133461
    Abstract: A lubricant system includes a first gearbox defining a first internal cavity, a second gearbox defining a second internal cavity, a first lubricant cooler positioned external the first and second internal cavities, a second lubricant cooler positioned external the first and second internal cavities, and a plurality of fluid passages fluidly connecting the first lubricant cooler and second lubricant coolers to each of the first gearbox and the second gearbox. The first lubricant cooler and the second lubricant cooler are configured to hold lubricant. The fluid passages include a first main fluid passage fluidly connecting the first lubricant cooler to the first gearbox, a second main fluid passage fluidly connecting the second lubricant cooler to the second gearbox, a first auxiliary passage fluidly connecting the first lubricant cooler to the second gearbox, and a second auxiliary passage fluidly connecting the second lubricant cooler to the first gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Thomas L. Tully, William Wolcott
  • Patent number: 11964754
    Abstract: A gear box includes a housing, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a bearing assembly pivotably coupled to the actuator. The bearing assembly including an outer raceway, a cylindrical housing positioned within the outer raceway, and an annular bearing positioned between the outer raceway and the housing. The cylindrical housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A sensor is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical housing and configured to monitor an operating condition of the annular bearing. A linkage couples the actuator to the second end of the cylindrical housing and an output shaft is rotatably coupled to the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Jimmy Yeung, Noah McCreight
  • Publication number: 20230192278
    Abstract: A gear box includes a housing, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a bearing assembly pivotably coupled to the actuator. The bearing assembly including an outer raceway, a cylindrical housing positioned within the outer raceway, and an annular bearing positioned between the outer raceway and the housing. The cylindrical housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A sensor is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical housing and configured to monitor an operating condition of the annular bearing. A linkage couples the actuator to the second end of the cylindrical housing and an output shaft is rotatably coupled to the bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Jimmy Yeung, Noah McCreight
  • Patent number: 11512811
    Abstract: A gearbox includes a housing including a lubricant reservoir, at least one gear system arranged in the housing, at least one lubricant delivery passage operable to direct a flow of lubricant from a lubricant reservoir onto the at least one gear system, at least one lubricant return passage operable to guide the flow of lubricant to the lubricant reservoir, and a lubricant-out sensor fluidically connected to the at least one lubricant return passage. The lubricant-out sensor is operable to detect a non-pressure based parameter of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam R. Glasser, Dwaine Wint, John J. Baldyga, Michael F. Mullen, David M. Lutian, Lindsey McKan
  • Patent number: 10745122
    Abstract: An aircraft tail rotor system includes a rotating pitch change shaft, a translating element, and a pitch change bearing assembly including a first bearing and a second bearing. The pitch change bearing assembly is operable to transmit movement of the translating element to the rotating pitch change shaft via the first bearing or the second bearing. A failure section is formed at an interface between the first bearing and the translating element. When the failure section decouples the first bearing from the translating element such that the first bearing does not transmit movement of the translating element to the rotating pitch change shaft, the second bearing transmits movement of the translating element to the rotating pitch change shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, William Wolcott, Kyle Winters
  • Patent number: 10421537
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a driveshaft disconnect coupling includes an input jaw member defining a rotation axis, an output jaw member connectable to the input jaw member for common rotation with the input jaw member, and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly is fixed to the input jaw member, includes a pin, and defines a pin movement axis. The pin is movable along the pin axis between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, the pin being disengaged from the output jaw member in the radially inner position and the pin being engaged to the output jaw member in the radially outer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Wolcott, Michael F. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20190276144
    Abstract: An aircraft tail rotor system includes a rotating pitch change shaft, a translating element, and a pitch change bearing assembly including a first bearing and a second bearing. The pitch change bearing assembly is operable to transmit movement of the translating element to the rotating pitch change shaft via the first bearing or the second bearing. A failure section is formed at an interface between the first bearing and the translating element. When the failure section decouples the first bearing from the translating element such that the first bearing does not transmit movement of the translating element to the rotating pitch change shaft, the second bearing transmits movement of the translating element to the rotating pitch change shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: MICHAEL F. MULLEN, WILLIAM WOLCOTT, KYLE WINTERS
  • Publication number: 20190154200
    Abstract: A gearbox includes a housing including a lubricant reservoir, at least one gear system arranged in the housing, at least one lubricant delivery passage operable to direct a flow of lubricant from a lubricant reservoir onto the at least one gear system, at least one lubricant return passage operable to guide the flow of lubricant to the lubricant reservoir, and a lubricant-out sensor fluidically connected to the at least one lubricant return passage. The lubricant-out sensor is operable to detect a non-pressure based parameter of the lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Adam R. Glasser, Dwaine Wint, John J. Baldyga, Michael F. Mullen, David M. Lutian, Lindsey McKan
  • Publication number: 20180009524
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a driveshaft disconnect coupling includes an input jaw member defining a rotation axis, an output jaw member connectable to the input jaw member for common rotation with the input jaw member, and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly is fixed to the input jaw member, includes a pin, and defines a pin movement axis. The pin is movable along the pin axis between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, the pin being disengaged from the output jaw member in the radially inner position and the pin being engaged to the output jaw member in the radially outer position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: William Wolcott, Michael F. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20170114439
    Abstract: A coating and surface repair method is provided. The method includes positioning a high velocity air fuel (HVAF) gun proximate to a damaged hardened steel surface and forming a ceramic metallic coating on the damaged hardened steel surface by executing an HVAF thermal spray process using the HVAF gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Ibibia Altraide, Tapas K. Mukherji, Michael F. Mullen
  • Patent number: 9624798
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an additive and a delivery system. During normal operational conditions, the lubricating oil circulating in the transmission system is collected and contained in a secondary oil reservoir to retain a quantity of the lubricating oil for use in an oil-out condition. When an oil-out condition is detected, the additive is injected and mixed with the collected lubricating oil in the secondary oil reservoir or dispersed directly into a power transmission gearbox housing to enhance the characteristics of the lubricating oil and increases the operational time period of the power transmission gearbox during an oil-out condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Clark V. Cooper, Adam R. Glasser, Thomas L. Sbabo
  • Patent number: 9169971
    Abstract: A method and system for magnetically detecting thermal degradation of a component. A multiple of ferrous metal segments are attached to a component not within a lubrication circuit of a lubrication system with a thermally-affected bonding agent. The thermally-affected bonding agent is operable to detach at a threshold temperature at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments such that the at least one of the multiple of detached ferrous metal segments enters the lubrication circuit of the lubrication system. The at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments which detached are then detected within the lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Sammataro, Michael F. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20140097044
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an additive and a delivery system. During normal operational conditions, the lubricating oil circulating in the transmission system is collected and contained in a secondary oil reservoir to retain a quantity of the lubricating oil for use in an oil-out condition. When an oil-out condition is detected, the additive is injected and mixed with the collected lubricating oil in the secondary oil reservoir or dispersed directly into a power transmission gearbox housing to enhance the characteristics of the lubricating oil and increases the operational time period of the power transmission gearbox during an oil-out condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Clark V. Cooper, Adam R. Glasser, Thomas L. Sbabo
  • Patent number: 8690443
    Abstract: A mechanical system for high acceleration loading includes a mechanical element configured for rotational movement in a high acceleration environment. The mechanical element possesses a first density. A lubricant having a second density is disposed about the mechanical element. The first and second densities are substantially identical such that the mechanical element is substantially neutrally buoyant in the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Ulf J. Jonsson, Michael F. Mullen
  • Patent number: 8602166
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an additive and a delivery system. During normal operational conditions, the lubricating oil circulating in the transmission system is collected and contained in a secondary oil reservoir to retain a quantity of the lubricating oil for use in an oil-out condition. When an oil-out condition is detected, the additive is injected and mixed with the collected lubricating oil in the secondary oil reservoir or dispersed directly into a power transmission gearbox housing to enhance the characteristics of the lubricating oil and increases the operational time period of the power transmission gearbox during an oil-out condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Clark V. Cooper, Adam R. Glasser, Thomas L. Sbabo
  • Publication number: 20120267238
    Abstract: A method for increasing oil-out survivability in a mechanical system having a plurality of components each having a least one surface, includes placing at least one of the plurality of components into a vacuum chamber having at least one broad-beam ion gun; supplying an inert gas to the broad-beam ion gun; accelerating the ionized inert gas to high kinetic energy; cleaning the surface of the component with the ionized and accelerated inert gas; supplying a hydrocarbon gas having at least 25 wt % acetylene to the broad-beam ion gun; ionizing the hydrocarbon gas; accelerating the ionized hydrocarbon gas to high kinetic energy; and directing the ionized and accelerated hydrocarbon gas to the surface of the component at a temperature of about 300° F. or less to deposit a carbon-based coating thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Clark V. Cooper, Michael F. Mullen
  • Patent number: 8222189
    Abstract: There is a coated, dynamic contact surface. The contact has a substrate and a carbon-based coating on the substrate. The coating has a coefficient of friction of about 0.5 or less and an atomic hydrogen content of about 5% to about 25%. There is also a mechanical system. There is a method for increasing oil-out survivability in a mechanical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Clark V. Cooper, Michael F. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20120067671
    Abstract: A method and system for magnetically detecting thermal degradation of a component. A multiple of ferrous metal segments are attached to a component not within a lubrication circuit of a lubrication system with a thermally-affected bonding agent. The thermally-affected bonding agent is operable to detach at a threshold temperature at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments such that the at least one of the multiple of detached ferrous metal segments enters the lubrication circuit of the lubrication system. The at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments which detached are then detected within the lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen R. Sammataro, Michael F. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20110164979
    Abstract: A mechanical system for high acceleration loading includes a mechanical element configured for rotational movement in a high acceleration environment. The mechanical element possesses a first density. A lubricant having a second density is disposed about the mechanical element. The first and second densities are substantially identical such that the mechanical element is substantially neutrally buoyant in the lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ulf J. Jonsson, Michael F. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20090270283
    Abstract: There is a coated, dynamic contact surface. The contact has a substrate and a carbon-based coating on the substrate. The coating has a coefficient of friction of about 0.5 or less and an atomic hydrogen content of about 5% to about 25%. There is also a mechanical system. There is a method for increasing oil-out survivability in a mechanical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Clark V. Cooper, Michael F. Mullen