Patents by Inventor James M. McCollough
James M. McCollough 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).
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Patent number: 10145708Abstract: A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
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Patent number: 9899980Abstract: A method of controlling an audio system includes generating a situation response model for a situation parameter, determining a situation parameter value, and at least one of (1) providing an audio system output as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value and (2) receiving an audio system input as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Thomas W. Brooks, David Steinhoff, Ottis Lynn Morgan
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Patent number: 9879824Abstract: A system and method to detect non-ferrous debris from a non-ferrous roller bearing element. The system includes a trap in fluid communication with a lubrication fluid of the non-ferrous bearing and a sensor operably associate with the trap. The method includes trapping the non-ferrous material debris in the lubrication fluid with the trap and triggering the sensor upon detection of the non-ferrous material debris trapped within the trap.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Ryan T. Ehinger, Troy Bunch
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Patent number: 9815553Abstract: According to some embodiments, a rotorcraft includes a secondary rotor control system located proximate to the empennage of the rotorcraft. The secondary rotor control system includes at least one hydraulic pump and at least one hydraulic actuator. The at least one hydraulic pump is located proximate to the empennage. The at least one hydraulic actuator is located proximate to the empennage and configured to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the at least one secondary rotor blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Tectron Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Carlos A. Fenny
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Publication number: 20170307401Abstract: A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
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Patent number: 9676476Abstract: A lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and a structure coupling mechanism; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to the structure. Another lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material selected from the group consisting of: a polyamide or polyimide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a peek or PEI injection mold with carbon fiber, compression molded carbon fiber or fiberglass, a resin infusion with carbon fiber preform fabric, a fiber reinforced thermoset, acetal resin, machined acetal or thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or a metal-matrix composite; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to a structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, William A. Amante
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Patent number: 9663243Abstract: A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
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Publication number: 20170149402Abstract: A method of controlling an audio system includes generating a situation response model for a situation parameter, determining a situation parameter value, and at least one of (1) providing an audio system output as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value and (2) receiving an audio system input as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: James M. McCollough, Tom Brooks, David Steinhoff, Lynn Morgan
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Patent number: 9584086Abstract: A method of controlling an audio system includes generating a situation response model for a situation parameter, determining a situation parameter value, and at least one of (1) providing an audio system output as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value and (2) receiving an audio system input as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Tom Brooks, David Steinhoff, Lynn Morgan
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Publication number: 20160272342Abstract: A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
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Patent number: 9352849Abstract: A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
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Patent number: 9248759Abstract: A movable seat assembly for a vehicle comprises a predetermined path having an operational location at a first end and an ingress/egress location at a second end, and a seat that travels along the predetermined path between the operational location and the ingress/egress location, wherein the seat has an operational orientation at the operational location and an ingress/egress seat orientation at the ingress/egress location; the ingress/egress seat orientation being substantially angled relative to the operational seat orientation. Another moveable seat assembly for a vehicle comprises a predetermined path having an operational location at a first end, an ingress/egress location at a second end, and a standby location along the path there between; and a seat that travels along the predetermined path between the operational location, the standby location, and the ingress/egress location; wherein the position of the seat is adjustable at the operational location.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Albert G. Brand, John R. Wittmaak, James M. McCollough, James H. Harse, Richard H. Adams, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150336661Abstract: A lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material; and a structure coupling mechanism; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to the structure. Another lightweight skid shoe assembly comprises a body of wear resistant, non-metallic or partially metallic material selected from the group consisting of: a polyamide or polyimide impregnated carbon fiber layup, a peek or PEI injection mold with carbon fiber, compression molded carbon fiber or fiberglass, a resin infusion with carbon fiber preform fabric, a fiber reinforced thermoset, acetal resin, machined acetal or thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, or a metal-matrix composite; wherein the body prevents friction-related damage to a structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: James M. McCollough, William A. Amante
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Publication number: 20150321769Abstract: A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
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Patent number: 9156567Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for providing real-time indications of economic impact of aircraft operations to an aircraft operator. The system and method allow the aircraft operator to reduce economic impact during flight of the aircraft. Such an analysis and cue to the aircraft operator allows the operator to make real-time changes during flight to reduce damage of life-limited aircraft components, thereby reducing the economic impact of aircraft operation that is directly associated with maintenance and component replacement. The system and method can also include pre-flight and post-flight analysis methods for reduction of economic impact of flight operations.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Brian E. Tucker, Thomas B. Priest, David A. Platz, James M. McCollough
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Patent number: 9096325Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing pilot and copilot control of engine power in an aircraft includes receiving, from a first pilot input device, a first signal representative of a pilot selection of an increase power position or a decrease power position and receiving, from a second pilot input device, a second signal representative of a pilot selection of an increase power position or a decrease power position. One of the first signal and the second signal is prioritized. An aircraft engine is then instructed to change power output based on the prioritized signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Erik Oltheten, James M. McCollough, Peter F. Scheidler, Jeffery S. Greenwood
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Patent number: 9056684Abstract: An aircraft includes a heat absorbent material carried by an airfoil susceptible to ice buildup and a transmitter spaced apart from the heat absorbent material. A method includes the process of transmitting the heat energy from the transmitter to the heat absorbent material that in turn warms the airfoil to break apart ice buildup.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Roger Aubert
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Publication number: 20150142215Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing pilot and copilot control of engine power in an aircraft includes receiving, from a first pilot input device, a first signal representative of a pilot selection of an increase power position or a decrease power position and receiving, from a second pilot input device, a second signal representative of a pilot selection of an increase power position or a decrease power position. One of the first signal and the second signal is prioritized. An aircraft engine is then instructed to change power output based on the prioritized signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Erik Oltheten, James M. McCollough, Peter F. Scheidler, Jeffrey S. Greenwood
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Patent number: 9035802Abstract: A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
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Publication number: 20150015039Abstract: A movable seat assembly for a vehicle comprises a predetermined path having an operational location at a first end and an ingress/egress location at a second end, and a seat that travels along the predetermined path between the operational location and the ingress/egress location, wherein the seat has an operational orientation at the operational location and an ingress/egress seat orientation at the ingress/egress location; the ingress/egress seat orientation being substantially angled relative to the operational seat orientation. Another moveable seat assembly for a vehicle comprises a predetermined path having an operational location at a first end, an ingress/egress location at a second end, and a standby location along the path there between; and a seat that travels along the predetermined path between the operational location, the standby location, and the ingress/egress location; wherein the position of the seat is adjustable at the operational location.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Albert G. Brand, John R. Wittmaak, James M. McCollough, James H. Harse, Richard H. Adams, JR.