Patents Assigned to Textron
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Publication number: 20100221119Abstract: A rotor yoke includes a blade attachment portion, a mast attachment portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the blade attachment portion and the mast attachment portion. The intermediate portion, the blade attachment portion, and the mast attachment portion define an optional inner edge, such that the inner edge, if present, defines an opening. The rotor yoke further includes a peripheral, outer edge extending about the blade attachment portion, the intermediate portion, and the mast attachment portion. At least one of the outer edge and the inner edge, if present, includes a reduced thickness portion exhibiting a thickness that is less than a thickness of an adjacent portion of the rotor yoke.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2006Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventor: Bryan K. Baskin
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Patent number: 7788013Abstract: A technique provides a remote adjustment to a portion of an airplane engine. The technique involves attaching a remote adjuster to the portion of the engine at a proximate location to the engine while the engine is not running. The portion is configured to receive a direct manual adjustment from a user while the engine is running and while the user is in direct physical contact with the portion. The technique further involves, after attaching the remote adjuster to the portion of the engine, supplying user input to the remote adjuster at a distal location to the engine to provide a remote adjustment to the portion of the engine through the remote adjuster in place of the direct manual adjustment from the user. The technique further involves, after supplying the user input to the remote adjuster, removing the remote adjuster from the portion of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Textron System CorporationInventor: Anthony Stanley Pruszenski
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Patent number: 7784340Abstract: An improved design for a force gradient using a proximity sensor is disclosed. A force gradient comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end. The switch includes a spring contained between the first end and the second end and a non-contact proximity sensor mounted on the second end. The spring has a first position and is compressed to a second position so that the non-contact proximity sensor signals an AFCS to change state.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.Inventor: Terry G. Doversberger
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Publication number: 20100215424Abstract: A locking device includes a shape memory alloy actuator that engages a locking pin to release the pin and unlock the device it is engaging. Upon heating the shape memory alloy member, it returns to a predetermined shape, which has a length shorter than its non-heated length. As the shape memory alloy actuator shortens, it pulls the locking pin at least a pre-determined distance to release the locking pin from engagement with the device it is locking and into engagement with a pin release member. The pin release member holds the locking pin in the unlocked position until the pin release member is moved from engagement with the locking pin. Once moved, the pin release member disengages from the locking pin and the pin is moved back into its original, locked position. The shape memory alloy actuator and pin release member are also returned to their original position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.Inventors: R. Kim Crookston, Mark A. Woodruff
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Patent number: 7781051Abstract: The invention provides a functional stretch laminate composite puckered fabric which is robust, laundry-durable and adaptable for securing about any three dimensional body, and a method for forming such puckered fabric. The functional stretch laminate fabric is provided with at least one functional element which can conduct electricity, conduct light, provide electromagnetic fields or provide shielding from electromagnetic fields. In addition, at least one via is provided in the functional stretch laminate allowing the functional element to extend or loop outwardly from the at least one via when the laminate is in a relaxed or unstretched state. Generally, the functional stretch laminate fabric is sufficiently robust for incorporation into garments and for applications in so-called wearable electronics.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Textronics, Inc.Inventors: Stacey B. Burr, Qaizar N. Hassonjee, Roger Armitage
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Publication number: 20100209242Abstract: A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has at least one weight mounted in a rotating system of a rotor hub of the aircraft, each weight being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hub relative to the hub and to each other weight. Drive means are provided for rotating each weight about the axis of rotation at a selected speed for creating oscillatory shear forces that oppose and attenuate rotor-induced vibrations having a selected frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: David A. Popelka, Richard E. Rauber, Frank B. Stamps
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Publication number: 20100193075Abstract: The invention relates to a filler neck (1) for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle which has at least one tubular section (3) provided in the area of the filler inlet to receive the outlet pipe (4) of a fuel delivery nozzle. The filler neck (1) according to the invention has the distinguishing feature of at least one insert forming a constriction as a flame barrier, which encloses the outlet pipe (4), forming at least one gas passage gap (7), the gap dimension being selected so that any flashback is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Klaus Gebert, Axel Wagner
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Patent number: 7765835Abstract: An elastic composite yarn comprises a composite core and a composite covering. The composite core comprises an elastic core member and an inelastic functional core member. The composite covering comprises at least an elastic covering member and at least one inelastic covering member surrounding the elastic covering member, such that substantially all of an elongating stress imposed on the composite yarn is carried by the elastic core member and the elastic covering member.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Textronics, Inc.Inventors: Eleni Karayianni, Philippe Chaudron, George W. Coulston
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Publication number: 20100186361Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Christian Stanton Carver Bryant, Scott Chartrand, Carlos A. Bellot, Harry L. Derby, V
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Patent number: 7762501Abstract: A method and system for optimizing rotor flapping utilizes the collective stick position and true airspeed to determine a commanded longitudinal stick position.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Ashok Agnihotri, Helmuth Koelzer, John Schillings, Robert Fortenbaugh
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Patent number: 7755012Abstract: A control surface actuation system has the ability to move aerodynamic control surfaces using a rotational motion of a motor. In an arrangement, rotational motion of the motor enables the aerodynamic control surfaces of a rotating projectile to oscillate and thus vary the angle of the control surfaces as the projectile spins. The rotation of a motor in one direction in combination with a gear and a link and a crank arm attached to a shaft of the aerodynamic control surfaces allows the control surfaces to move in fluttering motion to induce the maneuvering of a projectile in the desired direction. A controller takes information regarding the current condition of the projectile and drives the motor to move the aerodynamic devices to maneuver the projectile.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.Inventor: M Robert Mock
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Publication number: 20100164311Abstract: The actuator system has a external rotor motor having: (i) an internal armature configured as a stator having a set of coils wrapped around a set of arms, and (ii) an external permanent magnet rotor having a set of poles configured to rotate less than 90 degrees around the stator. The actuator system has a drive shaft configured to be rotated by the external rotor motor. The actuator system has a drive train connecting the external permanent magnet rotor to the drive shaft, and configured to provide gear ratio to the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.Inventor: M. Robert Mock
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Publication number: 20100147992Abstract: A control surface actuation system has the ability to move aerodynamic control surfaces using a rotational motion of a motor. In an arrangement, rotational motion of the motor enables the aerodynamic control surfaces of a rotating projectile to oscillate and thus vary the angle of the control surfaces as the projectile spins. The rotation of a motor in one direction in combination with a gear and a link and a crank arm attached to a shaft of the aerodynamic control surfaces allows the control surfaces to move in fluttering motion to induce the maneuvering of a projectile in the desired direction. A controller takes information regarding the current condition of the projectile and drives the motor to move the aerodynamic devices to maneuver the projectile.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2007Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: HR Textron Inc.Inventor: M. Robert Mock
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Publication number: 20100147847Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling operational venting of a plastics fuel tank, in which the volume of the plastics fuel tank is kept within a predetermined differential pressure range relative to ambient pressure by means of at least one operational venting valve with pressure maintaining function, at least an upper limit of the differential pressure range defining a maximum admissible overpressure being varied as a function of the ambient temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Klaus Gebert
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Publication number: 20100147863Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank having at least one filler pipe (2) enclosing a refueling duct (13), at least one operational venting valve (11), at least one refueling venting valve (8) and at least one venting line (9), which is connected to a filler head (3) of the filler pipe (2). The filler head (3) comprises a valve, which when refueling closes a flow path from the venting line (9) into the refueling duct (13). One of outstanding features of the fuel tank is that the venting line (9) is embodied as a collective venting line for the refueling and operational venting and that in any switching position of the valve it communicates with a downstream fuel vapor filter (10) connected to the filler head (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Karl-Peter Grun, Ibrahim Koukan, Waldemar Nickel
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Patent number: 7735592Abstract: A turf maintenance vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an energy converting device that converts mechanical energy from the engine to electric energy. The vehicle also includes at least one subsystem powered by the electric energy from the energy converting device. The vehicle further includes a demand sensor that detects electrical demand from the subsystem. Also, the vehicle includes a controller that changes a speed range of the engine based on the electrical demand, which changes the operating voltage range output from the energy converting device. A method of operation of the vehicle is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Carlos A Bellot, Martin M. Carlson, Kenneth R. Wilson
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Patent number: 7733078Abstract: A non-contact voltage detector having a self-test feature is provided. The non-contact voltage detector may include an antenna, a detection circuit and a self-test circuit. The self-test circuit may be configured to send a test signal through a portion of the antenna and to the detection circuit. Alternatively, the self-test circuit may be configured to send a test signal to the detection circuit without sending it through a portion of the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Greenlee Textron, Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Duke
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Patent number: 7731121Abstract: A rotorcraft having an enhanced configuration in which a simple wing and a propulsive anti-torque system are combined is disclosed. The propulsive anti-torque system includes an anti-torque thruster system in which a variable pitch fan is installed internal to the tail boom of the rotorcraft and an anti-torque thruster nozzle is mounted at the extremity of the tail boom. The fan is driven directly from the main rotor drive. The configuration and location of the fan allows the primary exhaust from the engine to be mixed with the compressed air flow from the fan. The mixed air flow from the fan and the engine passes through the tail boom and out the thruster nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Dudley E. Smith, Walter C. Joiner, Paul J. Madej, Charles L. Hollimon, Daniel B. Robertson
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Patent number: 7731817Abstract: An improved method of joining fiber composite laminates is disclosed. Two fiber composite laminates may be joined together end-to-end. The bonding is done through the thickness of the fiber composite laminates. There are two ways to form the bond: (1) non-interlocking; and (2) interlocking.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Donn Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones
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Publication number: 20100135747Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion blow-molded component (1) made of thermoplastic resin. The component (1) preferably comprises a recess in the exterior wall, the recess being configured as a blind bore (2) provided with at least one convolution (4). The blind bore (2) serves to receive a complementary fastening element (6) equipped with a threaded stem (17). A contour is provided in the region of the orifice (3) of the blind bore (2), the contour positively interacting with a contour that is complementary on the fastening element upon insertion of the fastening element (6), wherein the angular position of the contour (2) is selected such that inserting the contours into each other is possible only by overcoming an axial tension that is built up due to the rotating movement of the parts to each other under elastic deformation of the plastic (FIG. 1).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Alexander Herroder, Thomas Malcher
