公开(公告)号：US20230009950A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-12

申请号：US17370783

申请日：2021-07-08

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Bryan K. Baskin ,  Brian E. Tucker

IPC: G01M13/04 ,  B64C27/35 ,  B64F5/60 ,  G01K13/04 ,  G01J5/00 ,  H04N5/33

Abstract: A system for monitoring of elastomeric bearings is described. A pattern or shape can be applied to a joint comprising elastomeric material. A camera can be disposed such that it can capture photographs or video of the pattern and how it deforms under torque and other stresses. Actual deformation of the shape/pattern can be compared to an expected deformation to gauge levels of degradation of the elastomeric material or other joint components.

公开(公告)号：US12130199B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-29

申请号：US17369470

申请日：2021-07-07

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Brian E. Tucker ,  Bryan Kenneth Baskin

IPC: G01M13/04 ,  B64C13/50 ,  B64C27/605

CPC classification number: G01M13/04 ,  B64C27/605 ,  B64C13/503

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for estimating wear in aircraft rotor systems. Data associated with loads and motions of a swashplate actuator is collected. The swashplate actuator drives a swashplate and at least one control link is coupled to the swashplate. The loads and motions of the at least one control link is estimated based upon the loads and motions of the swashplate actuator. Using a wear model, the current wear of control link components is estimated due to the loads and motions of the at least one control link. Wear estimates for the components are aggregated across multiple flights and used to determine when maintenance actions should occur.

公开(公告)号：US11975828B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-07

申请号：US17363051

申请日：2021-06-30

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Charles Eric Covington ,  Brian E. Tucker

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64D43/00 ,  B64D45/00 ,  G01L3/10

CPC classification number: B64C27/57 ,  B64D43/00 ,  G01L3/109 ,  B64D2045/0085

Abstract: A torque measurement system determines torque on a shaft by monitoring angular deflection of the shaft under load using phase shift measurements. Calibration of the system uses a defined offset that is determined using a reference operating condition. The offset calibration value is determined for a rotorcraft using the following steps: defining a reference operational condition in which the shaft is rotating, estimating the torque at the reference condition based on aerodynamic knowledge of the rotors coupled to the shaft, operating the shaft at the reference operational condition, capturing sensor data to determine the phase difference at the operational condition, and associating the phase difference and an estimated torque as a calibration value to enable calculation of torque in the torque measurement system.

公开(公告)号：US11709113B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-25

申请号：US17370783

申请日：2021-07-08

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Bryan K. Baskin ,  Brian E. Tucker

IPC: B64F5/60 ,  G01M13/04 ,  B64C27/35 ,  G01J5/00 ,  H04N5/33 ,  G01K13/04

CPC classification number: G01M13/04 ,  B64C27/35 ,  B64F5/60 ,  G01J5/0022 ,  G01K13/04 ,  H04N5/33 ,  G01J2005/0077

Abstract: A system for monitoring of elastomeric bearings is described. A pattern or shape can be applied to a joint comprising elastomeric material. A camera can be disposed such that it can capture photographs or video of the pattern and how it deforms under torque and other stresses. Actual deformation of the shape/pattern can be compared to an expected deformation to gauge levels of degradation of the elastomeric material or other joint components.

公开(公告)号：US20230008322A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-12

申请号：US17369470

申请日：2021-07-07

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Brian E. Tucker ,  Bryan Kenneth Baskin

IPC: G01M13/04 ,  B64C27/605

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for estimating wear in aircraft rotor systems. Data associated with loads and motions of a swashplate actuator is collected. The swashplate actuator drives a swashplate and at least one control link is coupled to the swashplate. The loads and motions of the at least one control link is estimated based upon the loads and motions of the swashplate actuator. Using a wear model, the current wear of control link components is estimated due to the loads and motions of the at least one control link. Wear estimates for the components are aggregated across multiple flights and used to determine when maintenance actions should occur.

公开(公告)号：US20230002040A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-05

申请号：US17363051

申请日：2021-06-30

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Charles Eric Covington ,  Brian E. Tucker

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64D43/00 ,  G01L3/10

Abstract: A torque measurement system determines torque on a shaft by monitoring angular deflection of the shaft under load using phase shift measurements. Calibration of the system uses a defined offset that is determined using a reference operating condition. The offset calibration value is determined for a rotorcraft using the following steps: defining a reference operational condition in which the shaft is rotating, estimating the torque at the reference condition based on aerodynamic knowledge of the rotors coupled to the shaft, operating the shaft at the reference operational condition, capturing sensor data to determine the phase difference at the operational condition, and associating the phase difference and an estimated torque as a calibration value to enable calculation of torque in the torque measurement system.