Patents Assigned to Textron
  • AUTOMATED DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION OF MECHANICAL CONTROLS
    Publication number: 20140188332
    Abstract: A system and method to diagnosis an actuator of a flight control system. The system and method includes interfacing a diagnostic computer to the flight control system, commanding movement of an actuator with the diagnostic computer via the flight control system, measuring performance of the actuator via the diagnostic computer, and comparing the measured performance of the actuator with allowable performance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: John R. Wittmaak, JR., Jayme Gonzalez, Charles Eric Covington, Carlos Fenny
  • Lead-lag damper for rotor hubs
    Patent number: 8764396
    Abstract: A lead-lag damper for a rotor assembly has a body mounted to either an inboard portion of a blade assembly or a fixed portion of the rotor assembly. A piston carried within the body is configured to allow for relative motion between the body and the piston. The piston defines opposing chambers within the body, the chambers being in fluid communication through a fluid passage. A link connects the piston to the other of the inboard portion of the blade assembly and the fixed portion of the rotor assembly, and the link engages a central portion of the piston. The piston acts on fluid in the chambers during relative motion between the piston and the body and causes fluid flow between the chambers through the fluid passage. Flow through the passage acts to damp lead-lag motion of the blade assembly relative to the fixed portion of the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, James L. Braswell, David A. Haynie, Mithat Yuce
  • Fuel tank with connected functional components
    Patent number: 8763646
    Abstract: Functional components which are stationarily mounted in a fuel tank and connected together by way of a connecting line can be damaged by a change in size and shape of the fuel tank. The invention concerns a fuel tank, in particular of thermoplastic material, comprising at least two functional components such as for example venting valves, pumps, containers or the like, which are stationarily arranged in a fuel tank and which are connected together by way of a connecting line. To avoid damage, in accordance with the invention one connecting line includes at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the stiffness of the first portion is less than the stiffness of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Timo Kraemer
  • Dual gain digital engine control
    Patent number: 8768598
    Abstract: An engine control system having an engine, a digital engine control, and a gain logic disposed within the digital engine control for use with an aircraft. The digital engine control is configured to receive and process inputs from systems within the aircraft. Gain logic uses the inputs to generate command data to regulate the performance of the engine so as to allow rotor speed deviations from a set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: James M. McCollough
  • System and Method for Linkage Length Adjustment
    Publication number: 20140178199
    Abstract: A rotor system has a rotor, an axis of rotation about which the rotor may be rotated, a linkage system having a first adjustable length portion and a second adjustable length portion, wherein the second adjustable length portion is configured to provide a relatively finer adjustment of an overall effective length of the linkage system as compared to the first adjustable length portion and wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the axis in response to changing the overall effective length of the linkage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Wiinikka
  • METHOD FOR PRODUCING HOLLOW BODIES FROM THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD
    Publication number: 20140178522
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material, comprising the molding of at least two sheet-like, web-shaped preforms of plasticated thermoplastic material in a multi-part tool forming a cavity to form two complementary shells, and also the joining together of the shells to form a substantially closed hollow body, wherein the preforms are brought between open parts of the tool which each have part-cavities, the parts of the tool are then closed against a tool separator arranged between the preforms, and the preforms are inserted into the part-cavities with the use of differential pressure and molded. In a subsequent separate method step, the tools are reopened and internal components of the hollow body to be produced are fastened to the shells. Finally, the shells are joined together by reclosing the tools to form a closed hollow body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Borchert, Carsten Elsasser, Christoph Mehren
  • Aircraft Side-Ledge Console
    Publication number: 20140175842
    Abstract: A console for aircraft that is located between two seats which face each other. The console includes an open ledge with a cup holder arrangement. The cup holder arrangement includes two removable holder dividers which can be flipped up or down and held into position by a spring-loaded cam arrangement. The console also includes two inwardly facing surfaces which provide connectors for electronic devices resting on the ledge. A light-emitting face is provided on a back wall of the ledge so that any articles resting on the ledge can be seen in dark environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Headrick, Todd Thisius, Dave Kuhn, Craig Cillessen
  • Motion sensing seat lock
    Patent number: 8757714
    Abstract: A lock for locking an object in a vehicle in place comprises a base comprising a side surface and a front surface. The side surface has at least one opening, and the front surface has a ballast retainer and a hub mounting portion. A hub is rotatably coupled to the hub mounting portion. A ballast, which is operatively coupled to the hub, is housed within the ballast retainer. At least one locking member is also operatively coupled to the hub. The ballast is configured to automatically reposition itself within the ballast retainer from an initial unlocked position to a final locked position in response to a change in velocity of the vehicle. This repositioning of the ballast actuates the hub, and causes the at least one locking member to extend past the at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Ward, Thang Chien Phi, Prasannakumar Bhonge
  • Aircraft Sales Tool
    Publication number: 20140172619
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an aircraft sales tool may receive identification of a base aircraft, at least one equipment option, a number of passengers, and a geographic location from a customer. A configuration assessment engine may estimate a range of a configured aircraft based on the received identification of a base aircraft, at least one equipment option, a number of passengers, and a geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Zahasky, Michael Mason, Keith L. Croney, Jerome R. Ries, Richard P. Lefrancois, II, Michael A. Gralish
  • Propeller blade retention device
    Patent number: 8753088
    Abstract: A propeller blade retention system and method of manufacture are disclosed. Because of the design, a truly integral hub is able to house a set of variable pitch blades. Each hub socket establishes a substantially cylindrical interface with its respective blade, making the blade slidably receivable for installation. Each blade is allowed axial rotation, and held inside the socket by a set of angular contact bearings. A snap ring locks the blade against coming back out of the socket. An O-ring is provided in the interface to create a fluid seal. The hub alone accomplishes all of the required load-bearing and weather-seal functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Pfeiffer, Danny Ball
  • Semi-levered articulated landing gear system
    Patent number: 8752785
    Abstract: The landing gear system for an aircraft includes a shock strut assembly that is coupled to the airframe with a universal joint. A tire member is mounted to the shock strut assembly. The landing gear system also includes a drag brace assembly coupled to an airframe of the aircraft with a spindle, the spindle being rotatable about a spindle axis. A radius rod is rotatably coupled to the airframe of the aircraft. The radius rod and the shock strut assembly are retractable about a retraction rotation axis. Further, the spindle axis has a common intersection point with the centerline axis and the retraction rotation axis. The orientation of the spindle axis causes a translation of the tire member to have a longitudinal component during a compression of the shock strut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip K. Wilson
  • Electrical hazard warning in audio signal probe
    Patent number: 8754629
    Abstract: An audio tone probe is used by a technician to identify a conductor carrying an applied tracing tone signal. A probe tip is positioned proximate a conductor. A mains warning circuit and a tracing circuit are provided in communication with the probe tip and a speaker is provided in communication with the mains warning and tracing circuits. Signals detected by the probe tip are provided to the mains warning circuit and the tracing circuit. The mains warning circuit determines whether a mains signal is present in the detected signal and activates a warning generator if a mains signal is present. The tracing circuit filters mains signals from the detected signals. A tracing circuit output provides a tone generating signal to the speaker for use in identifying the presence of the applied tracing tone. The probe incudes a test tone generator to verify that the probe is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Samuel Govier, Sandeep Nagaraj Kabadi, Benjamin Vijay Visuvasam
  • Accoustic Baffle For Centrifugal Blowers
    Publication number: 20140158463
    Abstract: An acoustic baffle for reducing noise of a centrifugal fan includes a base for mounting with a fan outlet and a projection extending from the length of the base at a back side of the base and curving away from a top surface of the base. The projection continuously tapers from the base to an apex that aligns with a center line of the base. The projection extends over the fan wheel and tapers from left and right sides of the outlet to a fan tangency point at a midpoint of the outlet and aligned with the apex, when the acoustic baffle is installed in the outlet. The acoustic baffle effects a gradual variation in radial and tangential airflow at the blower outlet, to reduce fan blade passage tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Glynn Wiegers, Scott Alan Sanborn
  • Aircraft de-icing system and method
    Patent number: 8746622
    Abstract: An aircraft de-icing system and method for removing the ice from the surface of an aircraft. The aircraft de-icing system reduces power requirements by allocating power from a single power source between the parting strip elements and the shed zone elements. The aircraft de-icing system may utilize a measurement of heat transfer to schedule the time necessary to shed ice from the surface of the aircraft. The de-icing system may also utilize a method for calculating the ice accumulation on the surface of the aircraft based on the outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Gallman, Vicki S. Johnson, Derek William Rounds, Jim R. Hoppins
  • Variable stiffness support
    Patent number: 8746649
    Abstract: A system and method to control vibrations exerted on a non-vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable variable stiffness support securely attached to both the non-vibrating structure and a vibrating structure. A driver operably associated with the variable stiffness support is configured to selectively adjust the variable stiffness support. A control system in data communication with both a sensor system and the driver includes an algorithm to determine whether adjustment of the variable stiffness support is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Haynes, David L. Williams, Michael R. Smith, Robert J. Pascal, David E. Heverly, Taeoh Lee
  • Rivetless nutplates for aircraft
    Patent number: 8740152
    Abstract: Methods for attaching a window to an airframe, methods of maintaining structural integrity of an airframe while attaching a window to the airframe, and portions of an aircraft are set forth herein. One method for attaching a window to an airframe comprises the steps of: applying to a bonding surface of a nutplate an adhesive; inserting through an airframe hole a fixture attached to a nut of the nutplate, and applying tension to the fixture to hold the adhesive-coated bonding surface of the nutplate adjacent an interior surface of the airframe; allowing the adhesive to cure; removing the fixture from the nut of the nutplate; and installing a bolt through a hole of a retainer, through the hole in the airframe, and into the nutplate; the retainer being in contact with and securing the window to the airframe. The adhesive is selected such that very specific conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Lyon, Ming Kwan Tse
  • LAPTOP BASED RAPID CONTROL LAWS DEVELOPMENT
    Publication number: 20140148977
    Abstract: A system and method to modify a qualified actuator command with an unqualified actuator command modifier. The method includes creating a modified actuator command as the difference between the qualified actuator command and the unqualified actuator command and thereafter limiting the modified actuator command with an authority limiter. The system includes a qualified computer having an unqualified control law interfaced with an unqualified computer having a qualified control law.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Ashok K. Agnihotri, Thomas W. Brooks
  • AIRCRAFT GEARBOX GASEOUS COOLING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140144287
    Abstract: The cooling system of the present disclosure is configured to promote heat transfer in a gearbox. The system can include a container for housing a gas, the gas having a sufficient percentage of helium so that once the gas is introduced into the gearbox, the helium increases heat transfer from the heat generating components of the gearbox. The method of the present disclosure can include selectively introducing the helium gas into the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • Split pivot fitting for helicopter landing gear
    Patent number: 8733691
    Abstract: A multi-piece pivot fitting for use on aircraft with skid type landing gear has a forward fitting, and aft fitting, and at least a lower strap. This configuration allows cross tube loads to be transferred to the keel beams of the aircraft, thereby allowing selected longitudinal rocking of the aircraft and preventing the aircraft from going into a resonance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Landry
  • CLOSURE SYSTEM ON A FUEL TANK
    Publication number: 20140138385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure system on a fuel tank (1) comprising an opening (2) in the wall of the fuel tank (1) and a closure cover (6) which covers the opening (2) and clamps at least one elastomer seal (5) between itself and a border of the tank wall enclosing the opening (2), the elastomer seal (5) being formed as a multilobed sealing cord or multilobed sealing ring surrounding the opening (2), in such a way that it forms a number of sealing lips (11) that are spaced apart from one another, at least two spaced-apart sealing lips (11) of the elastomer seal (5) consisting of different materials, one of which is impermeable to hydro carbons and a second is impermeable to alcohol-containing media or alcohol-containing additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Hartmut Wolf