Patents Assigned to Textron, Inc.
  • DUAL REDUNDANT SERVOVALVE
    Publication number: 20090133767
    Abstract: A servovalve includes a single motor which actuates separate valve members of separate servovalve assemblies. Each of the valve members controls the flow of hydraulic fluid from separate hydraulic fluid sources. In order to provide each valve member with the ability to operate in the event that the other valve member becomes inoperable, such as caused by jamming of the valve member, each servovalve assembly includes a compression assembly that provides each servovalve assembly with a jam-override capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Kim Lige Coakley
  • Battery Data Logger And Display
    Publication number: 20090119038
    Abstract: A battery data-logging arrangement for use with an electric vehicle is disclosed. The arrangement includes a first analog-to-digital converter (A2D) that converts a battery voltage signal to battery voltage data. A second A2D converts a battery current signal to battery current data. A clock generates time data. A computer memory is associated with a central processing unit (CPU) that correlates and stores the battery voltage data, the battery current data, and the time data in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Oliver A. Bell, Jr.
  • Automatic conversion system for tiltrotor aircraft
    Publication number: 20090114764
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for automatically controlling the conversion of a tiltrotor aircraft. An airspeed command for the tiltrotor aircraft is received. The airspeed command is converted to a pylon position. A difference between the airspeed command and a measured airspeed is calculated. The difference between the airspeed command and a measured airspeed is converted to a dynamic pylon position. A total pylon position is calculated from the pylon position and the dynamic pylon position. A pylon of the tiltrotor aircraft is moved to the total pylon position. Another embodiment of the present invention is a system for calculating a position of a pylon of a tiltrotor aircraft based on an airspeed command. The system includes an airspeed command module, a pylon trim position module, a dynamic pylon position module, and a pylon position module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Builta, Kynn J. Schulte, James E. Harris, Billy K. Gore
  • Electric Brake Manual Release Mechanism
    Publication number: 20090114461
    Abstract: A manual release mechanism for an electric braking assembly is provided. In various implementations, the manual release mechanism includes a shaft having an armature retraction cap connected to a distal end of the shaft and a handle connected to a proximal end of the shaft. The shaft includes threads that are mateable with threads provided in a bore of a magnet body of the braking assembly. The shaft threads are formed along at least a portion of the shaft such that a small angular displacement of the handle will cause an axial translation of the shaft within the magnet body. The axial translation will move the retraction cap to exert force on an armature plate of the braking assembly. The force of the retraction cap on the armature plate disengages contact between the armature plate and a friction disk of the braking assembly allowing the friction disk to rotate freely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Warren W. Clark, Landon N. Ball
  • Instrument panel grommets
    Patent number: 7527319
    Abstract: The present teachings can provide for a golf car including: a front body; a rear body; a roof suspended above at least a portion of each of the front body and the rear body; an instrument panel mounted to the front body, the instrument panel having an outer surface facing the roof; a aperture in the outer surface of the instrument panel; and a roof strut extending from the roof and passing through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Landon N. Ball, Richard Krall, Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson, Albert G. Packard
  • Fuel Tank
    Publication number: 20090107565
    Abstract: A fuel tank is provided including an integrally formed body. The body includes a generally hollow portion defined by an outer wall and a fill neck extending around an aperture in the outer wall. The body further includes a mounting tab generally extending from the body and a snap-fit retainer configured to engage an accessory mounted to the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Jim Consiglio, Nicholas Herdegen, Barbara Sammons
  • Operator Selectable Electric Vehicle Performance switch
    Publication number: 20090112383
    Abstract: An operator selectable performance control system for an electric vehicle, is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a motor structured and operable to provide motive power and regenerative braking forces to the vehicle and a mechanical brake assembly structured and operable to exert mechanical braking forces to the vehicle. The system additionally includes a controller operable to control the application of motive power and regenerative braking forces of the motor. The system further includes an operator selectable switch structured and operable to changeably select one of a plurality of vehicle performance routines executable by the controller for affecting maximum vehicle speed and an amount of regenerative braking implemented during vehicle operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Barry Lenart, Anthony Williams
  • Instrument Panel Assembly of a Light-Weight Utility Vehicle
    Publication number: 20090108618
    Abstract: A multi-component instrument panel assembly for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The multi-component instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel component including a first storage unit and a second storage unit. A first insert component is adapted to interconnect with a first side of the instrument panel component. A second insert component is adapted to interconnect with a second side of the instrument panel component. An eyebrow component is adapted to interconnect with the first insert component, the second insert component, and the instrument panel component. A beverage holder is adapted to interconnect with and outwardly extend from the instrument panel component and the eyebrow component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson, Richard Krall
  • Closed Loop Traction System for Light-Weight Utility Vehicles
    Publication number: 20090107749
    Abstract: A traction control system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a wheel speed sensor that generates a wheel speed signal in accordance with a rotational speed of a non-driven wheel of the utility vehicle. An accelerator position sensor generates an accelerator signal in accordance with a position of an accelerator pedal of the utility vehicle. A controller receives the wheel speed signal and the accelerator signal, determines an intended speed based on the accelerator signal, and determines a substantially actual wheel speed based on the wheel speed signal. Based on a comparison of the substantially actual wheel speed and the intended speed, the controller controls rotation of at least one driven wheel by adjusting at least one of a commanded speed and a commanded torque when the substantially actual wheel speed is outside of a desired range of the intended speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Aric Singletary, Oliver A. Bell
  • LAMINATION HAVING TAPERED TOOTH GEOMETRY WHICH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN ELECTRIC MOTOR
    Publication number: 20090108702
    Abstract: An electric motor has a stator, and a rotor disposed within the stator. The stator has a set of stator laminations and a set of windings held in position by the set of stator laminations. The rotor is arranged to rotate about an axis. The set of stator laminations is arranged into a stack. Each stator lamination includes an outer section, and a set of teeth coupled to the outer section. Each tooth of the set of teeth extends from that outer section toward the axis. Each tooth has (i) a first end which is proximate to the outer section and distal to the axis, and (ii) a second end which is proximate to the axis and distal to the outer section. A width of the first end of each tooth is substantially greater than a width of the second end of each tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON, INC.
    Inventor: M. Robert Mock
  • Hill Hold For An Electric Vehicle
    Publication number: 20090107740
    Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Warren Clark
  • Molded Wheel with Integral Hub
    Publication number: 20090108667
    Abstract: A unitary wheel and hub assembly is provided. In accordance with various embodiments the wheel and hub assembly includes a molded wheel having a hub integrally molded therewith. The wheel and hub assembly additionally includes a hub sub-assembly integrally formed with the hub to form a unitary wheel and hub assembly that can be directly rotatably mounted on a wheel shaft of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Anthony J. Sanville, Donald S. Hanson, Richard Krall
  • Rear Body Panel for a Golf Car
    Publication number: 20090108632
    Abstract: A rear body panel for a golf car includes a seat support portion and a bag well portion disposed rearward from the seat support portion. The rear body panel also includes a pair of wheel wells disposed on opposite sides of the bag well portion. The seat support portion includes a discontinuous recessed flange, a lower end trim edge, and at least one tab for limiting movement of the rear body panel on the golf car. Stiffening ribs are also included adjacent the wheel wells, and hand hold apertures are further included. The bag well portion includes a front wall portion, a pair of outwardly sloped side walls, and a floor portion with an impact absorption feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Jing Wen, Donald S. Hanson
  • Limited Slip Differential For Electric Vehicle
    Publication number: 20090107741
    Abstract: An electric vehicle, such as a golf car or utility vehicle, is provided with an electric motor that provides dynamic braking for the vehicle. The vehicle drivetrain is provided with a limited slip differential in order to prevent the wheels from turning freely when traction is lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Warren Clark
  • Combined State Of Charge Meter And Fuel Gauge
    Publication number: 20090107391
    Abstract: A vehicle meter can include first and second inputs and a gauge. The first input can be configured to receive a fuel level value from a fuel system. The second input can be configured to receive a power level value from a battery system. The gauge can be configured to display one of the fuel level or the power level. The gauge can display the fuel level when the first input is in communication with the fuel system and the power level value when the second input is in communication with the battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Brady, Kent H. Bruntz, Oliver A. Bell
  • Utility Vehicle Canopy
    Publication number: 20090108636
    Abstract: A utility vehicle canopy including a pair of lateral rain channels formed along a forward portion and an aft portion of a top side of the canopy. The canopy additionally includes a pair of longitudinal rain channels formed along a driver side portion and a passenger side portion of the canopy. The longitudinal rain channels interconnected with the lateral rain channels. The vehicle canopy further includes at least one outlet rain channel formed in the top side of the canopy. The outlet rain channel extends between an outer edge of the canopy and one of the lateral rain channels and/or one of the longitudinal rain channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson, JR., Anthony R. Rossello
  • Automated Battery Plate Inspection
    Publication number: 20090107264
    Abstract: A quality inspection system and method for identifying faulty battery plates is provided, wherein the plates comprise lead grids that have undergone a pasting process. In various embodiments, the quality inspection system includes a first scanner positioned to sequentially scan a first surface of each of a plurality of the battery plates, after the lead grids have undergone the pasting process. The first scanner scans the first surface of each plate for anomalies and communicates scanned first surface data to a processing center. The processing center analyzes the first surface data and determines an integrity status of the first surface, i.e., whether anomalies exist in the first surface. If anomalies exist in the first surface of any plate the respective plate can be discarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Oliver A. Bell
  • LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR ROTARY SHAFTS
    Publication number: 20090101752
    Abstract: A locking assembly has a base and a rotary shaft which is capable of rotating relative to the base. The rotary shaft has a shaft body and a set of capture portions supported by the shaft body. The locking assembly further includes a set of detention mechanisms supported by the base. The set of detention mechanisms is arranged to (i) initially apply retention force to the set of capture portions to provide resistance against rotation of the rotary shaft from an initial angular position, and (ii) remove application of the retention force from the set of capture portions in response to an amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft. The amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft exceeds a predetermined threshold and is sufficient to substantially rotate the rotary shaft from the initial angular position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: M. Robert Mock, Mark Woodruff
  • Reduced-friction drive screw assembly
    Patent number: 7520192
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced friction in drive screw assemblies, including electromechanical actuator (EMA) assemblies. A drive screw assembly is disclosed that includes a drive shaft, a drive screw, and a screw head. A stationary guide collar having a guide bore and a support surface receives the screw head or a portion of the drive screw. The guide collar may be fixed in angular relation to the screw head. As the screw head moves on a linear path during rotation of an associated drive shaft, a supported surface slides in only linear motion with respect to the support surface of the guide collar and as a result friction forces due only to linear motion are generated. Rotational friction forces and associated efficiency and power losses are consequently reduced or eliminated in the drive screw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Robert Mock
  • Plastic floor board
    Patent number: D589843
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Anthony R. Rossello