Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Techniques for articulating a nose member of a guidable projectile
    Publication number: 20080308671
    Abstract: A guidable projectile has a nose member, a projectile body, and a nose member articulation assembly which couples the nose member to the projectile body. The nose member articulation assembly includes a stator attached to the nose member, a rotor attached to the projectile body, and rotational support hardware interconnecting the stator to the rotor. The stator defines a central axis. The rotational support hardware is constructed and arranged to guide rotation of the rotor around the central axis defined by the stator. Such a guidable projectile enables circuitry such as the driver of the stator and the power source to reside at fixed locations relative to the stator thus alleviating the need for slip rings which would otherwise present potential points of failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Amir Harnoy
  • Catamaran air cushion ship with folding, retractable seals
    Patent number: 7464657
    Abstract: A vessel designed to operate efficiently as both a catamaran and air cushion vessel can travel at low speed in a catamaran or displacement mode, high speed in an air cushion mode, and amphibiously with the aid of deployable side seals. The vessel includes catamaran hulls and flexible air cushion bow and stern seal systems together with retractable side seals having hinged doors containing inflatable, retractable flexible components. The doors form part of the side seal system in the deployed position, and protect the flexible components of the seal in the retracted position. The arrangement reduces the drag associated with the side seals while the vessel operates in its catamaran or surface effect ship modes, and prevents damage to the seals during operation in the high speeds SES mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Maloney, W. Keith Dubose, E. Douglass Whittaker, Robert G. Moore, Jared M. Acosta
  • Motorized vehicle
    Patent number: 7464776
    Abstract: A utility vehicle having first and second vehicle modules and a method of operating a utility vehicle. The utility vehicle having a first vehicle module including a first vehicle body, a first plurality of wheels operatively connected with the first vehicle body, and a steering controller operatively connected for controlling at least one of the wheels among the first plurality of wheels. The second vehicle module including a second vehicle body and a second plurality of wheels operatively connected with the second vehicle body. The second vehicle body having a greater wheel spacing than that of the first vehicle body. Also, the second vehicle body being sized and configured to engage and carry the first vehicle body. The utility vehicle further having a control interface between the first vehicle module and the second vehicle module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Innovations
    Inventor: Bernhard Heine
  • Molded electronic assembly
    Patent number: 7462780
    Abstract: A molded electronic assembly of the present invention includes a wiring harness with connectors connected thereto, and a molded body formed to encapsulate the wiring harness and provide access to the connectors. The molded may comprise a plastic material such as polyurethane or other moldable material. A conductive coating may be placed on the outer surface of the molded body to provide electrical shielding. Additionally, the wiring harness may be shielded with a wrapping of metallic tape or the like. The molded electronic assembly of the present invention may include a grounding fixture or grommet that provides mechanical properties of a structural fixture and allows for ground wires to be terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Marsh, Joseph R. Frissora
  • Golf car glove box
    Patent number: 7461883
    Abstract: A golf car glove box including: an upper portion; a lower portion opposite to the upper portion; a rear portion; a face portion opposite to the rear portion; a first side portion between the rear portion and the face portion; a second side portion between the rear portion and the face portion; an aperture defined by the face portion; a door mounted within the aperture with a hinge; and a trim base extending from the face portion. The glove box defines an enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hanson, Richard Krall
  • Rotorcraft control system with stepped mixing linkage
    Patent number: 7461812
    Abstract: A control system for a rotorcraft is disclosed. The control system includes a stepped mixing linkage, such that a selected amount of right-left lateral cyclic output is generated for certain amounts of forward-aft cyclic input. The stepped mixing linkage includes two supporting links and a floating link pivotally coupled between the two supporting links. The ratio of the lengths of the two supporting links to the length of the floating link is small, thereby generating a selected lateral sinusoidal output, a selected rotation of the sinusoidal output, and a selected ramped output in response to each forward-aft pilot input command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Fenny, Duane Hicks
  • Methods and apparatus for mechanically adjusting a null offset in a torque motor of a servovalve
    Patent number: 7458394
    Abstract: A servovalve assembly includes a motor having a flapper shaft. A flapper couples to a first end of the flapper shaft such that the flapper shaft orients the flapper between a first nozzle and a second nozzle of the servovalve assembly. An adjustment assembly adjusts a position of the flapper relative to the nozzles of the servovalve. The adjustment assembly enables a servovalve manufacturer to set the flapper of the servovalve at a null position without disassembling the servovalve. Rather, the manufacturer is capable of simply installing the adjustment assembly and deforming an arm portion of the adjustment assembly for proper null position calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Muchlis Achmad, Bernard Johnson
  • PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A CONTAINER OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL BY EXTRUSION BLOW MOLDING AND A CONNECTION ELEMENT FOR USE IN SUCH A PROCESS
    Publication number: 20080290564
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of a container of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow molding, in which during shaping of the container within a multi-part tool the container is provided with at least one connection element (3) which passes through the wall of the container. The connection element (3) according to the invention is of a two-part structure, wherein a part is in the form of a removal cutting element (11). The cutting element (11) serves as a penetration tip for piercing the wall of the container while still in the plastic condition (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Wolter
  • Windshield attachment
    Patent number: 7452023
    Abstract: A window assembly cooperating with a window frame on a golf car includes a first window pane selectively coupled to the window frame. A second window pane is selectively coupled to the window frame and offset from the first window pane. A first pair of retaining members are arranged on the window frame in an installed position and movable between a retaining position wherein the retaining members retain the first window pane in an upright position and a release position wherein the retaining members are disengaged from the first window pane. Each of the first pair of retaining members are defined by a rigid frame having an integrally molded elastomeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Richard Krall
  • Reel locating system for lawnmower
    Patent number: 7448193
    Abstract: A mower includes a mower base unit and a cutting reel assembly having a plurality of cutting blades rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the ground. The mower also includes at least one leading link pivotally interconnecting the cutting reel assembly and the mower base unit such that the cutting reel moves independently relative to the mower base unit as the cutting reel assembly traverses undulating terrain. Furthermore, the mower includes at least one tracking rod interconnecting the mower base unit and the cutting reel assembly. The tracking rod is configured to cause the cutting reel assembly to track in a substantially straight line along a mowing direction while reducing lateral movement of the cutting reel assembly relative to the mower base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Harry L. Derby
  • CONVERTIBLE CARGO BED
    Publication number: 20080265604
    Abstract: A convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a single piece molded main body having a pair of integrally formed hip restraints that each include a passenger hand hold integrally formed within the respective hip restraint. The assembly additionally includes a molded pivoting panel that has a cargo deck side and a seat side. The cargo deck side functions as a portion of a cargo deck when the pivoting panel is in a deployed position. The seat side has at least one full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto. That is the full-sized seat cushion is approximately the same size as the forward facing driver's and passenger's seats. Therefore, when the pivoting panel is transitioned from the deployed position to a stowed position, wherein the convertible cargo bed provides a full-sized rear facing seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Houston
  • Beam combination using interleaved optical plates
    Patent number: 7444044
    Abstract: In a system and method, the emitted beams of multiple diode bar array assemblies are combined to achieve an increase in the resulting power density in the combined output beam, while addressing the need for heat distribution in each of the individual assemblies. The present invention enables the combination of output planes of illumination, to form a single, merged beam of area Ag having intensity IM˜M*Istack and brightness BM˜M*Bstack, where Istack and Bstack refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the output plane of illumination of a single stacked array, and where IM and BM refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the combined output plane of illumination of M stacked arrays. In this manner, the present invention is useful in applications where there is a need for high-intensity, high-brightness light energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Klimek, Alexander E. Mandl
  • Speed Limiting for a Light-Weight Utility Vehicle
    Publication number: 20080251307
    Abstract: A method of limiting speed of a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving a terrain roughness signal generated from a motion sensor. The signal indicates a roughness of a terrain over which the utility vehicle is traversing. The method additionally includes determining a peak-to-peak amplitude of the terrain roughness signal and limiting the speed of the utility vehicle if the peak-to-peak amplitude is greater than a maximum threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Oliver A. Bell
  • Laser designator for sensor-fuzed munition and method of operation thereof
    Patent number: 7436493
    Abstract: In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator mode of operation. In the laser designator mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether laser designator energy is detected as being present on the target. This additional mode of operation is preferably achieved using the existing laser receiver of the rangefinder hardware, with minimal additional hardware and software systems for detecting and processing the additional laser designator signal energy. In this manner, collateral damage and false-target firings are decreased to near-zero probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. McConville, David DeLude
  • Battery tray and wiring harness for a walk-behind reel greensmower
    Patent number: 7434642
    Abstract: A greensmower having a cutting reel and a traction member and an independent electric circuit and motor for driving each. A handle is attached to the reel for mower guidance by an operator in a walk-behind position. Separate electric controls are connected to each motor for separate speeds for each motor and thereby control the clip rate of the mowing. There are low battery power read-outs and automatic shutoffs. Provision is made for traction powering of the mower even when the reel motor is not operating because of low battery power. A lift-out battery pack is shiftably mounted on the mower for producing the desired force of the mower on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Dettmann
  • Magnetic attachment of a bed knife in a reel mower assembly
    Patent number: 7434380
    Abstract: A reel mower assembly comprises a mower reel rotatably mounted to a frame, and a drive operative to rotate the reel about a reel axis. A plurality of magnets are mounted on the frame and a bed knife is magnetically held against the magnets in an operating position such that the bed knife is oriented in cutting relationship with the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Buchko, Glen Trentini
  • Guided projectile with power and control mechanism
    Patent number: 7431237
    Abstract: A projectile has the ability to generate and provide power to components located in two sections of the projectile which have relative rotation to each other. The projectile has a pair of generators allowing the powering of components in two sections. The projectile has a force-producing device for altering the direction of the projectile as the projectile moves along the longitudinal axis of the projectile and the relative rotational position of the force-producing device on the projectile is controlled by a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Robert Mock, John Adams Marshall, Grant Allen Sweer
  • Zig-zag laser with improved liquid cooling
    Patent number: 7433376
    Abstract: A zig-zag laser has the ability to generate a high power beam while effectively removing heat without degrading the beam quality. The laser has a series of gaps interposed between the thin slabs, the gain medium, and between the thin slabs and the quartz windows to receive coolant and cool the cell assembly. The coolant flows transversely relative to the path of the laser and the flow of the coolant is in the opposite direction on each side of the thin slab to minimize the temperature gradient. The gaps in conjunction with the inner channel portions in the secondary manifold flow the coolant through the cell assembly in a laminar manner therein not degrading the laser beam quality. A transparent quartz/quartz interface between the secondary manifold and the cell assembly allow the fluorescence to move away from the cell assembly and minimizes heat in the cell assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander E. Mandl, Daniel E. Klimek, Richard Hayes
  • Regulated charge pump circuit and application in power stages employing normally on power switching devices
    Patent number: 7432756
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit employs an oscillator powered by a variable positive supply voltage, storage and switching circuitry controlled by an oscillator signal from the oscillator, and a regulator that maintains a negative supply voltage generated by the storage and switching circuitry at a target value through control of the variable positive supply voltage. The charge pump can be used in a power stage employing normally on switching transistors (such as silicon carbide junction FETs or SiC JFETs) that require a negative voltage to be turned completely off. Such power stages are in turn useful in applications including military aerospace applications having harsh electromagnetic interference (EMI) conditions, where they may be controlled by optical control signals conveyed by optical fibers from a more benign operating environment within the body of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Boe
  • Multi-angle steering column mounting arrangement
    Patent number: D579402
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Landon N. Ball, Anthony J. Sanville, William N. Mosuch, Walton R. Jeffcoat, Albert G. Packard, III