Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Coaxial counter-rotating rotor system
    Patent number: 9169012
    Abstract: A system and method to tilt coaxial counter-rotating rotor hub assemblies relative to a fuselage. The system includes a first rotor hub assembly and a second rotor hub assembly spaced apart from the first hub assembly and carried by the fuselage. The method includes pivotally attaching the first rotor hub assembly and the second rotor hub assembly to a pivot joint and thereafter tilting the first rotor hub assembly and the second rotor hub assembly about the pivot joint with a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John Corrigan, Frank Bradley Stamps
  • Blade-pitch control system with feedback swashplate
    Patent number: 9169735
    Abstract: A blade-pitch control system for controlling a pitch angle of blades on a rotor has an input swashplate assembly having non-rotating and rotating portions, the rotating portion being operably connected to blade grips. A feedback swashplate assembly has non-rotating and rotating portions, the rotating portion being connected to the yoke for movement with the yoke during flapping of the yoke. Linear actuators connect the non-rotating portion of the input swashplate assembly to the non-rotating portion of the feedback swashplate assembly. Motion of the yoke during flapping causes a corresponding motion of the feedback swashplate assembly and input swashplate assembly for providing selected pitch-flap coupling between flapping motion of the yoke and pitch motion of the grips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Frank B. Stamps
  • Rotorcraft Flapping Lock
    Publication number: 20150298804
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a flapping lock for a rotor system includes a downstop, a flapping stop, and an actuator. The downstop is in mechanical communication with a shaft. The flapping stop is in mechanical communication with a rotor hub. The actuator is operable to move the downstop towards the flapping stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Schank, Frank B. Stamps
  • Rotorcraft Actuator Seal Leakage Monitor
    Publication number: 20150300908
    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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Laramee, Carlos Fenny
  • Radial fluid device with multi-harmonic output
    Patent number: 9162760
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radial fluid device contains a cylinder block mounted for rotation, a first and second plurality of radially extending cylinders, and a first and second cam. The cylinder block contains the first and second plurality of radially extending cylinders, and each radially extending cylinder contains a piston. The cams are disposed about each plurality of radially extending cylinders, and the second cam has at least one more lobe than the first cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos A. Fenny
  • System and method of manufacturing a structure
    Patent number: 9162276
    Abstract: The system and method of the present application can include machining complex part features in a flat metal sheet, and subsequently forming the machined flat metal sheet to have the desired shape and contours. Prior to the step of machining the complex part features, the method can include calculating a scaled location of the complex part features so that the subsequent forming step acts to translate and deform the complex part features into a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen K. Bishop, Stephen S. Swenson, Crystal L. Wilson, Paulette D. Lemond
  • Flight control laws for automatic hover hold
    Patent number: 9162752
    Abstract: A system and method to control hovering flight of a rotary aircraft. The system including a lateral speed hold loop, a longitudinal loop, a vertical control loop, and a directional loop. The method includes defining a first flight envelope having a first groundspeed threshold; defining a second flight envelope having a second groundspeed threshold, the second flight envelope being defined within the first envelope; engaging a hover hold with a control law hover hold architecture as the aircraft enters the first flight envelope; and engaging a position hold with a control law position hold architecture as the aircraft enters the second flight envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Thomas Christensen, Shyhpyng Jack Shue, Troy Sheldon Caudill
  • Aft-loading aircraft with twin T-tail assembly
    Patent number: 9162748
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage, wings attached to the fuselage, a door in an aft portion of the fuselage for providing access to an interior portion of the fuselage, a first and second vertical stabilizer attached to the aft portion of the fuselage, and a horizontal stabilizer transversely attached to the first and second vertical stabilizers. The fuselage further comprises a first side member adjacent to a first side of the door and a second side member adjacent to a second side of the door, and the first side member extends into the first vertical stabilizer and the second side member extends into the second vertical stabilizer; additionally both the first and second side members further extend substantially the vertical depth of the fuselage along the aft door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: John Brunken, Jr.
  • Adapter for Aircraft Fluid Transmission Lines
    Publication number: 20150291290
    Abstract: One example of an aircraft fuel line assembly clamp member includes a c-shaped outer shell and a plurality of spokes. The c-shaped outer shell is sized to be positioned within an outer tube of an aircraft fuel line assembly. The plurality of spokes is arranged on an inner surface of the outer shell. The plurality of spokes protrudes from the inner surface towards a center of the outer shell to define a shape to receive an inner tube of the aircraft fuel line assembly. The plurality of spokes is also spaced apart on the inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Leachman
  • METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CONTAINER FROM A THERMOPLASTIC
    Publication number: 20150290863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a container (2) from a thermoplastic, having at least one surround (4), provided in the container wall (1), for a container opening. The surround (4) comprises a structure behind which parts of the container wall (1) extend and/or which is penetrated by said parts. The method is carried out using a multi-part blow mold that has at least two mold parts, each having at least one cavity, wherein the surround is placed as an insert in the cavity (10) of the blow mold (7). The method comprises pressing the preform that has been forced into the cavity (10) into the structure of the surround (4) by means of a tool which is brought to bear on the preform (12) on the side of the preform facing away from the cavity (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Guido Bergmann, Carsten Elsasser, Cristoph Mehren
  • Attachable elastomeric pad
    Patent number: 9156237
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises calendering an elastomeric material into an elastomeric layer having a thickness that is more uniform than the elastomeric material prior to the calendaring. After calendaring, the elastomeric layer is vulcanized to a composite shim comprising at least one reinforcement layer and at least one layer of adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps, Patrick R. Tisdale, Terry K. Thompson, Loan Thanh Vo
  • Series battery start controller
    Patent number: 9157372
    Abstract: A series battery start controller for starting an aircraft turbine engine and method thereof is provided, wherein the battery series start controller connects two batteries in series when an aircraft engine starter is engaged to provide a higher voltage to start the aircraft engine and to provide adequate operational voltage to aircraft engine instruments and other aircraft electrical systems, and wherein the battery series start controller reconnects the batteries in parallel when the electrical load drawn by the starting aircraft engine decreases and the supplied voltage to the aircraft rises to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Chandler Sowden
  • Hub assembly with centrifugal and radial bearings
    Patent number: 9156544
    Abstract: A rotary system including a yoke having an opening forming a bridge for receiving a spoke extending therethrough. A rotor blade couples to the spoke and a pitch horn positioned outside the opening pitches the rotor blade during flight. A bearing assembly attaches the spoke and the pitch horn to the bridge and control blade forces exerted against the hub assembly during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Frank Bradley Stamps, Daniel P. Sottiaux, Zach Dailey
  • Tooling system and method for removing a damaged or defective bushing
    Patent number: 9156149
    Abstract: A system and method to remove a bushing from a bore includes an alignment tool that fits within an inner cavity of the bushing and a cutter tool aligned by the alignment tool. The method includes forming a groove on an inner surface of the bushing with the cutter tool and guiding the cutter tool with a guide associated with the alignment tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Cooper
  • Method of manufacturing net edge core and a method of bonding net edge core to a substructure
    Patent number: 9156239
    Abstract: A method of assembling a core stiffened structure that includes bonding a composite core to a substructure by utilizing magnetic force to create pressure between a flat surface of the composite core the substructure, and bonding a face sheet onto a surface network of the composite core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Jonathan A. Freeman, Paul K. Oldroyd, Robert G. Pierce, Daniel Burns
  • System and method of actuating a swashplate for main rotor control
    Patent number: 9156547
    Abstract: The main rotor control system includes a rise/fall swashplate assembly that is coupled to three triplex actuators. The swashplate assembly is configured to provide full collective and cyclic pitch controls. Each triplex actuator includes three piston/cylinder assemblies in parallel. Selective actuation of each triplex actuator is controlled by a fly-by-wire system in conjunction with three flight control computers and three hydraulic power packs. Integrated three function valves can be associated with an individual manifold for each piston/cylinder assembly of each triplex actuator, the integrated three function valve be configured to insure safe operation of the triplex actuator during a failure of a certain piston/cylinder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Corey J. Dickman, Carlos A. Fenny, David P. Schultz
  • System and method for economic usage of an aircraft
    Patent number: 9156567
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for providing real-time indications of economic impact of aircraft operations to an aircraft operator. The system and method allow the aircraft operator to reduce economic impact during flight of the aircraft. Such an analysis and cue to the aircraft operator allows the operator to make real-time changes during flight to reduce damage of life-limited aircraft components, thereby reducing the economic impact of aircraft operation that is directly associated with maintenance and component replacement. The system and method can also include pre-flight and post-flight analysis methods for reduction of economic impact of flight operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Brian E. Tucker, Thomas B. Priest, David A. Platz, James M. McCollough
  • System and method of monitoring wear in a bearing
    Patent number: 9157474
    Abstract: A bearing can include a ball member, a race, and a liner located on an interior surface of the race, the liner having a first surface bonded to an interior surface of the race, the liner having a second surface that is adjacent to the ball member. The bearing also includes a wafer having a wear surface that is aligned with the second surface of the liner, the wafer being an electrically conductive member. Operational wear of the liner can be calculated by comparing a measured resistance of the wafer to an original known resistance of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter J. Davis
  • Folding of rotorcraft rotor blades
    Patent number: 9156545
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotor blade rotation system includes a hub, a rotor blade in mechanical communication with the hub and pivotable about an axis of rotation, a swashplate, a pitch link, and an actuator. The swashplate includes a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion. The pitch link is coupled to the rotating portion of the swashplate and in mechanical communication with the rotor blade. The actuator is coupled to the non-rotating portion of the swashplate and operable to reposition the swashplate from a first position to a second position such that the pitch links pivot the rotor blade from a deployed position to a folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Fenny, Troy Schank, Frank B. Stamps
  • Method of repairing, splicing, joining, machining, and stabilizing honeycomb core using pourable structural foam and a structure incorporating the same
    Patent number: 9149999
    Abstract: A method of the present disclosure includes of repairing a core stiffened structure with structural foam. Another method includes splicing core members together using structural foam. Another method includes joining a core member to a structure using structural foam. Another method includes using structural foam to stabilize a core member during a machining process. Another method includes stabilizing a core member with structural foam to prevent the core member from crushing in autoclave pressure. The present disclosure further includes a core stiffened structure have a core member with structural foam therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Thiagarajan, Theodore W. Ingram, III, John R. McCullough, Suvankar Mishra, Carl May