Patents by Inventor Ryan Lehto

Ryan Lehto 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: 11655052
    Abstract: A system for regenerating fastener holes in a replacement tip section of a rotor blade includes a first fixture, a second fixture, and a third fixture positionable adjacent a tip section of the rotor blade. The first fixture is used to verify a position of an opening formed in the spar. The second fixture includes a removable bushing having a drillable opening. The drillable opening is aligned with the at least one opening formed in the spar and defines at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section. The third fixture includes a countersink opening. The countersink opening is aligned with the at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section and the at least one opening formed in the spar to define a countersink feature to be formed in the at least one hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sven R. Lofstrom, Robert D. Higbie, Frank M. Caputo, Ryan Lehto, Timothy James Conti, Eric Charles Boyle
  • Patent number: 11548103
    Abstract: A pressure tool for rotor blade repair including a mobile support system including a support surface, a first bladder support assembly including a first inflatable bladder fixedly mounted to the support surface, a second bladder support assembly including a second inflatable bladder pivotally mounted relative to the support surface, and an activation mechanism operatively coupled to the second bladder support assembly. The activation mechanism is operable to selectively shift the second bladder support assembly relative to the first bladder support assembly. A fluid delivery system is operable to direct a fluid into each of the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, David W. Littlejohn, Sven R. Lofstrom
  • Patent number: 11511499
    Abstract: A bond assembly includes a fixture having a first section movably coupled to a second section. The first section and the second section are disposed opposite one another. A bladder assembly is mounted to at least one of the first section and the second section. The bladder assembly is configured to apply controlled, localized pressure and heat to a component receivable between the first section and the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sven Roy Lofstrom, Ryan Lehto
  • Publication number: 20210309390
    Abstract: A system for regenerating fastener holes in a replacement tip section of a rotor blade includes a first fixture, a second fixture, and a third fixture positionable adjacent a tip section of the rotor blade. The first fixture is used to verify a position of an opening formed in the spar. The second fixture includes a removable bushing having a drillable opening. The drillable opening is aligned with the at least one opening formed in the spar and defines at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section. The third fixture includes a countersink opening. The countersink opening is aligned with the at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section and the at least one opening formed in the spar to define a countersink feature to be formed in the at least one hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Sven R. Lofstrom, Robert D. Higbie, Frank M. Caputo, Ryan Lehto, Timothy James Conti, Eric Charles Boyle
  • Patent number: 11091254
    Abstract: A rotor blade disassembly method includes applying spanwise support to a rotor blade body and heating a bond disposed on an end of the rotor blade body. The method also includes removing the spanwise support from the rotor blade body and exerting shear stress on the bond using weight of the rotor blade body. A blade disassembly system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, Eric C. Boyle, Sven R. Lofstrom, David Littlejohn
  • Patent number: 11066188
    Abstract: A system for regenerating fastener holes in a replacement tip section of a rotor blade includes a first fixture, a second fixture, and a third fixture positionable adjacent a tip section of the rotor blade. The first fixture is used to verify a position of an opening formed in the spar. The second fixture includes a removable bushing having a drillable opening. The drillable opening is aligned with the at least one opening formed in the spar and defines at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section. The third fixture includes a countersink opening. The countersink opening is aligned with the at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section and the at least one opening formed in the spar to define a countersink feature to be formed in the at least one hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sven R. Lofstrom, Robert D. Higbie, Frank M. Caputo, Ryan Lehto, Timothy James Conti, Eric Charles Boyle
  • Publication number: 20210046591
    Abstract: A pressure tool for rotor blade repair including a mobile support system including a support surface, a first bladder support assembly including a first inflatable bladder fixedly mounted to the support surface, a second bladder support assembly including a second inflatable bladder pivotally mounted relative to the support surface, and an activation mechanism operatively coupled to the second bladder support assembly. The activation mechanism is operable to selectively shift the second bladder support assembly relative to the first bladder support assembly. A fluid delivery system is operable to direct a fluid into each of the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, David W. Littlejohn, Sven R. Lofstrom
  • Patent number: 10836001
    Abstract: A pressure tool for rotor blade repair including a mobile support system including a support surface, a first bladder support assembly including a first inflatable bladder fixedly mounted to the support surface, a second bladder support assembly including a second inflatable bladder pivotally mounted relative to the support surface, and an activation mechanism operatively coupled to the second bladder support assembly. The activation mechanism is operable to selectively shift the second bladder support assembly relative to the first bladder support assembly. A fluid delivery system is operable to direct a fluid into each of the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, David W. Littlejohn, Sven R. Lofstrom
  • Patent number: 10752344
    Abstract: A tool for removing a bushing from a workpiece includes a tool body, a first reference, and a second reference for positioning the tool body on a workpiece. A saw slot is defined through the tool body to provide access to the workpiece for a saw blade. A saw guide is proximate the saw slot, the saw guide arranged to position a saw blade in a cutting plane spaced apart from the workpiece for removing a segment of a bushing fixed to the workpiece relative to the first and second references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, Sven Roy Lofstrom
  • Patent number: 10730201
    Abstract: A tool for machining chamfers includes a tool body defining a first reference and a second reference configured for proper positioning of the tool body on a workpiece. A router port is defined through the tool body to provide access to the workpiece for a router. A router attachment proximate the router port is configured to position a router mounted to the router attachment for machining a chamfer in the workpiece with reference to the first and second references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sven R. Lofstrom, Ryan Lehto, Joshua Richards
  • Publication number: 20200156331
    Abstract: A bond assembly includes a fixture having a first section movably coupled to a second section. The first section and the second section are disposed opposite one another. A bladder assembly is mounted to at least one of the first section and the second section. The bladder assembly is configured to apply controlled, localized pressure and heat to a component receivable between the first section and the second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Sven Roy Lofstrom, Ryan Lehto
  • Patent number: 10576699
    Abstract: A bond assembly includes a fixture having a first section movably coupled to a second section. The first section and the second section are disposed opposite one another. A bladder assembly is mounted to at least one of the first section and the second section. The bladder assembly is configured to apply controlled, localized pressure and heat to a component receivable between the first section and the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sven Roy Lofstrom, Ryan Lehto
  • Publication number: 20200047919
    Abstract: A system for regenerating fastener holes in a replacement tip section of a rotor blade includes a first fixture, a second fixture, and a third fixture positionable adjacent a tip section of the rotor blade. The first fixture is used to verify a position of an opening formed in the spar. The second fixture includes a removable bushing having a drillable opening. The drillable opening is aligned with the at least one opening formed in the spar and defines at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section. The third fixture includes a countersink opening. The countersink opening is aligned with the at least one hole to be formed in the replacement tip section and the at least one opening formed in the spar to define a countersink feature to be formed in the at least one hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Sven R. Lofstrom, Robert D. Higbie, Frank M. Caputo, Ryan Lehto, Timothy James Conti, Eric Charles Boyle
  • Publication number: 20190135421
    Abstract: A rotor blade disassembly method includes applying spanwise support to a rotor blade body and heating a bond disposed on an end of the rotor blade body. The method also includes removing the spanwise support from the rotor blade body and exerting shear stress on the bond using weight of the rotor blade body. A blade disassembly system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, Eric C. Boyle, Sven R. Lofstrom, David Littlejohn
  • Patent number: 10196140
    Abstract: A rotor blade disassembly method includes applying spanwise support to a rotor blade body and heating a bond disposed on an end of the rotor blade body. The method also includes removing the spanwise support from the rotor blade body and exerting shear stress on the bond using weight of the rotor blade body. A blade disassembly system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, Eric C. Boyle, Sven R. Lofstrom, David Littlejohn
  • Publication number: 20180305006
    Abstract: A pitch bearing assembly includes an inboard pitch bearing including an inner race and an outer race, the outer race including a radially outwardly protruding tab, and an outboard end of the inboard pitch bearing including a plurality of rotation transmitting features. An outboard pitch bearing of the pitch bearing assembly includes an inner race and an outer race, an inboard end of the outer race of the outboard pitch bearing including a plurality of rotation transmitting features. A coupler of the pitch bearing assembly has an inboard end and an outboard end, the inboard end of the coupler having a plurality of rotation transmitting features engageable with the rotation transmitting features of the inboard pitch bearing, the outboard end of the coupler having a plurality of rotation transmitting features engageable with the rotation transmitting features of the outboard pitch bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, Robert D Higbie, James Everett McCollough, Joshua R. Richards, Bryan Kenneth Baskin
  • Publication number: 20180104751
    Abstract: A tool for removing a bushing from a workpiece includes a tool body, a first reference, and a second reference for positioning the tool body on a workpiece. A saw slot is defined through the tool body to provide access to the workpiece for a saw blade. A saw guide is proximate the saw slot, the saw guide arranged to position a saw blade in a cutting plane spaced apart from the workpiece for removing a segment of a bushing fixed to the workpiece relative to the first and second references.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, Sven Roy Lofstrom
  • Publication number: 20180093334
    Abstract: A tool for machining chamfers includes a tool body defining a first reference and a second reference configured for proper positioning of the tool body on a workpiece. A router port is defined through the tool body to provide access to the workpiece for a router. A router attachment proximate the router port is configured to position a router mounted to the router attachment for machining a chamfer in the workpiece with reference to the first and second references.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Sven R. Lofstrom, Ryan Lehto, Joshua Richards
  • Publication number: 20180043640
    Abstract: A bond assembly includes a fixture having a first section movably coupled to a second section. The first section and the second section are disposed opposite one another. A bladder assembly is mounted to at least one of the first section and the second section. The bladder assembly is configured to apply controlled, localized pressure and heat to a component receivable between the first section and the second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sven Roy Lofstrom, Ryan Lehto
  • Publication number: 20180044006
    Abstract: A caul assembly includes a semi-rigid caul plate formed in a shape complementary to a portion of a component receivable therein and a heater located at an exterior surface of the semi-rigid caul plate. The heater is adapted to apply heat to a localized portion of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan Lehto, Sven Roy Lofstrom