Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Textron Innovations Inc.

Charles David Hogue

James Everett Kooiman

George Ryan Decker

David Gordon Carlson

Andrew G Baines

Joseph Richard Carpenter, Jr

Mark Loring Isaac

Douglas K Wolfe

James Elbert King

Jonathan Alexander Freeman

An aircraft is described and includes a fuselage; wings attached to the fuselage; and a torque box within the fuselage, the torque box including a side panel, the side panel comprising a composite laminate material including a plurality of stiffening beads integrated therewith.

Beaded composite structural web

A retractable landing gear system configured to contour an aircraft fuselage includes a landing wheel having an axle, a wheel rotation strut assembly coupling the landing wheel to the aircraft fuselage and an actuation strut assembly configured to move the wheel rotation strut assembly between various positions including a deployed position and a stowed position. The axle of the landing wheel is pivotably coupled to a distal end of the wheel rotation strut assembly and configured to pivot relative to the wheel rotation strut assembly as the actuation strut assembly moves the wheel rotation strut assembly between the deployed and stowed positions such that the landing wheel generally contours the aircraft fuselage when the wheel rotation strut assembly is in the stowed position.

Contouring retractable landing gear systems

In one aspect, there is a joint member for a composite having a laminate layer including a support member having a first side and a second side; a first flange extending laterally from the first side and having an attachment surface for attachment to a structure; and a second flange extending laterally from the second side and having an attachment surface configured for attachment to the laminate layer. The joint member is configured to provide a load path from the first flange to the second flange. In an embodiment, a joint system for a composite system includes a joint member attached to a first skin and a second skin. In still another embodiment, a joint system for a rib assembly includes a joint member attached to a rib web and rib post.

Joint member for a composite wing structure

In one aspect, there is an engagement member for splicing a spar assembly in an aircraft wing including a joining portion having a first attachment for connecting to a first spar and a second attachment surface for connecting to a second spar; and a rib post extending from the joining portion and disposed between the first attachment surface and the second attachment surface. In an embodiment, the rib post is integral to the joining portion and is configured to couple with a rib web.

Engagement member for splicing a spar assembly

A fuel system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell having a plurality of sides including a first side and at least one deformable clip having a secured end and a free end. The secured end is coupled to the first side of the fuel cell and the free end overlapping the airframe of the aircraft such that the first side of the fuel cell is positioned adjacent to the airframe. The at least one deformable clip is deformable to allow the fuel cell to move independently of the airframe in response to an impact of the aircraft, thereby protecting the fuel cell from damage resulting from the impact.

Growing community of inventors

N. Richland Hills, TX, United States of America

Charles David Hogue