Patents Assigned to Textron
  • HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED TOOL WITH RELIEF VALVE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20130081839
    Abstract: A relief valve assembly limits the maximum torque of a gear motor of a hydraulically driven tool. The relief valve assembly dumps flow to a return channel to return hydraulic fluid to the supply when the relief valve assembly is activated. The relief valve assembly is placed in the channel of a directional valve spool, and varies its pressure setting depending upon spool position. This is useful to vary the pressure settings of a hydraulic motor in different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Greenlee Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Greenlee Textron, Inc.
  • Handle For A Hydraulically Driven Tool With Heat Transmission Reducing Properties
    Publication number: 20130081838
    Abstract: A handle for a hydraulically driven tool is provided reduces the amount of heat transmitted to the user of the tool as a result of the high temperature fluid flowing through the inner body of the handle. The inner body is formed of a heat transmissive material which has at least one channel through which the fluid flows. The handle has a number of properties which reduces heat transmission to the user, including standoffs, ribs and fastener receiving extensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Greenlee Textron Inc.
  • ELASTOMERIC BEARING WITH TAPERED SHIMS
    Publication number: 20130084186
    Abstract: The centrifugal force bearing includes a plurality of tapered metal shims such that the thicker end of each tapered metal shim near the inner portion of bearing. The bearing can include a plurality of tapered elastomeric members that are consequently tapered so that the inner portions are narrower than the outer portions. The tapered metal shims can increase the axial stiffness in the direction of the centrifugal force, thereby reducing the axial deflection under loading, as compared to non-tapered shims. Further, reducing axial deflection reduces clearance issues that may arise when the rotor blade is allowed to axial deflect significant distances. As such, the tapered metal shims can increase the capacity of the bearing. Tapering the metal shims can decrease the compression induced shear strain near the outer portions of the elastomeric member, where loads are typically higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Sottiaux, Frank B. Stamps
  • DUAL SERIES DAMPER SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130084183
    Abstract: A dual series damper includes a fluid damper portion and a elastomeric damper portion. The fluid damper portion includes a first housing, a first connection member, and a piston coupled to the first connection member. The piston divides an interior of the first housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston has a fluid passage in the piston, the fluid passage being configured to provide fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. The elastomeric damper portion includes a second housing, a second connection member coupled to the second housing, and an elastomer between the first housing and the second housing. When a lead/lag force is introduced to the dual series damper, the fluid damper portion behaves rigidly so that the elastomeric damper portion dampens the lead/lag oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Mithat Yuce, David A. Popelka, Frank B. Stamps, Mark A. Wiinikka
  • Aircraft cabin door pressure vent system
    Patent number: 8403265
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft door including a handle-activated pressure relief system that avoids potentially dangerous pressure differences between the cabin and the atmosphere outside the aircraft. A flow path is created between the inboard and outboard handles on the door. A pressure vent door is located in the flow path. The vent door being is opened when either of the inboard and outboard handle assemblies are activated. Once either handle is rotated beyond a particular point, a spring in the supporting mechanics becomes over-center. At the same time, the vent door comes under the influence of a magnet, snapping the vent open. After the door has been opened, it can be relatched by operating the handles in the reverse direction. The magnet and spring hold the vent door open until the aircraft door is fully latched, sealed, and secured. Only then does the vent door sealingly close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Gowing, Scott Weber, Elisabeth Archibald, Shad Plante, Matt Wiley
  • CONSTANT AREA VENT FOR EXTERNAL CRASH ATTENUATION AIRBAG
    Publication number: 20130068883
    Abstract: The external crash attenuation airbag includes an inflatable bladder which is inflatable to an exterior of an aircraft, so that the inflatable bladder is generally located between the aircraft and a crash surface when inflated. The airbag includes a vent configured to burst at a predefined burst pressure, the vent being located a side portion of the inflatable bladder. The airbag also includes a vent support located approximate the vent, the vent support being configured to prevent deformation and therefore maintain the effectiveness of a venting area of the vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Zi Lu, Cheng-Ho Tho, Michael R. Smith, Andrew T. Hill, Samgeeth Rajan
  • Rotor Blade Erosion Protection System
    Publication number: 20130071252
    Abstract: The present application includes a rotor blade having an erosion protective coating, the coating being a cermet material configured to protect against erosion during the operation of the rotor blade. Further, the present application includes a method of selectively applying the erosion protective coating, a method of selectively repairing/reapplying the erosion protective coating, and a process of developing an erosion surface model map of an optimized erosion protective coating pattern and thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Nissen
  • Self-Healing Reservoir Coating System
    Publication number: 20130068878
    Abstract: The system includes a coating for a reservoir, the coating being configured to self-heal following a penetration by a projectile through the coating and the reservoir. The coating is an elastomeric polymer coating having sufficient elasticity to so as return to the coating to an approximate original shape after the projectile has passed through the coating. Further, the coating is configured to hold the reservoir together following severe damage from the projectile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Darrell Liardon
  • Flight control systems
    Patent number: 8401716
    Abstract: A system and method for a controlling an aircraft with flight control surfaces that are controlled both manually and by a computing device is disclosed. The present invention improves overall flight control operation by reducing the mechanical flight control surface components while providing sufficient back-up control capability in the event of either a mechanical or power-related failure. Through the present invention, natural feedback is provided to the operator from the mechanical flight control surface which operates independent of computer-aided flight control surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe A. Ciholas, Mark W. Palmer
  • Reconfigurable Rotor Blade
    Publication number: 20130062456
    Abstract: A reconfigurable rotor blade system includes an internal mass that is configured to translate in order to produce a spanwise torsional twist of the rotor blade. An actuator is configured to selectively translate the mass so as to relocate a center of mass of the rotor blade. The torsional twist is selectively produced during operation of the rotorcraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Mark Wasikowski
  • High Efficiency External Airbag for Crash Attenuation
    Publication number: 20130062465
    Abstract: An external airbag for an aircraft includes an inflatable bladder having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being generally adjacent to an exterior of the aircraft. A widthwise panel divides the inflatable bladder into a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion. The widthwise panel acts to restrict outward bulging of the inflatable bladder. An aperture in the widthwise panel may be used for allowing gas communication between the first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Hill, Zi Lu, Robert S. Lynds, Andrew R. Hansen
  • Single Stage Debulk and Cure of a Prepreg Material
    Publication number: 20130056131
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a damaged laminate including the process of cutting out a damaged section and replacing damaged section with a repair laminate, then covering the repair laminate with a vacuum bag having a heater disposed therein. Thereafter, applying heat and pressure to the repair laminate with the heater and vacuum bag to adequately debulk and cure the repair laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb
  • Temperature Adaptive Fluid Damping System
    Publication number: 20130048127
    Abstract: A temperature adaptive fluid damping system is provided. One embodiment of the temperature adaptive fluid damping system comprises two fluid chambers, a piston in fluid communication with the fluid chambers, and a fluid path between the fluid chambers. An elastomeric retaining element adjacent to the fluid path is constrained to deform substantially perpendicular to the fluid path, so that the retaining element is operable to vary the cross-sectional area of the fluid path inversely to a change in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bosworth, Frank B. Stamps
  • Multi-stage debulk and compaction of thick composite repair laminates
    Patent number: 8382924
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a release film to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the release film. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The release film and ply stack assembly is then removed from the exposed surface. A bonding material is then applied to the exposed surface, and the uncured ply stack assembly is applied to the bonding material. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu
  • Dual display arrangement for an aircraft console
    Patent number: D677212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Schrag
  • Article holding area for an aircraft console
    Patent number: D677213
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Robinson, Allan Schrag, Jonathan Headrick, Todd Thisius
  • Cockpit seat tracks
    Patent number: D677947
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Albert G. Brand, John R. Wiitmaak, James M. McCollough, James H. Harse, Richard H. Adams, Jr.
  • Main cockpit control panel
    Patent number: D678153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Amante, Jedediah Bryce Goodell, Jeffery W. Erwin, Jeffery S. Greenwood, Joseph Daniel Leachman, Adrienne Ruth Sullivan, Troy S. Caudill
  • Helicopter nose design
    Patent number: D678171
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Amante, James M. McCollough
  • Helicopter front windshields
    Patent number: D678172
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Amante, James M. McCollough