Patents by Inventor Kyle Thomas Cravener

Kyle Thomas Cravener 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: 11299263
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the tracking of one or more blades comprising: a blade tracking adjustment mechanism connected to one or more blades of an aircraft; a blade tracking measurement system that measures the tracking of the one or more blades; and a computer that receives an output from the blade tracking measurement system with tracking information for each of the one or more blades; wherein the computer outputs instructions for the blade tracking adjustment mechanism to change a pitch of one or more of the blades to correct blade tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Terry K. Thompson, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11279476
    Abstract: A passive hub flapping lock including: one or more lever arms, each lever arm rotatably coupled to a pivot and comprising a first lever arm end and a second lever arm end; one or more stop wedges; one or more frames coupled to the one or more stop wedges, each frame coupled to the first lever arm end of one of the one or more lever arms; one or more weight sets, each weight set comprising one or more weights coupled to the second lever arm end of one of the one or more lever arms; and one or more pivot torsion springs, each pivot torsion spring positioned at the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Publication number: 20210371094
    Abstract: A gimbal joint may employ a plurality of wear sleeves, each disposed between a pin or pin receptive bore of a first structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a second structure and between another pin or bore of the second structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a third structure. Each of these structures may be adapted to rotate in a single plane, with one structure adapted to also tilt about a first axis, and one other structure adapted to tilt about a second axis. Each integral flanged wear sleeve may comprise a right circular hollow cylindrical body portion, which may be interiorly sized to be retained on one of the pins and externally sized to be retained in one of the pin receptive bores, and a flange portion may radiate from one end of the cylindrical body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Publication number: 20210362837
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a blade lock comprising a fold lock adapted to prevent folding of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to allow folding of the rotor blade in a pitch-lock position. The blade lock further comprises a pitch lock adapted to allow pitch movement of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to prevent pitch movement of the rotor blade in the pitch-lock position. A spring-loaded link pivotally connects both the fold lock and the pitch lock and is adapted to provide passive, overcenter locking in the fold-lock position. An actuator is coupled to the pitch lock and is adapted to move the pitch lock and the fold lock between the fold-lock and pitch-lock positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Ryan Maresh, Brady Garrett Atkins, Kynn J. Schulte, Troy Schank
  • Publication number: 20210354815
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a pitch horn assembly for an aircraft comprising a pitch horn rotatably coupled to a connector pin along a first axis using a first set of spherical bearings. The connector pin is rotatably coupled to a housing along a second axis using a second set of spherical bearings. A crank is fixedly coupled to the connector pin, wherein the pitch horn and the crank are configured to commonly rotate relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11174912
    Abstract: The present invention includes a torsion spring including a middle plate having a first attachment point displaced from the geometric center of the middle plate; a first elastomeric element secured to a first side of the middle plate and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; a second elastomeric element secured to a second side of the middle plate and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; a first outer plate secured to the first elastomeric element and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; and a second outer plate secured to the second elastomeric element, having an opening coincident with the attachment point of the middle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11142300
    Abstract: An exemplary length adjustable link includes a tube having an internal bore and internal surface, a first rod end having a first shaft disposed in a first end of the internal bore, a second rod end having a second shaft disposed in a second end of the internal bore, and a member threadably connecting the first rod end to the second rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Maresh, Chyausong Tzeng
  • Publication number: 20210291960
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Ryan Maresh, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Publication number: 20210269148
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a propulsion assembly for an aircraft. The propulsion assembly comprises a mast, a hub assembly coupled to the mast and having a gimballing degree of freedom relative to the mast, the hub assembly having an inner hub wall spaced part from the mast, a gimbal lock positioned about the mast, the gimbal lock configured to fit between the inner hub wall and the mast in an engaged position, and an over-center locking mechanism coupled to the gimbal lock. The gimbal lock is movable between a disengaged position and the engaged position relative to the hub assembly. The gimbal lock enables the gimballing degree of freedom in the disengaged position and disables the gimballing degree of freedom in the engaged position. The over-center locking mechanism is configured to move the gimbal lock between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11097837
    Abstract: A gimbal joint may employ a plurality of wear sleeves, each disposed between a pin or pin receptive bore of a first structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a second structure and between another pin or bore of the second structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a third structure. Each of these structures may be adapted to rotate in a single plane, with one structure adapted to also tilt about a first axis, and one other structure adapted to tilt about a second axis. Each integral flanged wear sleeve may comprise a right circular hollow cylindrical body portion, which may be interiorly sized to be retained on one of the pins and externally sized to be retained in one of the pin receptive bores, and a flange portion may radiate from one end of the cylindrical body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11052993
    Abstract: An exemplary spring-loaded link for an aircraft including a spring interposed between a first and a second rod, the spring, when compressed, urging the first rod and the second rod away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Christopher Edward Foskey, Andrew Maresh
  • Publication number: 20210147072
    Abstract: A passive hub flapping lock including: one or more lever arms, each lever arm rotatably coupled to a pivot and comprising a first lever arm end and a second lever arm end; one or more stop wedges; one or more frames coupled to the one or more stop wedges, each frame coupled to the first lever arm end of one of the one or more lever arms; one or more weight sets, each weight set comprising one or more weights coupled to the second lever arm end of one of the one or more lever arms; and one or more pivot torsion springs, each pivot torsion spring positioned at the pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11009080
    Abstract: A link includes an outer composite portion substantially encircling at least two bearing pockets and a central substantially incompressible portion disposed between the at least two bearing pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Ryan T. Ehinger, Jared Mark Paulson, Michael Christopher Burnett, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 11008094
    Abstract: The present invention includes a passive hub flapping lock including stop wedges; frames coupled to the stop wedges; rods coupled to the frames, and each rod comprising a bracket; lever arms, each lever arm rotatably coupled to a pivot and coupled at a first lever arm end to one of the rods at the bracket of the rod; weight sets, each weight set coupled to a second lever arm end; and pivot torsion springs, each pivot torsion spring positioned at a pivot and biased to hold the flapping lock in an engaged position when stationary or at a rotational speed below a specified rotational speed; wherein the flapping lock is in an engaged position below the specified rotational speed and in a disengaged position above the specified rotational speed and the weight sets move outward, rotating the lever arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 10994837
    Abstract: An exemplary pitch lock for a tiltrotor aircraft to enable and disable a pitching degree of freedom of a rotor blade assembly includes a first tab coupled to a blade stop assembly, the first tab having a first ramp surface, a second tab coupled to a blade cuff, the second tab having a second ramp surface, a hasp having a central opening to receive the first and the second tab and rollers rotatably coupled to the hasp on opposite sides of the central opening, where the rollers engage the first and second ramp surfaces and retain the first and the second tabs in the central opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas Cravener, Andrew Maresh, Mark Adam Wiinikka
  • Publication number: 20210114715
    Abstract: An exemplary length adjustable link includes a tube having an internal bore and internal surface, a first rod end having a first shaft disposed in a first end of the internal bore, a second rod end having a second shaft disposed in a second end of the internal bore, and a member threadably connecting the first rod end to the second rod end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Andrew MARESH, Chyausong TZENG
  • Publication number: 20210114721
    Abstract: An exemplary pitch lock for a tiltrotor aircraft to enable and disable a pitching degree of freedom of a rotor blade assembly includes a first tab coupled to a blade stop assembly, the first tab having a first ramp surface, a second tab coupled to a blade cuff, the second tab having a second ramp surface, a hasp having a central opening to receive the first and the second tab and rollers rotatably coupled to the hasp on opposite sides of the central opening, where the rollers engage the first and second ramp surfaces and retain the first and the second tabs in the central opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Andrew MARESH, Mark Adam WIINIKKA
  • Publication number: 20210107624
    Abstract: An exemplary spring-loaded link for an aircraft including a spring interposed between a first and a second rod, the spring, when compressed, urging the first rod and the second rod away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Christopher Edward FOSKEY, Andrew MARESH
  • Publication number: 20210107638
    Abstract: An exemplary blade lock for a tiltrotor aircraft to enable and disable a folding degree of freedom and a pitching degree of freedom of a rotor blade assembly includes a link pivotally connected to a lever and a bellcrank, where the link is in a center position when the lever is in a locked position disabling the folding degree of freedom and the lever is secured in the locked position when the link is positioned in an over-center position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Thomas CRAVENER, Andrew MARESH
  • Patent number: 10960970
    Abstract: An inboard beam includes a body having an upper flange and a lower flange coupled thereto. The upper flange includes a first upper inboard aperture and an upper outboard aperture formed therein. The lower flange includes a first lower inboard aperture and a lower outboard aperture formed therein. An upper beam fitting is coupled to the upper flange and lower beam fitting is coupled to the lower flange. The upper beam fitting includes a first upper inboard post. The upper beam fitting includes an upper outboard post extending parallel to the inboard post. The lower beam fitting includes a first lower inboard post. The lower beam fitting includes a lower outboard post extending parallel to the lower inboard post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Whitney Foskey, Kyle Thomas Cravener