公开(公告)号：US12043378B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-23

申请号：US17341492

申请日：2021-06-08

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Nathan Alexander Mills ,  Joshua Allan Edler

IPC: B64C29/00

CPC classification number: B64C29/0033

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a propulsion assembly that includes a rotor system configured to swivel about a pivot axis and a flight control system in communication with the propulsion assembly. In one embodiment, the pivot axis is fixedly oriented at an angle relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The flight control system is configured to activate a particular operational mode of the propulsion assembly, in which the rotor system is configured to swivel about the pivot axis to move a rotor axis of the rotor system from a first gimbal angle to a second gimbal angle. In various embodiments, the gimbal angle is configured to change a center of gravity, or direction of thrust vectors, or attitude of the vehicle. The operational mode may comprise a one engine inoperative (OEI) mode in an example embodiment.

公开(公告)号：US20220388682A1

公开(公告)日：2022-12-08

申请号：US17538536

申请日：2021-11-30

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Jason Paul Hurst ,  John Robert Wittmaak, JR. ,  Joshua Allan Edler ,  Chad Sparks ,  Nicholas Brodeur

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/00 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64F1/22 ,  E04H6/44 ,  E04B7/16 ,  E04B1/343 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: A kiosk for use an unmanned aerial system (UAS) delivery system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the kiosk includes an enclosure comprising at least one vertical wall having a secured entrance therethrough to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the enclosure, wherein an external appearance of the enclosure corresponds to a location of the kiosk; a landing zone for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the UAS located within the enclosure, the landing zone comprising infrastructure from which the UAV can take off and on which the UAV can land; sensors for detecting an environment of at least one of the kiosk and the enclosure; and a guidance system for providing signals to the UAV to guide the UAV into the enclosure and onto the landing zone.

公开(公告)号：US20220388650A1

公开(公告)日：2022-12-08

申请号：US17341492

申请日：2021-06-08

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Nathan Alexander Mills ,  Joshua Allan Edler

IPC: B64C29/00

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a propulsion assembly that includes a rotor system configured to swivel about a pivot axis and a flight control system in communication with the propulsion assembly. In one embodiment, the pivot axis is fixedly oriented at an angle relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The flight control system is configured to activate a particular operational mode of the propulsion assembly, in which the rotor system is configured to swivel about the pivot axis to move a rotor axis of the rotor system from a first gimbal angle to a second gimbal angle. In various embodiments, the gimbal angle is configured to change a center of gravity, or direction of thrust vectors, or attitude of the vehicle. The operational mode may comprise a one engine inoperative (OEI) mode in an example embodiment.

公开(公告)号：US20210114723A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-22

申请号：US17081654

申请日：2020-10-27

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： John Robert Wittmaak, JR. ,  Steven M. Loveland ,  Joshua Allan Edler ,  Alan Hisashi Steinert ,  Stephen Yibum Chung ,  Matthew Edward Louis

IPC: B64C29/00

Abstract: A modular tandem tiltrotor aircraft in which the tiltrotor assemblies are operably coupled at the forward and aft ends of the fuselage of the aircraft is disclosed. The modular tandem tiltrotor assemblies are capable of rotating between a vertical lift position and a horizontal flight position. The modular tandem tiltrotor aircraft can be structurally more efficient and lower drag than a conventional tiltrotor, has better control authority and lifting capacity than hybrid-quads and tail-sitters, and has more range than a helicopter or multi-rotor. The modular tandem tiltrotor aircraft can orbit and search over a broad area, or can hover for long periods, depending on the application. Instead of providing a multi-function tandem tiltrotor aircraft that is generally suited for all applications, but not optimized for any, the modular tandem tiltrotor aircraft allows for customized configuration to optimize the aircraft for a particular application.