Patents Assigned to Textron
  • ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR AN ACTIVE ELEMENT IN A ROTOR BLADE
    Publication number: 20140064960
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey
  • Long and Short Range Storage and Transmission System on Aircraft Parts
    Publication number: 20140061382
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an aircraft part storage system includes a first storage device and a second storage device. The first storage device is configured to be coupled to an aircraft part and operable to store and transmit a first set of information about the aircraft part. The second storage device is configured to be coupled to the same aircraft part and operable to store and transmit a second set of information about the aircraft part. The second storage device has a larger storage capacity than the first storage device but a shorter transmission range than the first storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Brian E. Tucker
  • ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR AN ACTIVE ELEMENT IN A ROTOR BLADE
    Publication number: 20140060249
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey
  • ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR AN ACTIVE ELEMENT IN A ROTOR BLADE
    Publication number: 20140064965
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey
  • System and Method for Vibration Isolation
    Publication number: 20140064922
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system includes a first housing, a second housing, a seal, and a spring system. The first housing includes a first volume of fluid. The first housing is capable of connecting to a first element and to a second element, and is also capable of reducing an amount of movement transferred from the first element to the second element. The second housing is connected to the first housing. The second housing includes a second volume of fluid and a volume of gas. The first volume of fluid is in fluid communication with the second volume of fluid. The seal is capable of separating the second volume of fluid from the volume of gas. The spring system is capable of applying pressure to the first volume of fluid and the second volume of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, Maurice D. Griffin
  • Rotor Position Determination System with Hall-Effect Sensors
    Publication number: 20140061369
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotor system, includes a position determination system disposed between a blade and at least part of a hub. A grip couples the rotor blade to the hub. The position determination system comprises at least one magnet and a plurality of magnet sensors proximate to the at least one magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Troy C. Schank
  • TILTROTOR VECTORED EXHAUST SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140060004
    Abstract: The exhaust system is located on each nacelle of a tiltrotor aircraft. The exhaust system includes a vector nozzle that is selectively rotatable in relation to each nacelle in order to achieve certain performance objectives. The vector nozzle can be oriented to provide maximum flight performance, reduce infrared (IR) signature, or even to reduce/prevent ground heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Mast, Keith C. Pedersen, David L. Miller, Steven Ray Ivans
  • Method for cleaning oil soaked bonded panels and laminates
    Patent number: 8663396
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a contaminated composite part, so as to provide a surface suitable for adhesive bonding. The method includes applying a wicking medium adjacent to a surface of the contaminated composite material. Then applying a solvent medium soaked in a cleaning solution adjacent to the wicking medium. Then vapor barrier is applied adjacent to the solvent medium. Next a breather material is applied adjacent to the vapor barrier. Then a vacuum bagging film with a vacuum port is applied and sealed against the composite part. The composite part is then heated and vented to remove contaminates from the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver Ray Whitworth, Vance Newton Cribb, III
  • Active prop rotor stability system
    Patent number: 8662442
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a rotor blade upon detection of a harmful force exerted on an aircraft wing includes a sensor attached to the wing and a subsystem operably associated with the sensor. The method includes sensing the force exerted on the wing with the sensor and determining whether the sensed force is potentially harmful to the structural integrity of the wing. The method further includes counteracting the harmful force by adjusting the rotor blade movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, David A. Popelka, Charles Eric Covington, Thomas C. Parham
  • Adaptive twist system for a rotor blade
    Patent number: 8662843
    Abstract: The system of the present application includes an adaptive twist system for a rotor blade. The adaptive twist system includes a slider mechanism coupled to a spar and to a skin. The slider mechanism provides structural connectivity between the spar and the skin while also selectively translated the skin relative to the spar, thereby causing the rotor blade to twist. A control system is used to operate the slider mechanism so that the rotor blade is automatically twisted into the optional shape during changes in flight modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Brunken, Jr.
  • System and method for limiting cyclic control inputs
    Patent number: 8662439
    Abstract: A control system having a first loop configured to provide a longitudinal blowback value of a rotor blade during flight and a second loop associated with the first loop, the second loop being configured to provide a design maximum total flapping value and a lateral flapping value. A method includes calculating a flight control limit from the design maximum total flapping value and the lateral flapping value. An upper longitudinal cyclic control limit is calculated by adding the flight control limit to the longitudinal blowback value. A lower longitudinal cyclic control limit is calculated by subtracting the flight control limit from the longitudinal blowback value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Fortenbaugh, Jose Manuel Rodriguez, Ronald Lorenz Kisor, Robert Blyth
  • Aircraft Environmental Sensors and System
    Publication number: 20140058594
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an aircraft part environmental stress analysis system includes a part failure repository, a part history repository, and a failure analysis engine. The part failure repository is configured to store a plurality of failure records, each failure record identifying a failed aircraft part. The part history repository is configured to store a plurality of part records, each part record storing, for a failed aircraft part, at least one measurement of an aspect of a natural environment of which the failed aircraft part was subject to. The failure analysis engine is operable to compare the plurality of failure records to the plurality of part records and identify at least one potential environmental cause of failure for a plurality of failed aircraft parts based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Larry Plowman, Charles E. Covington, Brian E. Tucker
  • Method and apparatus for actively manipulating aerodynamic surfaces
    Patent number: 8657229
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided, including an actuator system that may be connected to a wing frame for controlling an active element. The actuator system may include sliding elements movable along an axis parallel to the span-wise axis of the wing. The sliding elements may be connected to fixed elements and a crank element, the crank element generally comprising a beam element and a pivot element. The beam element may be offset from the pivot element so that the crank element is rotatable about the pivot element with a negative stiffness under an external force that tends to pull the sliding elements away from the fixed elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Troy C Schank, Peter H Kintzinger, Paul B Sherrill, Thomas Parham
  • Method and apparatus for actively manipulating aerodynamic surfaces
    Patent number: 8657228
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided, including an actuator system that may be connected to a wing frame for controlling an active element. The actuator system may include sliding elements movable along an axis parallel to the span-wise axis of the wing. The sliding elements may be connected to fixed elements and a crank element, the crank element generally comprising a beam element and a cross-axis flexure pivot element. The beam element may be offset from the pivot element so that the crank element is rotatable about the pivot element with a negative stiffness under an external force that tends to pull the sliding elements away from the fixed elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kitzinger, Paul B. Sherrill, Thomas C. Parham, David A. Popelka
  • Speed control system for walk behind powered equipment
    Patent number: 8660744
    Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled apparatus having a mobile structure and a handle assembly coupled to the mobile structure. The handle assembly includes a pair of grip portions. A ground engaging traction member is rotatably coupled to the mobile structure and imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground. A power source outputs drive power and a drive system, coupled between the power source and the ground engaging traction member, selectively transmits the drive power to the ground engaging traction member. A speed control actuation system coupled to the drive system includes a control member pivotable about an axis. An electronic member senses a control member rotation and relays an electronic signal to a controller which generates a linear speed control signal to the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Harry L. Derby, V, Bryan E. Holby
  • Apparatus and method for dispensing fish tape
    Patent number: 8651459
    Abstract: A device for dispensing fish tape includes a pair of outside walls and outer and inner annular walls depending generally perpendicularly from the edges of the outside walls. Intermediate pinch ring walls depend generally perpendicularly from the outside walls and are positioned between the inner and outer walls. A plurality of spaced apart protuberances are provided on the intermediate walls and engage undulations on a hoop of a winding belt mounted within the device. A fish tape is mounted within the device and engages with the winding hoop. Each outside wall has a flat section extending from the outer edge thereof toward the inner edge thereof, and a raised section extending from the flat section to the inner edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Axon, Douglas J. Birkholz, Thomas Pearson, Jeffrey J. Plummer
  • Hole saw with depth stop
    Patent number: 8647032
    Abstract: A hole saw includes a depth stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the hole saw into a workpiece. The blade of the hole saw includes a plurality of slots, one of which is used to receive the depth stop. The depth stop is mounted to the blade by positioning a portion of the depth stop within the slot and sliding the depth stop from an unsecured position to a secured position. Once in the secured position, a locking member is moved within the depth stop to secure the depth stop in place. In use, the blade is advanced through the workpiece until the depth stop contacts the proximal surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: William Nordlin, Wilbur Keith Moffatt
  • INDEPENDENT BLADE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH HYDRAULIC CYCLIC CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140034779
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radial fluid device includes a cylinder block having a plurality of radially extending cylinders, a plurality of pistons, and a cam disposed about the plurality of radially extending cylinders. A first linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to reposition the cam along a first axis. A second linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to reposition the cam along a second axis. A third linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to resist movement of the cam along a third axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Carlos A. Fenny
  • System and Method of Augmenting Power in a Rotorcraft
    Publication number: 20140034781
    Abstract: The present application relates to a regenerative or hybrid drive system for an aircraft. The drive system includes the use of a power augmentation device to selectively engage the drive system of an aircraft to store power. The power in the power augmentation device being configured to release a power burst to systems within the aircraft to perform critical flight maneuvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Areian Kouros, Roger Aubert, Paul Madej
  • Voltage detector
    Patent number: D699133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Zachary Lamoreux