Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Rotor Hub and Controls for Multi-Bladed Rotor System
    Publication number: 20120043412
    Abstract: A rotor system for a rotorcraft includes a rotor hub having a plurality of rotor blade pairs mechanically coupled to a rotor mast. A pitch link assembly is mechanically coupled to each rotor blade pair for controlling the pitch angle of each rotor blade pair in tandem. Each rotor blade pair has an upper rotor blade and a lower rotor blade. The plurality of rotor blade pairs rotor in a single direction and about a single axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Brunken
  • Drive system for electrically operated vehicle
    Patent number: 8120291
    Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Warren W. Clark, Oliver A. Bell
  • VEHICULAR FLUID HEATER
    Publication number: 20120037606
    Abstract: The invention refers to a vehicular fluid heater. The invention particularly refers to an automotive water heater comprising at least one heat exchanger (8), at least one electrically operated heating unit (9) and at least one control unit for controlling power supply to the heating unit (9), the heat exchanger (8) comprising at least one thermally conductive body defining at least one fluid channel (15) for the fluid to be heated, the heating unit (9) being attached to a heat conductive surface of the heat exchanger (8). The vehicular fluid heater according to the invention has a control unit which is thermally connected to the heat exchanger (8) by a thermally conducting metal strip (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: KAITEN TECHNOLOGY ELECTRONIC (GUANGZHOU) LTD., KAUTEX TEXTRON CVS LIMITED
    Inventors: Hsuan Yao Huang, Michael Wright
  • Method for Analyzing and Designing Armor in a Vehicle
    Publication number: 20120041724
    Abstract: Properly identifying the most vulnerable areas and quantifying the effectiveness of armor at those locations is critical to achieving efficient armor integration. A method for designing protective armor for a vehicle includes the deriving shotlines through an element; computing a probability of kill value for each shotline in each element; calculating a probability of kill intensity for each element; ranking the elements according to highest probability of kill intensity; mapping the elements in a 3D CAD environment to visually depict the elements having the highest probability of kill intensity; and designing armor taking into account the elements having the highest probability of kill intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Haynes, William D. Girard, Kendall E. Goodman, Kelly R. Tingen
  • System and Method for Detecting Sensor Leakage
    Publication number: 20120038366
    Abstract: A test system for testing a sensor system includes a high-impedance resistor for forming a voltage divider with any corrosion or foreign substance that might be present between a signal conductor and a ground conductor. While a voltage is applied across the voltage divider, the voltage can be measured across the high-impedance resistor for determining whether an undesirable amount of conductance exists between the signal wire and ground. The test system also includes switching means for switching between any number of signal wires of a system undergoing testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Gary S. Froman
  • Cable cutter with reciprocating cutting wheel for cutting flexible cable
    Patent number: 8112893
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a frame, a shaft, a cutter and a cam. The shaft is rotatable about an axis. The cutter is coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft about its axis causes rotation of the cutter about the shaft's axis. The cam is positioned around the shaft such that the cam contacts the frame upon rotation of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface which is distanced away from the axis of the shaft a varying amount such that contact of the cam with the frame upon rotation of the shaft causes the shaft, and thus the cutter, to reciprocate in a generally transverse direction relative to the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventor: James Robert Harger
  • Electro-magnetic up-lock for retractable landing gear
    Patent number: 8109465
    Abstract: An electro-magnetic landing gear up-lock includes at least one electro-magnet mounted to the aircraft structure positioned adjacent the landing gear trunion. When the at least one electro-magnet is energized, magnetically responsive material in the landing gear positioned adjacent to the electro-magnet is attracted to the electro-magnet with sufficient force to hold the landing gear in a retracted. De-energizing the electro-magnet causes the electro-magnet to release the landing gear to allow the landing gear to extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: David Jon Heer
  • Control system for vehicles
    Patent number: 8108085
    Abstract: A system for controlling flight of an aircraft has sensors, a receiver, and a digital control system, all of which are carried aboard the aircraft. The sensors determine the position of the aircraft relative to the earth and the inertial movement of the aircraft. The receiver receives transmitted data communicating the position and movement of a reference vehicle relative to the earth. The control system calculates the position and velocity of the aircraft relative to the reference vehicle using the data from the sensors and the receiver and then commands flight control devices on the aircraft for maneuvering the aircraft in a manner that maintains a selected position and/or velocity relative to the reference vehicle. The system allows use of a graphical or tactile user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Builta, James E. Harris, Bryan P. Honza, Jeffrey W. Epp, Kynn J. Schulte
  • Composite Core and Method of Making Same
    Publication number: 20120021165
    Abstract: A composite core includes a plurality of tubes, each the plurality of tubes comprising a plurality of fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix. Adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes are adhesively bonded to one another along sides of the adjacent tubes. A method of making a composite core includes the steps of providing a plurality of tubes, each of the plurality of tubes including a plurality of fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix, and adhesively bonding adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes along sides of the adjacent tubes. A method of making a composite core such that a removable band is included in the core, the removable band being configured to be removable through a procedure subsequent to the cure of the composite core, thereby producing gaps in the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: BELL HELLICOPTER TEXTRON UNC.
    Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Kenneth E. Nunn, JR., Paul Oldroyd
  • Anti-icing piccolo tube standoff
    Patent number: 8100364
    Abstract: A standoff structure for an anti-icing piccolo tube wherein a flexible structure is formed from support ribs, a support bar and a diverter bar for supporting the piccolo tube within the slat or other aircraft leading edge, and for diverting hot gas from the piccolo tube across the inner surface of the slat or other aircraft leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Nieman, Jason M. Hughes
  • Electrically powered flail mower
    Patent number: 8099936
    Abstract: A flail mower assembly includes a deck having a shaft rotatably connected to the deck. A flail drum is connected to the shaft and is co-rotatable with the shaft. A plurality of flail blade assemblies is independently rotatably connected to the flail drum to provide two degrees of freedom-of-rotation of each of the plurality of flail blade assemblies independent of a direction of drum rotation. First and/or second electric motors are connected to the deck and rotatably connected to the shaft. The shaft is rotated by an energized one of the first or second electric motors or both energized simultaneously. A load connected to the first and second electric motors when the first and second electric motors are de-energized reduces a rotational velocity of the flail drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Stanton Carver Bryant, Scott Chartrand, Carlos A. Bellot, Harry L. Derby, V
  • System and method for controlling an environment in an aircraft using a vortex cooler
    Patent number: 8099966
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioning system for an aircraft which utilizes high pressure bleed air. The bleed air is pressure controlled and introduced into a vortex cooler which can be operated in two modes using a valve. In a first mode, the bleed air is divided into cold and hot streams. The cold stream is directed into the cabin for cooling purposes. The hot stream is released from the aircraft in a manner that it pulls ambient air across a heat exchanger. In a second mode, the bleed air is not divided, but passes through the vortex cooler as a common stream. The second mode is more commonly used in colder ambient air conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Mossberg, Charles B. Beuning
  • BLOW MOLDING TOOL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING EXTRUSION BLOW MOLDED PLASTIC ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20120013048
    Abstract: A blow molding tool (1) for producing a plastic article, in particular a fuel tank, comprising at least one clamping frame (2) with mold clamping devices (3) and at least two blow mold halves, which are formed such that they can be moved together and apart by means of an opening and closing movement of the clamping frame (2) and which respectively have at least one cavity (8) for the forming of the plastic article, the blow molding tool (1) being distinguished by the fact that the mold clamping devices (3) respectively have at least one tool holder (6), in which a mold insert (7) is in each case exchangeably inserted, and in that the tool holders (6) respectively form a peripheral sealing edge (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Deniz Bienhuls, Matthias Borchert, Thomas Buchholz, Carsten Elsasser, Christoph Mehren, Marcus Schmitz, Steffen Frey, Jochen Hild
  • Constant-Velocity Joint with Torque-Combining Differential
    Publication number: 20110315816
    Abstract: A constant-velocity drive system for an aircraft rotor has a gimbal mechanism and a differential torque-combining mechanism. The gimbal mechanism has gimbals driven in rotation by a rotor mast about a mast axis, the gimbals providing for gimballing relative to the mast about gimbal axes generally perpendicular to the mast axis. The differential torque-combining mechanism is connected to the gimbal mechanism and configured to be driven in rotation about the mast axis by the gimbal mechanism. The differential mechanism is capable of gimballing relative to the mast about the gimbal axes, the differential torque-combining mechanism having an output component attached to a yoke of the rotor for driving the yoke in rotation with the differential torque-combining mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, Patrick R. Tisdale
  • METHOD FOR PRODUCING HOLLOW BODIES FROM THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD
    Publication number: 20110315308
    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: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Borchert, Carsten Elsasser, Christoph Mehren
  • Wearable article with band portion adapted to include textile-based electrodes and method of making such article
    Patent number: 8082762
    Abstract: A circular knit tubing adapted for making a wearable article has a first knitted single layer tubular portion and a second knitted single layer tubular portion separated by a junction portion. The second tubular portion is folded over the first tubular portion at a fold line in the junction portion. The first and second tubular portions are then joined together, whereby the junction portion forms a band or welt. After the band is formed, the second tubular portion is folded back to cover the band. The wearable article may be a shirt having single layer top and bottom portions with a central double welt portion for physical contact around the wearer's chest or torso. The junction portion forming the band or welt preferably is integrally knitted with the first and second tubular portions. The band or welt defines a central opening to receive an electronic or electrical device or other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Textronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey B. Burr
  • Clip for fire detector wire
    Patent number: 8079552
    Abstract: A clip assembly (111) having a clamp member (115) with opposing fingers (121 and 123) configured to form a channel, and an insert member (129) that holds the fire detector wire (128) is disclosed. The insert member (128) is made of, coated with, or treated with an anti-friction material. The insert member includes end flanges (133, 135) that retain the insert member between the opposing fingers. The fire detector wire is installed into the insert member, and the insert member is then snapped into the channel formed by the opposing fingers of the clamp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Sweigard
  • Control system for automatic circle flight
    Patent number: 8078395
    Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft is configured for receiving command signals representing commanded values of a location of a geospatial point and a radius about the geospatial point for defining a circular groundtrack. A sensor determines a geospatial location of the aircraft and provides a location signal representing the location of the aircraft. A controller for commanding flight control devices on the aircraft controls the flight of the aircraft and is configured to receive the command signals and the location signal. The controller uses the command signals and location signal to operate the flight control devices to control the flight of the aircraft for directing the aircraft generally toward a tangent point of the circular groundtrack and then maintaining a flight path along the circular groundtrack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Builta, James E. Harris, Billy K. Gore
  • Resin-impregnated, structural fiber rope
    Patent number: 8074437
    Abstract: A resin-impregnated, structural fiber rope includes a plurality of tows disposed in a bundle, each of the plurality of tows including a plurality of structural fibers, and uncured polymeric resin impregnated into the bundle. Each of the plurality of structural fibers defines an angle with respect to a central axis of the rope of no more than about 10 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Measom, Frank Bradley Stamps
  • Cable cutting and stripping tool
    Patent number: D653093
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Dean Hedrick, Michael Stephens