Patents by Inventor Matthew VanBuskirk

Matthew VanBuskirk 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).

  • Measurement of coupling misalignment of a driveshaft
    Patent number: 9346561
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for measuring coupling misalignment of a rotorcraft drive shaft includes a reference device and a sensor. The sensor is configured to receive a signal from the reference device indicative of a distance between the reference device and the sensor. The reference device and the sensor are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of a flexible coupling coupled to the drive shaft and disposed between the engine and the pylon. The flexible coupling is configured to rotate with the drive shaft and comprises a flexure portion configured to flex in response to a difference in alignment between the engine and the pylon. A misalignment measurement system may be configured to generate a misalignment value in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew VanBuskirk, Michael Seifert
  • Measurement of Coupling Misalignment of a Driveshaft
    Publication number: 20140207332
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for measuring coupling misalignment of a rotorcraft drive shaft includes a reference device and a sensor. The sensor is configured to receive a signal from the reference device indicative of a distance between the reference device and the sensor. The reference device and the sensor are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of a flexible coupling coupled to the drive shaft and disposed between the engine and the pylon. The flexible coupling is configured to rotate with the drive shaft and comprises a flexure portion configured to flex in response to a difference in alignment between the engine and the pylon. A misalignment measurement system may be configured to generate a misalignment value in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Matthew VanBuskirk, Michael Seifert