Patents by Inventor Paul Branson Sherrill

Paul Branson Sherrill 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: 11891169
    Abstract: In an implementation, a rotor blade (alternatively referred to herein as “blade”) for a helicopter or other aircraft may include an outer layer. The outer layer may define a cavity. The outer layer may at least partially correspond to an airfoil, e.g., a wing. One or more inserts may be included within the cavity and be encompassed thereby. The first insert may have a density of at least 0.6 pounds per cubic inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Branson Sherrill, Robert Alan Self
  • Patent number: 11254424
    Abstract: A balance weight assembly for a rotor blade of a rotorcraft. The balance weight assembly includes a balance weight pocket formed by a balance weight tray and a cover. The balance weight tray has an upper surface including a lip region extending outwardly from a projected region with an outboard boss. A balance weight receiving cavity is recessed from the upper surface and contains a plurality of balance weights. The projected region is disposed within an opening in a hollow blade spar such that the outboard boss of the balance weight tray has a contact relationship with an outboard surface of the opening. The cover is coupled to the balance weight tray such that the lip region of the balance weight tray and at least a portion of the cover have a clamping relationship with the blade spar, thereby coupling the balance weight pocket to the blade spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Jared Mark Paulson, Colin John Thomas, Paul Branson Sherrill, Bryan Huber
  • Publication number: 20210094677
    Abstract: A balance weight assembly for a rotor blade of a rotorcraft. The balance weight assembly includes a balance weight pocket formed by a balance weight tray and a cover. The balance weight tray has an upper surface including a lip region extending outwardly from a projected region with an outboard boss. A balance weight receiving cavity is recessed from the upper surface and contains a plurality of balance weights. The projected region is disposed within an opening in a hollow blade spar such that the outboard boss of the balance weight tray has a contact relationship with an outboard surface of the opening. The cover is coupled to the balance weight tray such that the lip region of the balance weight tray and at least a portion of the cover have a clamping relationship with the blade spar, thereby coupling the balance weight pocket to the blade spar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Jared Mark Paulson, Colin John Thomas, Paul Branson Sherrill, Bryan Huber
  • Publication number: 20210078699
    Abstract: In an implementation, a rotor blade for a helicopter may include an outer layer. The outer layer may have a leading edge region and a trailing edge region and may define a cavity. The leading edge region may include a first shape at least partially corresponding with an airfoil, e.g., a wing. An insert may be included within the cavity and be encompassed thereby. The insert may include a shape that substantially corresponds with the first shape, e.g., the insert may substantially correspond with a leading edge of an airfoil. The insert may have a plurality of weight shot each of which may be surrounded by a binding agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Branson Sherrill, Robert Patrick Wardlaw, Robert Alan Self
  • Publication number: 20210070433
    Abstract: In an implementation, a rotor blade (alternatively referred to herein as “blade”) for a helicopter or other aircraft may include an outer layer. The outer layer may define a cavity. The outer layer may at least partially correspond to an airfoil, e.g., a wing. One or more inserts may be included within the cavity and be encompassed thereby. The first insert may have a density of at least 0.6 pounds per cubic inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Branson Sherrill, Robert Alan Self