Patents Assigned to Textronics, Inc.
  • Redundant cooling system
    Patent number: 10907723
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a shared cooling device for one or more systems or components, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways. Each of the primary cooling pathways includes a transition duct and a fan. The transition duct is in fluid communication with the shared cooling device. The fan is in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl R. Burge, Scott David Poster, Thomas Mast
  • Hybrid tiltrotor drive system
    Patent number: 10906656
    Abstract: An exemplary tiltrotor aircraft with a hybrid drive system includes a first propulsion system having a first engine and a first supplemental driver operably coupled to a first proprotor that is operable between a helicopter mode and an airplane mode and a second propulsion system having a second engine and a second supplemental driver operably coupled to a second proprotor that is operable between a helicopter mode and an airplane mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Colton James Gilliland, Mark Alan Przybyla, Eric Stephen Olson
  • Cowling inlet for sideward airflow
    Patent number: 10906660
    Abstract: An exemplary vertical takeoff and landing includes a rotor driven by an electric motor, a generator located in a compartment and electrically connected to the electric motor, and an inlet formed through a side of the compartment to direct sideward airflow across the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Albert Sinusas
  • Systems and methods for controlled filtering of aircraft control input
    Patent number: 10906632
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is performed by a control computer. The method includes receiving a time series of control inputs in relation to a control axis of an aircraft, where the control computer causes actuation in response to each control input in the time series as the control input is received. The method also includes determining aircraft oscillation over a sample period corresponding to the time series. The method also includes evaluating information related to the determined aircraft oscillation using engagement settings associated with a control filter. The method also includes engaging the control filter responsive to the information satisfying the engagement settings, where the engaged control filter systematically attenuates future control inputs in relation to the control axis prior to actuation responsive thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bosworth
  • BEARING FOR AXIAL STIFFENING
    Publication number: 20210024205
    Abstract: An example of a hub for a tail rotor includes a body configured to couple to a mast of a rotor system, a trunnion disposed within the body, first and second shafts disposed on opposite sides of the trunnion, first and second end plates secured to the body, and first and second end bearings, the first end bearing disposed between the first shaft and the first end plate and the second end bearing disposed between the second shaft and the second end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kent LEDBETTER, Thomas PARHAM, Dalton T. HAMPTON, Frank STAMPS, Zachary Edwin DAILEY, Robert L. MILLIKEN
  • Utility vehicle cowl assembly
    Patent number: 10899283
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cargo rack for a utility vehicle. The cargo rack comprises a base structure, a front wall structure extending upward from the base structure and having a top edge, a pair of opposing sidewall structures, wherein each sidewall extends upward from the base structure and having a top edge, and a back wall structure extending upward from the base structure and having a top edge. The cargo rack base structure is structured to be disposed within a reservoir of a vehicle front body cowl such that the entirety of the cargo rack base structure is disposed within the cowl reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Jhant, Nick Moore, Matthew Baekelandt
  • Planar vibration isolator
    Patent number: 10899437
    Abstract: A method and system to isolate vibrations, including a first pair of fluid chambers disposed to isolate first vibrations between a first body and a second body, wherein the first vibrations are parallel to a first axis, wherein the first body is a propeller hub, a rotor hub, a pylon attachment, or an engine, and wherein the second body is a propeller shaft, a rotor mast, or a body attachment; a second pair of fluid chambers disposed to isolate second vibrations between the first and second bodies, wherein the second vibrations are parallel to a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; first and second inertia tracks disposed to place the first and second pairs of chambers in fluid communication, respectively; and a plurality of elastic energy storage devices coupled to the first body and the second body and disposed to isolate vibrations between the first and second bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: David E. Heverly, II
  • MASKING TOOL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20210016414
    Abstract: A masking tool system includes a first masking body and a second masking body. The first masking body includes a bore passing through a portion of the first masking body and a first sealing element disposed on a first end of the first masking body. The second masking body includes a bore passing through the second masking body and a second sealing element disposed on a first end of the second masking body. The system may also include a rod configured to pass through the bores of the first and second masking bodies and to secure the first and second masking bodies to a metallic article placed therebetween. A diagonal length of the masking tool system induces a wobbling rotation during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Lee LARSON, Roland L. WALKER, JR., Mark Philip VANCE, James Joseph MEYER, Edward P. MICHAELS, JR.
  • Aircraft Fuel Systems having Fluid Line Extension Sleeves
    Publication number: 20210016889
    Abstract: A fuel system for an aircraft. The fuel system includes a fuel tank configured to contain liquid fuel. A non-extendable fluid line is coupled between an airframe member of the aircraft and the fuel tank. A sleeve assembly is coupled between the fluid line and an upper surface of the fuel tank. The sleeve assembly includes a sealing sleeve and an extension sleeve. The sealing sleeve is positioned around the fluid line forming a fluid tight seal therewith and having a non-sliding relationship therewith. The extension sleeve is positioned around the fluid line with a first portion of the extension sleeve having a sliding relationship with the fluid line such that increasing the distance between the upper surface of the fuel tank and the airframe member causes the extension sleeve to increase in length as the fluid line slides relative to the first portion of the extension sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Remington Zarate
  • Driveshaft Misalignment Measurement Systems and Methods
    Publication number: 20210016903
    Abstract: A driveshaft misalignment measurement system for a drivetrain of an aircraft includes a driveshaft having a first end forming a driveshaft spline and a drivetrain subsystem including a spline adapted to connect to the driveshaft spline to form a splined connection. Rotational energy is transferred between the drivetrain subsystem and the driveshaft via the splined connection. The driveshaft misalignment measurement system also includes accelerometers coupled to the drivetrain configured to detect acceleration data and a flight control computer configured to measure misalignment at the splined connection using the acceleration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Carl VanBuskirk
  • System for image guided assembly and a fastening tool for assembly of a structure
    Patent number: 10894304
    Abstract: A system for image guided assembly of a structure, the structure defining an interior area accessible through at least one access opening, the interior area including at least one fastener hole. The system including a first fastening tool including an arm with first and second ends; and a support plate on the first end, the support plate including at least one connection member to securely retain a fastener therein, the at least one connection member configured to facilitate alignment of the fastener with the at least one fastener hole; an image capturing device disposed on the arm first end configured to generate a captured image of the interior area; a light source associated with the arm first end, the light source configured to generate light at the first end of the arm; and a display device located outside the interior area for displaying the captured image of the interior area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Grant M. Beall
  • TAKEOFF POWER BOOST
    Publication number: 20210010436
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to boosting aircraft engine performance for takeoff and critical mission segments by reducing airflow used for cooling exhaust gases. The airflow is reduced by stopping an accessory blower or by closing an external air vent. Eliminating the cooling airflow to the exhaust has the effect of lowering the backpressure on the engine, which thereby increases maximum engine power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: William Gons, Brett Partington
  • Powertrain
    Patent number: 10889173
    Abstract: A transaxle system for a golf car, wherein the system comprises a transaxle and a matting interface. The transaxle comprises a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly mountable to at least one axle tube of the golf car, wherein the at least one axle tube houses at least one wheel axle, and the transaxle is operably couplable to the at least one wheel axle. The transaxle additionally comprising a transaxle mounting collar that is fixedly mounted to or integrally formed with a housing of the transaxle. The mating interface is mountable to the transaxle mounting collar, and is structured and operable to have an integrated internal combustion engine-transmission unit of the golf car mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Zekarias W. Yohannes, Matthew Wilson, David A. Smith, Chris L. Normand
  • Systems and methods for executing aircraft take-off and landing events
    Patent number: 10890926
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is performed by a computer system in an aircraft. The method includes receiving an advance indication of a take-off or landing event to be executed by the aircraft in proximity to a landing area such that the landing area includes an arrangement of a plurality of emitters of electromagnetic radiation. The method further includes, responsive to the receiving, detecting, via a sensor in communication with the computer system, emission states of at least some of the plurality of emitters. In addition, the method includes transforming the detected emission states into an instruction set for the take-off or landing event. The method also includes initiating monitoring of the aircraft relative to the instruction set as the aircraft executes the take-off or landing event in proximity to the landing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kevin McNair, Andrew Vincent Louis
  • All-terrain vehicle
    Patent number: 10889183
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle is provided comprising a chassis, four wheels and a passenger compartment that includes a passenger seating structure. The vehicle additionally comprises a drivetrain operatively connected to at least one of the wheels comprising at least one drive shaft and at least one torque transfer device. Furthermore the vehicle includes a prime mover that is mounted to the chassis entirely forward of a front edge of the seating structure and operatively connected to the drivetrain. The prime mover is structured and operable to provide motive force to at least one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Dunne, Jr., Jon C. Charland, Jared Trauernicht, Hayden Barr, Eric Anderfaas
  • ACTIVE VIBRATION CONTROL SYSTEM WITH NON-CONCENTRIC REVOLVING MASSES
    Publication number: 20210001976
    Abstract: A vibration control system for a rotor hub provides vibration attenuation in an aircraft by reducing the magnitude of rotor induced vibratory. The system can include a force generating device attached to a rotor hub which rotates along with the rotor at the rotational speed of the rotor. Vibratory shear force is generated by rotating unbalanced weights each about an axis non-concentric with the rotor hub axis at high speed to create large centrifugal forces. The rotational speed of the weights can be a multiple of the rotor rotational speed to create shear forces for canceling rotor induced vibrations. The amplitude of the generated shear force is controlled by indexing the positions of the unbalanced weights relative to each other, while the phase of the shear force is adjusted by equally phasing each weight relative to the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Heverly, II, Jeremy DeWaters, Frank B. Stamps
  • Safety warning decal
    Patent number: D906850
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BELL TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Min Young Yoo
  • Safety warning decal
    Patent number: D906851
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BELL TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Min Young Yoo
  • Leading edge fairing
    Patent number: D907559
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Foskey, Brendan P. Lanigan
  • Instrument panel
    Patent number: D907565
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Carnes, Levi Bilbrey, Allen Brittain