Patents by Inventor Ryan Decker
Ryan Decker 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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Patent number: 10040562Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a journal bearing that provides a stiff coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Matthew Carl VanBuskirk, Andrew G. Baines, Keith Alan Stanney
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Patent number: 10029802Abstract: A pedestal assembly for receiving a pylon assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode, the tiltrotor aircraft having an airframe including a fuselage and a wing. The pedestal assembly includes an inboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The inboard pedestal includes an inboard bearing assembly disposed within an inboard pillow block housing. The pedestal assembly also includes an outboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The outboard pedestal includes an outboard bearing assembly disposed within an outboard pillow block housing. The inboard and outboard bearing assemblies are operable to receive the pylon assembly therein such that the pylon assembly is rotatably mounted between the inboard and outboard pedestals to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between the helicopter mode and the airplane mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Publication number: 20180193099Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and system for performing robot-assisted surgical procedures. The system includes a robotic arm system assembly, an end effector assembly, and a hybrid control mechanism for robotic surgery. The robotic arm is a lightweight, bedside robot with a large range of motion, which can be easily manipulated to position endoscope and surgical instruments. The control console is mounted at the distal end of the robotic arm to enable robotic arm to follow operators arm movement, provide physical support, filter out hand tremor, and constrain motion. A universal adapter is also described as an interface to connect traditional laparoscopic tools to the robotic arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: Children's National Medical CenterInventors: Peter C.W. KIM, Yonjae KIM, Peng CHENG, Axel KRIEGER, Justin OPFERMANN, Ryan DECKER
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Patent number: 9981750Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to an input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a spherical bearing providing a self-aligning coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Publication number: 20180099758Abstract: A pedestal assembly for receiving a pylon assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode, the tiltrotor aircraft having an airframe including a fuselage and a wing. The pedestal assembly includes an inboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The inboard pedestal includes an inboard bearing assembly disposed within an inboard pillow block housing. The pedestal assembly also includes an outboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The outboard pedestal includes an outboard bearing assembly disposed within an outboard pillow block housing. The inboard and outboard bearing assemblies are operable to receive the pylon assembly therein such that the pylon assembly is rotatably mounted between the inboard and outboard pedestals to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between the helicopter mode and the airplane mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Publication number: 20180099759Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a journal bearing that provides a stiff coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Matthew Carl VanBuskirk, Andrew G. Baines, Keith Alan Stanney
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Publication number: 20180099757Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to an input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a spherical bearing providing a self-aligning coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Patent number: 9868542Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a pillow block housing such as a full or a split pillow block housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Patent number: 9868541Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a journal bearing that provides a stiff coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Matthew Carl VanBuskirk, Andrew G. Baines, Keith Alan Stanney
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Patent number: 9809318Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to an input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a spherical bearing providing a self-aligning coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Publication number: 20170305565Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a journal bearing that provides a stiff coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Matthew Carl VanBuskirk, Andrew G. Baines, Keith Alan Stanney
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Publication number: 20170305567Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to an input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a spherical bearing providing a self-aligning coupling with the pylon assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Publication number: 20170305566Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a pillow block housing such as a full or a split pillow block housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
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Patent number: 9788903Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and system for performing robot-assisted surgical procedures. The system includes a robotic arm system assembly, an end effector assembly, and a hybrid control mechanism for robotic surgery. The robotic arm is a lightweight, bedside robot with a large range of motion, which can be easily manipulated to position endoscope and surgical instruments. The control console is mounted at the distal end of the robotic arm to enable robotic arm to follow operators arm movement, provide physical support, filter out hand tremor, and constrain motion. A universal adapter is also described as an interface to connect traditional laparoscopic tools to the robotic arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Children's National Medical CenterInventors: Peter C. W. Kim, Yonjae Kim, Peng Cheng, Axel Krieger, Justin Opfermann, Ryan Decker
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Patent number: 9783292Abstract: A support assembly for coupling a first gearbox to an airframe of an aircraft. The first gearbox has an output gear operable to transfer torque to an input gear of a second gearbox via a common shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The support assembly includes a fixed joint proximate the longitudinal axis. A first directional reacting joint remote from the longitudinal axis provides a first radial growth degree of freedom to the first gearbox relative to the longitudinal axis. A second directional reacting joint remote from the longitudinal axis provides a second radial growth degree of freedom to the first gearbox relative to the longitudinal axis. The first radial growth degree of freedom is not parallel with the second radial growth degree of freedom such that the support assembly maintains the output gear of the first gearbox in substantial collinear alignment with the input gear of the second gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, David R. Bockmiller, Erick Wayne Kohler
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Publication number: 20170259521Abstract: A core stiffened panel includes first and second skins having a large cell core and a solid insert joined therebetween. The solid insert has a side surface at least a portion of which is adjacent to the large cell core and may be joined to the large cell core. The first skin, the second skin and the solid insert may be formed from composite materials such as carbon composite materials and preferably have generally matching coefficients of thermal expansion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Keith Alan Stanney, Robert Mark Chris
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Publication number: 20170259905Abstract: An airframe assembly for an aircraft includes a first airframe member having first and second skins with a large cell core and a solid insert joined therebetween. The solid insert has a side surface at least a portion of which is adjacent to the large cell core. The first airframe member has a first set of openings extending through the first skin, the solid insert and the second skin. The airframe assembly also includes a second airframe member having a second set of openings operable to be aligned with the first set of openings of the first airframe member. Each of a plurality of fasteners extends through one of the openings of the first set of openings and one of the openings of the second set of openings securably coupling the first airframe member to the second airframe member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Keith Alan Stanney, Robert Mark Chris
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Publication number: 20170259904Abstract: An airframe assembly for an aircraft. The airframe assembly includes a first airframe member having a first skin, a second skin, a large cell core joined between the first and second skins and a solid insert having a side surface. The solid insert is joined between the first and second skins such that at least a portion of the side surface is adjacent to the large cell core. The first skin has a first surface disposed opposite the solid insert. The airframe assembly also includes a second airframe member having a second surface. An adhesive joint is disposed between the first and second surfaces structurally bonding the first airframe member to the second airframe member such that the second airframe member is positioned opposite the solid insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Keith Alan Stanney, Robert Mark Chris
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Publication number: 20170225780Abstract: A support assembly for coupling a first gearbox to an airframe of an aircraft. The first gearbox has an output gear operable to transfer torque to an input gear of a second gearbox via a common shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The support assembly includes a fixed joint proximate the longitudinal axis. A first directional reacting joint remote from the longitudinal axis provides a first radial growth degree of freedom to the first gearbox relative to the longitudinal axis. A second directional reacting joint remote from the longitudinal axis provides a second radial growth degree of freedom to the first gearbox relative to the longitudinal axis. The first radial growth degree of freedom is not parallel with the second radial growth degree of freedom such that the support assembly maintains the output gear of the first gearbox in substantial collinear alignment with the input gear of the second gearbox.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, David R. Bockmiller, Erick Wayne Kohler
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Patent number: 9663225Abstract: A drive system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a first gearbox rotatably mounted to the airframe and rotatable about a longitudinal axis to operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A second gearbox extends generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the first gearbox. A common shaft, rotatable about the longitudinal axis, transfers torque from an output gear of the second gearbox to an input gear of the first gearbox. A support assembly couples the second gearbox to the airframe and includes a fixed joint proximate the longitudinal axis, a first directional reacting joint remote from the longitudinal axis providing a first radial growth degree of freedom to the second gearbox and a second directional reacting joint remote from the longitudinal axis providing a second radial growth degree of freedom to the second gearbox that is not parallel with the first radial growth degree of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, David R. Bockmiller, Erick Wayne Kohler