Patents by Inventor Richard C. Lay

Richard C. Lay 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 blade snubber retainer for a rotary wing aircraft
    Patent number: 11104431
    Abstract: A flexbeam rotor blade assembly includes a flexbeam having a body that includes a first surface, a second, opposing surface, and an opening extending through the first and second surfaces. At least one snubber is mounted to one of the first and second surfaces spaced along the body from the opening. A snubber retainer is mounted to one of the first and second surfaces between the body and the at least one snubber. The snubber retainer includes a retainer plate having a snubber attachment member to which the snubber assembly is mounted and a mounting arm including a retainer plate opening spaced from the snubber attachment member. The retainer plate opening registers with the opening in the flexbeam. A mechanical fastener extends through the retainer plate opening and the opening in the flexbeam. The mechanical fastener joins the snubber retainer to the one of the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David N. Schmaling, Richard C. Lay, Leon M. Meyer
  • ROTOR BLADE SNUBBER RETAINER FOR A ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT
    Publication number: 20180312249
    Abstract: A flexbeam rotor blade assembly includes a flexbeam having a body that includes a first surface, a second, opposing surface, and an opening extending through the first and second surfaces. At least one snubber is mounted to one of the first and second surfaces spaced along the body from the opening. A snubber retainer is mounted to one of the first and second surfaces between the body and the at least one snubber. The snubber retainer includes a retainer plate having a snubber attachment member to which the snubber assembly is mounted and a mounting arm including a retainer plate opening spaced from the snubber attachment member. The retainer plate opening registers with the opening in the flexbeam. A mechanical fastener extends through the retainer plate opening and the opening in the flexbeam. The mechanical fastener joins the snubber retainer to the one of the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: David N. Schmaling, Richard C. Lay, Leon M. Meyer
  • Elastomeric bearing system motion limiter
    Patent number: 9884680
    Abstract: The invention relates to a backing plate used for an elastomeric bearing system, the backing plate comprising a plate which defines an at least partial annulus about an axis, a motion limiter and a redundant pivot which extend from the plate so as to respond to a retainer plate disbond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Leon M. Meyer, Richard C. Lay, David N. Schmaling
  • ELASTOMERIC BEARING SYSTEM MOTION LIMITER
    Publication number: 20110243731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a backing plate used for an elastomeric bearing system, the backing plate comprising a plate which defines an at least partial annulus about an axis, a motion limiter and a redundant pivot which extend from the plate so as to respond to a retainer plate disbond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Leon M. Meyer, Richard C. Lay, David N. Schmaling