Patents by Inventor Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer

Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer 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).

  • Patent number: 11865382
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising an airframe having an engine compartment, an engine disposed within the engine compartment, at least one fire bottle configured to hold a fire extinguishing agent, at least one agent tube coupled to the fire bottle and configured to carry the fire extinguishing agent to the engine compartment, and a nozzle on the at least one agent tube, the nozzle positioned above the engine and oriented in a downward-facing direction. The nozzle has at least one opening and is configured to allow liquid to drain out of the at least one opening instead of allowing the liquid to flow into the at least one agent tube. The nozzle may have a chamfer opening that faces downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Keith David Weaver, Chris James Ludtke, Paul Madej, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer
  • Publication number: 20230391464
    Abstract: A transition duct assembly includes a shared connector, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways for cooling one or more systems or components. Each primary cooling pathway includes a transition duct in fluid communication with the shared connector, and a transition connector in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl Burge, Thomas Mast
  • Patent number: 11767125
    Abstract: A transition duct assembly includes a shared connector, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways for cooling one or more systems or components. Each primary cooling pathway includes a transition duct in fluid communication with the shared connector, and a transition connector in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl Burge, Thomas Mast
  • Publication number: 20220233898
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising an airframe having an engine compartment, an engine disposed within the engine compartment, at least one fire bottle configured to hold a fire extinguishing agent, at least one agent tube coupled to the fire bottle and configured to carry the fire extinguishing agent to the engine compartment, and a nozzle on the at least one agent tube, the nozzle positioned above the engine and oriented in a downward-facing direction. The nozzle has at least one opening and is configured to allow liquid to drain out of the at least one opening instead of allowing the liquid to flow into the at least one agent tube. The nozzle may have a chamfer opening that faces downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Keith David Weaver, Chris James Ludtke, Paul Madej, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer
  • Patent number: 11255373
    Abstract: A thermal management system and method includes: a drive shaft; one or more fans or impellers in fluid communication with at least a portion of the drive shaft; and one or more air management baffles configured to direct air flow between the impeller and the portion of the drive shaft. In one embodiment, the system and method further includes insulation positioned about the at least a portion of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Keith David Weaver, Jon Damon Bennett
  • Patent number: 10907723
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a shared cooling device for one or more systems or components, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways. Each of the primary cooling pathways includes a transition duct and a fan. The transition duct is in fluid communication with the shared cooling device. The fan is in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl R. Burge, Scott David Poster, Thomas Mast
  • Publication number: 20210001995
    Abstract: A transition duct assembly includes a shared connector, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways for cooling one or more systems or components. Each primary cooling pathway includes a transition duct in fluid communication with the shared connector, and a transition connector in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl Burge, Thomas Mast
  • Patent number: 10793283
    Abstract: A transition duct assembly includes a shared connector, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways for cooling one or more systems or components. Each primary cooling pathway includes a transition duct in fluid communication with the shared connector, and a transition connector in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl R. Burge, Thomas Mast
  • Patent number: 10766631
    Abstract: A method of conducting an engine power assurance check includes performing a first engine power assurance check wherein the first engine power assurance check is judged as passing or failing based on power performance values calculated assuming the presence of a substantially clogged or blocked inlet barrier filter and in response to a fail result of the first engine power assurance check, performing a second engine power assurance check wherein the second power assurance check is judged as passing or failing based on power performance values calculated assuming at least one of no inlet barrier filter being installed and an open bypass of an installed inlet barrier filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Robert O'Neil, Martin Peryea, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer
  • Patent number: 10731553
    Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as an engine compartment drainage system that allows fluid on an engine deck to exit an engine compartment, while shielding fluid from airflow. A fluid drainage apparatus utilizes a funnel member to direct fluid to an external drain line. A drain shield circumscribes the top end of the funnel member and upwardly extending therefrom and directs airflow away from the funnel member. A plurality of deck holes are disposed in the drain shield, such that fluid on the deck can enter the funnel member and exit the engine compartment. A fluid drainage system, disposes the fluid drainage apparatus in an engine deck to allow fluid on the deck to enter a funnel member of the apparatus and direct it toward the external drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Chris James Ludtke, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Eric Christopher Terry
  • Publication number: 20190048795
    Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as an engine compartment drainage system that allows fluid on an engine deck to exit an engine compartment, while shielding fluid from airflow. A fluid drainage apparatus utilizes a funnel member to direct fluid to an external drain line. A drain shield circumscribes the top end of the funnel member and upwardly extending therefrom and directs airflow away from the funnel member. A plurality of deck holes are disposed in the drain shield, such that fluid on the deck can enter the funnel member and exit the engine compartment. A fluid drainage system, disposes the fluid drainage apparatus in an engine deck to allow fluid on the deck to enter a funnel member of the apparatus and direct it toward the external drain line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Chris James Ludtke, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Eric Christopher Terry
  • Publication number: 20180087651
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a shared cooling device for one or more systems or components, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways. Each of the primary cooling pathways includes a transition duct and a fan. The transition duct is in fluid communication with the shared cooling device. The fan is in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl R. Burge, Scott David Poster, Thomas Mast
  • Publication number: 20180087444
    Abstract: A transition duct assembly includes a shared connector, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways for cooling one or more systems or components. Each primary cooling pathway includes a transition duct in fluid communication with the shared connector, and a transition connector in fluid communication with the transition duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Keith David Weaver, Michael Pujol, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Nicholas Plagianos, Karl R. Burge, Thomas Mast
  • Publication number: 20180087561
    Abstract: The present invention includes a thermal management system and method including: a drive shaft; one or more fans or impellers in fluid communication with at least a portion of the drive shaft; and one or more air management baffles configured to direct air flow between the impeller and the portion of the drive shaft. In one embodiment, the system and method further includes insulation positioned about the at least a portion of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Keith David Weaver, Jon Damon Bennett
  • Publication number: 20160347479
    Abstract: A method of conducting an engine power assurance check includes performing a first engine power assurance check wherein the first engine power assurance check is judged as passing or failing based on power performance values calculated assuming the presence of a substantially clogged or blocked inlet barrier filter and in response to a fail result of the first engine power assurance check, performing a second engine power assurance check wherein the second power assurance check is judged as passing or failing based on power performance values calculated assuming at least one of no inlet barrier filter being installed and an open bypass of an installed inlet barrier filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Robert O'Neil, Martin Peryea, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer