Patents by Inventor Steven K. Spears

Steven K. Spears 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).

  • Helical drive coupling
    Patent number: 10364848
    Abstract: A drive coupling has first and second coaxial end adapters. A first set of at least two coaxial helical elements has a first end of each element attached to the first end adapter, and a second end of each element is coupled to the second end adapter. At least one biasing device biases the end adapters relative to each other. Torque applied to one of the end adapters is transferred through the first set of helical elements to the other end adapter, the helical elements allowing for misalignment of the end adapters during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell L. Mueller, Michael S. Seifert, Steven K. Spears, Frank B. Stamps
  • Helical Drive Coupling
    Publication number: 20170370419
    Abstract: A drive coupling has first and second coaxial end adapters. A first set of at least two coaxial helical elements has a first end of each element attached to the first end adapter, and a second end of each element is coupled to the second end adapter. At least one biasing device biases the end adapters relative to each other. Torque applied to one of the end adapters is transferred through the first set of helical elements to the other end adapter, the helical elements allowing for misalignment of the end adapters during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell L. Mueller, Michael S. Seifert, Steven K. Spears, Frank B. Stamps