Patents by Inventor Mark Wiinikka
Mark Wiinikka 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: 11485484Abstract: A strut assembly for a vibration isolation device is disclosed, comprising a piston spindle; a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member bonded to the piston spindle and in contact with an upper housing and a lower housing, respectively; a first strut support and a second strut support attached to or integral with the upper housing and the lower housing, respectively; a first strut spindle and the second strut support configured to be placed in the first strut support and the second strut support, respectively; and one or more removable struts configured to be engaged to the first strut spindle and to the second strut spindle, wherein at least one of the first or second strut spindles is removable such that the one or more struts can be replaced without breaking a bonding of the first elastomeric member, the second elastomeric member, or both.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Scott Hemmen, Nathan P. Green, James Blake
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Patent number: 11440653Abstract: One embodiment includes a swashplate assembly for a rotary aircraft, including: a rotating ring configured to rotate with a drive shaft of the rotary aircraft; a non-rotating ring coupled to the rotating ring and rotationally decoupled from the rotating ring, wherein the non-rotating ring does not rotate with the rotating ring and drive shaft; an outer casing disposed around the gearbox; and an anti-drive mechanism to maintain the outer casing rotationally stationary relative to the gearbox, the anti-drive mechanism including a key and slot system between the gearbox and the outer casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Terry K. Thompson, Mark Wiinikka, Bryan Baskin, Vince Calabrese, Samantha Renee Lucero
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Publication number: 20210393999Abstract: The present invention includes a safety apparatus and method for protecting users during maintenance operations for a rotorcraft comprising: at least one permanent, semi-permanent, or detachable safety bar, strap, fastener, hook, or loop that is attached or attachable to a rotorcraft, wherein the safety bar, strap, fastener, hook, or loop is positioned in an area or surface between a windshield of the rotorcraft and a tail boom of the rotorcraft and is connectable to a user safety device to provide fall protection from the area or surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Bob Thornton, Chyau Tzeng, Brian Mesing, Kevin Knott, Mark Wiinikka, Edith Richard, David Platz, Joshua Edler, Sarah Villanueva, Thomas Mast, Joseph Leachman, Daniel John Burns
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Publication number: 20210380231Abstract: One embodiment includes a swashplate assembly for a rotary aircraft, including: a rotating ring configured to rotate with a drive shaft of the rotary aircraft; a non-rotating ring coupled to the rotating ring and rotationally decoupled from the rotating ring, wherein the non-rotating ring does not rotate with the rotating ring and drive shaft; an outer casing disposed around the gearbox; and an anti-drive mechanism to maintain the outer casing rotationally stationary relative to the gearbox, the anti-drive mechanism including a key and slot system between the gearbox and the outer casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Terry K. Thompson, Mark Wiinikka, Bryan Baskin, Vince Calabrese, Samantha Renee Lucero
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Patent number: 11130009Abstract: The present invention includes a safety apparatus and method for protecting users during maintenance operations for a rotorcraft comprising: at least one permanent, semi-permanent, or detachable safety bar, strap, fastener, hook, or loop that is attached or attachable to a rotorcraft, wherein the safety bar, strap, fastener, hook, or loop is positioned in an area or surface between a windshield of the rotorcraft and a tail boom of the rotorcraft and is connectable to a user safety device to provide fall protection from the area or surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: Bob Thornton, Chyau Tzeng, Brian Mesing, Kevin Knott, Mark Wiinikka, Edith Richard, David Platz, Joshua Edler, Sarah Villanueva, Thomas Mast, Joseph Leachman, Daniel John Burns
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Publication number: 20210179262Abstract: A strut assembly for a vibration isolation device is disclosed, comprising a piston spindle; a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member bonded to the piston spindle and in contact with an upper housing and a lower housing, respectively; a first strut support and a second strut support attached to or integral with the upper housing and the lower housing, respectively; a first strut spindle and the second strut support configured to be placed in the first strut support and the second strut support, respectively; and one or more removable struts configured to be engaged to the first strut spindle and to the second strut spindle, wherein at least one of the first or second strut spindles is removable such that the one or more struts can be replaced without breaking a bonding of the first elastomeric member, the second elastomeric member, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Scott Hemmen, Nathan P. Green, James Blake
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Patent number: 10967962Abstract: A strut assembly for a vibration isolation device is disclosed, comprising a piston spindle; a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member bonded to the piston spindle and in contact with an upper housing and a lower housing, respectively; a first strut support and a second strut support attached to or integral with the upper housing and the lower housing, respectively; a first strut spindle and the second strut support configured to be placed in the first strut support and the second strut support, respectively; and one or more removable struts configured to be engaged to the first strut spindle and to the second strut spindle, wherein at least one of the first or second strut spindles is removable such that the one or more struts can be replaced without breaking a bonding of the first elastomeric member, the second elastomeric member, or both.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Scott Hemmen, Nathan P. Green, James Blake
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Patent number: 10773471Abstract: A composite manufacturing system has a tool having a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion, a first carriage configured to carry a first roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the first portion, a second carriage configured to carry a second roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the second portion, and the first carriage and the second carriage are movable relative to the tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Russell S. Cole, Billy Joe Benda, Pin-Lin Chiou, William Russell Cleary, Jr., Mark A. Wiinikka
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Publication number: 20200094493Abstract: A composite manufacturing system has a tool having a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion, a first carriage configured to carry a first roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the first portion, a second carriage configured to carry a second roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the second portion, and the first carriage and the second carriage are movable relative to the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Russell S. Cole, Billy Joe Benda, Pin-Lin Chiou, William Russell Cleary, JR., Mark A. Wiinikka
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Patent number: 10532810Abstract: An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Inventors: Richard E. Rauber, Mithat Yuce, Thomas C. Parham, Jr., Thomas J. Newman, Mark A. Wiinikka
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Publication number: 20200001986Abstract: A strut assembly for a vibration isolation device is disclosed, comprising a piston spindle; a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member bonded to the piston spindle and in contact with an upper housing and a lower housing, respectively; a first strut support and a second strut support attached to or integral with the upper housing and the lower housing, respectively; a first strut spindle and the second strut support configured to be placed in the first strut support and the second strut support, respectively; and one or more removable struts configured to be engaged to the first strut spindle and to the second strut spindle, wherein at least one of the first or second strut spindles is removable such that the one or more struts can be replaced without breaking a bonding of the first elastomeric member, the second elastomeric member, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Scott Hemmen, Nathan P. Green, James Blake
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Publication number: 20190092460Abstract: An aircraft rotor assembly has a yoke defining a plurality of bearing pockets. Each bearing pocket houses an axisymmetric elastomeric spherical bearing at least partially therein. The axisymmetric elastomeric spherical bearings comprise flap, lead-lag, and pitch hinges for rotor blades coupled thereto. The rotor blades maintain a first in-lane frequency of less than 1/rev through the use of damper assemblies coupled between adjacent blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Bryan Marshall, Mark A. Wiinikka, Paul Sherrill, Frank Bradley Stamps
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Publication number: 20180126199Abstract: The present invention includes a safety apparatus and method for protecting users during maintenance operations for a rotorcraft comprising: at least one permanent, semi-permanent, or detachable safety bar, strap, fastener, hook, or loop that is attached or attachable to a rotorcraft, wherein the safety bar, strap, fastener, hook, or loop is positioned in an area or surface between a windshield of the rotorcraft and a tail boom of the rotorcraft and is connectable to a user safety device to provide fall protection from the area or surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Bob Thornton, Chyau Tzeng, Brian Mesing, Kevin Knott, Mark Wiinikka, Edith Richard, David Platz, Joshua Edler, Sarah Villanueva, Thomas Mast, Joseph Leachman, Daniel John Burns
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Publication number: 20170253327Abstract: An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Richard E. Rauber, Mithat Yuce, Thomas C. Parham, JR., Thomas J. Newman, Mark A. Wiinikka
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Patent number: 9731819Abstract: A rotor system has a rotor, an axis of rotation about which the rotor may be rotated, a linkage system having a first adjustable length portion and a second adjustable length portion, wherein the second adjustable length portion is configured to provide a relatively finer adjustment of an overall effective length of the linkage system as compared to the first adjustable length portion and wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the axis in response to changing the overall effective length of the linkage system.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventor: Mark A. Wiinikka
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Patent number: 9656744Abstract: An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Rauber, Mithat Yuce, Thomas C. Parham, Jr., Thomas J. Newman, Mark A. Wiinikka
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Patent number: 9481455Abstract: A dual series damper includes a fluid damper portion and a elastomeric damper portion. The fluid damper portion includes a first housing, a first connection member, and a piston coupled to the first connection member. The piston divides an interior of the first housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston has a fluid passage in the piston, the fluid passage being configured to provide fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. The elastomeric damper portion includes a second housing, a second connection member coupled to the second housing, and an elastomer between the first housing and the second housing. When a lead/lag force is introduced to the dual series damper, the fluid damper portion behaves rigidly so that the elastomeric damper portion dampens the lead/lag oscillation.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Mithat Yuce, David A. Popelka, Frank B. Stamps, Mark A. Wiinikka
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Publication number: 20160311178Abstract: A composite manufacturing system has a tool having a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion, a first carriage configured to carry a first roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the first portion, a second carriage configured to carry a second roller that is configured to selectively apply pressure to the second portion, and the first carriage and the second carriage are movable relative to the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Russell S. Cole, Billy Joe Benda, Pin-Lin Chiou, William Cleary, Mark A. Wiinikka
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Publication number: 20150336664Abstract: An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2014Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Richard E. Rauber, Mithat Yuce, Thomas C. Parham, JR., Thomas J. Newman, Mark A. Wiinikka
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Patent number: 9156544Abstract: A rotary system including a yoke having an opening forming a bridge for receiving a spoke extending therethrough. A rotor blade couples to the spoke and a pitch horn positioned outside the opening pitches the rotor blade during flight. A bearing assembly attaches the spoke and the pitch horn to the bridge and control blade forces exerted against the hub assembly during flight.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Frank Bradley Stamps, Daniel P. Sottiaux, Zach Dailey