Patents by Inventor Troy C. Schank
Troy C. Schank 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).
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Patent number: 11577831Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a propulsion configuration that divorces the engine core power from the thrust fan, using a combined gearbox with a plurality of clutches to couple and decouple one or more rotor systems and one or more thrust fans. The aircraft can be operable for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in a helicopter mode, forward flight in a proprotor mode, and high-speed forward flight in an airplane (jet) mode. The propulsion configuration provides shaft horsepower (SHP) to rotors for VTOL flight, while also providing SHP to the thrust fan for high speed flight. Allowing the rotor and the thrust fan to be clutched on and off, sequentially, enables transition from rotor-borne VTOL flight to wing-borne thrust fan flight, and back.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Publication number: 20220024574Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a propulsion configuration that divorces the engine core power from the thrust fan, using a combined gearbox with a plurality of clutches to couple and decouple one or more rotor systems and one or more thrust fans. The aircraft can be operable for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in a helicopter mode, forward flight in a proprotor mode, and high-speed forward flight in an airplane (jet) mode. The propulsion configuration provides shaft horsepower (SHP) to rotors for VTOL flight, while also providing SHP to the thrust fan for high speed flight. Allowing the rotor and the thrust fan to be clutched on and off, sequentially, enables transition from rotor-borne VTOL flight to wing-borne thrust fan flight, and back.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 11167845Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a propulsion configuration that divorces the engine core power from the thrust fan, using a combined gearbox with a plurality of clutches to couple and decouple one or more rotor systems and one or more thrust fans. The aircraft can be operable for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in a helicopter mode, forward flight in a proprotor mode, and high-speed forward flight in an airplane (jet) mode. The propulsion configuration provides shaft horsepower (SHP) to rotors for VTOL flight, while also providing SHP to the thrust fan for high speed flight. Allowing the rotor and the thrust fan to be clutched on and off, sequentially, enables transition from rotor-borne VTOL flight to wing-borne thrust fan flight, and back.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Publication number: 20210253259Abstract: A hybrid power system for a vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft including a first power source operable to provide a power output for at least a forward flight mode; and a second power source configured to provide a high specific power output for an altitude adjustment flight mode, the second power source including an auxiliary gas generator coupled to a turbine and a drive system. In other aspects, there is provided a VTOL aircraft and methods for providing power to a VTOL aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 11001384Abstract: A hybrid power system for a vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft including a first power source operable to provide a power output for at least a forward flight mode; and a second power source configured to provide a high specific power output for an altitude adjustment flight mode, the second power source including an auxiliary gas generator coupled to a turbine and a drive system. In other aspects, there is provided a VTOL aircraft and methods for providing power to a VTOL aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Publication number: 20200062382Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft having a propulsion configuration that divorces the engine core power from the thrust fan, using a combined gearbox with a plurality of clutches to couple and decouple one or more rotor systems and one or more thrust fans. The aircraft can be operable for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in a helicopter mode, forward flight in a proprotor mode, and high-speed forward flight in an airplane (jet) mode. The propulsion configuration provides shaft horsepower (SHP) to rotors for VTOL flight, while also providing SHP to the thrust fan for high speed flight. Allowing the rotor and the thrust fan to be clutched on and off, sequentially, enables transition from rotor-borne VTOL flight to wing-borne thrust fan flight, and back.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 10427780Abstract: A rotorcraft capable of a hover mode and a forward cruise mode including a fuselage, a first electric propulsion system, a second electric propulsion system, and an electric power control unit to control power to the first and second electric propulsion systems in the hover and forward cruise modes. The first electric propulsion system is a tip jet cold flow system that imparts rotation on a pair of rotor blades disposed above a top surface of the fuselage, and a first electric motor configured to drive the tip jet cold flow system. The second electric propulsion system includes a propeller disposed in the rear of the fuselage and a second electric motor configured to drive the propeller.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Carlos A. Fenny, Daniel B. Robertson, Kirk L. Groninga, Troy C. Schank
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Publication number: 20190100322Abstract: A hybrid power system for a vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft including a first power source operable to provide a power output for at least a forward flight mode; and a second power source configured to provide a high specific power output for an altitude adjustment flight mode, the second power source including an auxiliary gas generator coupled to a turbine and a drive system. In other aspects, there is provided a VTOL aircraft and methods for providing power to a VTOL aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Publication number: 20180111680Abstract: A rotorcraft capable of a hover mode and a forward cruise mode including a fuselage, a first electric propulsion system, a second electric propulsion system, and an electric power control unit to control power to the first and second electric propulsion systems in the hover and forward cruise modes. The first electric propulsion system is a tip jet cold flow system that imparts rotation on a pair of rotor blades disposed above a top surface of the fuselage, and a first electric motor configured to drive the tip jet cold flow system. The second electric propulsion system includes a propeller disposed in the rear of the fuselage and a second electric motor configured to drive the propeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Carlos A. Fenny, Daniel B. Robertson, Kirk L. Groninga, Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 9938006Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey
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Patent number: 9809303Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for determining a position of a rotor blade includes receiving a plurality of measurements from a plurality of magneto-resistive sensors and determining a position of the at least one magnet based on the received plurality of measurements. In this example, one of the plurality of magneto-resistive sensors and the at least one magnet moves with a rotor blade.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 9457465Abstract: The hybrid tape includes an outer member that is formed with a material having desirable tensile qualities, such that the outer member is tailored to exhibit superior fatigue performance in tension induced from bending. The hybrid tape further includes an inner member that is formed with a material having desirable compression qualities, such that the inner member is tailored to exhibit superior fatigue performance in compression induced from bending. The hybrid tape is configured such that the bend neutral axis is located between the inner material and the outer material, thereby insuring the outer material only experiences tension in bending while the inner material only experiences compression in bending.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 9180966Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey
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Patent number: 9180965Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey
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Patent number: 9175673Abstract: A system and method to amplify displacement includes a housing forming a cylindrical chamber having an elastomeric material disposed therein. The chamber being sealed with a first membrane and a second membrane. The first membrane being attached to a first end having and the second membrane being attached to a second end, the first end having a greater diameter than the second end. The method including producing an input displacement with a driver attached to the first membrane, which in turn results in an amplified output displacement at the second end.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Frank B. Stamps
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Publication number: 20150069175Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for determining a position of a rotor blade includes receiving a plurality of measurements from a plurality of magneto-resistive sensors and determining a position of the at least one magnet based on the received plurality of measurements. In this example, one of the plurality of magneto-resistive sensors and the at least one magnet moves with a rotor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 8955792Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotor system, includes a position determination system disposed between a blade and at least part of a hub. A grip couples the rotor blade to the hub. The position determination system comprises at least one magnet and a plurality of magnet sensors proximate to the at least one magnet.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Troy C. Schank
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Patent number: 8926272Abstract: A rotor blade for an aircraft includes an airfoil skin, an active element, and an actuator configured to operate the active element. A heat pipe is configured to promote heat transfer from the actuator to the airfoil skin. The heat pipe has a slope gradient such that a centrifugal force generated during rotation of the rotor blade promotes travel of a condensed working fluid within the heat pipe to move from a condenser end of the heat pipe toward an evaporator end of the heat pipe.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Monte A. McGlaun
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Publication number: 20140064965Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey
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Publication number: 20140064960Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, an actuation system is configured for actuation of an airfoil member with a flap mechanism. The actuation system can include an upper drive tape and a lower drive tape, each partially wrapped around a first bearing and second bearing. An inboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. Similarly, an outboard frame can be actuated by at least one linear actuator. The inboard frame is coupled to the upper drive tape, while the outboard frame is coupled to the lower drive tape. An actuation of the inboard frame and outboard frame in a reciprocal manner acts move a flap input lever reciprocally upward and downward. A flap mechanism is configured to convert the movement of the flap input lever into rotational movements of the airfoil member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Troy C. Schank, Peter H. Kintzinger, Jonathan A. Knoll, Christopher E. Foskey