Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Hub Assembly with Centrifugal and Radial Bearings
    Publication number: 20130216382
    Abstract: A rotary system including a yoke having an opening forming a bridge for receiving a spoke extending therethrough. A rotor blade couples to the spoke and a pitch horn positioned outside the opening pitches the rotor blade during flight. A bearing assembly attaches the spoke and the pitch horn to the bridge and control blade forces exerted against the hub assembly during flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Frank B. Stamps, Daniel P. Sottiaux, Zach Dailey
  • Coaxial Counter-Rotating Rotor System
    Publication number: 20130214087
    Abstract: A system and method to tilt coaxial counter-rotating rotor hub assemblies relative to a fuselage. The system includes a first rotor hub assembly and a second rotor hub assembly spaced apart from the first hub assembly and carried by the fuselage. The method includes pivotally attaching the first rotor hub assembly and the second rotor hub assembly to a pivot joint and thereafter tilting the first rotor hub assembly and the second rotor hub assembly about the pivot joint with a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: John Corrigan, Frank B. Stamps
  • Rotorcraft Front Windshield
    Publication number: 20130206908
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotorcraft front windshield comprises a translucent material extending continuously between a point located twenty degrees above and forty degrees to the side of a design reference point and a point located thirty degrees below and forty degrees to the same side of the design reference point as the first point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • Integrated Aircraft Flight Control Units
    Publication number: 20130211631
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an integrated aircraft trim assembly features a shaft, a mechanical stop, a trim motor, a clutch, and a measurement device. The mechanical stop device is operable to at least partially prevent rotation of the shaft outside of an allowable range of motion. The trim motor has an output component in mechanical communication with the shaft. The clutch separates the trim motor from the shaft. The measurement device is proximate to the shaft and operable to measure a position of the shaft and communicate the measured position to a flight control computer operable to change a position of a flight control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
  • Pilot Control System with Hand Rest
    Publication number: 20130206900
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a hand rest. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The grip is positioned at least partially above the post and is movable along at least one arc. The hand rest is coupled to the top and comprises an upper surface having a profile corresponding to the at least one arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Texton Inc.
  • Pilot Control System with Pendent Grip
    Publication number: 20130206898
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a shaft. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The shaft havs a first end coupled proximate to the body below the top and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the grip. The shaft positions at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
  • THERMOPLASTIC TANK
    Publication number: 20130206775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic tank (1) with at least one insert part which is provided in the interior of the tank (1) and is inserted into the tank (1) through an opening (3) in a tank wall (2) and is sealed against a peripheral flange (4) provided in the region of the opening (3). The flange (4) is formed integrally with the tank wall (2) and is countersunk therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Timm Heidemeyer, Stefan Lenz, Dieter Schmitz, Volker Treudt
  • System and Method of Actuating a Swashplate for Main Rotor Control
    Publication number: 20130209252
    Abstract: The main rotor control system includes a rise/fall swashplate assembly that is coupled to three triplex actuators. The swashplate assembly is configured to provide full collective and cyclic pitch controls. Each triplex actuator includes three piston/cylinder assemblies in parallel. Selective actuation of each triplex actuator is controlled by a fly-by-wire system in conjunction with three flight control computers and three hydraulic power packs. Integrated three function valves can be associated with an individual manifold for each piston/cylinder assembly of each triplex actuator, the integrated three function valve be configured to insure safe operation of the triplex actuator during a failure of a certain piston/cylinder assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Corey J. Dickman, Carlos A. Fenny, David P. Schultz
  • Attachment Devices for Rotorcraft Front Windshield
    Publication number: 20130206911
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a windshield attachment device for coupling a windshield to a body includes a fastener portion, a bolt, and an elastomeric load isolator. The fastener portion has an opening therethrough. The bolt is configured to extend through the opening of the fastener portion and couple the fastener portion to the body. The elastomeric load isolator surrounds at least a portion of the fastener portion and separating the fastener portion from the windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • Pilot Control System with Compact Gimbal Mechanism
    Publication number: 20130209256
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a first gimbal and a second gimbal. The first gimbal is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The first gimbal comprises a first linkage attachment point offset from the first axis of rotation. The second gimbal is rotatably coupled to the first gimbal and rotatable relative to the first gimbal about a second axis of rotation. The second gimbal comprises a second linkage attachment point offset from the second axis of rotation and a control shaft attachment point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
  • HYDRODYNAMIC RAM MITIGATING FUEL CELL STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20130206265
    Abstract: A system and method to mitigate the effect of hydrodynamic ram. The system including a chamber adapted to receive fluid and a core disposed within the chamber. A plurality of columns extend through the core and a plurality of orifices extend through the thickness of the columns. The method includes channeling a portion of a vapor bubble to an ullage space disposed within the chamber with the plurality of columns and changing the fluid state of the vapor bubble with a plurality of orifices extending through the thickness of the plurality of columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Chad Elliot Sparks
  • Liquid based ice protection test systems and methods
    Patent number: 8506160
    Abstract: A liquid based ice protection test method tests an aircraft part that includes at least a first heating element mounted on an inside surface of an aircraft skin. The method includes bringing the aircraft skin into contact with a low temperature bath and taking one or more temperature readings of the aircraft skin. A liquid based deicing test system includes a container that holds a low temperature bath, a fixture to suspend the aircraft part within the container, and a temperature sensing device for reading temperatures on an outside surface of the aircraft part. A liquid based ice protection test method includes sealing off ends of an aircraft part, attaching at least one temperature sensing device on the aircraft part and at least partially submerging it in a low temperature bath, and obtaining temperature information from the temperature sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Vicki S. Johnson, Derek W. Rounds, Lawrence R. Nelson, Jeffrey G. Wyckoff, Robin L. Young
  • LOW PROFILE JETTISONABLE DOOR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130200214
    Abstract: A jettisonable door system for an aircraft includes an upper hinge having a forward portion that is hingedly coupled to an airframe of the aircraft, the upper hinge having an aft portion that is releasably secured to an upper outboard plate with an upper pin. The jettisonable door system further includes a lower hinge having a forward portion that is hingedly coupled to the airframe of the aircraft, the upper hinge having an aft portion that is releasably secured to a lower outboard plate with a lower pin. A rotation of the upper pin releases the upper hinge from the upper outboard plate and a rotation of the lower pin releases the lower hinge from the lower outboard plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • Rotor blade spacing for vibration attenuation
    Patent number: 8500062
    Abstract: A rotor system for a rotorcraft, the rotor system is a rotor hub having six rotor blades attached to a rotor mast via a rotor yoke assembly. Each rotor blade is angularly spaced in 30° and 90° alternating angular increment about a mast axis of rotation. Such rotor blades spacing reduces the vibration that is translated into the rotorcraft through the rotor mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Brunken, Jr.
  • Multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof
    Patent number: 8500597
    Abstract: A multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system comprises a rotor system comprising one or more rotors and one or more engines. Each engine of the one or more engines is coupled to the rotor system through a multi-ratio transmission. The multi-ratio transmission comprises an output shaft coupled to the rotor system, an input shaft coupled to a respective engine of the one or more engines, a high speed clutch integrated into a high speed gear train, and a low speed clutch integrated into a low speed gear train. The high speed clutch and the low speed clutch are freewheeling clutches without a friction plate and are capable of disconnecting the output shaft and the input shaft in an overrunning condition when the output shaft spins faster than the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Ehinger, Carlos A. Fenny, Charles J. Kilmain, Eric A. Sinusas, Kevin Worrell
  • Piezoelectric liquid inertia vibration eliminator
    Patent number: 8499907
    Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning port. A piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers and the tuning ports. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. The active vibration elements are preferably solid-state actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, Taeoh Lee, David E. Heverly, Jr., Robert J. Pascal
  • Optimized Core for a Structural Assembly
    Publication number: 20130195672
    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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Yueh Lee, Paul Oldroyd
  • FUEL TANK OF PLASTIC AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20130193139
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel tank of plastic with a multilayered tank wall comprising at least one inner layer of thermoplastic material and at least one outer layer of a fibre composite material. The inner layer and the outer layer are connected to each other by a material bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Karsch
  • Helicopter
    Patent number: D687364
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Odean Mitchell, Lynn Francis Eschete
  • Cabin headliner
    Patent number: D688194
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Robinson, Allan Schrag, Matthew Harrell