Patents Assigned to Textronics, Inc.
  • VIBRATION ATTENUATOR
    Publication number: 20200156773
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has first and second coaxial spinners configured for rotation about a mast axis and relative to a rotor. Upper and lower weights of each spinner are spaced radially from the axis and positioned 180 degrees from each other about the axis. The weights of each spinner are spaced from each other a distance parallel to the mast axis, each weight rotating about the mast axis in a different plane. The spinners rotate together relative to the rotor at a selected angular rate and are selectively rotatable relative to each other between a minimum-moment configuration, in which the upper weight of each spinner is angularly aligned with the lower weight of the other spinner, and a maximum-moment configuration, in which the upper weights are angularly aligned and the lower weights are angularly aligned, producing a whirling moment about the mast axis as the spinners rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Bradley Stamps, David Heverly, Michael R. Smith, Michael Scott Seifert, Thomas C. Parham, JR., Gary Miller, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Richard E. Rauber
  • Composite yoke fitting for bearing attachment to rotorcraft blade
    Patent number: 10654567
    Abstract: A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade comprising an inboard end and an outboard end. A composite yoke fitting made from a composite material is attached to the rotor blade. The composite yoke fitting includes an outboard portion inserted into the inboard end of the rotor blade, an inboard portion, and a flexure region about which the rotor blade is configured to flex. The inboard portion and the flexure region are outside the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Haldeman, Frank Bradley Stamps, Drew Sutton
  • Tiltrotor outboard fixed engine configuration with offset rotation spindle and interconnect drive shaft
    Patent number: 10654580
    Abstract: The present invention includes a rotorcraft drive system, method, and aircraft comprising a fixed engine; a rotating spindle that rotates a proprotor gearbox and rotor pylon between a hover and forward flight position, wherein the rotating spindle rotates about a rotation bearings on two inboard ribs of a wing member; and an interconnect drive shaft connected to the fixed engine, wherein the interconnect drive shaft passes through an aft cove of the wing member and connects to the engine via a forward-aft drive shaft, wherein the forward-aft drive shaft is connected to the proprotor gearbox to provide power to a proprotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELIPCOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brent Chadwick Ross, Daniel B. Robertson
  • Assembly fixture with anisotropic thermal properties
    Patent number: 10654208
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method may comprise heating a composite material into a viscous form, wherein the composite material comprises a thermoplastic and a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is randomly arranged within the thermoplastic. The method may further comprise extruding a plurality of strands of the composite material, wherein extruding the plurality of strands causes the plurality of reinforcement fibers within each strand to align. The method may further comprise arranging the plurality of strands of the composite material to form an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property, and wherein the anisotropic thermal expansion property is based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: David G. Carlson, Douglas K. Wolfe, James A. Cordell
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD OF POST-CURE PROCESSING OF COMPOSITE CORE
    Publication number: 20200147818
    Abstract: A method of cutting a wafer of composite core from a bulk composite core including the steps of placing the bulk composite core in a container, the bulk composite core having a plurality of tube members; depositing a potting compound in contact with an outer surface of the bulk composite core; curing the potting compound; and after curing of the potting compound, cutting through each of the tube members. A method of cutting a wafer of composite core from a bulk composite core, the method comprising the steps of stabilizing the bulk composite core by wrapping an exterior of the bulk composite core with a composite wrap, the bulk composite core having a plurality of tube members; curing the composite wrap; and cutting through each of the tube members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Kendrick, Levi H. Armstrong
  • INBOARD BEAM WITH PIN SYSTEM FOR ANTI-ROTATION AND CENTRIFUGAL FORCE RETENTION
    Publication number: 20200148332
    Abstract: An inboard beam includes a body having an upper flange and a lower flange coupled thereto. The upper flange includes a first upper inboard aperture and an upper outboard aperture formed therein. The lower flange includes a first lower inboard aperture and a lower outboard aperture formed therein. An upper beam fitting is coupled to the upper flange and lower beam fitting is coupled to the lower flange. The upper beam fitting includes a first upper inboard post. The upper beam fitting includes an upper outboard post extending parallel to the inboard post. The lower beam fitting includes a first lower inboard post. The lower beam fitting includes a lower outboard post extending parallel to the lower inboard post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Whitney Foskey, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Aircraft load and vibration attenuation
    Patent number: 10647418
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a particle damper for damping a component when the particle damper is attached to the component. The particle damper comprises a plurality of pockets configured to hold a plurality of particles, and the particle damper also comprises an attachment fitting for coupling the particle damper to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Seifert, Brett C. Howard, Thomas C. Parham, Jr., Martin Alex Peryea
  • Hydraulic vibration control
    Patent number: 10648529
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a centrifugal force generating device comprises a first hydraulic rotor, a second hydraulic rotor, and one or more hydraulic control valves. The first hydraulic rotor comprises a first mass and is configured to rotationally drive the first mass around a first axis of rotation using a first flow of hydraulic fluid through the first hydraulic rotor. The second hydraulic rotor comprises a second mass and is configured to rotationally drive the second mass around a second axis of rotation using a second flow of hydraulic fluid through the second hydraulic rotor. The one or more hydraulic control valves are configured to control the first flow of hydraulic fluid through the first hydraulic rotor and the second flow of hydraulic fluid through the second hydraulic rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: David E. Heverly, II
  • Gearbox split torque equalization system
    Patent number: 10648551
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a split torque gearbox can include a first compound gear and a second compound gear. The compound gears can each include a piston housing with a fluid inlet and a piston received in the piston housing and defining a space within the first piston housing exposed to the fluid inlet. The split torque gearbox can include a fluid line coupled to each of the fluid inlets to supply a fluid to the pistons at a predetermined pressure, the fluid line coupled to the second fluid inlet to supply fluid to the second piston assembly at the predetermined pressure. Pressure developed in the pistons is equal for all gear shafts, and can equalize torque imbalances in the split torque gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Ron L. Woods
  • BIDIRECTIONAL AIRCRAFT ROTOR
    Publication number: 20200140077
    Abstract: A bidirectional aircraft rotor for a rotorcraft tail rotor. The rotorcraft tail rotor uses a hub and a first tail rotor blade affixed to the hub. A pitch of the first tail rotor blade is fixed, and a profile of a leading edge of the first tail rotor blade is identical to a profile of a trailing edge of the first tail rotor blade. The tail rotor is driven by a torque source, such as an electric motor or an engine. The tail rotor uses variable RPM and reversible rotational direction to provide rotorcraft with yaw control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Alexander Acee, Andrew Paul Haldeman
  • HEATED CONTROL STICK
    Publication number: 20200140076
    Abstract: A series of heated control sticks for rotorcrafts, tiltrotors, and helicopters. The heated collective and cyclic sticks feature several heater assemblies to provide localized heating for pilots and co-pilots. The heater assemblies are formed from several layers of fabrics and resistive materials designed to generate heat while current is provided to conductive materials in the resistive material. A controller provides individualized control for users to adjust the temperature of various zones associated with either the collective stick or the cyclic stick. The heater assemblies can be installed entirely external to the stick like in a retrofit or partially internally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Chen Kuang, Paul Goyer
  • DISCONNECTING A ROTOR
    Publication number: 20200140069
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a clutch may be coupled between a rotor system and a power train of a rotorcraft. The clutch may be operable to disengage the rotor system from the power train during operation of the power train. A clutch control system in communication with the clutch and include a rotorcraft condition sensor operable to sense an operating condition of the rotorcraft and a control unit operable to prevent the clutch from disengaging the rotor system from the power train if the operating condition of the rotorcraft fails to satisfy a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Ehinger, David Sembritzky, Carlos A. Fenny, Gary A. Cope, Charles J. Kilmain
  • METHOD OF DETERMINING THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF AN AIRCRAFT AND A METHOD OF FUEL/LOAD MANAGEMENT BASED THEREON
    Publication number: 20200142431
    Abstract: A method of determining a center of gravity of an aircraft in flight by comparing actual control surface actuator displacements to expected control surface actuator displacements. And a method of fuel/load management based on an offset of the center of gravity from a preferred center of gravity and a handling qualities factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Carlton Mehl, Terrence Patrick Brehn, Robert Blyth, Brady G. Atkins
  • Method and apparatus for a precision position sensor
    Patent number: 10641597
    Abstract: A method and system to measure a parameter associated with a component, device, or system with a specified accuracy, including: providing one or more sensors operably disposed to detect the parameter; obtaining a coarse measurement of the parameter within a first range using the one or more sensors, wherein the first range includes minimum and maximum values for the parameter; obtaining a fine measurement of the parameter within a second range using the one or more sensors, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range and has a specified ratio to the first range that provides the specified accuracy; determining a current value of the parameter by combining the coarse and fine measurements; and providing the current value of the parameter to a communications interface, a storage device, a display, a control panel, a processor, a programmable logic controller, or an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: David Bryan Roberts, Charles Eric Covington, Brady Garrett Atkins
  • Outboard centrifugal force bearing with inboard blade fold axis in a folding rotor blade assembly
    Patent number: 10640205
    Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft comprising a rotor blade pivotally connected to a yoke with dual concentric blade bolts having a common central axis providing a pivotal axis inboard of an outboard CF bearing and the yoke tip. In use, the compact folded arrangement of the rotor blades reduces folded aircraft dimensions in response to ever increasing restricted storage space parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Mark Paulson, Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Diagnostic method, system and device for a rotorcraft drive system
    Patent number: 10643405
    Abstract: A method, system, and device for diagnosing an anomaly of a monitored component in a drive train, the method including obtaining original data based on samples of a vibration signal; converting the original data to an analytical signal having a real component and an imaginary component; determining complex magnitudes of the analytical signal; processing the complex magnitudes of the analytical signal to produce a frequency-domain signal; and determining complex magnitudes of the frequency-domain signal to generate a shock spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Keith Hale
  • Composite wing structure and methods of manufacture
    Patent number: 10639854
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tiltrotor wing structure including providing a spar mold having a plurality of bores extending from an exterior surface of the mold to an interior surface of the mold, the plurality of bores corresponding to a plurality of primary coordination holes in a spar member, the spar mold having a periphery defined by a top edge, a bottom edge and outboard ends; selecting a plurality of resin impregnated plies to ensure that the plies continuously extend beyond the periphery of the spar mold; laying the plies in the spar mold; curing the plies in the mold to form a cured spar member that extends beyond the periphery of the spar mold; and accurately drilling a plurality of primary coordination holes in the cured spar member in the spar mold using a tool positioned in the plurality of bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Carlson, John R. McCullough, Douglas K. Wolfe, George R. Decker, Keith A. Stanney
  • Identification tags for tracking manufacturing of aircraft parts
    Patent number: 10643290
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an aircraft component is manufactured from a plurality of separate materials comprising a first material. The first material is physically associated with a tracking device comprising a first storage medium featuring line-of-sight accessible information and a second storage medium featuring non-line-of-sight accessible information. The line-of-sight accessible information and the non-line-of-sight accessible information each comprise information regarding the first material physically associated with the tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: James Corrigan, Pier-Alexandre Pelletier
  • ANTI-TAIL BUFFET SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200130819
    Abstract: An anti-tail buffet device leverages existing rotorcraft components to attenuate a tailboom's lateral “ringing” from air buffeting. Anti-buffet masses are tuned to the tailboom's lateral-bending or torsional natural frequency such that when lateral motion occurs, the response at this frequency is cancelled by the anti-buffet system, preventing this vibration from entering into the tailboom structure. Motion stops prevent over-travel. The mass of the tail rotor actuator is soft-mounted, such that its natural frequency is equal to the tailboom's lateral-bending or torsional natural frequency. When lateral loading occurs on the tail rotor disk, the lateral response at this frequency is attenuated by the soft-mounted tail rotor actuator, thereby preventing the vibration in the tailboom structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reaugh Smith, Jouyoung Jason Choi
  • VIBRATION ATTENUATOR
    Publication number: 20200130820
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a track housing adapted for rotation relative to the rotor and configured for rotation at a second angular velocity greater than a first angular velocity of the rotor. A track is located within the track housing and has a reaction surface, a pair of weights being configured for movement within the track and in contact with the reaction surface. A stop assembly has a pair of stops spaced 180 degrees apart, the stops separating the weights from each other, and each weight being allowed to travel within the track between the stops. A motor rotates the track housing relative to the rotor. The weights are free to travel relative to each other between a minimum-force configuration, in which the weights are positioned 180 degrees apart, and a maximum-force configuration, in which both weights are adjacent one of the stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, Frank Bradley Stamps, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Michael R. Smith, Thomas C. Parham