Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Filler tube for a fuel tank
    Patent number: 11897325
    Abstract: A filler tube for a fuel tank, having a tube portion made of plastic material and a tubular adapter, which is connected to the tube portion, for coupling the filler tube to the fuel tank, wherein a lateral surface of the adapter is integrally bonded, in particular welded, to a lateral surface of the tube portion, wherein the adapter and the tube portion overlap in the region of the integrally bonded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Schmitz, Daniela Selig, Claus Krueger, Harald Lorenz
  • Inlet configuration enabling rapid in-flight engine restart
    Patent number: 11898500
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for controlling an aircraft engine inlet comprises determining a required engine RPM for an engine in-flight restart based upon current aircraft parameters, detecting a command to initiate the engine in-flight restart, and managing a position of an engine inlet barrier to control a volume of air entering an engine intake, wherein the ram air causes an engine turbine to achieve the required engine RPM. The required engine RPM may be an N1 gas generator RPM. The engine inlet barrier may be a hinged door positioned within the engine inlet or a series of inlet variable guide vanes that are configured to rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The position of the engine inlet barrier may be controlled by a flight control computer or an engine control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Dewey Parsons
  • Fleet controller
    Patent number: 11900821
    Abstract: An method for controlling an autonomous vehicle fleet, including obtaining, by a fleet controller, from a master schedule, a mission for a vehicle of a fleet of autonomous vehicles, where the mission is associated with a mission entry of the master schedule, generating vehicle commands according to mission parameters associated with the mission, maintaining a persistent connection with the vehicle, sending the vehicle commands to the vehicle using the connection, the vehicle commands causing the vehicle to execute the mission under control of the fleet controller, and monitoring operation of the vehicle during performance of the mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Grant Mark Bristow, Matthew David Holvey, Naveed Ahmed Siddiqui
  • Remote control unit having active feedback
    Patent number: 11899451
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote controller for a vehicle includes at least one control element for controlling operation of at least one aspect of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a remote-control mode; an actuator connected the at least one control element for controlling a position of the at least one control element when the vehicle is in an autonomous operations mode; and a processing system for receiving a first control signal from the vehicle indicative of a state of operation of the vehicle. In operation, the processing system generates a second control signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to control a position of the control element such that it corresponds to and indicates the state of operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Yibum Chung, Russell C. Peters, Andrew Vincent Louis
  • Bearingless gimbaled rotor hubs and swashplates
    Patent number: 11891168
    Abstract: A gimbal joint may employ a plurality of wear sleeves, each disposed between a pin or pin receptive bore of a first structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a second structure and between another pin or bore of the second structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a third structure. Each of these structures may be adapted to rotate in a single plane, with one structure adapted to also tilt about a first axis, and one other structure adapted to tilt about a second axis. Each integral flanged wear sleeve may comprise a right circular hollow cylindrical body portion, which may be interiorly sized to be retained on one of the pins and externally sized to be retained in one of the pin receptive bores, and a flange portion may radiate from one end of the cylindrical body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Teeter flap lock
    Patent number: 11891167
    Abstract: A teeter flap lock for an aircraft may include at least one pair of diametrically positioned teeter flap lock plates extending from a rotor teetering hinge, spaced apart from a rotor mast of the aircraft. A teeter flap lock block is positioned about the rotor mast and is configured to fit between the teeter flap lock plates and the rotor mast. The teeter flap lock block fits between and contacts the teeter flap lock plates in an engaged position, and is movable between the engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the teeter flap lock plates. The teeter flap lock enables flapping of rotors coupled to the rotor mast via the teetering hinge when the teeter flap lock block is in the disengaged position and disables flapping of the rotors when the teeter flap lock block is in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Kenneth Baskin, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Ryan Maresh
  • Insert for a blade of a rotary-wing aircraft
    Patent number: 11891169
    Abstract: In an implementation, a rotor blade (alternatively referred to herein as “blade”) for a helicopter or other aircraft may include an outer layer. The outer layer may define a cavity. The outer layer may at least partially correspond to an airfoil, e.g., a wing. One or more inserts may be included within the cavity and be encompassed thereby. The first insert may have a density of at least 0.6 pounds per cubic inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Branson Sherrill, Robert Alan Self
  • Amphibious air-cushion vehicle with dual-rail cargo system
    Patent number: 11891041
    Abstract: An amphibious air cushion vehicle includes an air cushion supported hull configured for travel on water and smooth land; a deck supported by the hull; and a dual-rail cargo system having tracks arranged longitudinally on along the hull cargo deck from an aft end. The tracks include (1) guide rails and rollers providing for guided sliding movement of palletized cargo along the tracks, and (2) locks for locking pallets in position during transport, The track is configured at the aft end for an unloading operation in which the locks are disengaged and the palletized cargo slides off the aft end onto underlying land as the vehicle is moving forward thereon. The track may be the one track of a single-track variant, or one of a pair of tracks in a two-track variant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Scott Allen, William Keith DuBose
  • LED TAIL ROTOR SAFETY AND STATUS INDICATION LIGHTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20240034464
    Abstract: One embodiment is a rotorcraft comprising a fuselage; an empennage at an aft end of the fuselage; a tail rotor connected to the empennage; and a tail rotor guard (TRG) around the tail rotor, the TRG shrouding to the tail rotor; and a light emitting diode (LED) lighting element integrated into at least one surface of the TRG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Mathew Chapdelaine
  • Systems and methods for power reduction in formation flight
    Patent number: 11887493
    Abstract: According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a method for formation flight is disclosed. The method includes: during flight, arranging for a first aircraft to fly into a proximity range of a second aircraft; and determining first aircraft positioning based on power consumption data of the first aircraft, where the first aircraft positioning corresponds to power-reducing formation flight of the first aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Kip Gregory Campbell, Juan Li
  • Pourable polyurethane foam with energy attenuating properties
    Patent number: 11884794
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a pourable foam comprising a first resin component comprising a polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, a second resin component comprising a polyol, and a barium sulfate powder component. The barium sulfate powder component is combined with the second resin component prior to combining the first and second resin components. The barium sulfate component may comprise between 1% and 50% of the pourable foam. The pourable foam may be used to repair or create aircraft components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Suvankar Mishra
  • Active vibration control system with non-concentric revolving masses
    Patent number: 11884385
    Abstract: A vibration control system for a rotor hub provides vibration attenuation in an aircraft by reducing the magnitude of rotor induced vibratory. The system can include a force generating device attached to a rotor hub which rotates along with the rotor at the rotational speed of the rotor. Vibratory shear force is generated by rotating unbalanced weights each about an axis non-concentric with the rotor hub axis at high speed to create large centrifugal forces. The rotational speed of the weights can be a multiple of the rotor rotational speed to create shear forces for canceling rotor induced vibrations. The amplitude of the generated shear force is controlled by indexing the positions of the unbalanced weights relative to each other, while the phase of the shear force is adjusted by equally phasing each weight relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Heverly, II, Jeremy DeWaters, Frank B. Stamps
  • Fluid scavenge system
    Patent number: 11885407
    Abstract: A fluid pump system for an aircraft has a rotatable component having first and second fluid ports, each port in fluid communication with a selected interior portion of the component, the portions being spaced from each other. A valve controls allows a first flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a second flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a first angular orientation. The valve allows a third flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a fourth flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a second angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Robert Mueller, Ivan Russell Laric
  • ELECTRIC TILTROTOR AIRCRAFT WITH TILTING COAXIAL MOTORS AND GEARBOX
    Publication number: 20240025542
    Abstract: A rotor system for an aircraft includes an open rotor assembly comprising a plurality of rotor blades connected to a rotor mast via a yoke, wherein the rotor assembly is tiltable between a first position corresponding to an airplane mode and a second position corresponding to a helicopter mode; and a drive system for providing rotational energy to the open rotor assembly via the rotor mast, the drive system comprising at least one electric motor for providing rotational energy to a drive shaft and a gearbox connected to the drive shaft for receiving rotational energy from the at least one electric motor via the drive shaft and providing rotational energy to the rotor mast via a rotor shaft; wherein the drive system is rotatable relative to the wing about a tilt axis and the rotor shaft is coaxial with the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Knoll, George Matthew Thompson, Charles Hubert Speller, Grant Michael Beall
  • LIVE SYSTEM WITH SPLASH GUARD
    Publication number: 20240025538
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a frame, a transmission, and a liquid inertia vibration elimination (“LIVE”) system coupled between the frame and the transmission. The LIVE system is configured to attenuate communication of vibrations from the transmission to the frame. The LIVE system includes a first liquid zone, a second liquid zone, a plug at least partially segregating the first liquid zone from the second liquid zone, and the plug has an aperture in fluid communication with the first liquid zone and the second liquid zone. A splash guard is disposed within the second liquid zone and offset from the plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Miller, Amarjit Olenchery Kizhakkepat, Peter Romano, Norman Craig Jordan, Shahryar Fotovati, Matthew Wade Hendricks
  • COMPACT BATTERY MODULE UTILIZING DUAL-SIDED PCB BUS
    Publication number: 20240021948
    Abstract: A compact battery module incorporating a dual-sided printed circuit board (PCB) bus is presented. The present disclosure provides for an increase in battery cells per given volume by utilizing both sides of a PCB bus. In one embodiment, a PCB bus can be configured to receive battery cell terminals on both sides of the PCB via one or more connectors, thereby providing for a more compact battery module that is simpler and eliminates interconnections. By having a single PCB disposed between battery cells having both the positive negative terminals on one side, a more compact design can be realized with fewer printed circuit boards and lower weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Amante
  • FLUID SCAVENGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20240019025
    Abstract: A fluid pump system for an aircraft has a rotatable component having first and second fluid ports, each port in fluid communication with a selected interior portion of the component, the portions being spaced from each other. A valve controls allows a first flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a second flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a first angular orientation. The valve allows a third flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a fourth flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a second angular orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Robert Mueller, Ivan Russell Laric
  • Aircraft instrument panel
    Patent number: D1011992
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Grisanti, Corey Eckhart, Aaron Tobias
  • Aircraft instrument panel
    Patent number: D1011993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Grisanti, Corey Eckhart, Dustin Smisor
  • Rubber mat for avionics box
    Patent number: D1013610
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TEXTRON AVIATION INC.
    Inventors: Jason Michael Decker, Rebecca Rae Groninga, Michael Scott Robinson, Sidney Aloysius Mohr