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).

  • Patent number: 10145708
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
  • Patent number: 9899980
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Thomas W. Brooks, David Steinhoff, Ottis Lynn Morgan
  • Patent number: 9879824
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Ryan T. Ehinger, Troy Bunch
  • Patent number: 9815553
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Tectron Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Carlos A. Fenny
  • Publication number: 20170307401
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
  • Patent number: 9676476
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, William A. Amante
  • Patent number: 9663243
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
  • Publication number: 20170149402
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Tom Brooks, David Steinhoff, Lynn Morgan
  • Patent number: 9584086
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Tom Brooks, David Steinhoff, Lynn Morgan
  • Publication number: 20160272342
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
  • Patent number: 9352849
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
  • Patent number: 9248759
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Albert G. Brand, John R. Wittmaak, James M. McCollough, James H. Harse, Richard H. Adams, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150336661
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, William A. Amante
  • Publication number: 20150321769
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
  • Patent number: 9156567
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Brian E. Tucker, Thomas B. Priest, David A. Platz, James M. McCollough
  • Patent number: 9096325
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Oltheten, James M. McCollough, Peter F. Scheidler, Jeffery S. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 9056684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Roger Aubert
  • Publication number: 20150142215
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Oltheten, James M. McCollough, Peter F. Scheidler, Jeffrey S. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 9035802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Erik Oltheten, Nicholas Lappos
  • Publication number: 20150015039
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Albert G. Brand, John R. Wittmaak, James M. McCollough, James H. Harse, Richard H. Adams, JR.