Patents Assigned to Textronics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10539180
    Abstract: A door roller mechanism for cooperation with a roller track including a carriage member having a door attachment feature; at least one roller disposed for rotation on a first side of the carriage member when the carriage member moves in the rolling direction; at least one roller disposed for rotation on an opposite second side of the carriage member when the carriage member moves in the rolling direction; a first rub member disposed on the first side of the carriage; a second rub member disposed on the second side of the carriage; and at least one biasing element disposed on the carriage member for resiliently biasing the first rub member and the second rub member in opposite lateral directions so as to contact a respective first track surface and a second track surface in a manner to dampen lateral vibration of a door connected to the roller mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Pravanh, Michael E. Rinehart, Bart Shafer, Clegg Smith, Jeffrey M. Williams
  • Publication number: 20200017212
    Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system having a flying wing orientation includes an airframe having leading and trailing edges, a two-dimensional thrust array coupled to the leading edge, a power system and a flight control system operable to independently control the speed of each propulsion assembly of the two-dimensional thrust array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Dakota Charles Easley, Levi Charles Hefner
  • Publication number: 20200017229
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a fuselage and a convertible engine disposed within the fuselage. The convertible engine is operable as a turbofan engine in a thrust mode and a turboshaft engine in a shaft power mode. The convertible engine includes a housing, an engine core having a low pressure turbine shaft, and a bypass fan system. The bypass fan system includes a bypass fan having a fan clutch. The fan clutch selectively couples at least a portion of the bypass fan to the low pressure turbine shaft when the convertible engine is operated in the thrust mode and decouples at least a portion of the bypass fan from the low pressure turbine shaft when the convertible engine is operated in the shaft power mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Hisashi Steinert, Thomas Dewey Parsons, Troy Cyril Schank
  • Publication number: 20200017205
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a tiltrotor aircraft include providing the tiltrotor with plurality of rotatable pylon assemblies. Each pylon assembly includes a rotor system having a plurality of rotor blades operatively coupled to a rotor mast and selectively rotatable in response to rotation of the rotor mast, a swashplate assembly operatively coupled to the plurality of rotor blades, a plurality of swashplate actuators operatively coupled to the swashplate assembly and selectively extendable and retractable to control the position and the orientation of the swashplate assembly, and a swashplate augmenting system. The swashplate augmenting system is selectively operable to cause axial translation of the swashplate actuators and swashplate assembly to augment the travel of the swashplate actuators in order to fold the plurality of rotor blades for operating the tiltrotor aircraft in an airplane forward flight mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Edward Foskey
  • Publication number: 20200016847
    Abstract: A material dispensing system including a first frame and a first application head. The first application head supported by the first frame including a first bias ply assembly comprising a bias ply roll supported on a bias ply dispenser unit, the first bias ply assembly configured to pass bias ply material along a bias path; and a first non-bias ply assembly comprising a non-bias ply roll supported by a non-bias ply dispenser unit, the non-bias ply assembly configured to pass non-bias ply material along a non-bias path; wherein the bias path and the non-bias path are substantially parallel. Another aspect provides a material dispensing system including a first frame and a first application head supported thereby; and a second frame and a second application head supported thereby; wherein the first frame and the second frame move in an X direction during operation. Another aspect includes preparing a composite article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Carlson, Paul K. Oldroyd, George R. Decker, Doug K. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20200017203
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing a coaxial helicopter with a main rotor system having an upper rotor system, a coaxial counter-rotating lower rotor system, and a rotor mast assembly having an upper rotor mast and a coaxial counter-rotating lower rotor mast. The upper rotor system and an associated upper vibration reduction system are coupled to the upper rotor mast. The upper vibration reduction system provides in-plane vibration control and reduction to the upper rotor system. The lower rotor system and an associated lower vibration reduction system are coupled to the lower rotor mast. The lower vibration reduction system provides in-plane vibration control and reduction to the lower rotor system. A third vibration reduction system is coupled to the rotor mast assembly and cooperates with the upper and lower vibration reduction systems to provide total in-plane vibration control and reduction to the main rotor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Bradley Stamps, Eric Gonzalez, Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200017213
    Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes a flying wing airframe having leading and trailing edges with respective sweep angles. A thrust array is coupled to the airframe and includes first and second motor mounts each selectively rotatably coupled to the leading edge by a locking joint. Each motor mount has first and second propulsion assemblies coupled to respective first and second distal ends thereof. A power system is operably associated with the thrust array and is operable to provide power to each propulsion assembly. A flight control system is operably associated with the thrust array and is operable to independently control the speed of each propulsion assembly. In a flight configuration, each motor mount is locked substantially perpendicular with the leading edge by the respective locking joint. In a compact storage configuration, each motor mount is locked substantially parallel with the leading edge the respective locking joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Levi Charles Hefner, Dakota Charles Easley
  • Publication number: 20200017211
    Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes a flying wing airframe having leading and trailing edges with respective sweep angles. A thrust array is coupled to the airframe and includes first and second motor mounts each rotatably coupled to the leading edge. Each motor mount has first and second propulsion assemblies coupled to respective first and second distal ends thereof. A power system is operably associated with the thrust array and is operable to provide power to each propulsion assembly. A flight control system is operably associated with the thrust array and is operable to independently control the speed of each propulsion assembly. In a flight configuration of the system, each motor mount is substantially perpendicular with the leading edge such that the thrust array forms a two-dimensional thrust array. In a compact storage configuration of the system, each motor mount is substantially parallel with the leading edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Levi Charles Hefner, Dakota Charles Easley
  • Patent number: 10533603
    Abstract: A door track assembly for cooperation with a door roller mechanism, including a housing having a longitudinal channel along a length of the housing, wherein the channel descends at an end of the housing to form a stowage recess for the door roller mechanism, and a first track and a second track that are disposed on the housing along a length of the channel and that descend into the stowage recess and along which the door roller mechanism traverses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Pravanh, Michael E. Rinehart, Bart Shafer, Clegg Smith, Bruce B. Bacon
  • Publication number: 20200010183
    Abstract: A method of blade fold for a tiltrotor aircraft includes configuring the tiltrotor aircraft in a flight ready position with a rotor system in an inverted-Y position, unlocking a first rotor blade of the rotor system to permit the first rotor blade to pivot relative to a yoke of the rotor system, restraining the first rotor blade to allow the first rotor blade to pivot relative to the yoke as the yoke is rotated, rotating the rotor system in a first direction so that the first rotor blade pivots closer to a second rotor blade, rotating the rotor system in a second direction to orient the rotor system into a modified inverted-Y position, unlocking a third rotor blade to allow the third rotor blade to pivot relative to the yoke as the yoke is rotated, and rotating the rotor system in the second direction so that the third rotor blade pivots closer to the second rotor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Amarjit KIZHAKKEPAT, Glenn Alan SHIMEK
  • Patent number: 10525896
    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: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Jhant, Nick Moore, Matthew Baekelandt
  • Patent number: 10526068
    Abstract: A mechanism for transitioning a tiltrotor aircraft between rotary and non rotary flight modes. The mechanism includes a gimbal lock positioned about a mast that is operable to selectively enable and disable a gimballing degree of freedom of a rotor assembly relative to the mast. A blade stop assembly, positioned about the mast, includes a plurality of arms having a radially contracted orientation and a radially extended orientation. A blade lock assembly is operably associated with each rotor blade assembly. Each blade lock assembly is operable to selectively enable and disable a folding degree of freedom and a pitching degree of freedom of the respective rotor blade assembly. A swash plate is operable to change the pitch of the rotor blade assemblies in the rotary flight mode and fold the rotor blade assemblies in the non rotary flight mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Cyril Schank, Carlos Alexander Fenny, Andrew Maresh, Chyau-Song Tzeng
  • Patent number: 10526085
    Abstract: The present invention includes an electric distributed propulsion for anti-torque modules for a helicopter and methods of use comprising: two or more generators connected to a main gearbox transmission; at least a first and a second plurality of variable speed motors connected to one or more fixed pitch blades to provide anti-torque thrust connected to the two or more generators, and at least a first and a second yaw control computer independently connected to each of the at least first and second plurality of variable speed motors, wherein each of the first and second yaw control computer serves as a primary and a backup yaw control computer to provide redundant control to both the first and second plurality of variable speed motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos Fenny
  • Publication number: 20200001549
    Abstract: A method for repairing damage to a composite part includes creating an aperture through the composite part and preparing the surfaces surrounding the aperture on both sides of the part; inserting a plurality of resin impregnated fibers through the aperture and spreading the end portions of the plurality of fibers radially against the prepared surfaces on both sides of the part; and maintaining contact of the plurality of fibers with the prepared surfaces while the resin cures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Denver Ray Whitworth, Vance Newton Cribb
  • Publication number: 20200001988
    Abstract: The aircraft includes a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor blades. The aircraft further includes a non-rotating aircraft component. A proximity sensor is disposed with at least one of the non-rotating aircraft component and the rotor blades. A flight control computer is electrically coupled to the proximity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Paul Sherrill
  • Publication number: 20200003295
    Abstract: A drive system for a tiltrotor aircraft operable to transition between rotary and non rotary flight modes. The drive system includes an engine to provide rotational energy and a proprotor assembly to receive rotational energy from the engine when the tiltrotor aircraft is in the rotary flight mode. The proprotor assembly is disengaged from the engine in the non rotary flight mode. The drive system includes a proprotor gearbox including one or more gears mechanically interposed between the engine and the proprotor assembly. The proprotor gearbox transfers rotational energy from the engine to the proprotor assembly when the tiltrotor aircraft is in the rotary flight mode. The drive system includes a lubricant operable to reduce friction between the gears and a lubrication management system to affect a temperature of the lubricant to enhance lubrication between the gears in the proprotor gearbox in the rotary flight mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Troy Cyril Schank
  • Publication number: 20200001979
    Abstract: The aircraft includes a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor blades. The aircraft further includes a non-rotating aircraft component. A proximity sensor is disposed with at least one of the non-rotating aircraft component and the rotor blades. A flight control computer is electrically coupled to the proximity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Brady Garrett ATKINS, Stuart Benjamin COOK, Joaquin VARGAS CALVET, Andrew Michael WHITE, Karl BAILEY, Corrine JAGNEAUX, Maika Lopati MAUGA
  • Publication number: 20200001987
    Abstract: A vibration attenuation system for attenuating vibrations in a mast of an aircraft includes a weight attached to the mast but free to orbit about the mast. The weight can be comprised of one or more weight assemblies. Embodiments can include a single weight, or plural weight assemblies wherein each weight assembly can include a mechanical interconnecting mechanism so that each weight assembly receives feedback regarding the position and movement of one or more other weight assemblies. Each weight can be associated with a spring that urges the weight towards a neutral position. Rotation of the mast can cause the weight to orbit about the mast and self-excite such that the weight acts against the urging of the spring towards an attenuating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jouyoung Jason CHOI, David HEVERLY, Michael SEIFERT, Michael SMITH, Frank Brad STAMPS, Thomas PARHAM, JR., Amarjit Olenchery KIZHAKKEPAT
  • Patent number: 10518865
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a horizontal stabilizer comprises an airfoil structure configured to be mounted to an aircraft at a horizontal orientation. The airfoil structure comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Moreover, the airfoil structure is cambered, wherein a camber of the airfoil structure forms a concave slope on the top surface and a convex slope on the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brendan P. Lanigan, Joshua R. O'Neil
  • Publication number: 20190389569
    Abstract: A folding rotor blade assembly includes a blade fold support and a blade-fold actuator system coupled to the blade fold support. The blade-fold actuator system includes a motor, a tab configured to selectively prevent rotation of a blade tang of a rotor blade, and a cam connected to the blade fold support and coupled to the motor, the cam configured to move the tab between a locked position that prevents rotation of the blade tang and an unlocked position that permits rotation of the blade tang.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Mark Paulson, Ken Shundo