Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Smelcer

Matthew J. Smelcer 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).

  • Rotor head for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
    Patent number: 10160540
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The apparatus includes a rotor head with a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blade attachment structures. The attachment structures are disposed about and extend radially out from the rotor hub. Each of the attachment structures may be configured from or otherwise include flexible matrix composite material. In addition or alternatively, the rotor head may be a monolithic bearingless rotor head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Vertel, Sreenivas Narayanan Nampy, Matthew J. Smelcer
  • Composite driveshaft for a rotary system
    Patent number: 9909624
    Abstract: A composite driveshaft includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a driveshaft axis (DSA). The first end defines a first coupling region and the second end defines a second coupling region. At least one of the first and second coupling regions defines a virtual hinge configured to accommodate both bending moments and axial changes of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Sreenivas Narayanan Nampy, Matthew J. Smelcer
  • COMPOSITE DRIVESHAFT FOR A ROTARY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170082149
    Abstract: A composite driveshaft includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a driveshaft axis (DSA). The first end defines a first coupling region and the second end defines a second coupling region. At least one of the first and second coupling regions defines a virtual hinge configured to accommodate both bending moments and axial changes of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Sreenivas Narayanan Nampy, Matthew J. Smelcer
  • DRIVESHAFT FOR A ROTARY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170082137
    Abstract: A composite driveshaft includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a driveshaft axis. The first end defines a first coupling region and the second end defines a second coupling region. At least one virtual hinge is arranged adjacent at least one of the first coupling region and the second coupling region. The at least one virtual hinge being defined by a plurality of axially extending openings forming a plurality of axially extending flexible material webs that accommodate both bending moments and axial changes of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Sreenivas Narayanan Nampy, Matthew J. Smelcer
  • ROTOR HEAD FOR A VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT
    Publication number: 20160200434
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The apparatus includes a rotor head with a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blade attachment structures. The attachment structures are disposed about and extend radially out from the rotor hub. Each of the attachment structures may be configured from or otherwise include flexible matrix composite material. In addition or alternatively, the rotor head may be a monolithic bearingless rotor head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: John F. Vertel, Sreenivas Narayanan Nampy, Matthew J. Smelcer