Patents by Inventor Peter H. Kitzinger

Peter H. Kitzinger 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).

  • Method and apparatus for actively manipulating aerodynamic surfaces
    Patent number: 8657228
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided, including an actuator system that may be connected to a wing frame for controlling an active element. The actuator system may include sliding elements movable along an axis parallel to the span-wise axis of the wing. The sliding elements may be connected to fixed elements and a crank element, the crank element generally comprising a beam element and a cross-axis flexure pivot element. The beam element may be offset from the pivot element so that the crank element is rotatable about the pivot element with a negative stiffness under an external force that tends to pull the sliding elements away from the fixed elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kitzinger, Paul B. Sherrill, Thomas C. Parham, David A. Popelka
  • Method and Apparatus for Actively Manipulating Aerodynamic Surfaces
    Publication number: 20120305698
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided, including an actuator system that may be connected to a wing frame for controlling an active element. The actuator system may include sliding elements movable along an axis parallel to the span-wise axis of the wing. The sliding elements may be connected to fixed elements and a crank element, the crank element generally comprising a beam element and a cross-axis flexure pivot element. The beam element may be offset from the pivot element so that the crank element is rotatable about the pivot element with a negative stiffness under an external force that tends to pull the sliding elements away from the fixed elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kitzinger, Paul B. Sherrill, Thomas C. Parham, David A. Popelka