Patents by Inventor Richard D. McLain

Richard D. McLain 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: 3963372
    Abstract: A control system for a helicopter power plant with three power units driving the lifting rotor system. Each power unit comprises a gas-coupled gas turbine engine, a hydromechanical fuel control receiving electrical inputs to set a gas generator governor, an engine electronic control, and engine accessories.Power plant operation is normally controlled by the pilot through condition levers and switches on a control quadrant, through a collective pitch control for the rotor blades, and through a master beeper switch which is operable to trim the setting of a rotor speed governor and the gas generator governors. A condition lever transmits a speed command signal through the electronic control of each power unit to its gas generator governor. A collective pitch signal from the rotor control system is another factor in setting the gas generator governor of each unit.The power plant includes a power management control which equalizes the power outputs of the engines and includes the rotor isochronous governor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. McLain, Robert E. Nelson, Bernard H. Van Sickle, Oran A. Watts, III