Patents by Inventor Richard Piechowicz

Richard Piechowicz 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: 9849976
    Abstract: A tracking wedge, a rotor and a method for modifying a movement of air over a tracking wedge. According to aspects of the disclosure, a tracking wedge used to correct the tracking of a helicopter rotor blade may include one or more acoustic management mechanisms. The acoustic management mechanisms may change the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge. In some examples, changing the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge may reduce noise generated by the use of the tracking wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard Piechowicz
  • Publication number: 20160052627
    Abstract: A tracking wedge, a rotor and a method for modifying a movement of air over a tracking wedge. According to aspects of the disclosure, a tracking wedge used to correct the tracking of a helicopter rotor blade may include one or more acoustic management mechanisms. The acoustic management mechanisms may change the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge. In some examples, changing the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge may reduce noise generated by the use of the tracking wedge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Piechowicz
  • Patent number: 5431015
    Abstract: A closed loop fully self-contained actuation system for converting a mechanical input motion into a mechanical output motion, which actuates a device such as a flight control surface on an aircraft, comprises an input actuator including a first fluid pressurizing means responsive to the mechanical input motion, and an output actuator including a second fluid pressurizing means, as well as a flexible fluid line extending between the first and second fluid pressurizing means to provide fluid communication therebetween. The second fluid pressurizing means is responsive to fluid flow through the fluid line, thereby initialing the output motion. The system is advantageous because it requires no hydraulic pumps, no accumulators, no reservoirs, and no dynamic seals or mechanical joints, permitting great reliability. The actuation system may be easily folded in conjunction with the apparatus on which it is employed, for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Helicopter
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Hein, Richard Piechowicz
  • Patent number: 5287700
    Abstract: A closed loop fully self-contained actuation system for converting a mechanical input motion into a mechanical output motion, which actuates a device such as a flight control surface on an aircraft, comprises an input actuator including a first fluid pressurizing means responsive to the mechanical input motion, and an output actuator including a second fluid pressurizing means, as well as a flexible fluid line extending between the first and second fluid pressurizing means to provide fluid communication therebetween. The second fluid pressurizing means is responsive to fluid flow through the fluid line, thereby initialing the output motion. The system is advantageous because it requires no hydraulic pumps, no accumulators, no reservoirs, and no dynamic seals or mechanical joints, permitting great reliability. The actuation system may be easily folded in conjunction with the apparatus on which it is employed, for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Hein, Richard Piechowicz