Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Matthew Williams
Jeffrey Matthew Williams 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: 11787536Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft is described and includes a rotor system, a pylon coupled to the rotor system, a spindle coupled to the pylon, an actuator arm coupled to the spindle, and an actuator. The actuator can cause the actuator arm to rotate, thereby causing the spindle to rotate the pylon and the rotor system. In an example, the actuator is in front of a forward spar of the wing of the tiltrotor aircraft and the actuator arm is about one-half (0.5) of an inch to about five (5) inches from the wing.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Michael E. Rinehart, Jeffrey Matthew Williams
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Publication number: 20230211868Abstract: A folding step system includes a housing forming an interior space and a step comprising a step surface. The step is movable between a stowed configuration in which substantially all of the step surface is disposed within the interior space and a deployed configuration in which at least a portion of the step surface is disposed outside of the interior space and at least a portion of the step surface is disposed within the interior space.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Michael Ross Wilkinson, James Everett Kooiman, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Tjepke Heeringa, David G. Carlson
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Publication number: 20230210253Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage having a former therein and a work platform system. The work platform system includes a platform that is moveable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The work platform system also has a hinge pin received by the platform. A platform stop is carried by the former and configured to inhibit rotation of the platform about the hinge pin when the platform is in the deployed configuration. The hinge pin is carried by the former.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Michael Ross Wilkinson, James Everett Kooiman, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Tjepke Heeringa, David G. Carlson
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Patent number: 11661178Abstract: A tail rotor assembly coupled to a tailboom of a helicopter includes a tail rotor gearbox having top, bottom and aft sides and a shroud surrounding the tail rotor gearbox. The shroud includes a shroud airframe having top and bottom portions. The tail rotor assembly includes a tail rotor gearbox support assembly configured to support the tail rotor gearbox within the shroud. The tail rotor gearbox support assembly includes a support column coupling the aft side of the tail rotor gearbox between the top and bottom portions of the shroud airframe, an upper support crossbar coupling the top side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe and a lower support crossbar coupling the bottom side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael Edwin Rinehart
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Patent number: 11401035Abstract: A system is described and includes a rack for carrying payload disposed in payload bay; a rack extension assembly for affecting linear displacement of the rack between a first position in which the rack is stowed within the payload bay and a second position in which the rack is supported outside the payload bay; a payload actuator system for selectively causing the rack extension assembly to move the rack between the first and second positions; a payload bay door; and a door actuator system for selectively opening and closing the payload bay door.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael E. Rinehart, Franklin Foster Caldwell, Tjepke Heeringa
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Patent number: 11319056Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, Michael Edwin Rinehart, Andrew G. Baines, James Elbert King
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Patent number: 11286047Abstract: A system is described and includes a rack for carrying payload disposed in a payload bay; and a payload extension assembly for affecting linear translation of the rack between a first position in which the rack is fully retracted within the payload bay and a second position in which the payload extension assembly is fully extended and the rack is supported outside the payload bay. The payload extension assembly comprises forward and aft tracks respectively attached to forward and aft walls of the payload bay; a first stage for providing linear translation of the rack relative to the forward and aft tracks; and a second stage for providing linear translation of the rack relative to the first stage. The system further comprises a payload actuator system for selectively causing the rack extension assembly to move the rack between the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael E. Rinehart, Franklin Foster Caldwell, Tjepke Heeringa
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Publication number: 20220073198Abstract: One example of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotor system, a pylon coupled to the rotor system, a spindle coupled to the pylon, an actuator arm coupled to the spindle, and an actuator. The actuator can cause the actuator arm to rotate, thereby causing the spindle to rotate the pylon and the rotor system. In an example, the actuator is in front of a forward spar of the wing of the tiltrotor aircraft and the actuator arm is about one-half (0.5) of an inch to about five (5) inches from the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Michael E. Rinehart, Jeffrey Matthew Williams
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Publication number: 20210339852Abstract: A tail rotor assembly coupled to a tailboom of a helicopter includes a tail rotor gearbox having top, bottom and aft sides and a shroud surrounding the tail rotor gearbox. The shroud includes a shroud airframe having top and bottom portions. The tail rotor assembly includes a tail rotor gearbox support assembly configured to support the tail rotor gearbox within the shroud. The tail rotor gearbox support assembly includes a support column coupling the aft side of the tail rotor gearbox between the top and bottom portions of the shroud airframe, an upper support crossbar coupling the top side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe and a lower support crossbar coupling the bottom side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael Edwin Rinehart
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Publication number: 20210309371Abstract: A system is described and includes a rack for carrying payload disposed in a payload bay; and a payload extension assembly for affecting linear translation of the rack between a first position in which the rack is fully retracted within the payload bay and a second position in which the payload extension assembly is fully extended and the rack is supported outside the payload bay. The payload extension assembly comprises forward and aft tracks respectively attached to forward and aft walls of the payload bay; a first stage for providing linear translation of the rack relative to the forward and aft tracks; and a second stage for providing linear translation of the rack relative to the first stage. The system further comprises a payload actuator system for selectively causing the rack extension assembly to move the rack between the first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael E. Rinehart, Franklin Foster Caldwell, Tjepke Heeringa
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Publication number: 20210309365Abstract: A system is described and includes at least one track attached to an upper interior surface of a payload bay and extending along a bottom surface of a vehicle structure external to the payload bay, wherein the track comprises a horizontal flange; a rack moveably connected to the at least one track via at least one carrier assembly; and a payload actuator system for selectively extending the rack from the payload bay along the at least one track to a position from which payload carried by the rack may be safely deployed and retracting the rack into the payload bay along the at least one track.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael E. Rinehart, Franklin Foster Caldwell, Tjepke Heeringa
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Publication number: 20210309370Abstract: A system is described and includes a rack for carrying payload disposed in payload bay; a rack extension assembly for affecting linear displacement of the rack between a first position in which the rack is stowed within the payload bay and a second position in which the rack is supported outside the payload bay; a payload actuator system for selectively causing the rack extension assembly to move the rack between the first and second positions; a payload bay door; and a door actuator system for selectively opening and closing the payload bay door.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael E. Rinehart, Franklin Foster Caldwell, Tjepke Heeringa
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Patent number: 11136121Abstract: A system is described and includes at least one track attached to an upper interior surface of a payload bay and extending along a bottom surface of a vehicle structure external to the payload bay, wherein the track comprises a horizontal flange; a rack moveably connected to the at least one track via at least one carrier assembly; and a payload actuator system for selectively extending the rack from the payload bay along the at least one track to a position from which payload carried by the rack may be safely deployed and retracting the rack into the payload bay along the at least one track.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael E. Rinehart, Franklin Foster Caldwell, Tjepke Heeringa
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Patent number: 11059561Abstract: A torque box rib includes an upper rib cap configured to be coupled to an upper skin of a wing, a lower rib cap configured to be coupled to a lower skin of the wing, a forward post configured to be coupled to a forward spar of the wing, an aft post configured to be coupled to an aft spar of the wing, and a rib web configured to be coupled to the upper rib cap, the lower rib cap, the forward post, and the aft post.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, David G. Carlson, George Ryan Decker, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Douglas K. Wolfe
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Patent number: 11034440Abstract: A tail rotor assembly coupled to a tailboom of a helicopter includes a tail rotor gearbox having top, bottom and aft sides and a shroud surrounding the tail rotor gearbox. The shroud includes a shroud airframe having top and bottom portions. The tail rotor assembly includes a tail rotor gearbox support assembly configured to support the tail rotor gearbox within the shroud. The tail rotor gearbox support assembly includes a support column coupling the aft side of the tail rotor gearbox between the top and bottom portions of the shroud airframe, an upper support crossbar coupling the top side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe and a lower support crossbar coupling the bottom side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael Edwin Rinehart
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Patent number: 10994839Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotor system, a pylon coupled to the rotor system, a spindle coupled to the pylon, an actuator arm coupled to the spindle, and an actuator. The actuator can cause the actuator arm to rotate, thereby causing the spindle to rotate the pylon and the rotor system. The actuator is in front of a forward spar of the wing of the tiltrotor aircraft and the actuator arm is about one-half (0.5) of an inch to about five (5) inches from the wing.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Michael E. Rinehart, Jeffrey Matthew Williams
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Patent number: 10829237Abstract: An inlet barrier filter system for a tiltrotor aircraft comprising a filter duct extending from a filter to a filter outlet, a ram air duct extending from a ram air inlet to an engine where the filter duct connects to the ram air duct at the filter outlet, and a closure member movable between a first position blocking the ram air duct and a second position blocking the filter outlet. In use, the inlet barrier filter system provides for two mutually exclusive air flow paths, one for introducing ram air to the engine while closing off the filter and another air flow path for introducing filtered air to the engine while closing off the ram air duct.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, George Ryan Decker, Michael Rinehart, Jeffrey Matthew Williams
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Publication number: 20200277049Abstract: A tail rotor assembly coupled to a tailboom of a helicopter includes a tail rotor gearbox having top, bottom and aft sides and a shroud surrounding the tail rotor gearbox. The shroud includes a shroud airframe having top and bottom portions. The tail rotor assembly includes a tail rotor gearbox support assembly configured to support the tail rotor gearbox within the shroud. The tail rotor gearbox support assembly includes a support column coupling the aft side of the tail rotor gearbox between the top and bottom portions of the shroud airframe, an upper support crossbar coupling the top side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe and a lower support crossbar coupling the bottom side of the tail rotor gearbox between the support column and the tailboom airframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: James Everett Kooiman, Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Michael Edwin Rinehart
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Publication number: 20200198762Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, Michael Edwin Rinehart, Andrew G. Baines, James Elbert King
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Patent number: 10604232Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Williams, George Ryan Decker, Michael Edwin Rinehart, Andrew G. Baines, James Elbert King