Patents by Inventor Keith C. Pedersen
Keith C. Pedersen 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: 11028944Abstract: One example of a duct support for a rotorcraft includes a stabilizing mechanism configured to transfer a weight of a duct to an airframe of the rotorcraft, where the duct undergoes thermal expansion. The stabilizing mechanism includes a first stabilizing member attached to the duct, a second stabilizing member attached to the rotorcraft, and a coupling mechanism where the coupling mechanism is configured to couple the first stabilizing member to the second stabilizing member and accommodate thermal expansion of the duct by allowing for movement of the first stabilizing member relative to the second stabilizing member. In an example, the duct is an exhaust duct of an engine of the rotorcraft and heat from the engine cause the exhaust duct to undergo the thermal expansion.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast, Jon Damon Bennett, Joshua Allan Edler, Jean Pierre Paradis, Keith C. Pedersen
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Patent number: 10882602Abstract: A fairing is provided in one example embodiment and may include a first edge portion to provide a first clearance distance between the fairing and rotor flight controls of a rotorcraft; a second edge portion to provide a second clearance distance between the fairing and the rotor flight controls of the aircraft, wherein the second clearance distance is greater than the first clearance distance; and a support structure attached to the fairing below the second edge portion. A rotorcraft is provided in another example embodiment and may include a fairing in which the fairing can include a handhold portion along an edge of the fairing. The handhold portion can include a handhold clearance distance between the handhold portion and rotor flight controls of the rotorcraft; and a support structure attached to the fairing below the handhold portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast, Keith C. Pedersen
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Patent number: 10836504Abstract: One embodiment is a passive particle separation system including a plenum; an inlet for feeding outside air into the plenum, wherein the outside air has particles entrained therewith; a housing for enclosing the plenum; and a standpipe installed on the housing. The outside air enters the plenum via the inlet and plenum, housing, and standpipe interact to impact the outside air entering the plenum to cause the particles to be released from the outside air.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Joshua Allan Edler, Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast, Sarah R. Villanueva, David Michael Tiedeman, Keith C. Pedersen
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Publication number: 20190368636Abstract: One example of a duct support for a rotorcraft includes a stabilizing mechanism configured to transfer a weight of a duct to an airframe of the rotorcraft, where the duct undergoes thermal expansion. The stabilizing mechanism includes a first stabilizing member attached to the duct, a second stabilizing member attached to the rotorcraft, and a coupling mechanism where the coupling mechanism is configured to couple the first stabilizing member to the second stabilizing member and accommodate thermal expansion of the duct by allowing for movement of the first stabilizing member relative to the second stabilizing member. In an example, the duct is an exhaust duct of an engine of the rotorcraft and heat from the engine cause the exhaust duct to undergo the thermal expansion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast, Jon Damon Bennett, Joshua Allan Edler, Jean Pierre Paradis, Keith C. Pedersen
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Patent number: 10480386Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aircraft that includes an exhaust manifold for combining one or more system exhaust paths located upstream of equipment inlets and directing the exhausts upwards towards the rotor linkages such that the exhaust is expelled and diffused forward of the equipment inlets. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the exhaust manifold includes a structure for supporting a transmission cowling at the top of the aircraft and/or on the sides of the aircraft. For example, the exhaust manifold may include a platform that contains the exhaust ducts and may include a frame extending from the platform that follows the contours of the cowling, such that the cowling lays along the support frame for additional mechanical support.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Keith C. Pedersen, Brent Scannell, Nam Dai Tran, Thomas Mast
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Publication number: 20190329864Abstract: A fairing is provided in one example embodiment and may include a first edge portion to provide a first clearance distance between the fairing and rotor flight controls of a rotorcraft; a second edge portion to provide a second clearance distance between the fairing and the rotor flight controls of the aircraft, wherein the second clearance distance is greater than the first clearance distance; and a support structure attached to the fairing below the second edge portion. A rotorcraft is provided in another example embodiment and may include a fairing in which the fairing can include a handhold portion along an edge of the fairing. The handhold portion can include a handhold clearance distance between the handhold portion and rotor flight controls of the rotorcraft; and a support structure attached to the fairing below the handhold portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast, Keith C. Pedersen
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Publication number: 20190329899Abstract: One embodiment is a passive particle separation system including a plenum; an inlet for feeding outside air into the plenum, wherein the outside air has particles entrained therewith; a housing for enclosing the plenum; and a standpipe installed on the housing. The outside air enters the plenum via the inlet and plenum, housing, and standpipe interact to impact the outside air entering the plenum to cause the particles to be released from the outside air.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Joshua Allan Edler, Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast, Sarah R. Villanueva, David Michael Tiedeman, Keith C. Pedersen
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Publication number: 20190093541Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aircraft that includes an exhaust manifold for combining one or more system exhaust paths located upstream of equipment inlets and directing the exhausts upwards towards the rotor linkages such that the exhaust is expelled and diffused forward of the equipment inlets. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the exhaust manifold includes a structure for supporting a transmission cowling at the top of the aircraft and/or on the sides of the aircraft. For example, the exhaust manifold may include a platform that contains the exhaust ducts and may include a frame extending from the platform that follows the contours of the cowling, such that the cowling lays along the support frame for additional mechanical support.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Keith C. Pedersen, Brent Scannell, Nam Dai Tran, Thomas Mast
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Publication number: 20140060004Abstract: The exhaust system is located on each nacelle of a tiltrotor aircraft. The exhaust system includes a vector nozzle that is selectively rotatable in relation to each nacelle in order to achieve certain performance objectives. The vector nozzle can be oriented to provide maximum flight performance, reduce infrared (IR) signature, or even to reduce/prevent ground heating.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Thomas M. Mast, Keith C. Pedersen, David L. Miller, Steven Ray Ivans