Patents Assigned to Textron
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Patent number: 12234746Abstract: An electromechanical blade pitch control system includes a propeller hub, a blade having an adjustable pitch angle, and a blade bearing hub operably coupled to the blade. The system includes a linear actuator operably coupled to the blade bearing hub and a rotary actuator operably coupled to the linear actuator via a planetary gear system. The system is configured such that the blade bearing hub, linear actuator, and rotary actuator are housed within the propeller hub, and further configured such that actuation of the linear actuator results in a change in a pitch angle of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2024Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Textron eAviation Inc.Inventor: Paul C. Collado
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Patent number: 12234004Abstract: An aircraft door handle and lighting system for an entryway on an aircraft. The system includes a face plate with recessed areas. One recessed area includes a handle positioned for a user to grasp when entering or exiting the aircraft, and another recessed area includes a light source configured to direct light towards one or more stairs. Another recessed area is configured on the opposite side of the entryway and includes a light source configured to direct light towards the stairs.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2023Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Rebecca Rae Groninga, Clayton Auther Richards, Zonmong Alexander Lor, Merril Binford Williams, Sergio Ricardo Martinez
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Patent number: 12234024Abstract: An aircraft nacelle includes a forward cruise inlet, a forward-cruise-inlet conduit coupled to the forward cruise inlet and operable to supply air from the forward cruise inlet to an engine housed by the aircraft nacelle, an inlet barrier filter, an inlet-barrier-filter compartment coupled to the inlet barrier filter, a plurality of gills coupled between the inlet-barrier-filter compartment and the engine and operable to be in an open state and a closed state, a filter-purge door coupled to the inlet-barrier-filter compartment and operable to be in a closed state and an open state. When the plurality of gills are in the closed state and the filter-purge door is in the open state, air from the filter-purge door flows from the inlet-barrier-filter compartment through the inlet barrier filter.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2023Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: John Robert Wittmaak, Jr., Brennan Stults, Keith David Weaver, Richard Lee Thackway
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Patent number: 12237515Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes an electrolyte membrane layer (EML), and includes a first electrode catalyst layer (ECL) and a first metallic gas diffusion layer (MGDL) positioned to a first side of the EML such that the first ECL is positioned between the first MGDL and the EML. The first MGDL includes a metal-containing layer and a coating of porous material disposed on a surface of the metal-containing layer of the first MGDL that faces the first ECL. The apparatus further includes a second ECL and a second MGDL positioned to the second side of the EML such that the second ECL is positioned between the second MGDL and the EML. The second MGDL includes a metal-containing layer and a coating of porous material disposed on a surface of the metal-containing layer of the second MGDL that faces the second ECL.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Phalgun Madhusudan
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Patent number: 12228220Abstract: A method and system for controlling a fluid valve are described that avoid the effects of hysteresis. In hysteresis, the power signals associated with a valve position are different on the upstroke and downstroke. As a result, predicting the valve position can be difficult if you only know the current power signal. Instead of using upstrokes and downstrokes, a valve can momentarily be set to zero power, or a rest position when receiving a new command signal. This way the command signal is applied from a zero power or rest position, making the valve position more predictable and accurate.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: David M. Angell, Keith D. Weaver, Richard G. Otten
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Patent number: 12227291Abstract: An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A source of electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or one or more spokes. A plurality of electric motors are disposed within or attached to the one or more spokes in a distributed configuration. Each electric motor is connected to the source of electric power. A propeller is operably connected to each of the electric motors and proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes. One or more processors are communicably coupled to the plurality of electric motors. A longitudinal axis of the fuselage is substantially vertical in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and substantially in a direction of a forward flight in a forward flight mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Carlos Alexander Fenny, Rohn Lee Olson, Andrew James Zahasky
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Patent number: 12221218Abstract: An engine vibration isolation subframe for aircraft includes a forward frame and a forward beam connected to the forward frame. The forward beam includes a first end configured to connect to a first engine and a second end configured to connect to a second engine. An aft frame is disposed aft of the forward frame and includes a first aft beam connected to the aft frame and the first engine and a second aft beam connected to the aft frame and the second engine, where the second aft beam is disposed substantially opposite the first aft beam. At least one forward isolator assembly is connected to the forward frame and at least one aft isolator assembly is connected to the aft frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2023Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Rory Derik Cooper, Travis Elliot Smith
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Patent number: 12221206Abstract: An aircraft landing gear shimmy damping device for aircraft landing gear with castering may include a centering cam engaged in a curvic slot in an internal diameter of an aircraft landing gear wheel spindle when the landing gear wheel is aligned with forward ground travel of the aircraft, engaging a landing gear wheel shimmy dampener. The centering cam may be pushed out of the curvic slot when the aircraft begins to turn, disengaging the landing gear wheel shimmy dampener, and may slide back into the curvic slot and (re)engage the shimmy dampener, when the landing gear wheel is realigned with forward ground travel of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2023Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Mark Loring Isaac
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Patent number: 12221207Abstract: A back-to-back spherical bearing assembly for a rotary system of a rotary aircraft includes a spherical bearing member having an interior cavity and a spherical bearing surface defining a bearing focal point, a first elastomeric and a second elastomeric bonded to the spherical bearing surface on opposite sides of the bearing focal point, an inboard attachment bonded to the first elastomeric and configured to be secured to a rotor hub of the rotary system, and an outboard attachment bonded to the second elastomeric and configured to be secured to a rotor blade of the rotary system.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2023Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Amarjit Kizhakkepat, Mark Adam Wiinikka
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Patent number: 12221226Abstract: A system and a method for contactless power generation for a lighting arrangement configured on an aircraft propeller. Power is produced when a magnetic field produced by an arrangement of magnets on an airframe magnetically interacts with coils configured on an aircraft propeller. When the propeller spins, rotation of the mounted coils through the magnetic fields of the magnets generate power. Electrical wiring carrying charge from the coils to the lights is laid into grooves formed in propeller blades which connect to lights inserted in formed sockets.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2024Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Textron Aviation Inc.Inventor: Brian T. Cozine
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Patent number: 12221225Abstract: A sensor lift mechanism for deploying a sensor from a tail cone of an aircraft includes a frame mounted onto a side wall of the tail cone via a mounting assembly. The frame includes a first roller track and a second roller track aligned with the first roller track. A roller carriage assembly includes a plurality of rollers configured for rolling along the first and second roller tracks. A sensor platform is mechanically coupled to the carriage assembly and configured for mounting the sensor thereto. A drive unit is operatively coupled to the frame. The drive unit translates the roller carriage assembly vertically between the first and second roller tracks to move the sensor platform between a stowed position and a deployed position. A floor of the tail cone includes a track door configured to open for deploying the sensor beneath the tail cone.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Paul C. Collado, Jonathan J. Kalinowski, Patrick Klausmeyer, Lance A. Kawabata
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Publication number: 20250043737Abstract: Embodiments are directed to operating a multi-engine aircraft during a cruise flight condition. A first engine is put off-line during flight while allowing a second engine to continue operating. The second engine provides sufficient power to maintain the multi-engine aircraft in the cruise flight condition. An outside air temperature, a first engine temperature, and/or an engine oil temperature is monitored and, when the temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the engine oil for the off-line first engine is warmed. The off-line engine oil may be warmed by continuously or periodically cranking the first engine without restarting the first engine. Alternatively, the engine oil may be warmed using a heat exchanger, such as an air-to-oil or oil-to-oil heat exchanger, or by using electronic heaters on an oil tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: February 6, 2025Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Marc Ouellet, Daniel Carrier
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Patent number: 12215636Abstract: Various implementations described herein are related to an aircraft having a multi-engine configuration with multiple engines. The aircraft may have a flight control system coupled to the multiple engines with a multi-engine interface. The flight control system may be configured to reduce fuel consumption of at least one engine of the multiple engines during reduced-engine operation by pulse modulating fuel delivery to the at least one engine of the multiple engines.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2022Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Joshua Andrew Emrich, Thomas Dewey Parsons
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Patent number: 12214857Abstract: An aircraft is described and includes a fuselage; wings attached to the fuselage; and a torque box within the fuselage, the torque box including a side panel, the side panel comprising a composite laminate material including a plurality of stiffening beads integrated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Charles David Hogue, James Everett Kooiman, Joseph Richard Carpenter, Jr., David G. Carlson, Jonathan Alexander Freeman
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Patent number: 12214899Abstract: Propeller restraint kits for turboprop aircraft are provided which include at least one, and preferably a pair, of propeller restraint systems. Each propeller restraint system will preferably include an open-ended propeller restraint boot that may be formed of a flexible and durable fabric material which is sized and configured for placement over the tip of a propeller blade. A cowling attachment assembly is provided in the kit and is adapted to being attached to an aircraft cowling skin. A propeller boot tether strap of predetermined length interconnects the propeller restraint boot and the cowling attachment assembly. The cowling attachment assembly includes (i) a quick disconnect (QD) pin assembly connected to a terminal end of the propeller boot tether strap, and (ii) a pin receiver adapted to being positionally attached to an interior portion of the aircraft cowling skin.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Russell Ray Schrock, Michael Earl Lee
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Patent number: 12214870Abstract: In certain embodiments, a rotorcraft includes a first engine, a second engine, a primary engine-start system for the first engine, a fast-start engine-start system for the first engine, and a computer system. The computer system is configured to detect a failure of the second engine during a reduced engine operation (REO) flight mode in which the first engine has been intentionally shut down inflight and the second engine is to remain operational, and to automatically initiate, in response to detecting the failure of the second engine during the REO flight mode, an automatic restart of the first engine using the fast-start engine-start system.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Bharath Ramamurthy
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Patent number: D1060125Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Matthew Zaremba, Rob Brady, Erik Holmen
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Patent number: D1062580Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Textron Aviation Inc.Inventors: Jason Michael Decker, Rebecca Rae Groninga, Drew Daniel Woodworth
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Patent number: D1062581Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Merril Binford Williams, Frank Joseph Rowe
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Patent number: D1062582Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Sergio R. Martinez, Frank Joseph Rowe, Michael John Seibel