The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 13, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 14, 2009
Ryan T. Ehinger, Irving, TX (US);
Carlos A. Fenny, Arlington, TX (US);
Charles J. Kilmain, Forth Worth, TX (US);
Eric A. Sinusas, Euless, TX (US);
Kevin Worrell, Arlington, TX (US);
Ryan T. Ehinger, Irving, TX (US);
Carlos A. Fenny, Arlington, TX (US);
Charles J. Kilmain, Forth Worth, TX (US);
Eric A. Sinusas, Euless, TX (US);
Kevin Worrell, Arlington, TX (US);
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Hurst, TX (US);
Abstract
A multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system comprises a rotor system comprising one or more rotors and one or more engines. Each engine of the one or more engines is coupled to the rotor system through a multi-ratio transmission. The multi-ratio transmission comprises an output shaft coupled to the rotor system, an input shaft coupled to a respective engine of the one or more engines, a high speed clutch integrated into a high speed gear train, and a low speed clutch integrated into a low speed gear train. The high speed clutch and the low speed clutch are freewheeling clutches without a friction plate and are capable of disconnecting the output shaft and the input shaft in an overrunning condition when the output shaft spins faster than the input shaft. The multi-ratio transmission shifts between the high speed gear train and the low speed gear train by engaging or disengaging the high speed clutch and modulating speed of the coupled engine.