Patents Assigned to Textron
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Patent number: 11753167Abstract: An embodiment is a system including an external passenger seating unit comprising at least one seat; and a translation mechanism for translating the external passenger seating unit between a first position in which the external passenger seating unit is stowed in a payload bay of an aircraft and a second position in which the external passenger seating unit is deployed external to the aircraft for accommodating at least one passenger.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventor: Christopher Edward Foskey
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Patent number: 11754430Abstract: An operating fluid tank includes a capacitor. The capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Between the first electrode and the second electrode, a clearance is formed which is fluid-connected to an operating fluid tank interior. The fluid tank also includes an evaluator electrically connected to the capacitor for determining a capacity of the capacitor by means of measurement signals determined by the capacitor. The first electrode and the second electrode include an electrically conductive plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stefan Wind, Axel Barkow
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Patent number: 11753154Abstract: A control system for a multi-rotor aircraft is described that results in lower operating noise. Allowing blades to flap during flight reduces aerodynamic interference as blades pass by other aircraft components, such as wings or the fuselage. Pitch links coupled to a rotational swashplate can be used to allow flapping during flight. The swashplates can allow the canting of the rotors to change a rotational or out-of-plane angle of the blades to decrease noise.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Matthew P. Misiorowski, Joseph H. Schmaus
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Patent number: 11753137Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage assembly, a further portion that attaches with the fuselage assembly, and a propulsion assembly coupled with the further portion. The propulsion assembly is constructed and arranged to provide propulsion for the UAV. The fuselage assembly includes a fuselage body constructed and arranged to operate as a forward portion of the UAV, lateral stringers coupled with the fuselage body and extending laterally along the fuselage body, and a set of interchangeable covers to cover at least a portion of a payload bay opening defined by the fuselage body. Utilizing such a fuselage assembly offers a highly configurable mounting architecture to accommodate a wide variety of payloads.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Textron Systems CorporationInventors: Aaron Nathaniel Blevins, Charles David Haskin, II, William Gwathmey Bruner, IV
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Publication number: 20230278701Abstract: A landing wheel assembly for a rotorcraft having a light on gear phase during takeoff and landing includes a tire and an anti-roll oscillation rim. The tire has first and second side walls and forms a center aperture. The anti-roll oscillation rim includes a center disc disposed in the aperture of the tire, a first side wall support plate protruding from the center disc and extending at least 25 percent of the vertical length of the first side wall of the tire and a second side wall support plate protruding from the center disc and extending at least 25 percent of the vertical length of the second side wall of the tire. The first and second side wall support plates support the first and second side walls, respectively, to stiffen the tire in the light on gear phase of takeoff and landing, thereby reducing roll oscillations of the rotorcraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Albert G. Brand, Michael Pujol, Casey T. Johnson, Marko Vuga
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Patent number: 11747805Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating an aircraft includes operating the aircraft in a first mode including determining an attitude based on a pilot stick signal, where a translational speed or an attitude of the aircraft is proportional to an amplitude of the pilot stick signal in the first mode; transitioning from the first mode to a second mode when a velocity of the aircraft exceeds a first velocity threshold; and operating the aircraft in the second mode where the output of the rate controller is proportional to the amplitude of the pilot stick signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Sung Kyun Kim
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Patent number: 11748183Abstract: A flight control computer (FCC) has an index calculation component (ICC) configured to compare a reasonableness of at least a first value of a variable and a second value of the variable. A method of operating a flight control computer (FCC) includes providing an index calculation component (ICC) configured to compare a reasonableness of at least a first value of a variable and a second value of the variable.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Michael Logies
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Patent number: 11745867Abstract: A pylon conversion actuator, for use in tiltrotor aircraft, that converts the tiltrotor between hover flight mode and forward flight mode. Pylon conversion actuator selectively retracts and extends between a retracted position to an extended position. Pylon conversion actuator includes an extendable arm, a motor, and an actuator platform.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: William Atkins, George Ryan Decker, Steven Allen Robedeau, Jr.
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Patent number: 11745855Abstract: In an embodiment, an aircraft includes an airframe and a first propulsion assembly coupled to the airframe. The first propulsion assembly includes a first rotor hub and a first plurality of rotor blades non-uniformly spaced about the first rotor hub and operable to rotate in a rotor plane with the first rotor hub. The aircraft also includes a second propulsion assembly coupled to the airframe. The second propulsion assembly includes a second rotor hub and a second plurality of rotor blades non-uniformly spaced about the second rotor hub and operable to rotate in a rotor plane with the second rotor hub.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Alexander Dang Quang Truong
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Patent number: 11745858Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of managing force equalization (FEQ) on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the measured force. The method also includes analyzing movement over at least a portion of the measured-force time series. The method also includes identifying a force-fight cycle in the measured-force time series. The method also includes indicating the force-fight cycle in cumulative force-fight cycle data for the first actuation system.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Clifton Harrell, Christos Bais, Curtis R. Higgens, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., David Adjei
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Patent number: 11749820Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft includes providing a fuel cell system to power the aircraft, providing an airflow path through the fuel cell system, sensing a change mass air flow rate supplied to a compressor of the fuel cell system, and at least one of adjusting a restriction of airflow entering the airflow path in response to the sensed change in mass air flow rate, adjusting a restriction of airflow exiting the airflow path in response to the sensed change in mass air flow rate, and adjusting an air scoop to gather a different amount of air into the airflow path. A method of operating an aircraft includes sensing a change in ambient pressure supplied to an airflow path and adjusting a restriction of airflow exiting the airflow path in response to a sensed change in ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Joseph Dean Rainville
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Patent number: 11745853Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Kyle Thomas Cravener
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Patent number: 11745583Abstract: A vehicle transaxle comprising a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly mountable to an axle tube of the vehicle absent any additional structure for mounting the transaxle to the vehicle. The axle tube houses a wheel axle to which the transaxle is operably couplable. The transaxle additionally comprises a transaxle mounting collar that is fixedly mounted to or integrally formed with a housing of the transaxle. The mounting collar is structured and operable to have a prime mover of the vehicle mounted thereto and to support the weight/mass of the prime mover such that the prime mover is mountable to the vehicle via only the mounting collar absent any additional structure for mounting the prime mover to the vehicle such that the prime mover can be cantilevered from (e.g., suspended from) the transaxle, e.g., the prime mover is ‘free floating’.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Zekarias W. Yohannes, Matthew Wilson, David A. Smith, Chris L. Normand
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Patent number: 11745881Abstract: A stack fuel cell array featuring paired fuel-cell systems combined to generate 540 VDC for a rotorcraft. Power from the hydrogen-based fuel cells is provided to the rotorcraft. A rated electrical load of the rotorcraft helps determine how many paired fuel-cell systems are needed during any fuel-cell systems failures. Each of the paired fuel-cell systems is coupled to an electrical load of the rotorcraft. The system detects any fuel cell failures and removes other working fuel cells as needed to balance the electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Joseph Dean Rainville
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Publication number: 20230271378Abstract: A method of producing an article of manufacture includes printing a break-wire conductive-material pattern via an additive-manufacturing process and applying the break-wire conductive-material pattern to a surface of a component. A shape of the break-wire conductive-material pattern fits the surface of the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Maxime LAPALME, Nicola PEDNEAULT PLOURDE, Jocelyn LIRETTE
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Publication number: 20230271712Abstract: A fuel-cell system for powering an electrical load, the system having first and second fuel cells, each having a positive node and a negative node. The positive node of the second fuel cell is electrically coupled to the negative node of the first fuel cell, and the positive node of the first fuel cell and the negative node of the second fuel cell are electrically coupled to the electrical load. Each fuel cell is electrically coupled to the electrical load without a power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Joseph Dean Rainville
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Patent number: 11738879Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an aircraft that includes a fuselage and a rotatable wing disposed above the fuselage. At least one cross-wing driveshaft is disposed within the wing and is driven in rotation by a drive system connected to first and second engines that are located at respective sides of the fuselage beneath the wing. The drive system is so configured that one or both of the first engine and the second engine can drive the at least one cross-wing driveshaft in the event of failure of an engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Colton Gilliland, David Bockmiller
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Patent number: 11738887Abstract: A method of evaluating fatigue damage of a rotor mast. The method includes performing an x-ray diffraction (“XRD”) inspection of the rotor mast, assessing fatigue damage sustained by the rotor mast based on results of the XRD inspection, and determining whether the rotor mast is suitable for continued use based on the assessed fatigue damage.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Steve Cates, Caydn White, Kevin Brooker
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Patent number: 11738493Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes fastening a plurality of components of a composite structure in an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, wherein the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the assembly fixture further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture; and heating the assembly fixture in an autoclave to bond the plurality of components of the composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: David G. Carlson, Douglas K. Wolfe, James A. Cordell
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Patent number: 11742500Abstract: A tank has a body defining a chamber therein, the chamber is configured to store a gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, a first mounting element extending from the body, and a second mounting element extending from the body. The first mounting element and the second mounting element are configured for coupling to a first component of a vehicle and a second component of the vehicle, respectively, and the body is configured to carry a structural load between the first component and the second component when the first mounting element and the second mounting element are coupled thereto. The first component carries a propulsion device and the second component comprises at least one of a wing and a landing element. The tank further includes a stem having an orifice and the stem is configured for delivering the gas to the propulsion device through the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Joseph Dean Rainville, William Ben Johns