Closures Patents (Class 244/129.4)
  • Patent number: 11851195
    Abstract: A release system for an evacuation slide assembly of an aircraft includes a first actuator and in various embodiments a second actuator. The first actuator and the second actuator each comprise an SMA spring configured to be electrically energized for actuating the first and second actuators in response to an evacuation event. In various embodiments, the first actuator is configured to release a blowout panel of the evacuation slide assembly in response to the first SMA spring being electrically energized. In various embodiments, the second actuator is configured to release a soft cover of the evacuation slide assembly in response to the second SMA spring being electrically energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vinod Kumar Shivalinga, Vasantha Kumara Jnanegowda
  • Patent number: 11807385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turreted electro-optic sensor installation and removal fixture. the base with integral cushion supports the sensor vertically and is the interface between the turreted electro-optic sensor installation and removal fixture and an agnostic lift device. The support arms with integral cushions secure the sensor horizontally and minimize any swaying movement of the sensor. The quick disconnect pins lock the support arms to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Craig Michael Armes
  • Patent number: 11753149
    Abstract: A landing gear door system for a landing gear compartment includes a door pivotable about a pivot pin configured for disposition in a longitudinal direction on an airframe, and a mechanism configured to rotate the door about the pivot pin between a closed position, in which an outer surface of the door panel is configured to provide aerodynamic continuity with an outer aircraft skin of the airframe, and an open position, in which the door is rotated into the landing gear compartment and an opening is exposed. The door has a door panel rigidly connected with an arm such that the door panel and arm generally form a V-shape as viewed in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sean C. Webb
  • Patent number: 11753176
    Abstract: A forward secondary structure for a mounting pylon for a turbomachine, the forward secondary structure extending from upstream to downstream along a longitudinal axis and having a chassis clad with an aerodynamic fairing. The aerodynamic fairing includes two adjacent cowls each having an upstream portion, where each of the cowls extends lengthwise along the longitudinal direction and includes in its upstream portion a system for articulating the cowl to the chassis, by which system the cowl can pivot with respect to the chassis about an axis of rotation normal to the longitudinal axis, between a closed position in which all of an inner face of the cowl is pressed against the chassis and an open position in which the cowl frees up an opening in the forward secondary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Alexis Courpet, Jean Geliot, Arnaud Bourhis
  • Patent number: 11738876
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric propulsion unit for an aircraft comprising at least one first propulsion member, a second propulsion member and a single electric motor configured to drive the first propulsion member and the second propulsion member in a counter-rotating manner, the electric motor comprising a peripheral stator element comprising a first peripheral stage and a second peripheral stage which are offset along an axis, the first peripheral stage comprising at least a first phase, a second phase and a third phase which are alternated according to a first sequence in such a way as to allow a rotation of the first rotor element in the first direction of rotation, the second peripheral stage comprising phases which are alternated according to a second sequence in such a way as to allow a counter-rotating rotation of the second rotor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Safran
    Inventors: Christelle Saber, Anthony Gimeno, Sébastien Merle
  • Patent number: 11731774
    Abstract: A dual axis hinge configured for pivotally securing a cowl to a fixed structure of an aircraft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the dual axis hinge includes a link having a first end and a second end; a first pin configured to pivotally secure the first end of the link to the fixed structure and a second pin configured to pivotally secure the second end of the link to the cowl; and a first hinge stop configured for connection to the cowl and a second hinge stop configured for connection to the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Sean Pretty
  • Patent number: 11718409
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This assembly includes a fixed structure and a nacelle. The nacelle includes a first fan cowl and a first thrust reverser section adjacent the first fan cowl. The first fan cowl is movably attached to and arranged on a first side of the fixed structure. The first fan cowl is configured to move between a first fan cowl closed position and a first fan cowl second position. The first thrust reverser section is movably attached to and arranged on the first side of the fixed structure. The first thrust reverser section is configured to move between a first thrust reverser section closed position and a first thrust reverser section open position when the first fan cowl is in the first fan cowl closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Radhakrishna Chilukuri, Jihad Ramlaoui, Timothy Gormley
  • Patent number: 11702196
    Abstract: A rotor system includes a rotor assembly and a duct system. The rotor assembly includes rotor blades extending from a mast axis and configured to rotate about the mast axis. The duct assembly includes a moveable duct portion and a stationary duct portion. In a first duct configuration, the moveable duct portion surrounds a first portion of the rotor assembly, the stationary duct portion surrounds a second portion of the rotor assembly, and the moveable duct portion and the stationary duct portion enclose the rotor assembly. In a second duct configuration, the stationary duct portion surrounds the second portion of the rotor assembly, and the moveable duct portion is moved away from the first portion of the rotor assembly, such that the rotor assembly is not enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Brad Joseph Passe, Nicholas Ralph Carlson, George Matthew Thompson
  • Patent number: 11679858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the attachment of an internal module in an internal space of an aircraft part is disclosed. The attachment device includes at least one attachment member comprising an attachment shank, a chamber for introducing the attachment member, the chamber including a first orifice through which the attachment shank passes in the installed configuration of the internal module, and a second orifice which serves for the introduction of the attachment member into the chamber from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Philippe Bernadet, Benoît Courouble
  • Patent number: 11655045
    Abstract: An anterior part of an aircraft propulsion assembly nacelle, having an air intake lip disposed at a front end and an outer panel, of which an outer face extends an outer part of the air intake lip. A front edge of the outer panel and a rear edge of the air intake lip are shaped so as to overlap radially and to nest so as to ensure a continuous surface between the outer surface of the outer part of the air intake lip and the outer face of the outer panel. Moreover, the front edge of the outer panel is connected to the rear edge of the air intake lip with no added rigid element. This permits a rigid connection while avoiding creating local irregularities on the outer surface of the nacelle, which irregularities might disrupt the flow of air around the nacelle, giving rise to additional drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Jacques Lalane, Frédéric Vinches, Franck Dobigeon
  • Patent number: 11577815
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a structural panel for an aerospace vehicle, including a single sheet of material, the material having a first raised pattern on a first side, and a second raised pattern on a reverse side, wherein a repeating portion of the first raised pattern is substantially identical in size and shape to a repeating portion of the second raised pattern, and is rotated at an angle ? to the first raised pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Tjepke Heeringa
  • Patent number: 11572195
    Abstract: Lightning-dissipative A/C assemblies are provided, as are valve frames utilized within lightning-dissipative A/C assemblies. In embodiments, the lightning-dissipative A/C assembly includes a base dielectric component having a mount interface, a strike-susceptible metallic component coupled to the base dielectric component, and mounting hardware configured to engage the mount interface to attach the base dielectric component to an A/C. An electrically-conductive coating overlies or is formed over at least a portion of the base dielectric component to complete a lightning strike dissipation path. The lightning strike dissipation path extends from the strike-susceptible metallic component, through the electrically-conductive coating, through the mounting hardware, and to an A/C electrical ground plane when the lightning-dissipative A/C assembly is installed on the A/C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Birchak, John Perek, William F. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11511874
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. The assembly includes a fixed structure, an inner cowl door and an outer cowl door. The inner cowl door is pivotally connected to the fixed structure. The outer cowl door is pivotally connected to the fixed structure. The outer cowl door is radially outboard of and overlaps the inner cowl door. The linkage extends between and is movably connected to the inner cowl door and the outer cowl door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Pretty, Erik Linde, Martin C. Bell, Jihad Ramlaoui
  • Patent number: 11493439
    Abstract: An optical sensing system includes at least one electro-optical sensor having an adjustable field of view and at least one reflective member including a diffuse reflector surface positioned within the field of view of the at least one electro-optical sensor. The system also includes at least one controller configured to generate calibration parameters for the at least one electro-optical sensor based on data for at least one exposure detected by the electro-optical sensor when the diffuse reflector surface is within the field of view of the at least one electro-optical sensor. Methods for calculating the calibration parameters and for directly measuring reflectivity of objects in a scene with at least one electro-optical sensor are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: QinetiQ Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher John Sheppard
  • Patent number: 11473528
    Abstract: A turbofan having a fixed structure, a fan, a fan casing surrounding the fan, an outer cowl disposed around the fan casing and mounted so as to be articulated on the fixed structure, and a deployment system that moves the outer cowl from a closed position to an open position. The deployment system has a guide rail fastened around the fan casing, a slider that is able to move along the guide rail and has a shoe. An activation system of the deployment system moves the slider and the shoe alternately in one direction or the other along the guide rail. One end of an arm of the deployment system is mounted to be articulated on the shoe and another end is mounted to be articulated on the outer cowl. Such a motorized deployment system makes it possible to save space and mass in the turbofan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Corentin Vilhes, Simon Vanderbauwede, Thierry Gaches, Laurent Cazeaux, Pascal Gardes, Guillaume Seguin
  • Patent number: 11447269
    Abstract: A public transportation system combines a unique combination of components that includes interoperable electric-powered vehicles, facilities, hardware and software having specifications, standards, processes, capabilities, nomenclature, and concepts of operations that together include a concerted, comprehensive, multi-modal, future system for moving people and goods that is herein named Quiet Urban Air Delivery (QUAD) and in which uniquely-capable, ultra-quiet, one to six-seat, electrically-powered, autonomous aircraft (SkyQarts) fly sub-193 kilometer trips on precise trajectories with negligible control latency and perform extremely short take-offs and landings (ESTOL) with curved traffic patterns at a highly-distributed network of very small, airports (“SkyNests”) that themselves have standardized compatible facilities that interoperate with SkyQarts as well as with versatile, autonomous electric-powered payload carts (EPCs) and robotic delivery carts (RDCs) to provide safe, fast, on-demand, community-accep
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Brien Aven Seeley
  • Patent number: 11396358
    Abstract: A door system for an aircraft includes a door frame defining a door opening with a first perimeter strut and a second perimeter strut spaced apart from the first perimeter strut, at least one first frame stopper attached to the first perimeter strut and at least one second frame stopper attached to the second perimeter strut. The frame stoppers each comprise a first contact portion projecting into the door opening and having a first toothing. The first toothings are each formed on an inner surface of the first abutment portion. Further, the door system comprises a door mounted movably relative to the door frame and disposed in the door opening in a closed state, and a number of door stoppers corresponding to the number of frame stoppers disposed on opposite sides of the door and connected to the door, each door stopper having a second abutment portion. The second abutment portion comprises a second toothing formed complementary to the first toothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventors: Cord Haack, Carsten Paul, Bernhard Höger
  • Patent number: 11326552
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle of a gas turbine engine includes: a nozzle wall, a centerbody arranged in a flow channel, and two struts connecting the centerbody to the wall. One of the struts is connected to the wall by a coupling arrangement that includes two first brackets and a third bracket, the brackets being spaced in an axial direction and being connected either directly to the wall or to a sliding element that is arranged in a displaceable manner in the wall. The brackets each have a first, highest stiffness in a first direction and smaller stiffnesses in a second and third direction. The brackets are oriented such that with the two first brackets, the first direction is aligned with a circumferential direction of the nozzle and that with the third bracket, the first direction is aligned with the axial direction of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Predrag Todorovic
  • Patent number: 11319083
    Abstract: An aircraft nacelle which comprises a structure, an upstream cowl, an upper cowl arranged to the rear of the upstream cowl and having a starboard-side door and a port-side door, each being articulated between a closed position and an open position, each having a front edge, a rear edge, an inner edge and an outer edge. The nacelle comprises, for each door, an articulation and a locking system. Each door is articulated at the level of its outer edge and, in the closed position, the inner edge of one door is contiguous with the inner edge of the other door. Such a nacelle makes the technicians' work easier because the two articulated doors can be opened wide and give easy access under the cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Jean Geliot, Christophe Labarthe
  • Patent number: 11319084
    Abstract: A propulsive assembly of an aircraft comprises a junction fairing, ensuring a continuity between a nacelle and a pylon, which comprises a fixed frame, linked to the nacelle and/or to the pylon by a link system configured to absorb any deformations and/or misalignments between the nacelle and the pylon in operation, which has an outer wall comprising an opening, a cowl, mobile between a closed position in which the cowl blocks the opening, and an open position in which the cowl at least partially frees the opening, which has a panel, the outer wall of the fixed frame and the panel of the cowl having outer surfaces which form the aerodynamic surface of the junction fairing. An aircraft is also provided which comprises at least one such propulsive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Jean Geliot, Christophe Labarthe
  • Patent number: 11299024
    Abstract: An arrangement of a structural element for an aerospace vehicle and a battery set. The structural element extends along a longitudinal direction and has a main web, a first flange and a second flange. The flanges extend away from the main web and are defined by flange edges extending along the longitudinal direction. The first flange, the second flange and the main web form a U-shaped profile defining a cavity. The battery set includes a baseplate and at least one battery on the baseplate. The structural element and the battery set are formed such that the baseplate can be releasably attached to the structural element. The baseplate extends between flange edges and the battery is received in the cavity when the battery set is mounted to the structural element. Further, an aerospace vehicle including such an arrangement, a structural element for an aerospace vehicle and a battery set are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Linde, Peter Rostek
  • Patent number: 11273924
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system for air cooling in a wet environment includes a propeller coupled to a vehicle capable of at least one of: taking off from and landing on water. The system includes a battery configured to power the propeller, a float configured to hold the battery, and a flap in the float. The flap is configured to open in response to air pressure to permit airflow into the float to cool the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Young Kwon
  • Patent number: 11268406
    Abstract: A movement- and/or load transfer-limiting device for a turbine engine, comprises a first fitting including a retention member, with the first fitting being engaged with a fancase surrounding a turbine engine fan blade system. A second fitting is engaged with a fancowl disposed radially outward of the fancase. The second fitting includes a constraint member arranged to be received by the retention member. The retention member is arranged to limit radially outward movement of the fancowl via engagement with the constraint member. The constraint member comprises at least one of (i) a hook member arranged to limit radially inward movement of the first fitting in relation to the fancowl or (ii) a laterally-extending shaft having opposed ends and a flange engaged with at least one of the ends, arranged to limit lateral movement of the retention member in relation to the first fitting. Associated devices and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Adrian Stanescu, Jennifer Bender Zielinski, Michael Patrick Foy, Daniel F. Gelzer
  • Patent number: 11235889
    Abstract: A system for warning an open state of a two-part fan cowl of an aeronautical structure, wherein the system includes at least one device arranged between these two parts of the fan cowl and adapted to exert force spacing them apart from each other, thus leaving a predefined gap between them at their lower ends when that two-part fan cowl is in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Francisco José Benítez Guerrero, Yolanda Marcos Martín
  • Patent number: 11078708
    Abstract: A hydraulic piston actuator, which may be used for an aircraft nacelle assembly, includes a housing, a piston, an end gland, and a bearing ring. The housing is concentrically disposed along an axis. The piston is adapted to axially reciprocate within the housing. The end gland is disposed radially between the housing and the piston. The bearing ring is disposed radially between the end gland and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Navaneethakrishnan Pandian, Rajasekaran Janakiraman
  • Patent number: 10941589
    Abstract: A lock is provided for a secondary aircraft cockpit barrier. The lock has a locking tongue, a cavity for receiving the locking tongue, a locking retainer for retaining the locking tongue in the cavity, and a damped locking tongue releasing mechanism for releasing the locking retainer thereby unlocking the locking tongue from the cavity. The damped locking tongue releasing mechanism is damped such that releasing the locking retainer requires at least about 5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: AMSAFE BRIDPORT LIMITED
    Inventors: James Barry Homewood, Timothy David Pollock
  • Patent number: 10900262
    Abstract: A handle assembly for engaging and disengaging a locking or securing device. The assembly comprises an actuator, and a rotatable exterior handle. In use, the exterior handle rotates the actuator to engage or disengage the locking or securing device. The exterior handle is structured to only rotate and engage the actuator when the exterior handle is removed from its retracted position into its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Aviation Technical Services, inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Powell, Larry Coburn, Antonio Zuniga, Asia Davis
  • Patent number: 10875657
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an aircraft that includes a cowling having a j-track mounted on the inwardly facing surface and a rod pivotally connected to a stationary part of the aircraft at a first end and moveable within the j-track at a second end, so that, when the cowling is opened, the second end moves to lock into the j-shaped portion and hold the cowling open. In various embodiments, the first end may be pivotally connected to the aircraft by a quick release pin, and the second end may be connected to the j-track by a torsion spring. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the cowling is a bi-folding cowl having an upper portion and a lower portion, where the rod and the lower portion may include structures for retaining the lower portion in an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast
  • Patent number: 10822102
    Abstract: A nacelle may include a pylon, an adjustable length beam, a first fan cowl, and a second fan cowl. The adjustable length beam may have a first end and a second end and the adjustable length beam may extend in a direction substantially normal to a centerline axis of the nacelle. The first fan cowl may be pivotally coupled to the first end of the adjustable length beam and additionally may be pivotally coupled to the pylon. The second fan cowl may be pivotally coupled to the second end of the adjustable length beam and additionally may be pivotally coupled to the pylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Paolini, Marc Schommer
  • Patent number: 10800509
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an aircraft airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes a vertical load resisting coupling device and a shear load resisting coupling device to connect the floor panel to the airframe and resist forces applied to the panel. The vertical load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces perpendicular to a top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting lateral forces. The shear load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces parallel to the top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting vertical forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin, Timothy M. Jones
  • Patent number: 10697396
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This assembly includes a nacelle inlet structure, a thrust reverser and a fan cowl. The thrust reverser includes a forward portion and a translating sleeve. The fan cowl is axially between the nacelle inlet structure and the translating sleeve. The fan cowl axially covers the forward portion of the thrust reverser. The fan cowl is axially structurally tied to the nacelle inlet structure. The fan cowl is radially and circumferentially structurally tied to the forward portion of the thrust reverser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo T. Sanz Martinez, Jihad Ramlaoui
  • Patent number: 10634061
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a compressor, a combustor and a turbine. A housing for the gas turbine engine includes a mount member to define a vertically upper location. Sides of the engine are defined on opposed sides of the mount, with a fuel filter, a fuel pump and a fuel flow meter being positioned on a first side and an oil pump, an oil filter and an oil tank positioned on a second of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan K. Snyder, Eric J. Heims, Mark W. Colebrook
  • Patent number: 10625872
    Abstract: An engine nacelle comprised of an inlet, an exhaust end, and a composite fan cowl. The composite fan cowl has a core with a thickness varying in a direction moving from the inlet to the exhaust end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Juan Camilo Medina
  • Patent number: 10508566
    Abstract: Pin latch assemblies and cam latch assemblies are disclosed. A pin latch assembly is provided comprising a pin housing at least partially enclosing a pin, an actuating device coupled to the pin, and a retaining feature comprising an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Linde, Matthew Aaron Farr, Angelica Dahmen, Gustavo DelCampo-Gonzalez, Carlos A. Lopez, Hassan Zaidi
  • Patent number: 10507932
    Abstract: A nacelle may include a pylon and a thrust reverser having an inner fixed structure. A locking mechanism may automatically engage and prevent relative movement between thrust reverser halves. A bumper may be coupled to the inner fixed structure. The locking mechanism may limit deflections between the thrust reverser and the pylon in response to a burst duct. A locking mechanism in the inner fixed structure may include a pressure relief door and an arrestor which hooks onto a retaining bar in a pylon bracket. The locking mechanism may allow the thrust reverser halves to be opened for access to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Sean Pretty, John Moule, Joseph C. Zecca
  • Patent number: 10479516
    Abstract: To surely grasp an unlocked state of a cowl member while suppressing cost and time necessary for measures against forgetting of locking of an engine nacelle. An aircraft according to the present invention includes: an engine (3) that includes an engine main body (4, 5) outputting thrust force and an engine nacelle (7) surrounding the engine main body (4, 5); an engine pylon (2) that supports the engine main body (4, 5) to a main wing (1) and axially supports a cowl member (8) to be openable, the cowl member (8) configuring the engine nacelle (7); a locking part (30) that locks the cowl member (8) of the engine nacelle (7) in a closed state; and one or more light emitting sections (15) that are disposed inside the cowl member (8) and show an unlocked state of the cowl member (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Oonishi, Masahiro Shimojo, Takanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10479517
    Abstract: An engine nacelle comprised of a top portion with hinges and a composite fan cowl pivotally connected to the top portion by the hinges. The composite fan cowl comprises a core with a hinge zone having a first thickness and a body zone having a second thickness. The hinge zone includes the hinges. The body zone is distal from the hinge zone, and the first thickness is less than the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin LaBelle, Jason Franklin Joel
  • Patent number: 10450898
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an aerodynamic track fairing assembly used on an engine nacelle, the track fairing assembly positionable on the aft section of the engine nacelle, the aerodynamic track fairing assembly including: an upper section extending toward an aft end of the aft section of the engine nacelle; a bottom section extending toward the aft end of the aft section of the engine nacelle, the bottom section affixed to the upper section to form a track cavity therebetween; and a fairing fitting disposed within the track cavity and affixed to the bottom section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskiy, Steven H. Zysman, Robert E. Malecki
  • Patent number: 10370113
    Abstract: A mitigating system for reducing flow drag in aircraft engines uses a mitigating device attached to either the nacelle of an engine to mitigate the flow drag of the airflow moving across the nacelle. The mitigating device has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, each of which can be adjusted separately to extend any desired length across the inner surface or outer surface of the nacelle. As the sleeves are extended, they cover a greater number of flow drag elements thereby improving the aerodynamic properties of the aircraft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Shield Aerodynamics LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Snyder, Wayne Duncan
  • Patent number: 10364039
    Abstract: A fuel system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell having a plurality of sides including a first side and at least one deformable clip having a secured end and a free end. The secured end is coupled to the first side of the fuel cell and the free end overlapping the airframe of the aircraft such that the first side of the fuel cell is positioned adjacent to the airframe. The at least one deformable clip is deformable to allow the fuel cell to move independently of the airframe in response to an impact of the aircraft, thereby protecting the fuel cell from damage resulting from the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Charles David Hogue, George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, Douglas Kirk Wolfe
  • Patent number: 10297099
    Abstract: A media transaction device comprising: a device housing having a front panel; a media processor provided at an interior of the device housing; a media accommodating unit provided at an interior of the media processor; and a foreign matter sensor detecting absence/presence of a foreign object at the media accommodating unit. The front panel includes a first port for inserting and dispensing the media, and a first shutter opening and closing the first port. The media processor includes a second port disposed to face the first port, and a second shutter for opening and closing the second port. The media are inserted into and dispensed from the second port such that the media are inserted into and dispensed from the first port, and opening and closing of the first shutter and the second shutter are controlled based on detection results by the foreign matter sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Iizuka, Atsushi Takada, Naoto Kondou, Yuuji Oota
  • Patent number: 10239628
    Abstract: A nacelle for an aircraft propulsion system includes a first nacelle door, a second nacelle door and a plurality of latch assemblies. Each of the nacelle doors extends along and partially about a centerline. The latch assemblies are arranged along the centerline in an array, and configured to secure the nacelle doors together. A first of the latch assemblies includes a first latch mechanism and a first pin that pivotally mounts the first latch mechanism. A second of the latch assemblies includes a second latch mechanism and a second pin that pivotally mounts the second latch mechanism. An axis of the second pin is non-parallel with an axis of the first pin. The latch assemblies may be substantially identical to one another given the arrangement of the latch assemblies with the nacelle doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: David Pierce
  • Patent number: 10150568
    Abstract: An arrangement may comprise a spring member. A proximal end and a distal end of a compression rod may contact engagement features via the spring member in a core cowl of a gas turbine engine. The compression rod may transmit loads between halves of the core cowl. The spring member may compress and decompress in response to vibrations or other relative movement between halves of the core cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Jacques Lu
  • Patent number: 10066510
    Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine includes a upper and lower bifurcations, an inner diameter cowl and a first latch system. The inner diameter cowl extends between the upper and lower bifurcations and the first latch system is mounted on the inner diameter cowl. The first latch system is spaced along the inner diameter cowl between the upper and lower bifurcations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Joseph P. Foster
  • Patent number: 9951718
    Abstract: A nacelle may include a pylon and a thrust reverser having an inner fixed structure. A locking mechanism may automatically engage and prevent relative movement between a thrust reverser half and the pylon. A bumper may be coupled to the inner fixed structure. The locking mechanism may limit deflections between the thrust reverser and the pylon in response to a burst duct. The locking mechanism may allow the thrust reverser halves to be opened for access to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith T. Brown
  • Patent number: 9849995
    Abstract: An aircraft nacelle with a system to provide spacing between two halves of a cowl. The cowls open and close by rotating about an axis in the upper regions of the cowls, and the cowls have indexing features in a region of the lower edges. The indexers are in sliding contact the spacing system, which is rigidly mounted to the nacelle. The spacing system comprises a housing for receiving the indexers and two levers with features for prescribing the movement of the cowls. The spacing system further comprises an actuator and a plurality returns to assist the movement of the cowls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Florent Bonneau, Julien Lezerac
  • Patent number: 9845708
    Abstract: A core cowl for use with an engine core of a gas turbine engine includes a first cowl section for covering a first side of an engine core and a second cowl section for covering a second side of the engine core. A locking retractor connects the first cowl section to a support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew J. Forcier
  • Patent number: 9815576
    Abstract: A solar rejection system includes an enclosure for housing a sensor, and a movable sunshade. The housing has an opening or aperture for admitting light to the sensor, and the sunshade is moved as needed to prevent harmful solar illumination of the sensor. The sunshade may be a flat panel. The sunshade panel is mounted to a hinge that is located on one side of a large diameter bearing that allows the shade to be rotated around the aperture of the sensor to always prevent the sun from illuminating the aperture. The hinge allows the shade to be tilted to either allow the sensor to see further off axis without obscuration or to block the sun when it moves in front of the sensor. Full closure of the sunshade on its hinge allows it to also function as an aperture door, blocking the opening or aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Andrew L. Bullard
  • Patent number: 9708073
    Abstract: A nacelle may include a pylon and a thrust reverser having an inner fixed structure. A locking mechanism may automatically engage and prevent relative movement between thrust reverser halves. A bumper may be coupled to the inner fixed structure. The locking mechanism may limit deflections between the thrust reverser and the pylon in response to a burst duct. A locking mechanism in the inner fixed structure may include a pressure relief door and an arrestor which hooks onto a retaining bar in a pylon bracket. The locking mechanism may allow the thrust reverser halves to be opened for access to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Sean Pretty, John Moule, Joseph C. Zecca
  • Patent number: 9689412
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener assembly for securing an access panel to an aircraft structure. A panel magnetic foundation member is rigidly secured to a surface of the panel facing the aircraft structure and a land magnetic foundation member is rigidly secured to a surface of the aircraft structure facing the panel. A planar magnet is positioned between the panel magnetic foundation member and the land magnetic foundation member and being magnetically coupled thereto so as to secure the panel to the aircraft structure. A separation device, such as a pneumatic bladder, is positioned between the panel and the land structure and adjacent to the magnet, and is rigidly secured to the aircraft structure. The separation device is actuated to apply pressure to the panel and break the magnetic attraction between one or both of the panel magnetic foundation member and the magnet or the land magnetic foundation member and the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Smith, Cory M. Combs, John C. Rufino, Matthew A. Neal