Patents Assigned to Textronics, Inc.
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Patent number: 10816085Abstract: A system is provided in one example embodiment and may include a first reservoir for a lubricant; a second reservoir for the lubricant, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir are interconnected; a first pumping element to pump the lubricant from the first reservoir at a first flow rate; a second pumping element to pump the lubricant at a second flow rate, wherein the first flow rate and the second flow rate are different; and a gearbox coupled to the first pumping element and the second pumping element. The first reservoir may have a larger volume than the second reservoir and the first flow rate may be higher than the second flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Eric S. Olson, David R. Bockmiller
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Patent number: 10815008Abstract: A method for facilitating the design and manufacturing of a tiltrotor aircraft, including the steps of: determining a compatible mission data set; identifying lift propulsion module components for the compatible mission data set; determining compatible specifications; and generating a design for a lift propulsion module; wherein the lift propulsion module is configured to be connected to at least two different fuselages. There is also a method of designing a tiltrotor aircraft, comprising the step of modularizing a lift propulsion system, wherein the lift propulsion system is configured to be connected to at least two different fuselages. In another aspect, there is a tiltrotor aircraft including a fuselage; and a lift propulsion module, the lift propulsion module including a mounting surface; wherein the lift propulsion module is coupled to the fuselage on the mounting surface. Also included are methods of assembling and systems including a lift propulsion module.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Brent C. Ross, Kendall Goodman, Steven R. Ivans
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Patent number: 10814567Abstract: In one aspect, there is a method of making a pre-cured laminate having a total number of plies in a mold, the mold having a cavity with a periphery defined by a forward edge, an aft edge, and outboard ends. The method includes selecting a first plurality of resin impregnated plies that continuously extend beyond the periphery of the cavity, the first plurality of resin impregnated plies includes at least 50 percent of the total number of plies; laying the plies in a mold; compacting the plies in a mold; and pre-curing the plies to form a pre-cured laminate, which can extend beyond the periphery of the cavity. In an embodiment, a pre-cured laminate includes a first plurality of resin impregnated plies that continuously extend beyond the periphery of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: David G. Carlson, John R. McCullough, Douglas K. Wolfe, Andrew G. Baines, George R. Decker
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Patent number: 10814960Abstract: A dynamic rotor-phasing unit can phase rotors in-flight for dynamic rotor tuning and in an idle state for aircraft storage. The input and output shafts can be clocked (e.g., rotated) from 0 degrees apart to in excess of 360 degrees apart or from 0 degrees apart to 140 degrees apart. Such rotation can minimize the footprint of an aircraft for stowing purposes, as the rotor blades can be folded to fit within a smaller area without disconnecting the drive system. Additionally, the unit can allow tiltrotor blades to be clocked during flight, which can allow the live-tuning of the aircraft's rotor dynamics. A fail-safe rotary actuator can rotate a stationary planet carrier to clock the input shaft and the output shaft. Alternatively, an actuator can position a slider housing to clock the input shaft and the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Colton Gilliland, Tyson Henry
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Patent number: 10814963Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: David E. Heverly, II, Jeremy DeWaters, Frank B. Stamps
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Publication number: 20200333228Abstract: A notch treatment method for flaw simulation including providing the specimen with the notch, the notch having a re-melt material layer; isolating the notch; and selectively etching the notch to provide an etched surface of the notch; wherein at least a portion of the re-melt material layer has been removed from the notch. In one aspect, there is provided a notch treatment method for flaw simulation including providing the specimen with the notch, the notch having a re-melt material layer, the specimen includes steel or an alloy thereof; isolating the notch; and selectively etching the notch with a first etching solution and a second etching solution to provide an etched surface on the notch; wherein at least a portion of the re-melt material layer has been removed from the notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Xiaoming Li, Bogdan R. Krasnowski, Robert A. Figueroa, Robert Wardlaw
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Publication number: 20200331626Abstract: A detachable cargo mirror assembly for use on a rotorcraft surface that includes a bracket for mounting to a surface on the rotorcraft, the bracket comprising a base portion and a retainer portion having a first pair of opposing holes, an elongated arm having two opposing ends, a first end for coupling with the bracket and a second end coupled to a mirror apparatus, the first end having a passage; and a releasable connector that engages with the first pair of opposing holes and the passage in the elongated arm when the elongated arm is in a first position to display a desired image on the mirror apparatus. The detachable cargo mirror assembly can be removed or in a stowed position when not in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Brian Lafon, Ricky Jenkins, Sean Morgan, William P. Sumner, William L. Neal
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Publication number: 20200331216Abstract: In an aspect, there is a method of determining allowable defects for a composite component comprising identifying at least one wrinkle characteristic of a composite component wrinkle defect; making a first plurality of specimens each having a predetermined wrinkle defect representative of the composite component wrinkle defect; measuring each of the predetermined wrinkle defects in the first plurality of specimens for at least one performance metric to generate performance data; and generating an allowable wrinkle defect profile based on the performance data from the first plurality of specimens. In other aspects, there are methods of making a specimen with a predetermined wrinkle defect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Michael Burnett, Wei-Yueh Lee, Michael Dearman
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Patent number: 10809281Abstract: A support bracket for grounding a current sensor is disclosed. The support bracket comprises a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is electrically coupled to a current sensor to provide a current path to ground the current sensor. The second surface is physically coupled to the current sensor in order to support the current sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: David W. Fuessel, Russel Mark Berkley
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Patent number: 10807705Abstract: In one embodiment, a rotor blade may comprise a blade body, a spar structure, and a blade nose. The blade body may comprise a skin, wherein the skin is configured to form an airfoil shape, and wherein the airfoil shape comprises an inboard end, an outboard end, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The spar structure may comprise a first spar cap and a second spar cap, wherein the first spar cap is coupled to an upper portion of the skin, and wherein the second spar cap is coupled to a lower portion of the skin. The blade nose may comprise a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured to house a plurality of modular weights at a plurality of radial blade locations, wherein the plurality of radial blade locations comprises a range of locations between the inboard end and the outboard end.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Drew A. Sutton, Mark E. Wasikowski, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Nolan B. Phillips
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Patent number: 10808826Abstract: A system for monitoring lubrication of a drive train, including a lubricant pressure sensor to detect a pressure of the lubricant in the drive train and to provide a lubricant pressure signal; lubricant volume sensor to detect a volume of the lubricant in the drive train and to provide a lubricant volume signal; non-contact temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the drive train and to provide a non-contact temperature signal; and logic management system in communication with the lubricant pressure sensor, the lubricant volume sensor, and the non-contact temperature sensor; the logic management system configured to receive and process the lubricant pressure signal, the lubricant volume signal, and the non-contact temperature signal; wherein when the lubricant pressure signal reaches a predetermined minimum pressure level and the lubricant volume signal reaches a predetermined minimum volume level, the logic management system displays non-contact temperature measurement data to a display device.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: John Brodnicki, Ron Woods
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Publication number: 20200324885Abstract: A multimodal unmanned aerial system includes a fuselage forming a payload bay, a control wing forward of the fuselage including a first plurality of propulsion assemblies and a primary wing aft of the fuselage including a second plurality of propulsion assemblies. The primary wing has a greater wingspan than the control wing. The multimodal unmanned aerial system includes linkages rotatably coupling the fuselage to the control wing and the primary wing. The fuselage, the control wing and the primary wing are configured to synchronously rotate between a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode. The fuselage, the control wing and the primary wing are substantially vertical in the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and substantially horizontal in the forward flight mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Guy Bernard
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Publication number: 20200324884Abstract: An exemplary rotorcraft includes a propulsion system including a prime mover and a drive shaft coupled to the prime mover, the drive shaft including a coupling separating the drive shaft into an input shaft and an output shaft, the coupling operable between an engaged position rotationally coupling the input shaft and the output shaft and a disengaged position rotationally disengaging the output shaft from the input shaft, a main rotor coupled to the prime mover, a secondary rotor attached to the output shaft, and a motor coupled to the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Matthew Michael Wilcox, Aaron Alexander Acee
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Publication number: 20200325937Abstract: Embodiments are directed to solid lubricant assemblies for providing over temperature protection for bearings and gears in rotorcraft systems. A solid lubricant enters a fluid state above a certain temperature and is positioned so that fluid lubricant is applied to the bearings or gears.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Tyson Henry
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Patent number: 10801624Abstract: The present invention includes a helicopter rotor seal assembly comprising: a rotor mast having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface; a sleeve aligned longitudinally with the axis and surrounding a portion of the rotor mast, the sleeve having an outer surface, and an inner surface; an annular horizontal seal between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the rotor mast; and an upper annular rotor mast seal affixed to the outer surface of the rotor mast and extending outwardly sufficient to cover the annular horizontal seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventor: Scott David Poster
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Patent number: 10800129Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a honeycomb core sandwich panel includes placing a thermoset facesheet in contact with a thermoplastic honeycomb core without using a separate adhesive and attaching the thermoset facesheet to the thermoplastic honeycomb core by using a curing profile comprising a temperature that is lower than a gel point temperature of the thermoset facesheet and higher than a softening point temperature of the thermoplastic honeycomb core.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Suvankar Mishra, Robert Mark Chris, Michael D. Ishmael, Ronald J. Turner
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Patent number: 10800518Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Timothy Kent Ledbetter, Thomas Parham, Dalton T. Hampton, Frank Stamps, Zachary Edwin Dailey, Robert L. Milliken
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Publication number: 20200319042Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a drive shaft apparatus comprising a first rotary member and a second rotary member arranged coaxially with said first rotary member. The rotary members are fixedly connected at a first end so that they rotate together. Each rotary member has a set of elements spaced apart around its circumference at a second end. The elements on the first rotary member are spaced apart from the elements on the second rotary member at rest. The first rotary member undergoes torsion when a load is applied during rotation, which causes the first rotary member elements to move closer to the second rotary member elements. The first elements engage the second elements when a torque load less than a yield torque is applied to the first rotary member, which transfers at least a portion of the torque load to the second rotary member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Rodney Keith Hale, Ron L. Woods
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Publication number: 20200323096Abstract: An example of a mounting rail system for a console of an aircraft includes a mounting rail with a track that includes two bevelled faces, a pyramidal nut configured to fit within the track, and a mounting bracket configured to be secured to the mounting rail via a fastener that attaches to the pyramidal nut. The pyramidal nut includes two bevelled faces that align with the two bevelled faces of the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Julien TANGUAY, Mark TENTINGER
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Patent number: 10792781Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Michael Scott Lee Larson, Roland L. Walker, Jr., Mark Philip Vance, James Joseph Meyer, Edward P. Michaels, Jr.