Patents Assigned to LEONARDO S.p.A
  • Patent number: 11919633
    Abstract: A convertiplane is described that comprises a fuselage, having a first longitudinal axis, with a nose and a tail portion; a pair of wings arranged on respective opposite sides of said fuselage, carrying respective rotors; a pair of engines operatively connected to respective said rotors; at least one first lifting surface arranged on said tail portion; and a pair of canards arranged on said nose of said fuselage and defining respective second lifting surfaces adapted to generate a third lift/negative lift value; each rotor comprising a mast rotatable about a second axis and about an relative third axis transversal to said second axis and with respect to the fuselage, so as to set said convertiplane between a helicopter configuration and an aeroplane configuration; each second axis, in use, being transversal to the first axis of said convertiplane in said helicopter configuration and being parallel to said first axis in said aeroplane configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Bianco Mengotti, Carlo Cassinelli, Alessandro Scandroglio, Andrea Bavetta, Paolo Brughera, Luca Sampugnaro
  • Patent number: 11908346
    Abstract: A system for evaluating an operator in a training mission on a training element, including a first processing unit configured to receive and process first data to generate converted data according to an operating frequency; a second processing unit configured to receive and process the converted data and mission support data according to the operating frequency to generate second data; and a third processing unit configured to receive and compare the converted data with the second data according to the operating frequency such to generate, based on said comparison, response data. Response data comprise visualisation data and the evaluation system further includes a graphic process unit configured to receive visualisation data and generate a map of the operating environment wherein the training element operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Ciccarelli, Emanuele Rovea, Francesco Ollosu, Paolo Rigato
  • Patent number: 11905016
    Abstract: A roller unit for moving a slat of an aircraft wing is provided. The roller unit is adjustable in height and axial position to adjust a gap between an idle roller and a guide rail integral with the slat. The idle roller is carried by an eccentric pin having a stem portion with a threaded portion and an axially grooved end portion. A threaded annular element cooperates with the threaded portion of the stem portion to define a desired axial position of the idle roller. An anti-rotation annular element, coupled in an axially slidable manner with the grooved end portion of the stem portion, may be coupled with the threaded annular element to prevent rotation thereof on the threaded portion of the stem portion. The threaded annular element and the anti-rotation annular element are tightened together between a pair of nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Trinchillo
  • Patent number: 11891187
    Abstract: An aircraft is described comprising: a support element; a shaft rotating about an axis; a pair of oblique rolling bearings mounted so as to couple the shaft to the support element rotatingly about the axis; the rolling bearings comprising: respective first races cooperating radially in contact with a first component defined by one from the support element and the shaft; respective second races cooperating radially in contact with a second component defined by the other from the support element and the shaft; and respective pluralities of rolling elements adapted to roll on the first and second races; the aircraft further comprises a pair of preloaded elastic members, which couple the first races to the first component respectively, axially and in an elastically yielding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Podda, Andrea Gabrielli, Roberto Regonini, Federico Montagna, Stefano Poggi
  • Patent number: 11891165
    Abstract: An aircraft is described that comprises: a fuselage with a first axis of longitudinal extension; and a tail portion arranged at a tail end of the fuselage; the tail portion comprises two surfaces arranged in a V-shape, inclined to each other and symmetrical with respect to the first axis; each surface comprises an associated winglet arranged transversely with respect to the surface and fixed with respect to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Abdel Nour, Matteo Pecoraro
  • Patent number: 11885353
    Abstract: A fan is described with a first conveying element, fluidly connectable with a source of a primary air flow and defining a first passage for the primary air flow; a first mouth receiving a first aliquot of the primary air flow from the first passage; a first Coanda surface onto which the first mouth directs the first aliquot; and a first opening fluidly connected with the first mouth and crossable by the first aliquot coming of the first mouth and a secondary air flow; the fan comprises a second conveying element, fluidly connected with the first conveying element and defining internally a second passage for a second aliquot of the primary air flow, and comprises: a second mouth receiving the second aliquot from the second passage and a second Coanda surface onto which the second mouth directs the second aliquot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Patricelli, Sebastiano Felice
  • Patent number: 11866159
    Abstract: A rotor for a hover-capable aircraft includes an attenuating device to attenuate the transmission of vibrations from a mast to the aircraft. The attenuating device includes a first mass free to oscillate parallel to a hub rotation axis with respect to a casing of the attenuating device and elastically connected to the casing. The attenuating device further includes a second mass free to oscillate parallel to the hub rotation axis, connection means adapted to make the first and second masses integrally movable along the hub rotation axis when the angular speed of the mast assumes a first value, and actuator means activatable to decouple the first and second masses when the angular speed of the mast assumes a second value, different from the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Attilio Colombo, Gabriele Cazzulani, Simone Cinquemani, Ferruccio Resta, Francesco Braghin
  • Patent number: 11851171
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a transmission unit of an aircraft is described that comprises: a first module defining a first feed path for a first fluid to be cooled; a second module defining a second feed path for a second cooling fluid; the first and second feed paths being thermally coupled to each other; each second module comprising: at least one cell formed by an inlet for a second cooling fluid; an outlet for the second cooling fluid, which is arrange on the opposite side to the inlet along a first direction; a first wall thermally coupled to the first path; a pair of second walls; and a plurality of fins projecting in a cantilever fashion from the first wall. The heat exchanger further comprises at least a first row of fins, which lie on a plane orthogonal to the first direction, the fins of the first row extending at progressively increasing distances from one of the second walls along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Pisani, Federico Montagna, Stefano Poggi
  • Patent number: 11834168
    Abstract: Convertiplane comprising a fuselage; a pair of wings, a pair of nacelles fixed with respect to the wings, and a pair of rotors rotatable about respective second axes and tiltable about a third axis between a first position, reached when the convertiplane is in an aeroplane configuration, and a second position, reached when the convertiplane is in a helicopter configuration. The wing comprises a wing box and a first appendage movable when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration, between a first neutral position, a second raised operating position, and a third lowered operating position; the wing comprises a second appendage movable between a first neutral position assumed when the convertiplane is in the aeroplane configuration and in which it defines an extension of the wing box, and a second position assumed when the convertiplane is in the helicopter configuration and in which it defines, with the wing box, an opening through which the downwash generated by the rotor can flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Abdel Nour, Carlo Cassinelli
  • Patent number: 11794892
    Abstract: A tail sitter aircraft is described that comprises: a fuselage arranged vertically in a take-off/landing position and transversely to a vertical direction in a cruising position of the aircraft; a single wing; at least two first engines configured to exert respective first thrusts directed along respective first axes on the tail sitter; and at least two second engines rotating about respective second axes arranged above said first axes of the first engines, with reference to the cruising position; the at least two second engines being configured to exert respective second thrusts directed along respective second axes on the tail sitter; the first and second engines being carried by the single wing; the single wing comprises a first portion and a second portion mutually staggered from one another; the second portion being arranged above said first portion, with reference to said cruising position; said first portion comprises two half-wings, extending from opposite lateral sides of the fuselage; the wing furth
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Bianco Mengotti
  • Patent number: 11794907
    Abstract: A blade for a rotor of a hover-capable aircraft is described comprising: a main body with a first outer surface; and a de-icing system for removing ice; the de-icing system, in turn, comprises: a first layer formed by a shape-memory material activatable so as to alter its shape according to a temperature-associable quantity, which is arranged on at least one outer surface of the main body; the de-icing system is characterized in that it comprises a second covering layer, which defines at least a portion of a second outer surface of the blade on which ice deposits; the second layer laid on top of the first layer on the opposite side of the main body is selectively movable under the action of the first layer so as to exert a mechanical action on the ice and remove it from the blade, and is adapted to protect the first layer from external agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Bellussi, Michele Arra, Francesco De Domenico
  • Patent number: 11780575
    Abstract: An anti-torque system (10) for a helicopter (1) is described that comprises: an electric power supply unit (15); at least one first rotor (17), operatively connected to an electric power supply unit (15) and operable by the electric power supply unit (15) so as to rotate with a first variable angular speed; and at least one second rotor (25) operatively connected to electric power supply unit (15) and operable by the electric power supply unit (15) so as to rotate with a second variable angular speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Brunetti, Luigi Maria Bottasso, Chee Su Goh, Gary Weller
  • Patent number: 11774316
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out load testing on an aircraft part is described. In one aspect, the apparatus includes means for constraining the aircraft part and a linear actuator for applying a test load. The linear actuator has a first part being tiltable and being pivotally constrained about a first and a second geometrical axes, orthogonal to one another, and a second part being slidably mounted on the first part to slide along a longitudinal direction. A load cell, mounted on the second part, measures force acting on the aircraft part along the longitudinal direction. In one aspect, a first clinometer and a second clinometer are mounted on the linear actuator, each clinometer measuring a respective angle representative of rotation of the linear actuator respectively about the first and second geometrical axes. A displacement transducer measures sliding of the second part relative to the first part of the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Felice Menafro
  • Patent number: 11772789
    Abstract: A tail sitter aircraft includes a wing with a closed front section and a fuselage, from which the wing extends. The wing includes a first portion projecting from the fuselage and a second portion spaced from the first portion. The aircraft includes first and second connecting section that are interposed between the first and second portions. The fuselage extends parallel to a first axis and the first and second portions extend parallel to a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The first axis is arranged, in use, vertically in a take-off/landing position and inclined with respect to the vertical direction in a cruising position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Bianco Mengotti
  • Patent number: 11760468
    Abstract: A rotor for an aircraft is described that has a mast, an attenuating device to attenuate the transmission of vibrations from the mast in a plane orthogonal to the first axis; and a transmission device interposed between the mast and the attenuating device; the attenuating device comprises a first and a second mass unit with a first and a second mass rotatable about the first axis with a first and a second rotational speed, two control units operable to cause an additional rotation of at least one of the first and second masses; and a first and a second support assembly carrying the first and second masses; each control unit controls the angle between the first and second masses and each control unit comprises: a belt coupled to the support assembly and a drive unit coupled to the first belt, to cause the rotation of the first support assembly with respect to said transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Bottasso, Ermanno Fosco, Paolo Pisani, Francesco Vincenzo, Francesco Rosa, Francesco Braghin, Gabriele Cazzulani, Simone Cinquemani
  • Patent number: 11738859
    Abstract: A rotor for an aircraft is described that has a mast, an attenuating device to attenuate the transmission of vibrations from the mast in a plane orthogonal to the first axis, and a transmission device interposed between the mast and the attenuating device; the attenuating device comprises a first and a second mass unit with a first and a second mass rotatable about the first axis with a first and a second rotational speed, two control units operable to cause an additional rotation of at least one of the first and second masses, and a first and a second support assembly carrying the first and second masses; each control unit controls the angle between the first and second masses and comprises a set of drive gear teeth integral with the first support assembly, a cogwheel with a set of control gear teeth meshing with the drive gear teeth, and an actuator to cause the rotation of the cogwheel about a second axis and of the first mass about said first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Bottasso, Ermanno Fosco, Paolo Pisani, Francesco Vincenzo, Francesco Rosa, Francesco Braghin, Gabriele Cazzulani, Simone Cinquemani
  • Patent number: 11702198
    Abstract: A rotor is described that comprises: a hub; a plurality of blades; each blade extends along an axis and comprises: a leading edge and a trailing edge; a top surface and a bottom surface, a chord joining points of the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a closed shell made of composite material and adapted to withstand the torque directed along a first axis of the blade; the shell comprises a first and a second element separate from each other, delimiting the respective shell on mutually opposite sides; a first connection element arranged on the side of the associated leading edge and interposed between the first ends of the respective first and second elements; and a third element connected to the associated first and second elements and arranged on the side of the leading edge; the first connection element is connected to respective first faces, and the third element is connected to respective second faces of the first and second elements; the blade comprises a fourth element interposed between the fourt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Dario Bonanno, Phil Woody, Alexandros Stefanakis, Vita Imperiale
  • Patent number: 11703117
    Abstract: A hover-capable aircraft is described that comprises a drive unit, a rotor and a transmission interposed between the drive unit and the rotor; the transmission comprises a gear; the gear, in turn, comprises a main body rotatable about a first axis and a plurality of first teeth projecting in a cantilever fashion from the main body; the gear comprises a first pair of first rings axially opposite to each other and cooperating with the gear so as to exert a radial force on the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Bianchi, Sergio Sartori
  • Patent number: 11643201
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft comprising: a fuselage having a longitudinal axis; a pair of semi-wings protruding from the fuselage in a transversal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis; a pair of a predetermined breaking areas of the semi-wings defining respective preferred rupture sections at which the respective semi-wings are designed to break, during operation, in a controlled way moving along a preferred collapse trajectory in the event of impact; and at least one fluidic line configured to convey at least one service fluid from and/or towards at least one said semi-wing and crossing at least one of said preferred rupture sections; the aircraft comprises a self-sealing coupling movable between a first configuration in which it enables the flow of said service fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing, and a second configuration in which it prevents the above-mentioned flow and the spilling of the service fluid from the fluidic line; the self-sealing coupling is movable from the fir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Vanni, Andrea Antoni
  • Patent number: 11623744
    Abstract: A rotor for a hover-capable aircraft is described that comprises: a hub rotatable about a first axis and at least two blades hinged to the hub; each blade comprises a main portion hinged to the hub and a tip portion, which is arranged radially outermost with respect to first axis with respect to the corresponding main portion; the tip portion of each blade is movable with respect to the corresponding main portion of that blade; the tip portion of each blade is selectively movable with respect to the corresponding main portion of that blade between a first position, in which it defines a dihedral or anhedral angle with respect to the corresponding main portion; and a second position, in which it defines a positive or negative sweep angle with respect to the corresponding main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Maria Bottasso