公开(公告)号：US12204321B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-21

申请号：US17073214

申请日：2020-10-16

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Sébastien Lacasse ,  Ikram Djafri

IPC: G01M5/00 ,  G05B23/02

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing a validation process on a part to be processed are provided. An identifier associated with the part is received. A listing of at least one automated process based on the identifier is displayed. An indication of a selected automated process from the listing is received. First instructions are transmitted to an automated process device for performing an automated processing program in accordance with the selected automated process. Processing results associated with the part are received from the automated process device. Second instructions are transmitted to a validation process device for performing a validation program in accordance with a validation process associated with the selected automated process. Validation results associated with the part are received from the validation process device. The processing results and the validation results are stored in association with the identifier.

公开(公告)号：US12151811B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-26

申请号：US16538979

申请日：2019-08-13

Applicant: Bell Textron, Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Bryan Robertson ,  Kirk Landon Groninga

IPC: B64C3/38 ,  B64C27/06 ,  B64C27/22 ,  B64C29/00 ,  F16H1/28

Abstract: According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a rotorcraft includes a fuselage, an airframe, a main rotor, first and second wings, and a wing rotation system. The wing rotation system may be coupled to the first and the second wings and includes a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, and a uniform actuator. The first drive shaft may be coupled to the first wing for rotation around a central wing axis, the second drive shaft may be coupled to the second wing for rotation around the central wing axis, and the uniform actuator may be coupled between the first drive shaft and the airframe. Also, the wing rotation system can be configured to actuate rotation of the first and the second wings from a first direction to a second direction.

公开(公告)号：US12129887B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-29

申请号：US17509047

申请日：2021-10-24

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Lancer Drake Halcom

IPC: F16C11/04 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C29/00

CPC classification number: F16C11/045 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C29/0033 ,  Y10T403/32852 ,  Y10T403/32926

Abstract: A self-retaining wear-pad leveler has a first plate having arms on opposing sides and forming an aperture through the first plate. A rear section is coupled to a rear portion of the first plate and has tabs extending from opposing sides of the rear section. The arms are configured for being retained about a ball of a spherical bearing assembly, and the tabs are configured to cause rotation of the leveler about the bearing when engaged by a component coupled to and rotating about the bearing.

公开(公告)号：US12129046B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-29

申请号：US16866834

申请日：2020-05-05

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Phalgun Madhusudan

IPC: B64D45/02 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B32B37/24 ,  B64C1/12 ,  C09D5/24 ,  C09K3/16

CPC classification number: B64D45/02 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B64C1/12 ,  C09D5/24 ,  C09K3/16 ,  B32B2037/243 ,  B32B2305/38 ,  B32B2311/00

Abstract: According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed. The method includes forming one or more aircraft surfaces from at least one of one or more metal materials or metal composite materials; and forming a surface coating, at least partially covering the one or more aircraft surfaces, with one or more materials above a dielectric strength threshold.

公开(公告)号：US12043398B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-23

申请号：US17338236

申请日：2021-06-03

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Kip Gregory Campbell ,  Kristen Stuart ,  Steven G. Hagerott

IPC: B64D31/00 ,  B64C27/635 ,  B64C27/68 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/19

CPC classification number: B64D31/00 ,  B64C27/635 ,  B64C27/68 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/19 ,  B64U2201/00

Abstract: A system can include a flight controller for an aircraft that includes an electric motor that drives blades with a variable pitch, where the flight controller receives a command to change a flight characteristic of the aircraft and creates a torque command and a revolutions per minute (RPM) command. The system can also include a propulsion assembly, where the propulsion assembly creates a current command based at least in part on the torque command and the RPM command, creates a blade pitch command based at least in part on the torque command and the RPM command, communicates the current command to the electric motor to change a mechanical output of the electric motor, and communicates the blade pitch command to blade actuators to control the pitch of the blades. The current command and the blade pitch command cause the blades of the aircraft to rotate at a predetermined RPM.

公开(公告)号：US12043375B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-23

申请号：US17547578

申请日：2021-12-10

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Colton Gilliland ,  Russell Mueller

IPC: F16C35/063 ,  B64C27/12 ,  B64C27/32

CPC classification number: B64C27/32 ,  B64C27/12

Abstract: A bearing restraint, for use on a rotorcraft with a rotor mast and bearing assembly. The bearing restraint interfacing with a mast groove along the rotor mast to longitudinally restrain the bearing assembly. The bearing restraint includes a pilot ring, groove collar, and retaining ring.

公开(公告)号：US12030623B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-09

申请号：US17390513

申请日：2021-07-30

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Christopher E. Foskey

IPC: B64C27/30 ,  B64C11/14 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64F5/10

CPC classification number: B64C27/30 ,  B64C11/14 ,  B64C29/0033 ,  B64F5/10

Abstract: A spinner is described that can provide aerodynamic advantages for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The spinner can be shaped with multiple faces divided by chines. The chines can run down the edge of the spinner to fairings that can cover rotor blades and/or couplings between rotor blades and the rotor hubs of the aircraft. During forward flight the rotor blades can be folded down into recesses on the spinner. The spinner and fairings can provide aerodynamic advantages in addition to protection for sensitive components within the rotor and blades apparatus. This improves efficiency and allows the aircraft to fly faster.

公开(公告)号：US12017761B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-25

申请号：US16846371

申请日：2020-04-12

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： George Matthew Thompson ,  Jonathan Andrew Knoll ,  Nicholas Carlson

IPC: B64C27/33 ,  B64C11/06 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C27/10 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/14

CPC classification number: B64C27/33 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C11/06 ,  B64C27/10 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/14

Abstract: A rotor blade retention device for use in an aircraft having a plurality of blades includes an array of cavities, each cavity adapted to receive a portion of a tension-torsion strap therein. Each cavity is oriented such that, when the portion of the tension-torsion strap is received therein, a central plane of the tension-torsion strap is inclined relative to a blade plane of rotation defined by the plurality of blades. The retention device may have a body that defines an aperture adapted to receive a portion of a rotor mast of the aircraft, may comprise a rotor mast of the aircraft, or may comprise first and second plates that cooperate to form the array of cavities and that are adapted to receive a portion of the rotor mast of the aircraft.

公开(公告)号：US11976496B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-07

申请号：US16915268

申请日：2020-06-29

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： William Anthony Amante ,  Arunkumar Koppa Siddalingappa

IPC: E05B1/00 ,  B64C1/14 ,  E05B5/00 ,  E05B5/02 ,  B64C29/00

CPC classification number: E05B5/003 ,  B64C1/1461 ,  E05B5/006 ,  B64C29/0033

Abstract: A handle assembly for an access panel is described and includes a support structure attached to the access panel; a handle engaging with the support structure, the handle comprising a grip portion and upper and lower flanges extending perpendicularly from the grip portion; and a retention/extension mechanism for retaining the handle in a first position and for transitioning the handle to a second position after pressure is applied to and subsequently released from the handle.

公开(公告)号：US11975860B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-07

申请号：US17569996

申请日：2022-01-06

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Thomas Dewey Parsons

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64D31/06 ,  F02C9/42

CPC classification number: B64D31/06 ,  F02C9/42 ,  F05D2220/329 ,  F05D2270/093 ,  F05D2270/13

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to an aircraft having a multi-engine configuration with multiple engines. The aircraft may have a flight control system coupled to the multiple engines with a multi-engine interface. The flight control system may be configured to shutdown at least one engine of the multiple engines during reduced-engine operation by continuously calculating altitude for the reduced-engine operation based on one or more of an aircraft descent rate of the aircraft and an engine restart time of the at least one engine.