Patents Assigned to Textron, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7873445
    Abstract: A governor configured to regulate the rotational velocity of one or more rotors of an aircraft by adjusting a collective blade pitch of the one or more rotors. In one embodiment, the governor comprises a control monitor, a maximum pitch module, a rotor module, and a pitch adjustment module. The control monitor is configured to monitor one or more flight control inputs that are controllable by an operator of the aircraft. The maximum pitch module is configured to dynamically determine a maximum collective blade pitch based on the one or more flight control inputs monitored by the control monitor. The rotor module is configured to monitor information related to the rotational velocity of the one or more rotors. The pitch adjustment module is configured to (i) receive information related to the rotational velocity of the one or more rotors from the rotor module and (ii) adjust the collective blade pitch of the one or more rotors to regulate the rotational velocity of the one or more rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Mathew Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 7854590
    Abstract: A rotorcraft, such a helicopter or a tiltrotor aircraft, includes a light emitting device configured to provide light at a tip of a rotor blade. The light emitting device includes a light emitting diode arranged on the rotor blade, and a power source, wherein the power source is configured to power the light emitting diode due to a movement of the rotor blade. The power source may include a piezo-electric material configured to create a voltage due to movements of the rotor blade or an electrical generator including a stationary magnet assembly and a moveable coil assembly arranged on a shaft that rotates the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Landry
  • Patent number: 7849888
    Abstract: A surface functional electro-textile fabric incorporates energy-active, electrically conductive or optically conductive fibers and nonconductive fibers in a woven or knitted textile fabric. The weave or knit pattern is selected so as to form floats of the electrically conductive fibers on at least one surface of the electro-textile fabric. The electro-textile fabric can be incorporated into an antenna structure that interacts with high frequency electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the frequency range of DC to 100 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Textronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eleni Karayianni, Eduardo Munoz, George W. Coulston, Stacey B. Burr, Thomas A. Micka
  • Publication number: 20100299067
    Abstract: A collision avoidance and warning system for a helicopter uses a type of emitted energy, for example radio frequency radar, from a transceiver positioned to cover a selected field of view for detecting an object or pedestrian in the vicinity of the helicopter. For helicopters that include a tail rotor assembly, the selected field of view can include a region around the tail rotor assembly so that when the helicopter is running on the ground, an alarm can be issued to persons approaching the tail rotor assembly. When the helicopter is in flight, the collision avoidance and warning system can alert the pilot when a portion of the helicopter outside of the pilot's field of view is in danger of a collision with an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: James McCollough, Christos Bais
  • Publication number: 20100297870
    Abstract: An RJ modular connector is provided that has wire channels that slope downward and end at openings in the bottom of the connector through which the stripped wires extend. In use, the outer jacket insulation is removed from an end portion of the cable, leaving lengths of exposed wires. The length of the exposed wire is unimportant. The wires are arranged in an essentially flat configuration and inserted longitudinally into the connector and then directed downward by the downward slope of the channels, so that the distal ends of the respective wires extend through the bottom of the connector. The protruding wire ends are then compared with a standard to confirm the correct color identification pattern for them and corresponding wire position. After the comparison is made, the protruding wire ends are crimped/secured and sheared off. Conductive contact blades are inserted, and pierce the wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Greenlee Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephens, Kyle Dean Hedrick
  • Patent number: 7838782
    Abstract: A combination apparatus for weighing an aircraft has a plurality of weight scales, each scale being adapted to be supported by a support surface in a position for receiving landing gear of an aircraft thereon. At least one riser supports at least one scale above the support surface, and the height of each riser is selected to position an aircraft on the scales in a level attitude while a weight of the aircraft is being supported by the landing gear on the scales. At least one scale may be recessed in the support surface, and the height of each riser may be adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C Hamilton, Michael A. Greene
  • Patent number: 7828245
    Abstract: An actuator control system has a dual concentric servo valve having a spool and at least one motor adapted to selectively displace the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Suisse, Carlos A. Fenny, Kim Coakley, George Alagozian
  • Patent number: 7828525
    Abstract: A rotor hub assembly for a rotary-wing aircraft has a central member and a plurality of blade grips adapted for attaching rotor blades to the central member. The blade grips are pivotally attached to the central member and are capable of pivoting about a pivot axis generally normal to a plane of rotation of the blades. The pivoting allows for in-plane motion of the blades relative to the central member. A damper is operably connected to each blade grip for damping the in-plane motion of the associated blade, each damper being selectively switchable between at least two spring rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, Michael R. Smith, Christopher M. Bothwell, Lawrence M. Corso, James L. Braswell, Jr., David A. Popelka, Ernst C. Schellhase, Charles L. Hollimon, Thomas J. Newman, Bryan Baskin, Thomas C. Campbell, Daniel B. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20100264254
    Abstract: A slot cover actuation assembly controls access through a slot on a projectile. The slot cover actuation assembly includes a slot cover, a fastener (e.g., a screw), and an actuator (e.g., a squib device). The fastener is arranged to position the slot cover at an installation position on the projectile. The slot cover covers the slot on the projectile when the slot cover resides at the installation position. The actuator is arranged to release the slot cover from the installation position on the projectile. The slot cover uncovers the slot on the projectile when the actuator releases the slot cover from the installation position on the projectile, thus allowing a control surface member (e.g., a fin) to deploy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20100259274
    Abstract: A device has built-in inductive load testing capabilities. The device includes a device housing, an inductive load disposed within the device housing; and test circuitry disposed within the device housing. The test circuitry is constructed and arranged to effectuate application of a modulated test signal to the inductive load, and obtain a result signal in response to the application of the modulated test signal to the inductive load. The test circuitry is further constructed and arranged to generate an output signal indicating that the inductive load is in one of (i) a shorted inductive load state, (ii) a normal inductive load state, and (iii) an abnormally high inductive load state, based on the result signal. Such test circuitry is well-suited for testing a variety of devices having inductors/coils which are susceptible to defects (e.g., a solenoid, a motor winding, various actuator components, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: HR Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Y. Liu, Estella C. Chung, Joon Lee
  • Publication number: 20100254817
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a main rotor helicopter blade for generating higher lift with less drag and delaying stall at high Mach numbers. A cross-section of this blade includes aft camber. The difference between a chord line of the cross-section and a camber line of the cross-section increases from a leading edge of the cross-section to a maximum between a trailing edge of the cross-section and a midpoint of the chord line and decreases to the trailing edge producing the aft camber of the blade. The aft camber generates higher lift with less drag and delays stall at high Mach numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok K. Agnihotri, Jimmy Charles Narramore, John J. Schillings
  • Patent number: 7805823
    Abstract: An axial swage alignment tool (11) having a bridge member (27) for axially and rotationally aligning a metal tube (21) and a fitting (31) is disclosed. The bridge member that is temporarily bonded to the exterior surfaces of the metal tube and the fitting. The bridge member eliminates the need to place any material between the metal tube and the fitting either prior to or after the swaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Sembritzky, Terry L. Saville
  • Publication number: 20100236654
    Abstract: A fluid conduit having a self-healing sleeve in a spaced relationship from the conduit to provide protection against leaks due to ballistic projectiles, such as small arms fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: John R. Barber, Brian P. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20100224733
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a surface over which an airflow passes. A plasma actuator is configured to generate a plasma above the surface, the plasma coupling a directed momentum into the air surrounding the surface to reduce separation of the airflow from the surface. A method of reducing separation of an airflow from a surface of an aircraft includes generating a plasma in air surrounding the surface at a position where the airflow would separate from the surface in the absence of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Tommie L. Wood, Thomas C. Corke, Martiqua Post
  • Patent number: 7789694
    Abstract: An RJ modular connector is provided that has wire channels that slope upward and end at openings in the top of the connector through which the stripped wires extend. In use, the outer jacket insulation is removed from an end portion of the cable, leaving lengths of exposed wires. The length of the exposed wire is unimportant. The wires are arranged in an essentially flat configuration and inserted longitudinally into the connector and then directed upward by the upward slope of the channels, so that the distal ends of the respective wires extend through the top of the connector. The protruding wire ends are then compared with a standard to confirm the correct color identification pattern for them and corresponding wire position. After the comparison is made, the protruding wire ends are crimped/secured and sheared off. Conductive contact blades are inserted, and pierce the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Stephens, Kyle Dean Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20100221119
    Abstract: A rotor yoke includes a blade attachment portion, a mast attachment portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the blade attachment portion and the mast attachment portion. The intermediate portion, the blade attachment portion, and the mast attachment portion define an optional inner edge, such that the inner edge, if present, defines an opening. The rotor yoke further includes a peripheral, outer edge extending about the blade attachment portion, the intermediate portion, and the mast attachment portion. At least one of the outer edge and the inner edge, if present, includes a reduced thickness portion exhibiting a thickness that is less than a thickness of an adjacent portion of the rotor yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bryan K. Baskin
  • Patent number: 7784340
    Abstract: An improved design for a force gradient using a proximity sensor is disclosed. A force gradient comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end. The switch includes a spring contained between the first end and the second end and a non-contact proximity sensor mounted on the second end. The spring has a first position and is compressed to a second position so that the non-contact proximity sensor signals an AFCS to change state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry G. Doversberger
  • Publication number: 20100215424
    Abstract: A locking device includes a shape memory alloy actuator that engages a locking pin to release the pin and unlock the device it is engaging. Upon heating the shape memory alloy member, it returns to a predetermined shape, which has a length shorter than its non-heated length. As the shape memory alloy actuator shortens, it pulls the locking pin at least a pre-determined distance to release the locking pin from engagement with the device it is locking and into engagement with a pin release member. The pin release member holds the locking pin in the unlocked position until the pin release member is moved from engagement with the locking pin. Once moved, the pin release member disengages from the locking pin and the pin is moved back into its original, locked position. The shape memory alloy actuator and pin release member are also returned to their original position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: R. Kim Crookston, Mark A. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 7781051
    Abstract: The invention provides a functional stretch laminate composite puckered fabric which is robust, laundry-durable and adaptable for securing about any three dimensional body, and a method for forming such puckered fabric. The functional stretch laminate fabric is provided with at least one functional element which can conduct electricity, conduct light, provide electromagnetic fields or provide shielding from electromagnetic fields. In addition, at least one via is provided in the functional stretch laminate allowing the functional element to extend or loop outwardly from the at least one via when the laminate is in a relaxed or unstretched state. Generally, the functional stretch laminate fabric is sufficiently robust for incorporation into garments and for applications in so-called wearable electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Textronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacey B. Burr, Qaizar N. Hassonjee, Roger Armitage
  • Publication number: 20100209242
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has at least one weight mounted in a rotating system of a rotor hub of the aircraft, each weight being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hub relative to the hub and to each other weight. Drive means are provided for rotating each weight about the axis of rotation at a selected speed for creating oscillatory shear forces that oppose and attenuate rotor-induced vibrations having a selected frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: David A. Popelka, Richard E. Rauber, Frank B. Stamps