Textron Innovations Inc.

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer

Keith David Weaver

Thomas Mast

Michael P Pujol

Nicholas James Plagianos

Thomas Dewey Parsons

Chris James Ludtke

Paul Madej

Karl R Burge

Karl Burge

Scott David Poster

Martin Peryea

Jon Damon Bennett

Eric Christopher Terry

Joshua Robert O'Neil

Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising an airframe having an engine compartment, an engine disposed within the engine compartment, at least one fire bottle configured to hold a fire extinguishing agent, at least one agent tube coupled to the fire bottle and configured to carry the fire extinguishing agent to the engine compartment, and a nozzle on the at least one agent tube, the nozzle positioned below the engine and oriented in a upward-facing direction. The nozzle has at least one opening that is closed by a spring-loaded valve.

Fire extinguishing discharge nozzle for helicopter engine compartment

A transition duct assembly includes a shared connector, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways for cooling one or more systems or components. Each primary cooling pathway includes a transition duct in fluid communication with the shared connector, and a transition connector in fluid communication with the transition duct.

Articulating bifurcated integrated transition duct assembly

Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising an airframe having an engine compartment, an engine disposed within the engine compartment, at least one fire bottle configured to hold a fire extinguishing agent, at least one agent tube coupled to the fire bottle and configured to carry the fire extinguishing agent to the engine compartment, and a nozzle on the at least one agent tube, the nozzle positioned above the engine and oriented in a downward-facing direction. The nozzle has at least one opening and is configured to allow liquid to drain out of the at least one opening instead of allowing the liquid to flow into the at least one agent tube. The nozzle may have a chamfer opening that faces downward.

A thermal management system and method includes: a drive shaft; one or more fans or impellers in fluid communication with at least a portion of the drive shaft; and one or more air management baffles configured to direct air flow between the impeller and the portion of the drive shaft. In one embodiment, the system and method further includes insulation positioned about the at least a portion of the drive shaft.

Active thermal management for fire-tolerant drive systems

A cooling apparatus includes a shared cooling device for one or more systems or components, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways. Each of the primary cooling pathways includes a transition duct and a fan. The transition duct is in fluid communication with the shared cooling device. The fan is in fluid communication with the transition duct.

Redundant cooling system

A method of conducting an engine power assurance check includes performing a first engine power assurance check wherein the first engine power assurance check is judged as passing or failing based on power performance values calculated assuming the presence of a substantially clogged or blocked inlet barrier filter and in response to a fail result of the first engine power assurance check, performing a second engine power assurance check wherein the second power assurance check is judged as passing or failing based on power performance values calculated assuming at least one of no inlet barrier filter being installed and an open bypass of an installed inlet barrier filter.

Multiple power assurance check procedure for aircraft with an engine inlet barrier filter installed

The present invention achieves technical advantages as an engine compartment drainage system that allows fluid on an engine deck to exit an engine compartment, while shielding fluid from airflow. A fluid drainage apparatus utilizes a funnel member to direct fluid to an external drain line. A drain shield circumscribes the top end of the funnel member and upwardly extending therefrom and directs airflow away from the funnel member. A plurality of deck holes are disposed in the drain shield, such that fluid on the deck can enter the funnel member and exit the engine compartment. A fluid drainage system, disposes the fluid drainage apparatus in an engine deck to allow fluid on the deck to enter a funnel member of the apparatus and direct it toward the external drain line.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer