Patents by Inventor Andrew G. Baines
Andrew G. Baines has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11628633Abstract: In one aspect, there is a composite skin for a tiltrotor aircraft including a first skin having a periphery defined by a forward edge, an aft edge, and outboard ends; a second skin; and a honeycomb core disposed between the first skin and the second skin, the honeycomb core comprised of a plurality of honeycomb panels positioned along the longitudinal axis of the first skin, the plurality of honeycomb panels having an array of large cells, each cell having a width of at least 1 cm; wherein the second skin and the honeycomb core have an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: David G. Carlson, John R. McCullough, Douglas K. Wolfe, Andrew G. Baines, George R. Decker
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Patent number: 11603183Abstract: A compliant tail structure for a rotorcraft having rotating components and a fuselage. The tail structure includes a tail assembly having first and second oppositely disposed tail members. A tail joint connects the tail assembly to an aft portion of the fuselage. The tail joint includes at least four tail mounts configured to establish a nodding axis for the tail assembly. At least two of the tail mounts are resilient tail mounts that are configured to establish a nodding degree of freedom for the tail assembly relative to the fuselage about the nodding axis, thereby detuning dynamic fuselage responses from excitation frequencies generated by the rotating components.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2022Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, Frank Douglas Sauer
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Publication number: 20220227478Abstract: A compliant tail structure for a rotorcraft having rotating components and a fuselage. The tail structure includes a tail assembly having first and second oppositely disposed tail members. A tail joint connects the tail assembly to an aft portion of the fuselage. The tail joint includes at least four tail mounts configured to establish a nodding axis for the tail assembly. At least two of the tail mounts are resilient tail mounts that are configured to establish a nodding degree of freedom for the tail assembly relative to the fuselage about the nodding axis, thereby detuning dynamic fuselage responses from excitation frequencies generated by the rotating components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, Frank Douglas Sauer
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Patent number: 11319055Abstract: A compliant tail structure for a rotorcraft having rotating components and a fuselage. The tail structure includes a tail assembly having first and second oppositely disposed tail members. A tail joint connects the tail assembly to an aft portion of the fuselage. The tail joint includes at least four tail mounts configured to establish a nodding axis for the tail assembly. At least two of the tail mounts are resilient tail mounts that are configured to establish a nodding degree of freedom for the tail assembly relative to the fuselage about the nodding axis, thereby detuning dynamic fuselage responses from excitation frequencies generated by the rotating components.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, Frank Douglas Sauer
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Patent number: 11319056Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, Michael Edwin Rinehart, Andrew G. Baines, James Elbert King
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Publication number: 20210061440Abstract: A compliant tail structure for a rotorcraft having rotating components and a fuselage. The tail structure includes a tail assembly having first and second oppositely disposed tail members. A tail joint connects the tail assembly to an aft portion of the fuselage. The tail joint includes at least four tail mounts configured to establish a nodding axis for the tail assembly. At least two of the tail mounts are resilient tail mounts that are configured to establish a nodding degree of freedom for the tail assembly relative to the fuselage about the nodding axis, thereby detuning dynamic fuselage responses from excitation frequencies generated by the rotating components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, Frank Douglas Sauer
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Publication number: 20210039337Abstract: In one aspect, there is a composite skin for a tiltrotor aircraft including a first skin having a periphery defined by a forward edge, an aft edge, and outboard ends; a second skin; and a honeycomb core disposed between the first skin and the second skin, the honeycomb core comprised of a plurality of honeycomb panels positioned along the longitudinal axis of the first skin, the plurality of honeycomb panels having an array of large cells, each cell having a width of at least 1 cm; wherein the second skin and the honeycomb core have an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: David G. Carlson, John R. McCullough, Douglas K. Wolfe, Andrew G. Baines, George R. Decker
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Patent number: 10836121Abstract: In one aspect, there is a method of making a composite skin for a tiltrotor aircraft including providing a first skin in a mold, the first skin having a periphery defined by a forward edge, an aft edge, and outboard ends; providing a plurality of honeycomb panels having an array of large cells onto the first skin, each cell having a width of at least 1 cm; assembling the plurality of honeycomb panels along the longitudinal axis of the first skin to form a honeycomb core having an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin; positioning a second skin onto the honeycomb core, the second skin having an outer perimeter within the periphery of the first skin; and curing an adhesive to create a bond between the first skin, the honeycomb core, and the second skin to form a composite skin.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 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: 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: 10752333Abstract: An airframe for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing airframe including a rib, a fuselage airframe including a fore-aft overhead beam and a cradle support assembly. The cradle support assembly includes a forward wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe and an aft wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe. The rib, the fore-aft overhead beam, the forward wing support and the aft wing support are substantially aligned to form a wing-fuselage integrated airframe beam assembly to support the wing airframe.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: John Elton Brunken, Jr., Andrew G. Baines, James Everett Kooiman, John Richard McCullough, Brett Rodney Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20200198762Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, Michael Edwin Rinehart, Andrew G. Baines, James Elbert King
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Patent number: 10689091Abstract: A wing airframe for a wing of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing airframe core assembly and a wing skin assembly disposed on the wing airframe core assembly. The wing skin assembly includes a lower wing skin assembly disposed on the bottom side of the wing airframe core assembly. The tiltrotor aircraft includes a fuselage underneath the wing. The lower wing skin assembly has one or more buckle zones outboard of the fuselage. The buckle zones are locally susceptible to buckling in response to an impact of the tiltrotor aircraft, thereby protecting the fuselage from being crushed by the wing.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. Baines, James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, John Richard McCullough
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Patent number: 10604232Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, Michael Edwin Rinehart, Andrew G. Baines, James Elbert King
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Patent number: 10399285Abstract: 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 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 mold, 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 mold. In an embodiment, a pre-cured laminate includes a first plurality of resin impregnated plies that continuously extend beyond the periphery of the mold, the first plurality of resin impregnated plies includes at least 50 percent of the total number of plies.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: 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: 10364039Abstract: A fuel system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell having a plurality of sides including a first side and at least one deformable clip having a secured end and a free end. The secured end is coupled to the first side of the fuel cell and the free end overlapping the airframe of the aircraft such that the first side of the fuel cell is positioned adjacent to the airframe. The at least one deformable clip is deformable to allow the fuel cell to move independently of the airframe in response to an impact of the aircraft, thereby protecting the fuel cell from damage resulting from the impact.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Charles David Hogue, George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, Douglas Kirk Wolfe
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Publication number: 20190143613Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: David G. Carlson, John R. McCullough, Douglas K. Wolfe, Andrew G. Baines, George R. Decker
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Publication number: 20190112028Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2017Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, Michael Edwin Rinehart, Andrew G. Baines, James Elbert King
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Publication number: 20190100297Abstract: An airframe for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing airframe including a rib, a fuselage airframe including a fore-aft overhead beam and a cradle support assembly. The cradle support assembly includes a forward wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe and an aft wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe. The rib, the fore-aft overhead beam, the forward wing support and the aft wing support are substantially aligned to form a wing-fuselage integrated airframe beam assembly to support the wing airframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: John Elton Brunken, JR., Andrew G. Baines, James Everett Kooiman, John Richard McCullough, Brett Rodney Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20190039718Abstract: A wing airframe for a wing of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing airframe core assembly and a wing skin assembly disposed on the wing airframe core assembly. The wing skin assembly includes a lower wing skin assembly disposed on the bottom side of the wing airframe core assembly. The tiltrotor aircraft includes a fuselage underneath the wing. The lower wing skin assembly has one or more buckle zones outboard of the fuselage. The buckle zones are locally susceptible to buckling in response to an impact of the tiltrotor aircraft, thereby protecting the fuselage from being crushed by the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. Baines, James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, John Richard McCullough
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Publication number: 20180305037Abstract: A fuel system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell having a plurality of sides including a first side and at least one deformable clip having a secured end and a free end. The secured end is coupled to the first side of the fuel cell and the free end overlapping the airframe of the aircraft such that the first side of the fuel cell is positioned adjacent to the airframe. The at least one deformable clip is deformable to allow the fuel cell to move independently of the airframe in response to an impact of the aircraft, thereby protecting the fuel cell from damage resulting from the impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Charles David Hogue, George Ryan Decker, Andrew G. Baines, Douglas Kirk Wolfe