Patents Assigned to Bell Textron Inc.
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Publication number: 20210253139Abstract: An aerial sky tram system includes a plurality of towers, a cable track suspended from the plurality of towers by a support cable, and a sky tram coupled to the cable track. The sky tram includes a plurality of rotors that propel the sky tram along the cable track.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Carlos Alexander FENNY, Guy BERNARD
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Publication number: 20210253239Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a high speed, vertical lift aircraft that has vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability and is capable of converting to a forward-flight mode (e.g., prop-mode). The rotors blades can be folded for high speed forward flight propelled by a turbine engine (e.g., jet-mode). The rotor blades on the tail sitter aircraft have a “stop-fold” capability, which means that the rotor blades are stopped in flight and folded back to reduce drag. This allows the tail sitter aircraft to achieve a higher speed than a tilt-rotor aircraft. In some embodiments, the tail sitter aircraft achieves both rotor-borne flight and jet-borne flight by having two separate engines. An additional advantage of the tail-sitter aircraft versus a horizontally oriented fixed engine aircraft is that supplemental jet thrust can be used for take-off if desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Steven Ray Ivans, Brent Chadwick Ross, Danielle Lynn Moore, Berlin Bernard Benfield, Jason Paul Hurst
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Publication number: 20210253225Abstract: An aircraft having an electric motor coupled to a rotor and an instrument electronically connected to the electric motor and configured to communicate a time available value before a motor condition reaches a motor condition limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Eric Albert SINUSAS, Edward LAMBERT, Yann LAVALLEE, Aaron Alexander ACEE, Albert G. BRAND
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Publication number: 20210253259Abstract: A hybrid power system for a vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft including a first power source operable to provide a power output for at least a forward flight mode; and a second power source configured to provide a high specific power output for an altitude adjustment flight mode, the second power source including an auxiliary gas generator coupled to a turbine and a drive system. In other aspects, there is provided a VTOL aircraft and methods for providing power to a VTOL aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Publication number: 20210254705Abstract: An exemplary passive oil system includes a reservoir housing configured in operation to rotate around a rotational axis, the reservoir housing defining a reservoir between a top wall, a bottom wall, innermost side, and an outer sidewall; and an outlet positioned adjacent the outer sidewall to discharge a lubrication fluid contained in the reservoir in response to the reservoir housing rotating around the rotational axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Eric Stephen OLSON, David BOCKMILLER
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Patent number: 11091258Abstract: An exemplary tiltrotor aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) flight mode and a forward flight mode includes tiltable rotors located at forward boom ends, tiltable ducted fans located at wings aft of the forward boom ends, and aft rotors located on aft boom portions.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Kirk L. Groninga, Daniel B. Robertson
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Publication number: 20210237876Abstract: A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Joseph Scott DRENNAN, Carlos Alexander FENNY, Michael John RYAN, John Richard MCCULLOUGH, Brett Rodney ZIMMERMAN
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Publication number: 20210237866Abstract: An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Kirk Landon GRONINGA, Daniel Bryan ROBERTSON, William Benjamin JOHNS
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Publication number: 20210229798Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling low speed flight of an aircraft having a controller receiving pilot input includes transitioning from a translational rate command (TRC) to a linear acceleration command (LAC) when the controller is displaced above a control transition displacement (CTD), and while in LAC holding speed when the controller is relaxed to CTD.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Kevin Thomas CHRISTENSEN, Hunter Barton NELSON, Martin Wesley SHUBERT, Paul David RUCKEL
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Publication number: 20210231016Abstract: An exemplary static rotor blade assembly balancing tool includes a vertical rod having a top end with a tip located at the top end on a vertical axis of the rod and a sleeve having a bore terminating at a socket, in use the rod is disposed in the bore and the tip and the socket form a pivot connection where the sleeve is balanced to settle in a level position with a vertical axis of the sleeve coaxial with the vertical axis of the rod, and the sleeve has an outer profile configured to mount a hub of a rotor blade assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Kylie RICHARDSON
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Patent number: 11066157Abstract: The present application provides a drive link for a constant-velocity joint of an aircraft rotor, the link connecting a drive hub attached to a driveshaft to a rotor yoke. The link comprises a leading bearing connected to the drive hub, a trailing bearing connected to the yoke, a central portion between the bearings, and a tension loop connecting the bearings. The tension loop is formed from a composite material and is formed as a continuous band. The tension loop transfers drive forces from the leading bearing to the trailing bearing for driving the yoke in rotation with the driveshaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Rauber, Frank B. Stamps
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Publication number: 20210217255Abstract: An exemplary internal wireless sensor monitoring system includes a wireless sensor positioned inside of an enclosed housing to monitor a condition in the housing, a wireless gateway positioned outside of the housing, a gateway antenna located in the housing configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless sensor, and a conductor extending through a penetration in the housing and connecting the gateway antenna and the wireless gateway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Scott David POSTER, Brian Edward TUCKER
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Patent number: 11059566Abstract: An exemplary proprotor blade assembly includes a structural skin extending spanwise from a root to a tip and along a chord from leading edge to a trailing edge and a structural core positioned inside of the structural skin, the structural skin comprising hex-shaped structures oriented normal to the structural skin.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Christopher Edward Foskey, Andrew Maresh
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Patent number: 11053001Abstract: A rotorcraft includes a main rotor system coupled to a mast and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a yoke comprising a rotor coupling, a first damper mount attached to the rotor coupling, a rotor extension configured to couple to the rotor coupling and comprising a second damper mount, a damper coupled to the first and second damper mounts, and a fairing enclosing the damper and the yoke.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Glenn Alan Shimek, Jared Mark Paulson, Tom Donovan, Michael Christopher Burnett
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Patent number: 11052993Abstract: An exemplary spring-loaded link for an aircraft including a spring interposed between a first and a second rod, the spring, when compressed, urging the first rod and the second rod away from each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Christopher Edward Foskey, Andrew Maresh
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Publication number: 20210197957Abstract: A duct for a ducted-rotor aircraft includes a hub, a duct ring, and a plurality of stators that extend outward from the hub. The hub may be configured to support a motor. The duct ring defines a trailing edge. The duct ring is coupled to each of the plurality of stators such that all or substantially all of each of the plurality of stators is located aft of the trailing edge of the duct ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Feeley, Karl Schroeder
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Publication number: 20210197955Abstract: A ducted-rotor aircraft includes a fuselage, one or more ducts, and a spindle that rotatably couples the one or more ducts to the fuselage. Each duct includes a hub that is configured to support a rotor, a plurality of stators that are coupled to the hub, a duct ring that is coupled to the plurality of stators, and a fitting that is coupled to a first stator of the plurality of stators. The fitting has a tubular collar that defines a first aperture that extends through the fitting. The collar is configured to receive a portion of the spindle. The first stator includes a rib that is spaced inward from the fitting and that defines a second aperture that is aligned with the first aperture and that is configured to receive an end of the spindle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Joseph Richard Carpenter, JR., Brett Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20210197953Abstract: A ducted-rotor aircraft may include a fuselage and first and second ducts that are coupled to the fuselage at respective first and second locations. The first location may be on a first side of a fuselage of the aircraft and spaced from a nominal yaw axis of the aircraft. The second location may be on an opposed second side of the fuselage and spaced from the nominal yaw axis. Each duct may include a rotor that is disposed in an opening that extends through the duct. Each rotor may include a plurality of blades. Each duct may further include a control vane that is mounted aft of the plurality of blades and that is pivotable about a vane axis that is oriented toward the nominal yaw axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Karl Schroeder, William Anthony Amante, Kip Gregory Campbell
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Publication number: 20210199022Abstract: A duct for a ducted-rotor aircraft includes a hub, a duct ring, and a plurality of stators that extend outward from the hub. The duct ring defines a trailing edge. The duct includes one or more fittings, such as a system of fittings. Each fitting has a body that defines a first attachment interface that is configured to couple to structure of the duct ring and a second attachment interface that is configured to couple to one of the plurality of stators. The first and second attachment interfaces are spaced from each other such that when the fittings are coupled to the duct ring and the plurality of stators, all or substantially all of each of the plurality of stators are located aft of the trailing edge of the duct ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Feeley, Karl Schroeder, Joseph Richard Carpenter, JR.
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Publication number: 20210197956Abstract: A ducted-rotor aircraft includes a fuselage and first and second ducts that are coupled to the fuselage. Each duct includes a duct ring, a rotor having a plurality of blades, a hub that positions the rotor such that the blades define a blade plane of rotation within the duct ring, and a plurality of stators that are coupled to the hub at respective locations aft of the blade plane of rotation. Each of the plurality of stators defines a leading edge that is slanted toward the blade plane of rotation. The leading edges of the stators are slanted to follow a contour defined by the blades. The leading edges may also be slanted to maintain a distance of at least one blade inboard chord length between the leading edges of the stators and respective trailing edges of the blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Jonathan Knoll, George Matthew Thompson
