Patents by Inventor Charles Hubert Speller

Charles Hubert Speller 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: 20220017230
    Abstract: A clutch that has a synchronizer for matching a rotational velocity of a drive input with a rotational velocity of a driven output prior to engagement of a locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventor: Charles Hubert Speller
  • Publication number: 20210403173
    Abstract: A seal system for coaxially aligned shafts includes an input shaft and an output shaft coaxially aligned with the input shaft. The seal system includes a seal adapter support housing coupled to the output shaft and a seal positioned between an end of the input shaft and an end of the seal adapter support housing. The input shaft is configured to rotate at a speed that is different than a speed of the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Hubert SPELLER, George Matthew THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20210371120
    Abstract: A rotorcraft includes a plurality of fan assemblies. Each fan assembly of the plurality of fan assemblies includes a drivetrain having a gearbox with an input shaft and a mast coaxially aligned with the input shaft, and a plurality of electric motors coupled to the input shaft. Each electric motor of the plurality of electric motors is coupled to the input shaft via a sprag clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Hubert SPELLER, Cody ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 11181187
    Abstract: A planetary gear system includes a planetary gear carrier having three or more posts extending from the planetary gear carrier, each post having a hardened exterior surface, and a planet pinion gear in contact with the hardened exterior surface of each post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Scott David Poster, Charles Hubert Speller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210332879
    Abstract: A gearbox system for a rotorcraft includes a gearbox housing, an oil pump receiving bore formed into the gearbox housing and having formed therein a first opening having a first diameter and a second opening, and an oil pump positioned within the oil pump receiving bore. The second opening is bounded by a lip that extends radially into the second opening, the second opening having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Christine SAVAGE, Charles Hubert SPELLER
  • Patent number: 11008113
    Abstract: A clutch that has a synchronizer for matching a rotational velocity of a drive input with a rotational velocity of a driven output prior to engagement of a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Hubert Speller
  • Publication number: 20210094674
    Abstract: A rotor assembly configured to increase the stiffness of a rotor mast. The rotor assembly includes the rotor mast, a rotor hub, a mast nut, a mast bearing, and a cuff disposed between the mast nut and the mast bearing. The cuff is captured and compressed between the mast nut and the inner race of the mast bearing along an uninterrupted load path that extends between the mast nut and the mast bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: George Matthew Thompson, Charles Hubert Speller, Jonathan Knoll
  • Patent number: 10960972
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly for a rotorcraft includes a mast including a distal ridge and a proximal ridge forming a retaining pocket therebetween, a raceway receivable by the retaining pocket to form a press fit between the mast and the raceway and a mast bearing assembly including a plurality of bearings facing the mast to engage the raceway. The distal and proximal ridges are operable to reduce axial motion of the raceway along the mast, thereby securing the raceway in the retaining pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Lee Mueller, Charles Hubert Speller
  • Patent number: 10875640
    Abstract: A mast lockout system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a proprotor assembly. The system includes a mast coupled to and rotatable with the proprotor assembly. A proprotor gearbox having a proprotor gearbox housing is operable to transmit torque and rotation energy to the mast. A lock assembly has first and second lock members. The first lock member is coupled to and rotatable with the mast. The second lock member is coupled to the proprotor gearbox housing. The lock assembly has a first position in which the first and second lock members are disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the proprotor assembly. The lock assembly has a second position in which the first and second lock members are engaged, thereby preventing rotation of the proprotor assembly. The lock assembly is actuatable between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Hubert Speller, Troy Cyril Schank
  • Patent number: 10843798
    Abstract: A mast lockout system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a proprotor assembly. The system includes a mast coupled to and rotatable with the proprotor assembly. A proprotor gearbox having a proprotor gearbox housing is configured to transmit torque and rotation energy to the mast. A lock assembly has first and second lock members. The first lock member is coupled to the mast between first and second mast bearings and configured to rotate with the mast. The second lock member is coupled to the proprotor gearbox housing. The lock assembly has a first position in which the first and second lock members are disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the mast. The lock assembly has a second position in which the first and second lock members are engaged, thereby preventing rotation of the mast. The lock assembly is actuatable between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Przybyla, Charles Hubert Speller
  • Publication number: 20200180757
    Abstract: A swashplate assembly includes: a mounting sleeve configured for coupling to and around an upper portion of a gearbox, wherein the mounting sleeve extends downwards from the upper portion of the gearbox; a tilt sleeve coupled to the mounting sleeve, wherein the tilt sleeve has a curved exterior surface; a non-rotating swashplate ring positioned around the tilt sleeve, wherein the non-rotating swashplate ring has a first set of pitch control connectors and an anti-rotation connector; a rotating swashplate ring rotatable about the non-rotating swashplate ring, wherein the rotating swashplate ring has a second set of pitch control connectors and a drive link connector; and a first bearing system mounted between the non-rotating swashplate ring and the rotating swashplate ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Scott David Poster, Charles Hubert Speller, JR., Mark Adam Wiinikka
  • Patent number: 10611496
    Abstract: A power system for an aircraft includes a plurality of power consumers each operable to consume power in a range from zero to maximum power demand and collectively capable of consuming a combined maximum power demand, a power source operable to output power to the power consumers and a power allocation system operable to allocate power from the power source to the power consumers based on an operational parameter of the aircraft. The power allocated by the power allocation system is less than the combined maximum power demand of the power consumers, thereby allowing the power source to have a maximum power output less than the combined maximum power demand of the power consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Bradley Paul Regnier, Aaron Alexander Acee, Charles Hubert Speller, Marc Ouellet
  • Publication number: 20200102072
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly for a rotorcraft includes a mast including a distal ridge and a proximal ridge forming a retaining pocket therebetween, a raceway receivable by the retaining pocket to form a press fit between the mast and the raceway and a mast bearing assembly including a plurality of bearings facing the mast to engage the raceway. The distal and proximal ridges are operable to reduce axial motion of the raceway along the mast, thereby securing the raceway in the retaining pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Lee Mueller, Charles Hubert Speller
  • Publication number: 20190338847
    Abstract: A planetary gear system includes a planetary gear carrier having three or more posts extending from the planetary gear carrier, each post having a hardened exterior surface, and a planet pinion gear in contact with the hardened exterior surface of each post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Scott David Poster, Charles Hubert Speller, JR.
  • Patent number: 10385959
    Abstract: A ring gear includes a ring having one or more sets of inwardly facing teeth, a circumferential flange extending outward from the ring, and the flange is mounted between a first housing and a second housing. In addition, the flange protrudes into an ambient air outside the first housing and second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Charles Hubert Speller, Jr., Scott David Poster, Walter Riley
  • Publication number: 20190248483
    Abstract: A mast lockout system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a proprotor assembly. The system includes a mast coupled to and rotatable with the proprotor assembly. A proprotor gearbox having a proprotor gearbox housing is configured to transmit torque and rotation energy to the mast. A lock assembly has first and second lock members. The first lock member is coupled to the mast between first and second mast bearings and configured to rotate with the mast. The second lock member is coupled to the proprotor gearbox housing. The lock assembly has a first position in which the first and second lock members are disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the mast. The lock assembly has a second position in which the first and second lock members are engaged, thereby preventing rotation of the mast. The lock assembly is actuatable between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Przybyla, Charles Hubert Speller
  • Publication number: 20190248481
    Abstract: A mast lockout system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a proprotor assembly. The system includes a mast coupled to and rotatable with the proprotor assembly. A proprotor gearbox having a proprotor gearbox housing is operable to transmit torque and rotation energy to the mast. A lock assembly has first and second lock members. The first lock member is coupled to and rotatable with the mast. The second lock member is coupled to the proprotor gearbox housing. The lock assembly has a first position in which the first and second lock members are disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the proprotor assembly. The lock assembly has a second position in which the first and second lock members are engaged, thereby preventing rotation of the proprotor assembly. The lock assembly is actuatable between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Hubert Speller, Troy Cyril Schank
  • Publication number: 20190225349
    Abstract: A power system for an aircraft includes a plurality of power consumers each operable to consume power in a range from zero to maximum power demand and collectively capable of consuming a combined maximum power demand, a power source operable to output power to the power consumers and a power allocation system operable to allocate power from the power source to the power consumers based on an operational parameter of the aircraft. The power allocated by the power allocation system is less than the combined maximum power demand of the power consumers, thereby allowing the power source to have a maximum power output less than the combined maximum power demand of the power consumers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Bradley Paul Regnier, Aaron Alexander Acee, Charles Hubert Speller, Marc Ouellet
  • Publication number: 20190023410
    Abstract: A clutch that has a synchronizer for matching a rotational velocity of a drive input with a rotational velocity of a driven output prior to engagement of a locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Hubert Speller
  • Publication number: 20180087639
    Abstract: An engine reduction gear system includes at least two self-contained, independent engine reduction gearboxes, each capable of connecting to an aircraft engine. Each of the engine reduction gearboxes provides redundant, reduced speed to a main rotor gearbox via a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Scott David Poster, Walter Riley, Gary Cope, Charles Hubert Speller, JR.