Textron Innovations Inc.

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Terry K Thompson

Frank B Stamps

Patrick R Tisdale

Michael Reaugh Smith

Kyle Thomas Cravener

Bryan Kenneth Baskin

Mark Adam Wiinikka

David Popelka

Bryan W Marshall

Michael Dean Dearman

Daniel P Sottiaux

Ken Shundo

David Allen Haynie

Loan Thanh Vo

James A Wilson

Orion Braziel

Emery N Ward

David P Shipman

Vince Calabrese

Samantha Renee Lucero

Michael R Smith

David Haynie

Bryan Wade Marshall

One embodiment includes a swashplate assembly for a rotary aircraft, including: a rotating ring configured to rotate with a drive shaft of the rotary aircraft; a non-rotating ring coupled to the rotating ring and rotationally decoupled from the rotating ring, wherein the non-rotating ring does not rotate with the rotating ring and drive shaft; an outer casing disposed around the gearbox; and an anti-drive mechanism to maintain the outer casing rotationally stationary relative to the gearbox, the anti-drive mechanism including a key and slot system between the gearbox and the outer casing.

Anti-drive mechanism for rotary aircraft control

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the tracking of one or more blades comprising: a blade tracking adjustment mechanism connected to one or more blades of an aircraft; a blade tracking measurement system that measures the tracking of the one or more blades; and a computer that receives an output from the blade tracking measurement system with tracking information for each of the one or more blades; wherein the computer outputs instructions for the blade tracking adjustment mechanism to change a pitch of one or more of the blades to correct blade tracking.

Automatic, active blade tracking and balance system

A tiltrotor controls shield having a blade or wire substructure under a fragile spinner fairing improves bird strike durability. The present disclosure discloses a spinner wind fairing with a shield structure disposed thereunder for providing protection to the proprotor assembly components. The shield structure can segment a projectile, such as a bird, that penetrates the spinner fairing into a series of smaller and lower energy elements spread across a wider area, such that the rotor components can withstand the impact of the smaller elements without damage.

Tiltrotor controls shield

A rotor blade system includes a first hub assembly having a first set of rotor blades and rotatably attached to a rotor mast, a second hub assembly having a second set of rotor blades and rotatably attached to the rotor mast, the second hub assembly being positioned at a space relative to the first hub assembly, a torque splitter device engaged with both the first hub assembly and the second hub assembly, and a locking device operably associated with the torque splitter device. The method includes rotating the first hub relative to the second hub via the torque splitter until the first set of rotor blades align with the second set of rotor blade about a common horizontal axis.

Scissoring fold arrangement for dual plane four bladed rotor hubs

According to one embodiment, a method comprises calendering an elastomeric material into an elastomeric layer having a thickness that is more uniform than the elastomeric material prior to the calendaring. After calendaring, the elastomeric layer is vulcanized to a composite shim comprising at least one reinforcement layer and at least one layer of adhesive.

Attachable elastomeric pad

A rotary system includes a retention member and a flexible yoke having an opening forming a bridge. The rotary system is further provided with two bearing assemblies, a first bearing assembly extending through the opening of the yoke and configured to secure a rotor blade to the retention member and a second bearing assembly extending through the opening of the flexible yoke and configured to secure the rotor blade to the bridge. The second bearing element includes a bearing element having a first surface forming a spherical contouring and an opposing integral second surface forming a conical contouring.

Compact rotorcraft dual-element spherical elastomeric centrifugal-force bearing assembly

A vibration isolator is disclosed having a housing which defines a fluid chamber. A piston, which is movable to and from a down position, is disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chamber. A passage having a predetermined diameter extends through the piston to permit the vibration isolation fluid to flow from one fluid chamber to the other. An elastic element is provided for reducing transmission of vibrations from the piston to the housing when the piston is at the down position.

Method and apparatus for improved vibration isolation

Growing community of inventors

Bedford, TX, United States of America

Terry K Thompson