Patents Assigned to Textronics, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20200047879
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for creating a tubular composite structure. In one embodiment, a device comprises multiple layers of cured composite fabric bonded together to form a tubular composite structure, wherein alternating groups of the multiple layers comprise on-axis fabric and off-axis fabric. The tubular composite structure may form a spar for an aerodynamic component. The composite fabric may comprise one or more of carbon, fiberglass, or other composite materials, or a combination of materials. One or more stacks of the fabric wrap completely around the tubular composite structure, and other stacks of fabric may not wrap completely around the tubular composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Foskey, Jared Mark Paulson, Michael Christopher Burnett, Mark Mays
  • Publication number: 20200047428
    Abstract: A skin-to-core bond line mapping system and method is disclosed. Layered composite components formed by “sandwiching” multiple materials together require a continuous bond between those materials with voids below particular thresholds that can vary by application. The skin-to-core bond line mapping system can include a laminate, an adhesive, a separator film, a core, a breather, a layup tool, bagging material, sealant, and a vacuum port. By employing systems and processes that layer separator film over adhesive and applying a core proximate the adhesive, a bagging material can be disposed over the materials to facilitate vacuum compaction, thereby impressing core impressions on the adhesive to map the areas between the skin and core that have good contact. An iterative process is disclosed, in which additional adhesive can be used to build the bond line until contact is made (or engineering tolerance is reached).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly Knowles, Clyde Gibson
  • Patent number: 10556680
    Abstract: The present invention includes a distributed propulsion system for a craft that comprises a frame, a plurality of hydraulic or electric motors disposed within or attached to the frame in a distributed configuration; a propeller operably connected to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, a source of hydraulic or electric power disposed within or attached to the frame and coupled to each of the disposed within or attached to the frame, wherein the source of hydraulic or electric power provides sufficient energy density for the craft to attain and maintain operations of the craft, a controller coupled to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, and one or more processors communicably coupled to each controller that control an operation and speed of the plurality of hydraulic or electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Carlos Alexander Fenny, Rohn Lee Olson
  • Patent number: 10556676
    Abstract: A hybrid yoke including a center and yoke arms connected to flexure arms. An inboard centrifugal force bearing assembly connects to the yoke arm and a grip and an outboard shear bearing assembly connects to the flexure arm and the grip. In use, the center and yoke arms carry the centrifugal force at a position inboard of the flexure arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Publication number: 20200039639
    Abstract: An aircraft having an electric motor coupled to a rotor and an instrument electronically connected to the electric motor and configured to communicate a time available value before a motor condition reaches a motor condition limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Albert SINUSAS, Edward LAMBERT, Yann LAVALLEE, Aaron Alexander ACEE, Albert G. BRAND
  • Publication number: 20200039633
    Abstract: A rotor blade locking assembly for locking a rotor blade in a deployed position. The rotor blade locking assembly comprises a locking mechanism configured to be coupled to a blade grip. The locking mechanism comprises a latch and an actuator configured to cause the latch to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The assembly comprises a locking plate configured to be coupled to the rotor blade. The locking plate comprises a bearing surface configured to bear against a contact surface of the latch, when the latch is in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Jared Mark Paulson
  • Publication number: 20200039641
    Abstract: An abrasion strip and method of manufacturing the same. The abrasion strip being composed of INCONEL® alloy 718SPF™ and being shaped by superplastic forming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Haldeman, Dalton T. Hampton, Aaron Alexander Acee, James Adrain Cordell
  • Patent number: 10549632
    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: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Dunne, Jr., Jon C. Charland, Jared Trauernicht, Hayden Barr, Eric Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 10550499
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, a method may include forming a three-dimensional composite fiber pre-form by three-dimensionally weaving a plurality of composite fibers. The composite fiber pre-form includes a plurality of open cells formed adjacent to and interlocked with each other, and a composite fiber forms at least a portion of a first side of a first open cell and at least a portion of a second side of a second open cell. The first open cell and the second open cell are adjacent to and interlocked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Kendrick, Kathleen Oldham, Levi Armstrong, Elizabeth Oberle
  • Patent number: 10549854
    Abstract: An aircraft has a wing and at least a portion of a hoist system disposed within the wing. A method of hoisting an item includes disposing at least a portion of a hoist system within a wing of an aircraft and extending a cable of the hoist system through an access hole of an exterior wall of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Robert Chavez, Steven W. Kihara
  • Publication number: 20200031490
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a rotorcraft includes: tail rotor blades; a tail rotor actuator coupled to the tail rotor blades such that the pitch of the tail rotor blades varies according to a current extension of the tail rotor actuator; pilot flight controls electrically coupled to the tail rotor actuator; and a flight control computer electrically coupled to the tail rotor actuator and the pilot flight controls, the flight control computer configured to: determine the current extension of the tail rotor actuator; determine whether the current extension of the tail rotor actuator is within a margin of a maximum extension of the tail rotor actuator; and indicate a first warning to a pilot in response to the current extension of the tail rotor actuator being within the margin of the maximum extension of the tail rotor actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Bothwell, Robert Earl Worsham, II, Sung Kyun Kim, Brandon Jeffrey Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200031086
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for two or more cured composite assemblies that are bonded together to form a tubular composite structure, wherein each of the cured composite assemblies do not have a tubular shape. The tubular composite structure may form a spar for an aerodynamic component, for example. The two or more cured composite assemblies may comprise carbon or fiberglass composite materials or a combination of materials. Each of the cured composite assemblies may further comprise axial edges that are configured to be bonded to another of the cured composite assemblies, wherein the axial edges have a sloped shape. An adhesive agent may be applied on the axial edges for bonding two cured composite assemblies. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more fasteners may be used to attach the axial edges of at least two cured composite assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Mark Paulson, Mark Mays, Michael Christopher Burnett
  • Patent number: 10543913
    Abstract: A tri-hybrid yoke including a center ring connected to a CF fitting connected to flexure arms. An inboard centrifugal force bearing assembly connects to the CF fitting and a grip. An outboard shear bearing assembly connects to the flexure arm and the grip. In use, the center ring and the CF fittings carry the centrifugal force at a position inboard of the flexure arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Maresh
  • Publication number: 20200023988
    Abstract: A boundary layer utilization apparatus for intake of air to a high speed aircraft, comprises a first air inlet adjacent an exterior surface of a fuselage of the aircraft and offset from the fuselage enough to integrate a second air inlet in the offset space to ingest and divert the boundary layer air flowing next to the fuselage into the aircraft for a useful purpose such as cooling the engine compartment. The second air inlet is disposed aft of the first air inlet to minimize hot gas re-ingestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Angel David Rosado, Robert Paul Reynolds, David Frank Haynes, William Mathisen Gons
  • Publication number: 20200023954
    Abstract: A composite yoke includes a plurality of packs of unidirectional plies and at least one pack of chopped fibers disposed between two adjacent packs of unidirectional plies. A method of manufacturing a composite yoke includes arranging a plurality of plies of unidirectional fibers to form a first pack of unidirectional plies, arranging a layer of chopped fibers on the first pack of unidirectional plies, arranging a plurality of plies of unidirectional fibers on to form a second pack of unidirectional plies on the layer of chopped fibers, curing the composite yoke to form a cured composite yoke, and cutting excess material from the first pack of unidirectional plies, the layer of chopped fibers, and the second pack of unidirectional plies to form a plurality of arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Amarjit Kizhakkepat, Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Michael Dearman, Abey Kurikesu
  • Publication number: 20200026811
    Abstract: A method of operating a targeting system simulation tool (TSST) includes providing a TSST configured to receive an obstacle/effect parameterization, a simulation parameterization, a sensor parameterization, an aircraft parameterization, and an autonomy parameterization. The method further includes receiving by the TSST, at least one of each of an obstacle/effect parameterization and a simulation parameterization. The method further includes receiving by the TSST, either (1) a sensor parameterization or (2) an aircraft parameterization. The method further includes operating the TSST to apply the provided ones of the obstacle/effect parameterization, simulation parameterization, sensor parameterization, and aircraft parameterization to generate a value, value range, or value limit for the unprovided aircraft parameterization or unprovided sensor parameterization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McNair, Brent Chadwick Ross, Christopher Stroncek, Kip Gregory Campbell, Joseph Scott Drennan, Brett Zimmerman, Carey Cannon
  • Publication number: 20200025661
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Li, Bogdan R. Krasnowski, Robert A. Figueroa, Robert Wardlaw
  • Publication number: 20200023829
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft with a cargo pod having a selectively inflatable bladder system that firmly secures a payload disposed within the cargo pod when the bladder system is pressurized. The bladder system also controls the location, position, and/or orientation of the payload in order to adjust, control, and/or maintain the center of gravity of the aircraft during flight. The aircraft includes an impact protection system that further pressurizes the bladder system to protect the payload and/or that disperses a flame-retardant fluid into the cargo pod to protect electrical components of the aircraft. The aircraft is fully autonomous and self-directed via a preprogrammed location-based guidance system to allow for accurate delivery of the payload to its intended destination. The bladder system is depressurized in response to a landing event to allow for e f the payload from the cargo pod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Levi Charles Hefner, John Richard McCullough
  • Publication number: 20200023958
    Abstract: A method of providing an anti-torque force in a rotorcraft with an anti-torque system comprised of a primary ducted tail rotor system mechanically connected to an engine, and a secondary ducted tail rotor system electrically connected to an electric power supply. The method includes receiving an indication of a change in the operating condition of the anti-torque system based upon a change in a rotorcraft condition input, a feedback input associated with a primary ducted tail rotor system and/or a secondary ducted tail rotor system, and/or a pilot input; responsive to the indication of the change, determining, by a control system, an anti-torque control input including at least a secondary output command for controlling the secondary ducted tail rotor system; and transmitting the secondary output command to the secondary ducted tail rotor system to energize at least one ducted tail rotor assembly therein to provide the second anti-torque force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron A. Acee, Albert G. Brand, Frank B. Stamps
  • Publication number: 20200023946
    Abstract: A pylon assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotor assembly rotatably coupled to a fixed pylon and operable to rotate between a vertical takeoff and landing orientation and a forward flight orientation. The rotor assembly includes a proprotor operable to produce a slipstream. A wing extension is rotatably disposed to the outboard end of the fixed pylon such that the rotor assembly and the wing extension are separated by at least a portion of the fixed pylon. The wing extension has a forward edge and an outboard end. A winglet is coupled to the outboard end of the wing extension and has a forward edge. The wing extension and the winglet are configured to rotate in synchrony with the rotor assembly such that the forward edges of the wing extension and the winglet remain in the slipstream of the proprotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Bryant Anderson, Steven Ray Ivans, Jeremy Robert Chavez