Patents Assigned to LEONARDO S.p.A
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Patent number: 11794907Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Enrico Bellussi, Michele Arra, Francesco De Domenico
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Patent number: 11794892Abstract: 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 furthType: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventor: Riccardo Bianco Mengotti
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Patent number: 11780575Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Massimo Brunetti, Luigi Maria Bottasso, Chee Su Goh, Gary Weller
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Patent number: 11772789Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventor: Riccardo Bianco Mengotti
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Patent number: 11774316Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventor: Felice Menafro
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Patent number: 11760468Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Luigi Bottasso, Ermanno Fosco, Paolo Pisani, Francesco Vincenzo, Francesco Rosa, Francesco Braghin, Gabriele Cazzulani, Simone Cinquemani
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Patent number: 11738859Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Luigi Bottasso, Ermanno Fosco, Paolo Pisani, Francesco Vincenzo, Francesco Rosa, Francesco Braghin, Gabriele Cazzulani, Simone Cinquemani
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Patent number: 11703117Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Andrea Bianchi, Sergio Sartori
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Patent number: 11702198Abstract: 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 fourtType: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Dario Bonanno, Phil Woody, Alexandros Stefanakis, Vita Imperiale
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Patent number: 11643201Abstract: 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 firType: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Roberto Vanni, Andrea Antoni
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Patent number: 11623744Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventor: Luigi Maria Bottasso
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Patent number: 11618558Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventor: Luigi Maria Bottasso
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Patent number: 11597192Abstract: A multilayer radar-absorbing laminate includes three juxtaposed blocks. A first electrically conductive block is arranged toward the inside of the aircraft in use. A second electromagnetic intermediate absorber block has a layer of electrically non-conductive fiber sheets is permeated by graphene-based nanoplatelets to achieve a periodic and electromagnetically subresonant layer, the conductive layers containing graphene nanoplatelets alternating with non-conductive layers. A third block of electrically non-conductive material is arranged towards the outside and forms part of the outer surface of the aircraft. The second block is produced by depositing on the fiber sheets a suspension of graphene nanoplatelets in a polymeric mixture, with controlled penetration of the graphene nanoplatelets into the fiber sheets. A plurality of dry fiber sheets sprayed with the suspension of graphene nanoplatelets is superimposed.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Luigi Pisu, Gianni Iagulli, Maria Sabrina Sarto, Fabrizio Marra, Julian Lecini, Alessio Tamburrano
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Patent number: 11592249Abstract: A system includes a movable assembly configured for pushing a piece of ammunition into a breech ring of a firearm and/or closing the breech ring, under control of a motor. A feeding device is configured for feeding the piece of ammunition into a position situated between the movable assembly and the breech ring. A synchronization device co-operates with the motor on one side and with the feeding device on the other side. The synchronization mechanism provides for selective transmission of motion, under control of the movable assembly, from the motor to the feeding mechanism, when the movable assembly is in a position away from the breech ring.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Giordano Benedini, Valter Benzoni, Tiziano Bettelli, Stefano Conti, Mattia Forcina, Enrico Sarioli
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Patent number: 11577829Abstract: An anti-torque rotor is described for a helicopter, comprising: a mast rotatable about a first axis; a plurality of blades hinged on the mast, extending along respective second axes transversal to said first axis and rotatable about respective said second axes to alter the respective angles of attack; a control element sliding and rotating with respect to the mast, and operatively connected to said blades to cause the rotation of said blades about respective second axes following a translation of said element along the first axis; a control rod sliding axially along first axis with respect to the mast and angularly fixed with respect to the first axis; and a bearing interposed between the control rod and the control element, sliding along the first axis with respect to the mast and integrally with the control rod; the anti-torque rotor further comprises an interface made of an antifriction material interposed between said control rod and said bearing.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Michele Delli Paoli, Fabio Nannoni, Roberto Vanni
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Patent number: 11566859Abstract: A breechblock assembly for a firearm includes a guiding element having a slide adapted to slide along a guide in an actuation system of the breechblock assembly driven by a motor. A shutting element shuts an opening in a breech ring of the firearm. A percussion pin is pushed by an elastic element slide along a longitudinal axis, as a function of the firing cycle of the firearm to an axial hole in the shutting element. The percussion pin is shaped to partially come out of the axial hole of the shutting element for firing a piece of ammunition. The breechblock assembly comprises a control system for controlling the percussion pin. The control system controls the operability and the movement of the percussion pin independently of a firing cycle of the firearm.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Giordano Benedini, Valter Benzoni, Tiziano Bettelli, Stefano Conti, Mattia Forcina, Enrico Sarioli
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Electromagnetic induction welding device for joining composite materials and relative joining method
Patent number: 11524465Abstract: A portable welding device comprising: a base facing a work surface, designed to receive tapes in electrically conductive composite materials to be joined or defined by at least one already positioned tape; an operating head receiving one tape at a time and movable with respect to the base along at least a first movement line parallel to the work surface; a motorized arm connecting the operating head to the base and selectively activatable to impart movements to the operating head; and feeding means selectively activatable to feed one tape at a time to the operating head and connected to the operating head; the operating head comprises a positioning roller receiving a tape at a time; a pressure roller spaced from and aligned with the positioning roller along the first movement line; and an inductor interposed between the positioning roller and the pressure roller with reference to the first movement line.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.AInventors: Nicola Gallo, Stefano Giuseppe Corvaglia, Silvio Pappada -
Patent number: 11498667Abstract: A rotor for a hover-capable aircraft is described, comprising: a hub rotatable about an axis and, in turn, comprising a plurality of blades; a mast connectable to a drive member of the aircraft and operatively connected to the hub to drive the hub in rotation about the axis; and damping means for damping vibrations transmitted to the mast, which comprise a mass designed to oscillate in a plane transversal to the axis so as to contain flexural vibrations of the mast generated by rotation of the blades; the damping means also comprise elastic means having a desired stiffness along the axis and operatively connected to the mass to contain vibration of the mast along the axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Giuseppe Quaranta, Federico Savorgnan, Pierangelo Masarati, Luigi Bottasso, Attilio Colombo
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Patent number: 11498291Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite aircraft window frame; the method comprises the steps of: a) positioning in a mold a preform made of pre-impregnated material including dispersed fibers, with a predefined orientation, in a thermosetting resin matrix; b) closing the mold so as to define a gap between at least one surface of said preform and a portion of said mold; c) injecting thermosetting resin into the closed mold through an inlet opening of the mold itself, so as to fill the gap and completely lap said surface of the preform; and d) applying a uniform hydrostatic pressure on the surface by the injection of the resin.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventors: Stefano Giuseppe Corvaglia, Nicola Gallo, Silvio Pappadà, Umberto Raganato, Luca Lanzilotto, Michele Arganese
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Patent number: 11476537Abstract: A safety auxiliary system, coupled to a modular battery of an underwater vehicle having a number of modules, each provided with a plurality of cells, has: a first subsystem, which detects conditions indicative of a thermal runaway in any of the modules d manages such a thermal runaway, intervening locally on the module to cool the corresponding cells so that the thermal runaway is not propagated; and a second subsystem, cooperating with, and operatively coupled to, the first subsystem, which manages gases present in the module associated with the thermal runaway, preventing them from pouring inside the underwater vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.Inventor: Bruno Tevene′