Patents Assigned to Textron
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Patent number: 11312491Abstract: An autonomous cargo delivery aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft includes a fuselage having an aerodynamic shape with a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second sides. First and second wings are coupled to the fuselage proximate the first and second sides, respectively. A distributed thrust array includes a first pair of propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and a second pair of propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing. A flight control system is operably associated with the distributed thrust array and configured to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies. The first side of the fuselage includes a door configured to provide access to a cargo bay disposed within the fuselage from an exterior of the aircraft with a predetermined clearance relative to the first pair of propulsion assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kevin Morris, Nicholas Brodeur, Pascal Flynn-Robitaille, Mathieu Beland
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Patent number: 11312500Abstract: An electro-pneumatic de-icer for an airfoil includes an electrically-powered compressor for compressing air, an air-storage tank for storing compressed air, a source of negative pressure, an airfoil pneumatic boot, and a control valve located between 1) the air-storage tank, 2) the source of negative pressure, and 3) the pneumatic boot for cycling between compressed air to inflate the pneumatic boot and negative pressure to deflate the pneumatic boot for cracking accumulated ice on the airfoil. An airfoil de-icing method lacking engine bleed air extraction includes compressing air with an electrically-powered compressor, storing high-pressure air from the compressor in an air-storage tank, delivering high-pressure air from the air-storage tank to inflate a pneumatic boot located along an airfoil, providing a negative-pressure source, deflating the pneumatic boot with the negative-pressure source, and alternating between inflating and deflating the pneumatic boot for cracking accumulated ice on the airfoil.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Robert Glynn Wiegers, Cristopher Robert Schroeder
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Patent number: 11312480Abstract: In an embodiment, a rotorcraft includes: a flight control computer configured to: receive a first sensor signal from a first aircraft sensor of the rotorcraft; receive a second sensor signal from a second aircraft sensor of the rotorcraft, the second aircraft sensor being different from the first aircraft sensor; combine the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal with a complementary filter to determine an estimated vertical speed of the rotorcraft; adjust flight control devices of the rotorcraft according to the estimated vertical speed of the rotorcraft, thereby changing flight characteristics of the rotorcraft; and reset the complementary filter in response to detecting the rotorcraft is grounded.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Luke Dafydd Gillett, Sung Kyun Kim, Robert Earl Worsham, II
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Patent number: 11312487Abstract: An aircraft has an airframe with first and second wings having first and second pylons extending therebetween. A distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe includes at least first, second, third and fourth propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by a flight control system. A pod assembly is coupled to the airframe. In a VTOL flight mode, the first and second propulsion assemblies are forward of the pod assembly and the third and fourth propulsion assemblies are aft of the pod assembly. In a forward flight mode, the first and second propulsion assemblies are below the pod assembly and the third and fourth propulsion assemblies are above the pod assembly. In both the VTOL and forward flight modes, the first and fourth propulsion assemblies generate thrust having a first direction while the second and third propulsion assemblies generate thrust having a second direction that is different from the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: John Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
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Patent number: 11312499Abstract: A fluid diverting air inlet includes an intake opening through an outer surface of an enclosure for receiving air flowing outside the outer surface. The intake opening ramps downwardly below the outer surface to define an intake passageway. An air diversion device is formed by lateral sidewalls of the intake opening that extend vertically above the outer surface. The lateral sidewalls converge together at an upstream end of the air inlet, and the lateral sidewalls diverge apart towards a downstream end of the air inlet. Flanges extend outwardly from the tops of the lateral sidewalls such that divided air passageways for boundary layer fluids are formed on each side of the air diversion device. The sidewalls and flanges are integrated with the air inlet such that fluid moving immediately adjacent the outer surface of the enclosure is diverted around the air inlet to avoid ingestion into the intake opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Raymond Charters Maple
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Patent number: 11312484Abstract: A tiltwing aircraft convertible between a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode includes a fuselage, a tiltwing rotatably coupled to the fuselage and a convertible tailboom and landing gear system rotatably coupled to the fuselage. The tiltwing is rotatable between a substantially vertical position in the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a substantially horizontal position in the forward flight mode. The convertible tailboom and landing gear system is rotatable between a landing gear position in the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a tailboom position in the forward flight mode. The convertible tailboom and landing gear system includes skids and linkages that rotatably couple the skids to the fuselage. The skids are positioned below the fuselage in the landing gear position and extend aft of the fuselage in the tailboom position.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Guy Bernard
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Patent number: 11313455Abstract: In some examples, an aircraft gearbox comprises a housing, a barrier, a rotatable drive system component, a set of gears, and a lubrication system. The barrier separates a first compartment and a second compartment within the housing. Each of the rotatable drive system component and the set of gears operable to rotate based on torque received from an engine. The rotatable drive system component is located in the first compartment. The set of gears is located in the second compartment. The lubrication system comprises a first lubrication subsystem and a second lubrication subsystem, which are, at least in part, independent from one another. The first lubrication subsystem is operable to lubricate the rotatable drive system component in the first compartment. The second lubrication subsystem is operable to lubricate the set of gears in the second compartment. The barrier inhibits lubricant from passing between the first compartment and the second compartment.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Russell L. Mueller
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Patent number: 11312482Abstract: A component alignment system for an aircraft includes a first component having a first surface including first shaped projections that repeat in at least two directions along the first surface. The component alignment system also includes a second component having a second surface including second shaped projections that repeat in at least two directions along the second surface. The first shaped projections are complementary to the second shaped projections such that the first surface is translationally and rotationally constrained relative to the second surface when the first and second shaped projections are in an interlocked position.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Bruce Bennett Bacon
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Publication number: 20220120604Abstract: A weighing system includes a support, a load cell mounted to the support, and a part platform suspended from the load cell to receive a part to be weighed. The load cell is operable to generate thousands of weight values for the part per second over a period of less than twenty seconds. The load cell is operable to output a weight of the part by averaging the weight values over the period of less than twenty seconds. A method of weighing the part suspended from the load cell is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Simon TETREAULT
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Publication number: 20220119130Abstract: A cart for supporting a part to be inspected in a non-destructive testing (NDT) machine. The cart includes a base with wheels, a first support extending upright from the base, a second support extending upright from the base, and mounting fixtures being removably attachable to the first and second supports and having mounting ends engageable with the part to support the part from the first support or the second support. The base is displaceable with the wheels to enter and exit the NDT machine. The cart is lockable upon being within the NDT machine to secure the cart in position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Frédéric LALIBERTÉ
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Publication number: 20220120261Abstract: A rotor system comprising a driveshaft; at least one motor for providing rotational energy for the driveshaft; an overrunning clutch connected to the motor and disposed around the driveshaft, wherein the overrunning clutch is rotated by the at least one motor; and a pump assembly associated with the at least one motor, the pump assembly comprising a large bore through which the driveshaft passes such that the pump assembly is arranged concentric to the driveshaft, the pump assembly further comprising a gerotor pump comprising inner and outer gerotor pump gears, wherein an inner bore of the gerotor pump engages and is driven by the overrunning clutch; and a cover disposed over the gerotor pump for providing a sump for the gerotor pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Grant Beall, Stephen Yibum Chung
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Publication number: 20220121190Abstract: Methods and systems for performing a validation process on a part to be process are provided. An identifier associated with the part is received. A listing of at least one automated process based on the identifier is displayed. An indication of a selected automated process from the listing is received. First instructions are transmitted to an automated process device for performing an automated processing program in accordance with the selected automated process. Processing results associated with the part are received from the automated process device. Second instructions are transmitted to a validation process device for performing a validation program in accordance with a validation process associated with the selected automated process. Validation results associated with the part are received from the validation process device. The processing results and the validation results are stored in association with the identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Sébastien LACASSE, Ikram DJAFRI
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Patent number: 11306813Abstract: An example of an emergency lubrication system for an aircraft includes a lubricant tank configured to supply a lubricant to a gearbox of the aircraft, a tube coupled between the lubricant tank and the gearbox and comprising a check ball disposed within the tube, a first lubricant line coupled to the tube and a first inlet of the gearbox, and a second lubricant line coupled to the tube and a second inlet of the gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Douglas Robert Mueller
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Patent number: 11305867Abstract: A hub assembly for a ducted-rotor aircraft includes a plurality of stator supports, a first integral fitting that attaches to first ends of the stator supports, and a second integral fitting that attaches to second ends of the stator supports. The first fitting includes a plurality of motor attachment portions configured to locate and support a motor of the ducted-rotor aircraft, a plurality of fairing mounts configured to support attachment of an aerodynamic fairing to the hub assembly, and a plurality of stator locators configured to locate respective ones of the plurality of stator supports for attachment to the hub assembly. The first fitting has a body portion with an annular wall that supports the motor attachment portions, the fairing mounts, and the stator locators. The first fitting may be fabricated as a monolith that includes the body portion, motor attachment portions, fairing mounts, and stator locators.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Christopher Marion Johnson, Joseph Richard Carpenter, Jr., David G. Carlson
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Patent number: 11305891Abstract: Embodiments are directed to gearbox covers, mast caps, port plugs, and other coverings or lids that can be used to protect aircraft components against corrosion and contaminants. The protective coverings may be may be manufactured using three-dimensional printing or other additive manufacturing fabrication methods. The protective coverings are ultraviolet-light resistant, weather resistant, and impact resistant. The protective coverings may include a desiccant filter to reduce an aircraft component's exposure to water. The protective coverings may attach to the aircraft components using thumbscrews and may include an O-ring or gasket that creates an airtight and watertight seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Jon Earl Wall
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Publication number: 20220111977Abstract: A reduced performance monitoring system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a physical component of the tiltrotor aircraft configured to displace over time in response to an input, a simulation component configured to generate a simulated displacement response of the physical component, and a comparison module configured to compare a measured physical displacement response of the physical component to the simulated displacement response of the physical component.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Keith Leffler, Guy Bernard, Randy Aloysius, Michael Logies
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Publication number: 20220112354Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a pourable foam comprising a first resin component comprising a polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, a second resin component comprising a polyol, and a barium sulfate powder component. The barium sulfate powder component is combined with the second resin component prior to combining the first and second resin components. The barium sulfate component may comprise between 1% and 50% of the pourable foam. The pourable foam may be used to repair or create aircraft components.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Suvankar Mishra
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Publication number: 20220111952Abstract: A rotor system has a mast axis, a first rotor rotatable about the mast axis in a first direction and the first rotor has a first number of first rotor blades, and a second rotor rotatable about the mast axis in a second direction and the second rotor has a second number of second rotor blades that is different than the first number. The second direction is opposite the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Alexander Dang Quang Truong
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Publication number: 20220111949Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing and a rotor pod mounted to the wing. The rotor pod includes a body having a forward end and an aft end. A propeller is mounted to the body of the rotor pod at the forward end. A control surface is mounted to the body of the rotor pod between the forward and aft ends and extends outwardly from the body. The control surface is displaceable relative to the body between a first control configuration and a second control configuration to control an attitude of the aircraft. The control surface in the first control configuration is closer to the propeller than the control surface in the second control configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Pascal Flynn-Robitaille
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Patent number: D949613Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovation, Inc.Inventors: Frank Joseph Rowe, Michael Seibel, David Wayne Davis