Patents by Inventor Ken Shundo
Ken Shundo 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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Publication number: 20240093718Abstract: A coupling system is described that allows users to avoid having to manipulate two tools at the same time while reaching around to both sides of the coupled components. A lock plate can rest above one or more holes passing through (and for joining together) the components. A blade pin with a partially hollow cylinder can be inserted through holes in the lock plate and at least partially through the holes. A blade bolt can be inserted into the holes and the cylinder from the other side. The blade bolt can comprise an o-ring that engages with an inner diameter of a portion of the cylinder and holds the parts together with an interference fit. A portion of the bolt can extend through the top of the holes, and a washer and nut can be attached to or about a threaded portion of the bolt. During each state of installation a user will not have to reach to both sides of the system while manipulating multiple tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Ken Shundo, Ryan A. Smith, Bryan K. Baskin
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Patent number: 11591079Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a drive tube and swashplate trunnion assembly. The drive tube and swashplate trunnion assembly includes a drive tube having a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the drive tube; a swashplate trunnion having a plurality of grooves formed on an inner surface of the swashplate trunnion, wherein individual grooves of the plurality of grooves on the swashplate trunnion mate with individual grooves of the plurality of grooves on the drive tube to form a plurality of channels; and a plurality of cylindrical bearings, wherein each of said cylindrical bearings is disposed within an individual channel of the plurality of channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Ken Shundo, Bryan Baskin
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Patent number: 11541990Abstract: A magnetic spacer system for a spinner of a rotorcraft includes a first ring of a plurality of magnets secured to the spinner and having an inner surface facing radially inward, and a second ring of a plurality of magnets secured to a nacelle of the rotorcraft and having an outer surface facing radially outward. The first and second rings of multiple magnets are arranged concentrically, and a portion of the inner surface of the first ring of a plurality of magnets and a portion of the outer surface of the second ring of a plurality of magnets have the same polarity to repel one another. In other aspects, the magnetic spacer system may be replaced by a low-friction system.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Gary Miller, Ken Shundo, Diana R. Tinlin
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Publication number: 20220126992Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a drive tube and swashplate trunnion assembly. The drive tube and swashplate trunnion assembly includes a drive tube having a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the drive tube; a swashplate trunnion having a plurality of grooves formed on an inner surface of the swashplate trunnion, wherein individual grooves of the plurality of grooves on the swashplate trunnion mate with individual grooves of the plurality of grooves on the drive tube to form a plurality of channels; and a plurality of cylindrical bearings, wherein each of said cylindrical bearings is disposed within an individual channel of the plurality of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Ken Shundo, Bryan Baskin
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Publication number: 20220081106Abstract: A magnetic spacer system for a spinner of a rotorcraft includes a first ring of a plurality of magnets secured to the spinner and having an inner surface facing radially inward, and a second ring of a plurality of magnets secured to a nacelle of the rotorcraft and having an outer surface facing radially outward. The first and second rings of multiple magnets are arranged concentrically, and a portion of the inner surface of the first ring of a plurality of magnets and a portion of the outer surface of the second ring of a plurality of magnets have the same polarity to repel one another. In other aspects, the magnetic spacer system may be replaced by a low-friction system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Gary MILLER, Ken SHUNDO, Diana TINLIN
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Patent number: 11254418Abstract: A tiltrotor controls shield having a blade or wire substructure under a fragile spinner fairing improves bird strike durability. The present disclosure discloses a spinner wind fairing with a shield structure disposed thereunder for providing protection to the proprotor assembly components. The shield structure can segment a projectile, such as a bird, that penetrates the spinner fairing into a series of smaller and lower energy elements spread across a wider area, such that the rotor components can withstand the impact of the smaller elements without damage.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Ken Shundo, Michael Dearman, Terry Thompson
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Patent number: 10933986Abstract: A folding rotor blade assembly includes a blade fold support and a blade-fold actuator system coupled to the blade fold support. The blade-fold actuator system includes a motor, a tab configured to selectively prevent rotation of a blade tang of a rotor blade, and a cam connected to the blade fold support and coupled to the motor, the cam configured to move the tab between a locked position that prevents rotation of the blade tang and an unlocked position that permits rotation of the blade tang.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jared Mark Paulson, Ken Shundo
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Publication number: 20200307773Abstract: A tiltrotor controls shield having a blade or wire substructure under a fragile spinner fairing improves bird strike durability. The present disclosure discloses a spinner wind fairing with a shield structure disposed thereunder for providing protection to the proprotor assembly components. The shield structure can segment a projectile, such as a bird, that penetrates the spinner fairing into a series of smaller and lower energy elements spread across a wider area, such that the rotor components can withstand the impact of the smaller elements without damage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Ken Shundo, Michael Dearman, Terry Thompson
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Patent number: 10787244Abstract: A blade-fold bushing system includes a splined bushing comprising a first plurality of teeth, a castellated bushing comprising a second plurality of teeth and a shaft portion configured to coaxially fit within the splined bushing, and a lock bushing coaxially aligned with the castellated bushing. A support tool for use with a blade-fold bushing system includes an outer head comprising a third plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the first plurality of teeth of the splined bushing, and an inner head comprising a fourth plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the second plurality of teeth of the castellated bushing.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Ken Shundo, Glenn Alan Shimek
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Patent number: 10549849Abstract: An aircraft includes a first rotor assembly, a second rotor assembly, and a rotor phase angle control system. The system includes a phase adjustor operably associated with the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly. The method includes sensing vibrations exerted on the aircraft and offsetting a phase angle of the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly to minimize the vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Inventors: Brian Modrzejewski, Ken Shundo, Frank B. Stamps, David Popelka, J. Scott Drennan, Michael E. Rinehart
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Patent number: 10543916Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a yoke operably associated with a rotor blade. The yoke includes a first device and a second device that attach the rotor blade to the yoke. The first device is configured to allow transverse movement of the rotor blade about a chord axis and rotational movement about a pitch-change axis. The second device is configured to allow rotational movement of the rotor blade solely about the pitch-change axis. The method includes rotating rotor assembly about a first plane of rotation, while retaining a relatively stiff out-of-plane rotation and a relatively soft in-plane rotation during flight.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Inventors: Ken Shundo, Mithat Yuce, Frank B. Stamps
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Publication number: 20200023951Abstract: An aircraft includes a first rotor assembly, a second rotor assembly, and a rotor phase angle control system. The system includes a phase adjustor operably associated with the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly. The method includes sensing vibrations exerted on the aircraft and offsetting a phase angle of the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly to minimize the vibrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Brian Modrzejewski, Ken Shundo, Frank B. Stamps, David Popelka, J. Scott Drennan, Michael E. Rinehart
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Publication number: 20190389569Abstract: A folding rotor blade assembly includes a blade fold support and a blade-fold actuator system coupled to the blade fold support. The blade-fold actuator system includes a motor, a tab configured to selectively prevent rotation of a blade tang of a rotor blade, and a cam connected to the blade fold support and coupled to the motor, the cam configured to move the tab between a locked position that prevents rotation of the blade tang and an unlocked position that permits rotation of the blade tang.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Jared Mark Paulson, Ken Shundo
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Patent number: 10514060Abstract: A bearing assembly for coupling a proprotor blade to a yoke in a proprotor system. The bearing assembly is positionable within an inboard pocket of a blade arm of the yoke. The proprotor system is operable for use on a tiltrotor aircraft having helicopter and airplane flight modes. The bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing and a shear bearing having an inboard beam coupled therebetween. The centrifugal force bearing has a mating surface, a lateral movement constraint feature and at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature. The inboard beam has a mating surface in a contact relationship with the mating surface of the centrifugal force bearing, a lateral movement constraint feature operably associated with the lateral movement constraint feature of the centrifugal force bearing and at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature that corresponds with the at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature of the centrifugal force bearing.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Glenn Alan Shimek, Amarjit Olenchery Kizhakkepat, Ken Shundo, Michael Dean Dearman, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Michael Christopher Burnett
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Publication number: 20190382100Abstract: A blade-fold bushing system includes a splined bushing comprising a first plurality of teeth, a castellated bushing comprising a second plurality of teeth and a shaft portion configured to coaxially fit within the splined bushing, and a lock bushing coaxially aligned with the castellated bushing. A support tool for use with a blade-fold bushing system includes an outer head comprising a third plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the first plurality of teeth of the splined bushing, and an inner head comprising a fourth plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the second plurality of teeth of the castellated bushing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Ken Shundo, Glenn Alan Shimek
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Patent number: 10472059Abstract: A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter flight mode and an airplane flight mode. The proprotor system includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms with inboard pockets. A centrifugal force and shear bearing assembly is disposed in each of the inboard pockets of the yoke. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to the yoke by one of the bearing assemblies such that each proprotor blade has a pitch change degree of freedom about a pitch change axis and a tilting degree of freedom about a focal point. Each bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing coupled to the yoke, a shear bearing coupled to the yoke and an inboard beam coupled between the centrifugal force bearing and the shear bearing. Each inboard beam is coupled to a respective proprotor blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Amarjit Kizhakkepat, Ken Shundo, Jared Mark Paulson, Tyler Wayne Baldwin
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Patent number: 10466009Abstract: A spinner mounted gun system includes a receiver and a barrel connected to a mast of a rotorcraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Ken Shundo, Michael Dean Dearman
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Publication number: 20190017543Abstract: A bearing assembly for coupling a proprotor blade to a yoke in a proprotor system. The bearing assembly is positionable within an inboard pocket of a blade arm of the yoke. The proprotor system is operable for use on a tiltrotor aircraft having helicopter and airplane flight modes. The bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing and a shear bearing having an inboard beam coupled therebetween. The centrifugal force bearing has a mating surface, a lateral movement constraint feature and at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature. The inboard beam has a mating surface in a contact relationship with the mating surface of the centrifugal force bearing, a lateral movement constraint feature operably associated with the lateral movement constraint feature of the centrifugal force bearing and at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature that corresponds with the at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature of the centrifugal force bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Glenn Alan Shimek, Amarjit Olenchery Kizhakkepat, Ken Shundo, Michael Dean Dearman, Kyle Thomas Cravener, Michael Christopher Burnett
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Publication number: 20190016454Abstract: A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter flight mode and an airplane flight mode. The proprotor system includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms with inboard pockets. A centrifugal force and shear bearing assembly is disposed in each of the inboard pockets of the yoke. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to the yoke by one of the bearing assemblies such that each proprotor blade has a pitch change degree of freedom about a pitch change axis and a tilting degree of freedom about a focal point. Each bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing coupled to the yoke, a shear bearing coupled to the yoke and an inboard beam coupled between the centrifugal force bearing and the shear bearing. Each inboard beam is coupled to a respective proprotor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Amarjit Kizhakkepat, Ken Shundo, Jared Mark Paulson, Tyler Wayne Baldwin
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Patent number: 9889927Abstract: An aircraft includes a first rotor assembly, a second rotor assembly, and a rotor phase angle control system. The system includes a phase adjustor operably associated with the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly. The method includes sensing vibrations exerted on the aircraft and offsetting a phase angle of the first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly to minimize the vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Brian Modrzejewski, Ken Shundo, Frank B. Stamps, David Popelka, J. Scott Drennan, Michael E. Rinehart