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: 10029802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: 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: 9981750
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
  • Publication number: 20180099757
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
  • Publication number: 20180099758
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: 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: 9868542
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: 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: 9809318
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
  • Publication number: 20170305567
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, James Everett Kooiman, Andrew G. Baines, Daniel J. Sweigard
  • Publication number: 20170305566
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: 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: 8079552
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Sweigard