Patents Assigned to Textronics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9994311
    Abstract: The present application provides a drive link for a constant-velocity joint of an aircraft rotor, the link connecting a drive hub attached to a driveshaft to a rotor yoke. The link comprises a leading bearing connected to the drive hub, a trailing bearing connected to the yoke, a central portion between the bearings, and a tension loop connecting the bearings. The tension loop is formed from a composite material and is formed as a continuous band. The tension loop transfers drive forces from the leading bearing to the trailing bearing for driving the yoke in rotation with the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Rauber, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 9994308
    Abstract: A cross tube for a helicopter skid landing gear, including a monolithic metallic tube having a central portion extending transversely between two end portions with longitudinal central axes of the central portion and of the end portions being located in a plane, where the central portion has inner and outer heights, the end portions each have inner and outer heights, and the inner and outer heights of one of the central portion and the end portion are respectively greater than the inner and outer heights of the other of the central portion and the end portion. A skid tube with two portions with cross-sections having one or both of different orientations with respect to one another and different dimensions with respect to one another, and a method of forming a structural tube for a helicopter skid landing gear are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Université Laval
    Inventors: Simon Bernier, Robert Clive Fews, Michel Guillot, Augustin Gakwaya, Jocelyn Blanchet, Xavier Jean-Gilles Elie-Dit-Cosaque, Julie Levesque, Giuseppe Aquino
  • Patent number: 9994300
    Abstract: This description relates to a strapped windshield assembly for a rotorcraft. In some implementations, the rotorcraft includes an airframe, a windshield, and a plurality of independent straps connected to the airframe and the windshield, the straps operative to move independently with respect to one another. The independent movement of the straps allow relative movement of portions of the windshield in response to a strike. In some implementations, the straps are spaced every 4-6 inches along an edge of the windshield. In some implementations, the straps are over an edge of the windshield. The straps can have a modulus of elasticity of 8-12 millions of pounds per square inch (MSI). The windshield can include polycarbonate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: William Sumner, Tim Reed, Christopher Marvin Rowe, Lawrence Duane Lee, Glen Rivers, Robert Harmon, Jeremy Robert Schadler, William Lewis Neal, II
  • Publication number: 20180155003
    Abstract: A hinge has a door interface comprising a serrated surface and an oversized hole, a bolt at least partially extending into the oversized hole, and a washer disposed on the bolt and captured between the door interface and a head of the bolt, the washer comprising a serrated surface facing toward the serrated surface of the door interface. The oversized hole has a diameter selected to allow significant radial movement of the bolt within the oversized hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Scott Black
  • Publication number: 20180157275
    Abstract: A system and method of increasing the control authority of redundant stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) actuators by utilizing feedback between systems such that one system may compensate for the position of a failed actuator of the other system. Each system uses an appropriate combination of reliable and unreliable inputs such that unreliable inputs cannot inappropriately utilize the increased authority. Each system may reconfigure itself when the other system actuator fails at certain positions so that the pilot or other upstream input maintains sufficient control authority of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Brady G. Atkins, James E. Harris, Carl D. Griffith
  • Patent number: 9989098
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a rotary blade movement system including a retaining member configured to receive a rotor blade, a graspable arm, and a coupling mechanism operable to removably couple the retaining member to the graspable arm. The rotor blade movement system is configured to enable a user to adjust the position of the rotor blade by moving the graspable arm. The coupling mechanism can be a ball and socket joint. In one aspect, there is a method of rotating a rotor blade using a rotary blade movement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky Jenkins, Robert Matson, William Sumner, Brian Lafon
  • Publication number: 20180148160
    Abstract: A rotor blade including a root portion adapted to be connected to a helicopter rotor hub for rotation therewith, the root portion having a first edge surface; a first movable member having a first movable surface adjacent to the first edge surface; a first elastomeric joint disposed between the root portion and the first movable member, the first elastomeric joint having an inner surface facing the first edge surface of the root portion and an outer surface facing the movable surface of the first movable member; and an actuating system mounted within the root portion and the first movable member for moving the first movable member. The first elastomeric joint deforms to adjust for shear from actuation of the first movable member to a first position during helicopter mode; and to a second position during airplane mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Gonzalez, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 9981736
    Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft includes a fuselage, a wing member extending from the fuselage, an engine disposed relative to the wing member, a rotor hub assembly mechanically coupled to the engine and a plurality of proprotor blade assemblies rotatably mounted to the rotor hub assembly and operable for beamwise folding relative thereto. The proprotor blade assemblies each including a spar and a sheath extending spanwise along a leading edge of the spar. The spar has a root section, a main section and a tip section. The spar has a generally oval cross section at radial stations along the main section of the spar with the root section of the spar forming an integral tang assembly operable for coupling the spar to the rotor hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Mark Paulson, Paul K. Oldroyd, Christopher Foskey
  • Patent number: 9981734
    Abstract: An aircraft wing including a fuel tank located in the wing, a channel defining a cavity in the fuel tank, the channel including at least two channel ends terminating at an upper or lower wing surface, a driveshaft located in the cavity; and an access panel located on the wing surface and being movable between an open position so that access to the cavity is permitted, and a closed position so that the cavity is at least partially covered by the access panel to inhibit access to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ivans, Adam Anderson
  • Patent number: 9983156
    Abstract: One example of a method includes heating a ground steel part that has been chemical-etched. The method also includes detecting defects caused by grinding and watermarks caused by chemical etching by imaging the steel part with an infrared camera to capture infrared radiation from regions of the steel part that include defects and watermarks. Imaging the steel part can include imaging regions of the steel part at long-wavelengths of infrared radiation to detect defects on the regions of the steel part and generating a first image wherein the defects are visible in the image and the watermarks are not visible in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Shepherd, David R. Schlichte, Catherine Ferrie
  • Patent number: 9981750
    Abstract: A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to an input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a spherical bearing providing a self-aligning coupling with the pylon assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
  • Publication number: 20180141650
    Abstract: A rotor hub assembly for a rotorcraft includes a yoke forming a bearing bore. The yoke has a teetering axis extending through the bearing bore. The rotor hub assembly includes a flapping bearing disposed in the bearing bore. The flapping bearing is operable to regulate teetering of the yoke about the teetering axis. The rotor hub assembly includes an axial spring abutting the flapping, thereby reducing movement of the flapping bearing along the teetering axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Dalton T Hampton, Thomas Clement Parham, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180141654
    Abstract: A proprotor system for tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode. The proprotor system includes a hub and a plurality of proprotor blades coupled to the hub such that each proprotor blade is operable to independently flap relative to the hub and independently change pitch. In the airplane mode, the proprotor blades have a first in-plane frequency greater than 2.0/rev.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jouyoung Jason Choi, Gary Miller, Richard Erler Rauber, Thomas Clement Parham, JR., Alan Carl Ewing, Frank Bradley Stamps
  • Publication number: 20180141246
    Abstract: A composite structure includes a first face sheet, a second face sheet, and a foam member located between the first face sheet and the second face sheet. The foam member has a molded contour, the mold contour being configured to provide tooling surface for at least one of the first face sheet and the second face sheet prior to curing of the composite structure. A method of making the foam member includes creating a mold tool having an interior surface which resembles the desired outer contour of the foam member. A mixture is poured into a pour opening in the mold tool. The mixture is allowed to polymerize into a foam as the foam expands and distributes within the mold tool. Vent openings in the mold tool are selectively tailored to control the density of the foam member. The foam member is cured in the mold tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Suvankar Mishra, John R. McCullough, Mark Chris, Stanley B. Woychesin
  • Publication number: 20180134853
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of dispersing nanoparticles into a destination material includes providing a plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, adding a solvent to the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, removing at least some of the carrier to yield the plurality of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent, mixing the nanoparticles suspended in the solvent with a destination material, and removing at least some of the solvent from the mixture of nanoparticles suspended in the solvent and the destination material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Iosif Daniel Rosca, Martin Salameh, Suong Van Hoa
  • Publication number: 20180134411
    Abstract: A detachable cargo mirror assembly for use on a rotorcraft surface that includes a bracket configured to mount 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 configured to engage 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lafon, Ricky Jenkins, Sean Morgan, William P. Sumner, William L. Neal
  • Publication number: 20180136668
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for automatically controlling the flight of a tiltrotor aircraft while the aircraft is in flight that is at least partially rotor-borne. The method and apparatus provide for automatically tilting nacelles in response to a longitudinal-velocity control signal so as to produce a longitudinal thrust-vector component for controlling longitudinal velocity of the aircraft. Simultaneously, cyclic swashplate controls are automatically actuated so as to maintain the fuselage in a desired pitch attitude. The method and apparatus also provide for automatically actuating the cyclic swashplate controls for each rotor in response to a lateral-velocity control signal so as to produce a lateral thrust-vector component for controlling lateral velocity of the aircraft. Simultaneously, collective swashplate controls for each rotor are automatically actuated so as to maintain the fuselage in a desired roll attitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Builta
  • Publication number: 20180135728
    Abstract: A weight system for a rotor blade includes a weight box open in an outboard direction, a weight guide rod connected to the weight box, the weight guide rod extending in a spanwise direction through an interior of the weight box, and a span balance weight disposed within the weight box, the span balance weight being captured between the weight guide rod and the weight box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Mark Paulson, Bryan Marshall, Paul Sherrill, Bryan Judd
  • Patent number: 9963228
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system wherein, the flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. A pod assembly is selectively attachable to the flying frame such that the flying frame is rotatable about the pod assembly wherein, the pod assembly remains in a generally horizontal attitude during vertical takeoff and landing, forward flight and transitions therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 9963244
    Abstract: Systems, methods and non-transitory computer readable storage medium are provided for task-based health data monitoring relating to aircraft components of aircraft within an aircraft fleet. One method includes establishing a review item with a first data review state to create a review task relating to health data of an aircraft component, generating images relating to the review item for display on a display device, retaining the review item for monitoring responsive to receiving user input changing the first data review state of the review item to a second data review state, receiving new health data relating to the aircraft component and automatically resetting the review item from the second data review state to the first data review state responsive to receiving the new health data to create a new review task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Edward Tucker