Patents by Inventor Ronald L. Spangler, Jr.

Ronald L. Spangler, Jr. 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).

  • Piezoelectric helicopter blade flap actuator
    Patent number: 5224826
    Abstract: Electrically deformable material such as piezoelectric material is used to deform a deflectable flap on an airfoil such as a helicopter blade. The electrically deformable material is controlled to deflect the flap in a manner to control vibrations transmitted from a helicopter blade to the helicopter air frame. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically deformable material and mechanical linkages are segmented along the length of the rotor blade. In this way, differential actuation of the deformable elements results in variable flap deflections along the length of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven R. Hall, Ronald L. Spangler, Jr.