Patents Assigned to Sikorsky Aircraft
  • Damage mitigation for gearbox
    Patent number: 10677340
    Abstract: A gearbox housing of an aircraft includes a surface configured to contact with and support a load of a component of the aircraft such that the surface is susceptible to corrosion. The surface has an area from which a portion of material was removed. A structural deposit is formed by cold spraying one or more layers of powdered material within the area. The structural deposit is configured to share the load applied to the surface by the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric K. Hansen, James Sullivan, Anthony G. Chory, JinKyu Choi, Michael R. Robbins
  • Liquid shim adhesive injection tool
    Patent number: 10675798
    Abstract: A tool for installing a liquid shim material into a clearance formed between an assembly first and second component includes a body having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a planar surface and the second end includes a first surface and a second surface arranged at an angle to the first end and to one another. At least one hole is formed in the body. The at least one hole extends from the first end to the second end and is configured to provide a passageway through the body. The tool is arranged adjacent the assembled first and second component such that the passageway formed by the at least one hole is arranged in fluid communication with the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph W. Mencel, Jr., Jordash Shane Garraway, Karl M. Sweeten
  • Pitch control system for an aircraft
    Patent number: 10676184
    Abstract: A pitch control system configured to vary a pitch angle of a plurality of propeller blades of a propeller system is provided including a motor having a motor shaft configured to rotate about an axis. A rotary switch having a tab protruding generally outwardly is coupled to the motor shaft and is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The pitch control system also includes a position sensor configured to monitor the position of the rotary switch. The position of the rotary switch is proportional to the pitch angle of the plurality of propeller blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark M. Cyr, Karl Gradzki
  • Gearbox for a dual rotor, rotary wing aircraft
    Patent number: 10676181
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided including an airframe, an extending tail, a counter-rotating, coaxial main rotor assembly having an upper rotor assembly and a lower rotor assembly, and a translational thrust system including a propeller positioned at the extending tail. The translational thrust system is configured to provide translational thrust to the airframe when the aircraft is in a non-autorotation state and to generate power when in an autorotation state. A gearbox interconnects the propeller and the main rotor assembly to drive the main rotor assembly and the translational thrust system in the non-autorotation state. When the aircraft is in autorotation, the power generated by the propeller drives rotation of the main rotor assembly via the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erez Eller, Matthew T. Luszcz, William J. Eadie, Steven D. Weiner
  • Tilting coaxial rotor for a rotary wing aircraft
    Patent number: 10676182
    Abstract: An electric propulsion system includes a static mast fixed to the airframe and a secondary mast positioned in overlapping arrangement with the static mast. The secondary mast defines an axis of rotation. An elastomeric bearing is arranged at an interface between the static mast and the secondary mast. An actuator assembly includes at least one actuator connected to the secondary mast. The actuator assembly is operable to pivot the secondary mast relative to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Timothy F. Lauder
  • Bearing arrangement and an aircraft
    Patent number: 10669022
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for use with a structure defining an outer surface which expands and contracts inward and outward relative to the structure includes, a member having at least one inner surface to face the outer surface, and at least one protrusion extending from the inner surface, the at least one protrusion being biased toward and in contact with the outer surface and maintains contact as the structure expands and contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David H. Hunter, Eric Lucien Nussenblatt
  • Multi-sensor target location registration
    Patent number: 10670396
    Abstract: A system for registering a target includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a processor. The first sensor measures a plurality of ranges from a source to a target, and the second sensor obtains a plurality of location measurements of the source. The system further includes a processor configured for determining one or more weighting criteria associated with each one of the plurality of location measurements based on an estimated reliability of each one of the plurality of location measurements. The processor calculates a plurality of target location values based on the plurality of ranges measured by the first sensor and the plurality of locations measured by the second sensor and calculates an estimated target location value based on the plurality of target location values weighted according to the weighting criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harshad S. Sane, Igor Cherepinsky, Christopher Stathis
  • Non-destructive cold extractions of press fit bushings
    Patent number: 10668604
    Abstract: An assembly for removing a bushing is provided including a mandrel having a size and shape similar to the bushing and a receiver having a hollow interior cavity. A fastener extends through an opening formed in both the mandrel and the receiver. A socket attachment has a first opening configured to removably couple to a first end of the fastener and a second opening configured to removably couple to a torque delivery tool. A biasing mechanism arranged adjacent a second end of the fastener is configured to generate a biasing force to drive the mandrel against a bushing in response to a coupling of the socket attachment and the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David W. Caywood, Timothy James Conti
  • Wireless battery-less mini camera and system for interior inspection of closed spaces
    Patent number: 10674080
    Abstract: An integrated inspection system including at least one surface defining an enclosed space, at least one camera mounted in the enclosed space, and an interrogator device operatively coupled to the at least one camera. The interrogator device provides power to and receives images from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl A. Palmer, Ronald Moffatt, Cody M. Ture, Craig D. Reed
  • Crash energy attenuation system for a transmission support in a vertical lift aircraft
    Patent number: 10669004
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft includes an airframe having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to the transverse axis. A transmission and rotor support platform is arranged in the airframe. A transmission is supported by the transmission and rotor support platform. An energy attenuation system mechanically links the transmission and rotor support platform with the airframe. The energy attenuation system includes a first plurality of collapsible support members selectively facilitating rotation of the transmission and rotor support platform about the transverse axis and a second plurality of collapsible support members, the first and second pluralities of support members selectively facilitating translation of the transmission and rotor support platform along an axis that is substantially parallel to the rotor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan R. Goodworth
  • Method and system for teaming manned and unmanned aerial vehicles
    Patent number: 10665112
    Abstract: A method of teaming a manned aerial vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle includes inputting to a controller in a manned vehicle coordinates for an area of interest, plotting a course to the area of interest in a navigation computer operatively connected to the controller, identifying one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near the area of interest, communicating to a ground controller rendezvous coordinates for one of the one or more UAVs, and negotiating a control hand-off of the one of the one or more UAVs from the ground controller to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cherry Cwalina, Gary Howland, Luca F. Bertuccelli, Margaret M. Lampazzi, Robert Pupalaikis, Thomas Guido, James S. Magson, John G. Schoenfeld
  • Integrated main rotor hub and shaft
    Patent number: 10654566
    Abstract: A main rotor system for a rotary wing aircraft is provided including a lower rotor hub to which lower rotor blades are attachable. The lower rotor hub rotates about an axis in a first direction. A hollow rotor shaft extends through the lower rotor hub. The first end of the rotor shaft couples to a component of the rotary wing aircraft for rotation about an axis. An upper rotor hub arranged at the second end of the rotor shaft includes a plurality of similar upper rotor members equidistantly spaced about a circumference of the rotor shaft to form an open center aligned with a hollow interior of the rotor shaft. An opening configured to receive an upper rotor blade is formed between adjacent upper rotor members and the upper rotor hub is configured to rotate in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ron William Waldo, Eric Lucien Nussenblatt, David H. Hunter, Bryan Kenneth Baskin
  • Collective to elevator mixing of a rotary wing aircraft
    Patent number: 10654565
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided including an airframe, an extending tail, and a counter rotating, coaxial main rotor assembly including an upper rotor assembly and a lower rotor assembly. A translational thrust system positioned at the extending tail, the translational thrust system providing translational thrust to the airframe. A horizontal stabilizer with a left elevator and right elevator positioned at the extending tail. A flight control computer to independently control one or more of the main rotor assembly and the elevator through a fly-by-wire control system. The flight control computer is configured to mix a collective pitch of the main rotor assembly and a deflection of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erez Eller, Matthew A. White, Matthew T. Luszcz
  • Rotor wireless load and motion monitoring sensor network
    Patent number: 10654588
    Abstract: A method of data collection from a rotor system of an aircraft includes positioning a plurality of sensors at a plurality of locations of a rotating portion of the rotor system. One or more antennae are located at one or more rotationally fixed locations of the aircraft. Rotor system data is collected via the sensors and is wirelessly transmitted from the sensors to the antennae and is transferred from the antennae to a gateway where it is normalized and synchronized. In another embodiment, a data collection system for a rotor includes a plurality of sensors located at rotating locations of the rotor, the sensors configured to collect and wirelessly transmit rotor data. Antennae are located at a fixed location of the aircraft. The antennae are configured to send and receive data from the sensors. A gateway is connected to the antennae to normalize and synchronize the rotor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sanjay Bajekal, Brian Dean Bouquillon, Cagatay Tokgoz
  • Single engine, asymmetrical vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft
    Patent number: 10647442
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is provided and includes wings, first and second nacelles supported on each of the wings, each of the first and second nacelles including a propeller drivable to generate aircraft thrust, and an asymmetrical power generation unit. The asymmetrical power generation unit includes a single engine unit disposed in only one of the first and second nacelles to generate power to drive the propellers of both the first and second nacelles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark R. Alber
  • Method of making a composite article
    Patent number: 10647065
    Abstract: A method of making a composite article involves first forming an intermediate substrate. The intermediate substrate can be formed from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by partial cure, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure of the thermoset polymer composition and deposition of a thermoplastic on the surface of the substrate, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure and exposure of the substrate to organic solvent, a plasticizer, moisture, and/or heat. The intermediate substrate prepared according to any of the above techniques is then subjected to cold gas spray deposition to deposit a metal layer onto the intermediate substrate. In the case where the substrate was formed by partially curing a thermoset polymer composition, the metal-coated partially-cured thermoset polymer substrate is then fully cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin B. Alms, Eric J. Amis, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Ellen Y. Sun, Aaron T. Nardi
  • Spinner shaft attachment
    Patent number: 10647410
    Abstract: A spinner assembly includes a cone-shaped member having a plurality of blade openings. The cone-shaped member is receivable about a shaft at a first location. A bulkhead frame is connected to the cone-shaped member. At least one strut is configured to couple the bulkhead frame to the shaft at a second location. The at least one strut includes at least one arm having a longitudinal rigid member and at least one flexure region that defines an axis about which the at least one arm bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Higbie, David Littlejohn
  • Aircraft rotor blade with reduced stress
    Patent number: 10647420
    Abstract: An aircraft rotor blade includes a surface of the rotor blade, at least one main hole that extends through the surface and has a width and a length, and at least one leader hole that extends through the surface and has a length that is less than the length of the main hole and arranged spaced from and adjacent the main hole. The leader hole gradually increases in width from a first end of the leader hole opposite the main hole to an opposed second end of the leader hole proximate the main hole to operatively gradually distribute stress in the leader and main holes and rotor blade and reduce an amount of the stress exerted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Krzysztof Kopanski, Justin Thomas
  • Precision electrochemical machine for gear manufacture
    Patent number: 10646938
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gear, the method includes applying a first charge to a workpiece and applying a second, opposite charge to an electrochemical machining (ECM) attachment, the ECM attachment having a pattern. The method further includes simultaneously forming a plurality of surfaces of a gear tooth in the workpiece using the pattern of the ECM attachment while applying the first charge to the workpiece and applying the second charge to the ECM attachment and turning the workpiece and the ECM attachment in opposite rotational directions. The plurality of surfaces includes at least one end face and a top land of the gear tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward H. Bittner, William Patrick Murphy, Bruce D. Hansen, Christopher J. Mussel, Yuriy Gmirya
  • High modulus hybrid material rotor blade spar
    Patent number: 10648340
    Abstract: A composite spar having an upper and lower wall region connected by leading and trailing edge regions is provided including a plurality of first laminates and a plurality of second laminates. The plurality of first laminates includes one or more intermediate modulus graphite plies having an intermediate modulus. The plurality of first laminates is arranged in one or more intermediate modulus layers to form at least a portion of the upper wall region, lower wall region, leading edge region and trailing edge region. The plurality of second laminates includes one or more high modulus graphite plies having a high modulus. The plurality of second laminates is arranged in one or more high modulus layers. The high modulus layers are generally interposed between intermediate modulus layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: David A. Darrow, Jr.