Patents Assigned to Textron
  • ARTICULATED MAIN ROTOR HUB WITH INWARDLY CF BEARING AND 3% FLAPPING HINGE OFFSET
    Publication number: 20150251753
    Abstract: A rotary system including a grip having an opening forming a first bridge for receiving a centrifugal force bearing that faces inwardly towards the rotor mast. A rotor blade couples to the grip and a pitch horn positioned outside the opening pitches the rotor blade during flight. A bearing assembly attaches the first bridge to the yoke and controls blade forces exerted against the hub assembly during flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Chad Lewis Jarrett, Frank Bradley Stamps, Glenn Shimek
  • Spindle mounted tiltrotor pylon with fixed engine arrangement
    Patent number: 9126678
    Abstract: A rotor system for tilt rotor aircraft comprises an engine disposed at a first fixed location on a wing member; a prop-rotor pylon mechanically coupled to the engine along a drive path, and a gearbox disposed in the drive path. The prop-rotor pylon is rotatably mounted on a spindle, and the prop-rotor pylon is configured to selectively rotate about a rotational axis of the spindle between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The gearbox comprises a rotational axis aligned with the rotational axis of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brent C. Ross, David R. Bockmiller, Mark L. Isaac, Brian J. Cox
  • Dual mode rotor hub assembly
    Patent number: 9126680
    Abstract: A rotor hub assembly and method for controlling movement of a rotor blade relative to a swashplate. The hub assembly having an attachment device operably associated with the rotor blade and the swashplate. The attachment device provides pivot and rotational blade movement relative to the swashplate. A dual spring-rate damper is operably associated with the attachment device. The damper switches between a first spring rate and a second spring rate during flight to control movement of the rotor blade. The method includes the process of switching the damper between the first spring rate and the second spring rate during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, Patrick Tisdale, John J. Corrigan
  • Composite core and method of making same
    Patent number: 9120255
    Abstract: A method of wrapping a plurality of mandrels with a composite material can include rotating each mandrel at a rotational speed; translating each mandrel at a translation speed; positioning each mandrel back to back such that an aft face of a preceding mandrel is approximate to a forward face of a trailing mandrel; and sequentially wrapping each mandrel with the composite material in a helical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Oldroyd, James D. Hethcock, Jr., Mark E. Tohlen, Phillip A. Kendrick
  • Pressure tunable expandable mandrel for manufacturing a composite structure
    Patent number: 9120246
    Abstract: A method of making a composite core can include configuring a plurality of mandrels to have a desired thermal expansion characteristic, placing a composite material around each mandrel, placing the plurality of mandrels in a tool, the tool being configured to constrain the plurality of mandrels as the mandrels experience a thermal expansion, heating the mandrels so that the mandrels thermally expand, thereby applying a pressure to the composite material during a cure cycle, and then cooling and separating the mandrels from the composite core. The mandrel is configured as an internal form for making a tube member of a composite core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Oldroyd, James D. Hethcock, Jr., David B. McNeill
  • NON-METALLIC DEBRIS MONITORING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150241328
    Abstract: A system and method to detect particles in a fluid stream. The system includes a separator configured to separate particles from bubbles passing through the fluid stream and a sensor configured to detect the particles. The method includes passing the fluid stream through the separator, separating the particles from bubbles passing through the fluid stream, and detecting the presence of the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Chavez, Ryan Ehinger, Joseph Gerardi, Monte McGlaun, Eric Olson
  • Fuel tank for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 9114702
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one fuel delivery pump arranged in the fuel tank inside a surge tank provided therein, at least one suction jet pump fed from the feed of the fuel delivery pump for filling the surge tank or for draining at least one further volume arranged inside the fuel tank or formed by the fuel tank into the surge tank or into the volume of the fuel tank in which the surge tank is arranged. The fuel tank according to the invention is characterized in that at least one suction jet pump is connected, in that it takes fuel alternately, depending on the tank fill level, from several volumes arranged or formed inside the fuel tank or it can be operated intermittently depending on the tank fill level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Gebert
  • Embedded conductor honeycomb core and sandwich panel incorporating same
    Patent number: 9114591
    Abstract: A honeycomb core includes a first wall secured to a second wall and a conductor disposed therebetween. A honeycomb cell is formed between the first wall and the second wall and the conductor is configured to extend through the cell and a point where the first wall and the second wall are secured together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Randy B. Williams
  • Broad Goods Composite Yoke for Rotor System
    Publication number: 20150232175
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotorcraft yoke comprises a plurality of arms. The plurality of arms, in combination, comprise a plurality of fibrous plies extending continuously throughout all of the plurality of arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Amarjit Kizhakkepat, Levi Armstrong, Tyler Baldwin, Paul Oldroyd, Michael J. Southerland
  • Single vacuum debulk composite panel repair
    Patent number: 9108395
    Abstract: A method of attaching a composite member to a structure. The method including forming a laminate of fabric impregnated with resin; applying heat at a first temperature to the impregnated laminate; applying vacuum at a first pressure to the impregnated laminate to degas the resin and form a degassed, impregnated laminate; positioning the degassed, impregnated laminate on a structure; and curing the degassed, impregnated laminate on the substrate by applying heat at a second temperature and by applying vacuum at a second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Denver Whitworth, Anthony Bergerson, Michael Marvin
  • Wing extension control surface
    Patent number: 9102401
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotatable nacelle that supports a rotor assembly and is pivotally attached to the air-craft's fuselage. A wing extension attaches to an outboard section of the nacelle. The wing extension provides additional yaw control during helicopter mode and additional lift during airplane mode. A method for controlling at least a portion of yaw movement includes positioning the rotor assembly in helicopter mode, creating rotor wash with the rotor assembly, and pivotally rotating the wing extension in the rotor wash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Collins, Frank B. Stamps, John J. Corrigan, III, Mark E. Dreier
  • Magnetorheological Rotorcraft Actuation System
    Publication number: 20150217865
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an actuation system includes a plurality of threaded member portions, a plurality of roller nuts, a driving member configured to receive mechanical energy from a power source, a plurality of driven members, and a magnetorheological (MR) fluid disposed between the plurality of driven members and at least one braking surface. An output member may be coupled between the rotor system and either the plurality of threaded member portions or the plurality of roller nuts and configured to translate linearly in response to the threaded member portions advancing or receding within the roller nuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicants: Université de Sherbrooke, BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Pasquale Spina, Carlos A. Fenny, Jean-Sebastian Plante, Marc Denninger
  • VARIABLE HUB-TO-HUB PHASING ROTOR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150217863
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a first rotor assembly, a second rotor assembly, and a rotor phase angle control system. The system includes a phase adjustor operably associated with the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly. The method includes sensing vibrations exerted on the aircraft and offsetting a phase angle of the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly to minimize the vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brian Modrzejewski, Ken Shundo, Frank B. Stamps, David Popelka
  • Magnetorheological Rotorcraft Actuator
    Publication number: 20150217866
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a rotorcraft flight control actuator includes a driving member configured to receive mechanical energy from a power source, a driven member, a magnetorheological (MR) fluid disposed between the driving member and the driven member and configured to transmit a variable amount of mechanical energy from the driving member to the driven member, an output member configured to be coupled between the driven member and a flight control device of a rotor system, and a magnetic circuit configured to deliver a magnetic field towards the MR fluid, the magnetic circuit configured to vary the strength of the magnetic field in response to inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicants: Universite de Sherbrooke, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Pasquale Spina, Carlos A. Fenny, Jean-Sebastian Plante
  • Aircraft health assessment system
    Patent number: 9096327
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for assessing health of an aircraft includes a receiver, a flight spectrum analyzer, and a health assessment analyzer. The receiver receives, from an aircraft, a plurality of measurements associated with two or more flight parameters. The plurality of measurements includes measurements spanning at least one period of time. The flight spectrum analyzer determines, based on a comparison of the plurality of measurements to a plurality of flight spectrum definitions, an amount of time the aircraft spent in each flight spectrum of a plurality of flight spectrums during the at least one period of time. The health assessment analyzer assesses a change in health of the aircraft over the at least one period of time based on the determination of the amount of time the aircraft spent in each flight spectrum and a plurality of spectrum health profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Tucker, Stephen R. Johnston
  • Flight control laws for full envelope banked turns
    Patent number: 9098090
    Abstract: A flight control system and method for controlling full envelope banked turns of an aircraft, the flight control system including one or more of a control law architectures having one or more control laws adapted for controlling the flight of an aircraft for full envelope banked turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Thomas Christensen, Shyhpyng Jack Shue, Troy Sheldon Caudill, Nicholas Dean Lappos
  • Optimized core for a structural assembly
    Patent number: 9096316
    Abstract: The present application relates a core member for a core-stiffened structural assembly. The core member includes a plurality of cell members oriented a direction to provide a tailored stiffness in a certain direction. The core member can further include one or more planar members that can aid in shear transfer between cell members. The cell members can be made from bonding a plurality of corrugated layers together. The core-stiffened structure can be a rotor blade for an aircraft. In such an embodiment, the torsional stiffness of the rotor blade can be tailored in at least one of the chordwise and spanwise directions to provide tailor a torsional stiffness at any give location in the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Yueh Lee, Paul Oldroyd
  • Fly-by-wire engine power control system
    Patent number: 9096325
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing pilot and copilot control of engine power in an aircraft includes receiving, from a first pilot input device, a first signal representative of a pilot selection of an increase power position or a decrease power position and receiving, from a second pilot input device, a second signal representative of a pilot selection of an increase power position or a decrease power position. One of the first signal and the second signal is prioritized. An aircraft engine is then instructed to change power output based on the prioritized signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Oltheten, James M. McCollough, Peter F. Scheidler, Jeffery S. Greenwood
  • QUICK CONNECT SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING MOTORS TO CYLINDER MOWERS
    Publication number: 20150208577
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a motor connection system and method for mounting and removing a motor to and from a reel assembly frame of a turf-care vehicle without the use of tools. In various embodiments, the system includes a plurality of shoulder bolts longitudinally extending from a mounting end of the motor and a bearing housing that is mountable to a reel assembly frame of a turf-care vehicle. The bearing housing includes a plurality of self-tightening keyhole slots structured and operable to receive a respective one of the shoulder bolts. Each keyhole slot comprises a interior bezel that is interoperable with the respective shoulder bolt such that rotation of the motor to a Home position will structurally hold and secure the motor to the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Linton Linn Lewis, JR.
  • Utility vehicle body front cowl
    Patent number: D738257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: John Frederick Criss, Jr., Richard Franklin Krall