Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Patent number: 9925680
    Abstract: A method of cutting a wafer of composite core from a bulk composite core includes stabilizing the bulk composite core with a fixture, the bulk composite core having a plurality of tube members. The method also includes cutting through each of the tube members to create the wafer while the bulk composite core is stabilized by the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Kendrick, Levi H. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9927322
    Abstract: A rotorcraft actuator monitoring system to monitor leakage past dynamic rotorcraft actuator seals of a rotorcraft actuator includes a body member and a fluid level indication housing attached to the body member. The body member is mounted to surround a dynamic rotorcraft actuator seal that seals fluid in a rotorcraft actuator, where the body member captures fluid that leaks past the dynamic rotorcraft actuator seal. The fluid level indication housing collects the fluid captured by the body member and indicates that a predetermined volume of fluid that leaked past the dynamic rotorcraft actuator seal has been collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Laramee, Carlos Fenny
  • Patent number: 9927279
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling and testing the functionality of a structural unit having a fill level gauge in a non-stationary container for liquids, said container being embodied from thermoplastic synthetic material, wherein the method comprises testing a first and second angular position of a lever arm of the fill level gauge when the latter is in the installed position under the influence of a magnetic field on the empty container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Labusch
  • Patent number: 9929548
    Abstract: A cable stripper is provided which has an adjustable bushing which can be adjusted to accept a variety of differently size cables. The cable stripper is rotated around the cable to strip the insulation from a cable. The cable stripper can be attached to an existing tool to impact rotation of the cable stripper around the cable. The cable stripper includes a bushing having an axial passageway and a plurality of spaced slots which are in communication with the passageway, a plurality of cable retention blocks attached to the bushing, and a blade member mounted on the bushing, the blade member being seated within the passageway. The cable retention blocks are moveable relative to the bushing to pass through the slots and into the passageway to engage the cable mounted within the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Francis Troy
  • Patent number: 9930728
    Abstract: A device and method for applying treatment to a structure includes a housing having a first membrane sealed to a second membrane for creating an airtight cavity therebetween for receiving a porous material and a working layer. The method includes the process of conforming the shape of the housing to the structure and applying a treatment thereafter to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Eric W. Nottorf
  • Patent number: 9925493
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and delivering a liquid additive for catalytic exhaust gas NOx removal in a motor vehicle, the device comprising a storage vessel (2), in which a delivery line (5), heated filter elements (7) and a combined sensor (12) are arranged. A delivery pump (8) is arranged outside the storage vessel (2). The filter elements (7), the combined sensor (12) and the delivery pump (8) are configured as subassemblies which are connected electrically and/or hydraulically to one another and are separated from one another spatially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Treudt, Thomas Wagner
  • Publication number: 20180079500
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a VTOL flight mode, a forward flight mode and a storage mode includes a fuselage having a wing rotatably mounted thereto. The wing has an orientation generally perpendicular to the fuselage, in the flight modes, and an orientation generally parallel to the fuselage, in the storage mode. First and second pylon assemblies are positioned proximate outboard ends of the wing. First and second mast assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second pylon assemblies and have generally vertical orientations, in the VTOL flight mode, and generally horizontal orientations, in the forward flight mode and the storage mode. First and second proprotor assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second mast assemblies. Each proprotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades and has a radially extended orientation, in the flight modes, and a stowed orientation, in the storage mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Edward Foskey
  • Publication number: 20180079482
    Abstract: A modular payload system for an aircraft includes a modular bay recessed within the aircraft. The modular bay includes a modular bay interface. The modular payload system includes a plurality of payload modules each having a respective function and a payload interface adapted to connect to at least a portion of the modular bay interface. The plurality of payload modules are interchangeably insertable into the modular bay to enable the modular bay to support the functions of the plurality of payload modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ray Ivans, Brent Chadwick Ross
  • Publication number: 20180079485
    Abstract: A wing pivot apparatus for rotating a wing between a flight orientation and a stowed orientation relative to a fuselage of a tiltrotor aircraft. The apparatus includes a stow ring that is rotatably mounted to the fuselage. Forward and aft wing attach assemblies are coupled respectively to forward and aft spars of the wing and are coupled to the stow ring. Forward and aft connecting assemblies are coupled respectively between the forward and aft wing attach assemblies and the stow ring and are selectively securable respectively to first and second fore-aft beams of the fuselage. A plurality of lock assemblies selectively secures the connecting assemblies to the fore-aft beams of the fuselage when the wing is in the flight orientation. An actuator coupled to the fuselage is operable to reversibly rotate the wing between the flight orientation and the stowed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Brian Dale Obert
  • Publication number: 20180079490
    Abstract: An apparatus for chordwise folding and locking of rotor systems includes a grip assembly and a harness disposed at least partially within and coupled to the grip assembly. A rotor blade is rotatably coupled to the grip assembly and the harness. The rotor blade has a radially extended orientation and a stowed orientation. A linkage assembly has a first end, a second end and a pivot joint therebetween. The first end of the linkage assembly is rotatably coupled to the harness and the second end of the linkage assembly is rotatably coupled to the rotor blade. A first lock assembly selectively secures the rotor blade to the grip assembly and the harness when the rotor blade is in the radially extended orientation. A second lock assembly selectively secures the rotor blade relative to the harness when the rotor blade is in the stowed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Foskey, Michael Christopher Burnett
  • Publication number: 20180079499
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a VTOL flight mode, a forward flight mode and a storage mode includes a fuselage having a wing rotatably mounted thereto. The wing has an orientation generally perpendicular to the fuselage, in the flight modes, and an orientation generally parallel to the fuselage, in the storage mode. First and second pylon assemblies are positioned proximate outboard ends of the wing. First and second mast assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second pylon assemblies and have generally vertical orientations, in the VTOL flight mode, and generally horizontal orientations, in the forward flight mode and the storage mode. First and second proprotor assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second mast assemblies. Each proprotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades and has a radially extended orientation, in the flight modes, and a stowed orientation, in the storage mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Edward Foskey
  • Publication number: 20180079502
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a VTOL flight mode, a forward flight mode and a storage mode includes a fuselage having a wing rotatably mounted thereto. The wing has an orientation generally perpendicular to the fuselage, in the flight modes, and an orientation generally parallel to the fuselage, in the storage mode. First and second pylon assemblies are positioned proximate outboard ends of the wing. First and second mast assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second pylon assemblies and have generally vertical orientations, in the VTOL flight mode, and generally horizontal orientations, in the forward flight mode and the storage mode. First and second proprotor assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second mast assemblies. Each proprotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades and has a radially extended orientation, in the flight modes, and a stowed orientation, in the storage mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Edward Foskey
  • Publication number: 20180079484
    Abstract: An aircraft has a fuselage, an engine disposed within the fuselage, a rotatable wing disposed above the fuselage and selectively rotatable about a wing rotation axis, and a plurality of interconnect driveshafts disposed within the rotatable wing, and at least one drive system component that is connected between the engine and the interconnect driveshaft is disposed along the wing rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chadwick Ross, Steven Ray Ivans
  • Publication number: 20180079493
    Abstract: A pylon assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotor assembly operable to rotate between a generally vertical orientation, in a VTOL flight mode, and a generally horizontal orientation, in a forward flight mode, and having an intermediate orientation therebetween, in a conversion flight mode. The rotor assembly includes a proprotor operable to produce a slipstream. A wing extension, positioned outboard of the rotor assembly, has a minimal dimension and an outboard end. A winglet is coupled to the outboard end of the wing extension and has a minimal dimension. The wing extension and the winglet are operable to rotate generally with the rotor assembly such that the minimal dimensions of the wing extension and the winglet remain in the slipstream of the proprotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Bryant Anderson, Steven Ray Ivans, Jeremy Robert Chavez
  • Publication number: 20180079487
    Abstract: An aircraft has a wing, a pylon carried by the wing, at least one of a rotor system component and a drive system component disposed within the pylon, and a wing extension carried by the at least one of a rotor system component and drive system component, wherein the wing extension is foldable relative to the pylon to selectively reduce an overall space occupied by the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ray Ivans, Brent Chadwick Ross
  • Publication number: 20180079488
    Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage having a longitudinal axis extending through the fuselage front end and the fuselage rear end; a foldable wing located on the fuselage and being movable between a flight position wherein the wing is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a stowed position wherein the wing is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a pair of stabilizing wings having an anhedral orientation disposed on the fuselage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brad J. Roberts, Steven R. Ivans
  • Publication number: 20180079483
    Abstract: An aircraft wing including a fuel tank located in the wing, a channel defining a cavity in the fuel tank, the channel including at least two channel ends terminating at an upper or lower wing surface, a driveshaft located in the cavity; and an access panel located on the wing surface and being movable between an open position so that access to the cavity is permitted, and a closed position so that the cavity is at least partially covered by the access panel to inhibit access to the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ivans, Adam Anderson
  • Publication number: 20180079501
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a VTOL flight mode, a forward flight mode and a storage mode includes a fuselage having a wing rotatably mounted thereto. The wing has an orientation generally perpendicular to the fuselage, in the flight modes, and an orientation generally parallel to the fuselage, in the storage mode. First and second pylon assemblies are positioned proximate outboard ends of the wing. First and second mast assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second pylon assemblies and have generally vertical orientations, in the VTOL flight mode, and generally horizontal orientations, in the forward flight mode and the storage mode. First and second proprotor assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second mast assemblies. Each proprotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades and has a radially extended orientation, in the flight modes, and a stowed orientation, in the storage mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Edward Foskey
  • Publication number: 20180079480
    Abstract: A fluid connection system for fluidly connecting a pair of fluid reservoirs, such as fuel cells, includes a bellowed portion surrounding a connection portion through which fluid can flow between the two reservoirs. The bellowed portion allows for relative movement between the two reservoirs without breaking the fluid-tight connection between the two reservoirs. Also, a guard member surrounds at least some of the outer periphery of the bellowed portion. The guard member serves as a shield around the fluid-tight connection and bellowed portion, and thereby helps prevent damage to the fluid-tight connection in the event of a crash or hard landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas James Plagianos, Martin Peryea, Stephen Dickison, Michael Pujol, Robert Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20180079486
    Abstract: A wing pivot apparatus for rotating a wing between a flight orientation and a stowed orientation relative to a fuselage of a tiltrotor aircraft. The apparatus includes a guide ring that is fixably coupled to the fuselage. Forward and aft wing attach assemblies are coupled respectively to forward and aft spars of the wing and are moveably supported by the guide ring. Forward and aft wing support fittings are coupled respectively to the forward and aft spars of the wing and are selectively securable respectively to first and second fore-aft beams of the fuselage. A plurality of lock assemblies selectively secures the wing support fittings to the fore-aft beams of the fuselage when the wing is in the flight orientation. An actuator coupled to the fuselage is operable to reversibly rotate the wing between the flight orientation and the stowed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, John Richard McCullough, Brian Dale Obert