Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Airfoil shaped tail boom
    Patent number: 8840058
    Abstract: A system and method to control fuselage torque of an aircraft. The system includes a tail boom having a first surface that creates a high-pressure region in a downward rotorwash and a second surface that creates a low-pressure region in the downward rotorwash. The difference in pressure regions creates a lateral force that opposes the fuselage torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Albert G. Brand, Jimmy Narramore, James H. Harse, Brendan P. Lanigan
  • HYBRID FLUID ELASTOMERIC DAMPER
    Publication number: 20140262645
    Abstract: A damper includes a housing that forms a fluidly sealed cavity for receiving a fluid therein. The fluid is configured to change fluid properties as electrical energy is induced. An electrical subsystem provides electrical energy to the fluid, which is monitored with a control subsystem. The method includes inducing the fluid with electrical energy to change the dampening effects of the damper in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brian Modrzejewski, Bryan Judd, Dan Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps, Emily Schofield
  • Tiltrotor Aircraft With Inboard Wing Mounted Fixed Engine Arrangement
    Publication number: 20140263854
    Abstract: A rotor system for tilt rotor aircraft comprises an engine disposed at a first fixed position on a wing member, and a prop-rotor pylon mechanically coupled to the engine along a drive path extending through the wing member. The engine is disposed adjacent a fuselage of the tilt rotor aircraft, and the prop-rotor pylon is configured to selectively rotate between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The prop-rotor pylon is coupled to a plurality of rotor blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brent C. Ross, David R. Bockmiller, Mark L. Isaac, Brian J. Cox
  • Systems and Methods of Constructing Composite Assemblies
    Publication number: 20140271215
    Abstract: A method of constructing a cured composite assembly includes positioning a composite assembly within a bonding tool, wherein the composite assembly comprises an uncured composite spar and a skin and performing a curing cycle on the composite assembly to simultaneously cure the uncured composite spar and bond the skin to the cured composite spar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • High Flapping Yoke Hub Assembly Using a Cylindrical Elastomeric Attachment to Avoid Holes
    Publication number: 20140271199
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein a center portion of each longitudinal side portion comprises a build-up of material that is configured to accommodate a yoke hub clamp. Included is an apparatus comprising a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions. Also included is a method of coupling aircraft blades comprising providing a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • Methods Utilizing Cold Spray Techniques for Repairing and Protecting Rotary Components of Aviation Propulsion Systems
    Publication number: 20140263853
    Abstract: A method of repairing a component comprises identifying a non-compliant surface of the component, wherein the non-compliant surface is not within an allowable tolerance, cold spraying a powder comprising a metal onto the non-compliant surface, and forming a coating comprising the metal over the non-compliant surface, wherein an outer surface of the coating is within an allowable tolerance. In an embodiment, the method of repairing an outer component further comprises machining the outer surface of the coating. In an embodiment, the component is a shaft, a rotor mast, an input quill, or a bearing. In an embodiment, the component contains electronic equipment during the cold spraying, and wherein the cold spraying does not damage the electronic equipment. In an embodiment, the component is repaired without subjecting the component to a hydrogen embrittlement bake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Myron Jackson, Walter West Riley
  • Multi-layer and Multi-fiber Orientation Compression Rolling Process
    Publication number: 20140265050
    Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for manufacturing a cylindrical spar tube of the sort that might be used in a horizontal stabilizer for a helicopter. An exemplary method may comprise laying out onto a flat surface (and possibly stacking) plies of composite material, rolling the material onto a mandrel while applying pressure and curing the rolled material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Richard Gingras, Dany Dumais
  • CABLE ROLLER
    Publication number: 20140270673
    Abstract: A cable roller for use in positioning a cable relative to a cable tray or relative to a ceiling of a building includes a mounting channel, a support assembly attached thereto which is moveable relative to the mounting channel, and at least one roller attached to the support assembly for allowing the cable to roll thereover. The support assembly can be moved from a closed position to an open position to allow for the easy removal of the cable from the cable roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GREENLEE TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Skyler Ripplinger
  • Method of Machining a Thin-Walled Structure
    Publication number: 20140259628
    Abstract: A method of manipulating a thin-walled structure includes providing a thin-walled structure in a first unconstrained configuration, constraining the thin-walled structure to a first constrained configuration in which a first feature of the thin-walled structure is spatially located relative to the a second feature of the thin-walled structure in a predetermined manner, wherein an open volume of the thin-walled structure is constrained to maintain a predetermined open volume shape, and machining the thin-walled structure to a second constrained configuration in which the first feature of the thin-walled structure remains spatially located relative to the second feature of the thin-walled structure in the predetermined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: J. Donn Hethcock, Scott Wolthuis, Robert Brack, Paul Oldroyd
  • Spinner Fairing Assembly
    Publication number: 20140271223
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a spinner fairing assembly comprising a spinner configured to be fixed relative to a gimbaled yoke coupled to a mast system, and a spinner base configured to be fixed relative to the mast system. A spinner fairing assembly comprising a spinner aligned along a first axis, and a spinner base aligned along a second axis and configured to interface with the spinner, wherein the spinner is configured to transition between a neutral position and a canted position with respect to the spinner base, wherein the first axis and the second axis are coincident in the neutral position, and wherein the first axis and the second axis are not coincident and meet at an origin within the spinner in the canted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
  • Tiltrotor Control System With Two Rise/Fall Actuators
    Publication number: 20140271204
    Abstract: A rotor system for rotor aircraft comprises a rotor hub comprising a plurality of rotor blades, a rotatable rotor mast coupled to the rotor hub, a swashplate assembly comprising a non-rotating ring engaged with a rotatable ring, a plurality of pitch links mechanically coupling the rotatable ring to the plurality of rotor blades, and a swashplate actuator system. The rotatable ring is configured to rotate with the rotor mast, and the non-rotating ring is configured to engage and guide the rotatable ring. The pitch links are configured to control the pitch angle of each rotor blade. The swashplate actuator system consists of: a first actuator and a second actuator, where the first actuator and the second actuator are mechanically coupled to a stationary surface and the non-rotating ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • SOFT IN-PLANE AND STIFF OUT-OF-PLANE ROTOR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140271182
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a yoke operably associated with a rotor blade. The yoke includes a first device and a second device that attach the rotor blade to the yoke. The first device is configured to allow transverse movement of the rotor blade about a chord axis and rotational movement about a pitch-change axis. The second device is configured to allow rotational movement of the rotor blade solely about the pitch-change axis. The method includes rotating rotor assembly about a first plane of rotation, while retaining a relatively stiff out-of-plane rotation and a relatively soft in-plane rotation during flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Ken Shundo, Mithat Yuce, Frank B. Stamps
  • Multilink Constant Velocity Joint
    Publication number: 20140274427
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rotor hub system comprising a floating plate, a plurality of drive link trunnions each comprising a pivoting arm and positioned radially about the floating plate, wherein each drive link trunnion is coupled to the floating plate via the pivoting arm, and a housing disposed about the floating plate, coupled to each of the drive link trunnions, and configured to couple to a mast. Included is an apparatus comprising a floating plate, a plurality of drive link trunnions each comprising a pivoting arm and positioned radially about the floating plate, wherein each drive link trunnion is coupled to the floating plate via the pivoting arm, and wherein the drive link trunnions are configured to move the floating plate in response to a force applied to the drive link trunnions, and a housing disposed about the floating plate and coupled to each of the drive link trunnions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Foskey, Frank B. Stamps, Richard Rauber
  • AMORPHOUS METAL ROTOR BLADE ABRASION STRIP
    Publication number: 20140271214
    Abstract: A rotor blade abrasion strip and method to manufacturing the same. The abrasion strip being composed of a molded amorphous metal contoured to match a leading edge outer surface of the rotor blade. The abrasion strip being configured to removably attach to a leading edge of the rotor blade and configured to prevent damage to the leading edge during flight. The method includes molding the abrasion strip with the amorphous metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Drew Sutton, Jeffrey P. Nissen, Andrew Haldeman
  • Drive System Power Measurement and Diagnostic System
    Publication number: 20140277829
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a housing, a gearing system disposed within the housing and comprising a plurality of targets, a plurality of sensors incorporated within the housing, a processor in electrical signal communication with the sensors, and a user interface in signal communication with the processor. A method comprising providing a drive system comprising a drive system power measuring and diagnostic system, wherein the drive system is configured to rotate one or more components comprising a plurality of targets, sense the targets with a sensor pair, thereby producing a data signal, process the data signal from the one or more sensor pairs, thereby producing a processed data signal, and output the processed data signal to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Keith Hale, Troy J. Bunch, JR., James E. Harris
  • Fiber Orientation to Allow for Automated Ply Placement With Composite Rotor Yokes
    Publication number: 20140271209
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a soft in plane rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions connected together via two outboard portions, wherein the outboard portions comprise a plurality of first layers formed of a first composite fabric material having a plurality of first fibers oriented in a first direction, and a plurality of second layers formed of a second composite fabric material having a plurality of second fibers oriented in a second direction. Included is an apparatus comprising a soft in plane rotor comprising two longitudinal side portions connected together via two outboard portions, wherein the outboard portions comprise a plurality of first layers formed of a first composite fabric material, and a plurality of second layers formed of a second composite fabric material, wherein the soft in plane rotor yoke does not comprise any narrow steered slit tape or filament windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wardlaw, Werner Idler, John R. McCullough, Patrick Ryan Tisdale, Frank Bradley Stamps, James L. Braswell, JR., Ronald J. Measom, Paul K. Oldroyd
  • Gimbaled Tail Rotor Hub with Spherical Elastomeric Centrifugal Force Bearing for Blade Retention and Pitch Change Articulation
    Publication number: 20140271180
    Abstract: A rotor hub comprises a gimbal assembly and an elastomeric centrifugal force bearing. The gimbal assembly is configured to transfer rotational movement of a mast to the rotor hub and to enable the rotor hub to flap relative to the mast. The elastomeric centrifugal force bearing is configured to withstand centrifugal force of a rotor blade when the mast is rotated and is configured to accommodate pitch changes of the rotor blade. A method comprises designing a gimbal assembly that enables a tail rotor hub to flap relative to a tail rotor mast. A centrifugal force bearing is selected that enables tail rotor blades to withstand centrifugal force and that allows for tail rotor blade pitch change articulation. Then, instructions are provided to use the gimbal assembly and the centrifugal force bearing in an in-plane tail rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Haldeman, Frank Bradley Stamps, Drew Sutton, James Donn Hethcock
  • Measurement of Rotor Blade Flapping
    Publication number: 20140271188
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a flapping measurement system may include a position sensor and a controller. The position sensor may be disposed on the flapping plane of a rotor blade and operable to provide position measurements identifying locations of the position sensor during operation of the rotor blade. The controller may be operable to identify flapping of the rotor blade based on the position measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • Jam-Tolerant Linear Control Motor for Hydraulic Actuator Valve
    Publication number: 20140271201
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a linear control motor includes a first permanent magnet, a coil, a first magnetic material, a shaft, and a first non-magnetic material. The first non-magnetic material is disposed between at least one of the movable components and at least one of the static components and operable to prevent physical contact between at least one of the movable components and at least one of the static components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Carlos A. Fenny
  • Rear Drive Module For A Vehicle
    Publication number: 20140274553
    Abstract: A utility vehicle having a first axle that is coupled to first and second wheels, an internal combustion engine that drives a first output shaft, an electric drive motor that drives a second output shaft, and a torque transfer device coupled to the first axle and the first and second output shafts. The torque transfer device is operable in a first mode to receive torque from the first output shaft only and output a motive force to the first axle, a second mode to receive torque from the second output shaft only and output the motive force, a third mode to receive torque from the first output shaft and the second output shaft simultaneously and output the motive force, and a fourth mode to receive torque from the first output shaft and output a drive force to the second output shaft cause the electrical drive motor to generate electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Trenton MUNSELL, Christopher K. FURMAN