Patents by Inventor Bradley D. Linton

Bradley D. Linton 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).

  • Publication number: 20230331400
    Abstract: A device to verify main rotor swashplate positioning includes an inner surface of a first section and a gradient surface of a second section. The gradient surface of the second section may have a plurality of graduation indications. In one implementation, the inner surface of the first section at least partially defines a travel arc that is parallel to and concentric with the inner surface. In such an implementation, the device may be configured to move along the travel arc as it rotates about a collective sleeve to contact a swashplate lug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugeberg, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 11685553
    Abstract: A device to verify main rotor swashplate positioning includes an inner surface of a first section and a gradient surface of a second section. The gradient surface of the second section may have a plurality of graduation indications. In one implementation, the inner surface of the first section at least partially defines a travel arc that is parallel to and concentric with the inner surface. In such an implementation, the device may be configured to move along the travel arc as it rotates about a collective sleeve to contact a swashplate lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugeberg, Bradley D. Linton
  • Publication number: 20210221539
    Abstract: A device to verify main rotor swashplate positioning includes an inner surface of a first section and a gradient surface of a second section. The gradient surface of the second section may have a plurality of graduation indications. In one implementation, the inner surface of the first section at least partially defines a travel arc that is parallel to and concentric with the inner surface. In such an implementation, the device may be configured to move along the travel arc as it rotates about a collective sleeve to contact a swashplate lug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugeberg, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 11040785
    Abstract: A device to verify tail rotor cross-head positioning is disclosed. The device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be adjoined to the first portion and comprises maximum and minimum surfaces configured to determine whether a yoke-measuring surface of a tail rotor yoke may be positioned between respective geometric planes of the maximum and minimum surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugeberg, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 10967990
    Abstract: A device to verify main rotor swashplate positioning includes an inner surface of a first section and a gradient surface of a second section. The gradient surface of the second section may have a plurality of graduation indications. In one implementation, the inner surface of the first section at least partially defines a travel arc that is parallel to and concentric with the inner surface. In such an implementation, the device may be configured to move along the travel arc as it rotates about a collective sleeve to contact a swashplate lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugeberg, Bradley D. Linton
  • Publication number: 20190315494
    Abstract: A device to verify main rotor swashplate positioning includes an inner surface of a first section and a gradient surface of a second section. The gradient surface of the second section may have a plurality of graduation indications. In one implementation, the inner surface of the first section at least partially defines a travel arc that is parallel to and concentric with the inner surface. In such an implementation, the device may be configured to move along the travel arc as it rotates about a collective sleeve to contact a swashplate lug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugeberg, Bradley D. Linton
  • Publication number: 20190315495
    Abstract: A device to verify tail rotor cross-head positioning is disclosed. The device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be adjoined to the first portion and comprises maximum and minimum surfaces configured to determine whether a yoke-measuring surface of a tail rotor yoke may be positioned between respective geometric planes of the maximum and minimum surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugeberg, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 9764830
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of adjusting an aircraft pedal assembly includes providing a pedal linkage coupled between a pedal and an attachment assembly situated proximate to an aircraft instrument panel. A brake cylinder is provided coupled between the pedal and the attachment assembly. The pedal linkage is rotated in response to an adjustment input. The pedal linkage is maintained approximately parallel to the brake cylinder during rotation of the pedal linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 9067672
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a shaft. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The shaft has a first end coupled proximate to the body below the top and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the grip. The shaft positions at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton, Chad R. Haugeberg
  • Patent number: 9056675
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a hand rest. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The grip is positioned at least partially above the post and is movable along at least one arc. The hand rest is coupled to the top and comprises an upper surface having a profile corresponding to the at least one arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 9051836
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a first gimbal and a second gimbal. The first gimbal is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The first gimbal comprises a first linkage attachment point offset from the first axis of rotation. The second gimbal is rotatably coupled to the first gimbal and rotatable relative to the first gimbal about a second axis of rotation. The second gimbal comprises a second linkage attachment point offset from the second axis of rotation and a control shaft attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 8812177
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an integrated aircraft trim assembly features a shaft, a mechanical stop, a trim motor, a clutch, and a measurement device. The mechanical stop device is operable to at least partially prevent rotation of the shaft outside of an allowable range of motion. The trim motor has an output component in mechanical communication with the shaft. The clutch separates the trim motor from the shaft. The measurement device is proximate to the shaft and operable to measure a position of the shaft and communicate the measured position to a flight control computer operable to change a position of a flight control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton
  • Patent number: 7098811
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tactile cueing of aircraft controls (21) is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention warns pilots of approaching limits on certain aircraft performance parameters. The most common warnings are for rotor speed exceeding a moving limit. The present invention uses tactile cueing through the collective stick (21). Tactile cueing means that the pilot does not need to scan the intruments to ascertain proximity to the aforementioned limits. Instead, the pilot can operate the aircraft within proper limits by touch, while maintaining situational awareness outside of the cockpit (20). The method and apparatus of the present invention provides customary friction resistance up to a limit position that is continuously updated. According to the present invention, continued motion of the collective (21) in a direction beyond that limit position results in a breakout force and an increasing resistive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Augustin, Allen L. Bertapelle, Mark E. Dreier, Bradley D. Linton, William L. McKeown, Robert D. Yeary
  • Patent number: D701161
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton, Chad R. Haugeberg
  • Patent number: D701485
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton, Chad R. Haugeberg
  • Patent number: D701486
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton, Chad R. Haugeberg