Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Sweigard
Daniel J. Sweigard 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: 10029802Abstract: A pedestal assembly for receiving a pylon assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode, the tiltrotor aircraft having an airframe including a fuselage and a wing. The pedestal assembly includes an inboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The inboard pedestal includes an inboard bearing assembly disposed within an inboard pillow block housing. The pedestal assembly also includes an outboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The outboard pedestal includes an outboard bearing assembly disposed within an outboard pillow block housing. The inboard and outboard bearing assemblies are operable to receive the pylon assembly therein such that the pylon assembly is rotatably mounted between the inboard and outboard pedestals to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between the helicopter mode and the airplane mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Patent number: 9981750Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Publication number: 20180099758Abstract: A pedestal assembly for receiving a pylon assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode, the tiltrotor aircraft having an airframe including a fuselage and a wing. The pedestal assembly includes an inboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The inboard pedestal includes an inboard bearing assembly disposed within an inboard pillow block housing. The pedestal assembly also includes an outboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The outboard pedestal includes an outboard bearing assembly disposed within an outboard pillow block housing. The inboard and outboard bearing assemblies are operable to receive the pylon assembly therein such that the pylon assembly is rotatably mounted between the inboard and outboard pedestals to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between the helicopter mode and the airplane mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Publication number: 20180099757Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Patent number: 9868542Abstract: 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 the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a pillow block housing such as a full or a split pillow block housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Patent number: 9809318Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Publication number: 20170305566Abstract: 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 the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a pillow block housing such as a full or a split pillow block housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, James Elbert King, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Christopher R. Jackson, George Ryan Decker, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Publication number: 20170305567Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
-
Patent number: 8079552Abstract: A clip assembly (111) having a clamp member (115) with opposing fingers (121 and 123) configured to form a channel, and an insert member (129) that holds the fire detector wire (128) is disclosed. The insert member (128) is made of, coated with, or treated with an anti-friction material. The insert member includes end flanges (133, 135) that retain the insert member between the opposing fingers. The fire detector wire is installed into the insert member, and the insert member is then snapped into the channel formed by the opposing fingers of the clamp member.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Daniel J. Sweigard