公开(公告)号：US11174037B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-16

申请号：US16196912

申请日：2018-11-20

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Marc Ouellet

IPC: B64D37/04 ,  B64D37/06 ,  B64D37/16

Abstract: A method of increasing fuel capacity of a fuel tank. The method includes creating a new filling port in the fuel tank, wherein the new filling port is vertically higher than the original filling port, sealing the original filling port, and installing an expansion tank above a top of the fuel tank, wherein the expansion tank is configured to permit expansion of fuel in the fuel tank beyond a maximum fill level of the fuel tank.

公开(公告)号：US11168726B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-09

申请号：US15967913

申请日：2018-05-01

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Scott David Poster

IPC: F16B33/02 ,  F16B31/04 ,  B64C27/14 ,  F16B33/04 ,  F16H57/02

Abstract: A fastener includes: a shaft having longitudinal axis and a first and second threaded portions, the first and second threaded portions separated by a central portion having a reduced diameter between the first and second threaded portions, and at least one of the first or second threaded portions is chamfered to reduce friction on leading threads.

公开(公告)号：US20210336431A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-28

申请号：US16858542

申请日：2020-04-24

Applicant: Bell Textron, Inc.

Inventor： Phalgun Madhusudan

IPC: H02G13/00 ,  H01T23/00 ,  B64D45/02

Abstract: According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed. The method includes: detecting, on or proximate to one or more surfaces of an aircraft, a presence of an electric-field above a predetermined threshold; and in response to the detection, activating one or more beam sources to generate an ionized column of charge away from the aircraft.

公开(公告)号：US11155355B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-26

申请号：US15802983

申请日：2017-11-03

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Stephen P. Alcalan ,  Aaron P. Simek ,  Tyson T. Henry

IPC: B64D29/06 ,  F16B21/12 ,  B64C29/00

Abstract: A mounting assembly for coupling an accessory to a frame including a base configured to be coupled to the frame; the base having a hollow portion; the hollow portion including a receiving end including a tapered socket; an internal interlocking portion adjacent to the tapered socket; and a securing end opposite from the receiving end; a shaft configured to be connected to an accessory at a first end and received in the hollow portion of the base in an engaged position, the shaft including a tapered boss adjacent to the first end, the tapered boss configured to engage the tapered socket; an external interlocking portion adjacent to the tapered boss configured to engage the internal interlocking portion; and a second end opposite from the first end, the second end including a threaded surface; wherein when the shaft is in an engaged position, the shaft is static in the hollow portion.

公开(公告)号：US11149803B1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-19

申请号：US16894847

申请日：2020-06-07

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Gilberto Morales ,  Carlos Alexander Fenny

IPC: F16D41/069 ,  F16D48/06 ,  F16D28/00 ,  F16D41/06 ,  F16D121/28

Abstract: A sprag clutch has an inner race, an outer race, and a radial cavity between the races. A plurality of sprags are disposed in the radial cavity, and each sprag is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. A sprag cage retains each of the plurality of sprags at a uniform spacing within the radial cavity, and a plurality of actuators are positioned to exert or withdraw a force upon a corresponding sprag.

公开(公告)号：US11148786B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-19

申请号：US16899295

申请日：2020-06-11

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Derek William Heard ,  Richard Theodore Perryman ,  Nathan Craig Clark ,  Joshua Andrew Emrich ,  Yann Lavallee ,  Ralph Michael Gannarelli

IPC: B64C17/00 ,  B64C17/08

Abstract: A movable ballast system for an aircraft includes first and second ballast docks secured to the aircraft. The first ballast dock includes a first housing and a first ballast tray and a first stop plate secured within the first housing. The first ballast tray includes a plurality of channels. The second ballast dock is positioned aft of a CG of the aircraft and includes a second housing and a second ballast tray and a second stop plate secured within the second housing. The second ballast tray includes a plurality of channels. The movable ballast system includes a plurality of movable ballasts, each movable ballast of the plurality of movable ballasts being configured to fit within at least one channel of each of the plurality of channels of the first and second ballast trays.

公开(公告)号：US11148517B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-19

申请号：US16383073

申请日：2019-04-12

Applicant: Textron Inc.

Inventor： Donny Lee Hammond, Jr. ,  Sam Dean Smith ,  Trevor Douglas Roebuck ,  Landon Niles Ball

IPC: B60K1/04 ,  B62D25/20

Abstract: A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles including a main vehicle chassis structure, a floorboard disposed over a top of the main vehicle chassis structure. The floorboard defines a floor surface of a lightweight vehicle that is subsequently assembled utilizing the universal assembly platform. The platform additionally includes at least one energy cell reservoir disposed below the floorboard. The at least one energy cell reservoir is structured and operable to retain at least one prime mover energy cell that will provide electrical energy to power an electric motor of the lightweight vehicle subsequently assembled utilizing the universal assembly platform.

公开(公告)号：US11142300B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-12

申请号：US16655400

申请日：2019-10-17

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Kyle Thomas Cravener ,  Andrew Maresh ,  Chyausong Tzeng

IPC: B64C11/28 ,  F16C7/06 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/80 ,  B64C11/32 ,  B64C27/605

Abstract: An exemplary length adjustable link includes a tube having an internal bore and internal surface, a first rod end having a first shaft disposed in a first end of the internal bore, a second rod end having a second shaft disposed in a second end of the internal bore, and a member threadably connecting the first rod end to the second rod end.

公开(公告)号：US20210309381A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-07

申请号：US17161183

申请日：2021-01-28

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Colton James Gilliland ,  Mark Alan Przybyla ,  Eric Stephen Olson

IPC: B64D27/02 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D27/10 ,  B64D27/24

Abstract: An exemplary tiltrotor aircraft with a hybrid drive system includes a first propulsion system having a first engine and a first supplemental driver operably coupled to a first proprotor that is operable between a helicopter mode and an airplane mode and a second propulsion system having a second engine and a second supplemental driver operably coupled to a second proprotor that is operable between a helicopter mode and an airplane mode.

公开(公告)号：US20210309370A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-07

申请号：US16841043

申请日：2020-04-06

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： James Everett Kooiman ,  Jeffrey Matthew Williams ,  Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith ,  Michael E. Rinehart ,  Franklin Foster Caldwell ,  Tjepke Heeringa

IPC: B64D9/00 ,  B64C1/14 ,  E05D15/40

Abstract: A system is described and includes a rack for carrying payload disposed in payload bay; a rack extension assembly for affecting linear displacement of the rack between a first position in which the rack is stowed within the payload bay and a second position in which the rack is supported outside the payload bay; a payload actuator system for selectively causing the rack extension assembly to move the rack between the first and second positions; a payload bay door; and a door actuator system for selectively opening and closing the payload bay door.