Kenneth R Hart

US Patent:

6397590, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

May 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/571091

Inventors:

Kenneth E. Hart - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

HR Textron Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

F16D 3900

US Classification:

60329, 91419, 91431, 244 78

Abstract:

A hydraulic warming system for low ambient temperature (0Â to -65Â F. ) operation includes a hydraulic motor integrated in a valve manifold and driven by a two-stage jet pipe flow control electro-hydraulic servovalve mounted on the valve manifold in proximity thereof via a multi-port lapped spool-sleeve bypass-shutoff valve having a pre-loaded return spring. The spool is driven by a solenoid valve mounted on the valve manifold and coupled to the bypass-shutoff valve thereto between a first position and a second position. The first position utilizes the warmed low flow rate hydraulic leakage fluid from the servovalve to provide continuous warming of the internal rotating components of the hydraulic motor when the hydraulic motor is not operational. The second position includes diverting the warmed low flow rate hydraulic leakage fluid from the servovalve directly to hydraulic system return bypassing the internal rotating components of the hydraulic motor when the hydraulic motor is operational. In both positions, the servovalve is constantly pressurized from a hydraulic system supply source.

US Patent:

6439512, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Aug 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/645188

Inventors:

Kenneth Edward Hart - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

HR Textron, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

G05D 110

US Classification:

244178

Abstract:

A control system utilizes hydraulic power only to control a fixed-wing aircraft horizontal stabilizer trim control surface with no electrical control devices except for a cockpit pilot/co-pilot initiated 3-position spring-centered toggle trim switch, a backup electrical motor and a standard electronic logic pilot interface. The toggle trim switch controls two solenoid valves which control the operation of a directional control valve. The control system also includes a hydraulic motor, a rate control valve, a blocking-bypass valve, a shutoff valve with an integrated position sensor and a gear set driving an acme threaded output shaft for elevating or lowering the horizontal stabilizer trim control surface on command by the pilot. The control system controls the horizontal stabilizer trim control surface angular displacement rate as a function of angular position by means of a mechanical feedback linkage between the spool of the rate control valve and the horizontal stabilizer trim control surface. The sleeve of the rate control valve has a variable outflow area slot to control the hydraulic flow rate to the motor ports of the hydraulic motor.

US Patent:

6832540, Dec 21, 2004

Filed:

Mar 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/390455

Inventors:

Kenneth E. Hart - Simi Valley CA 93065

International Classification:

F15B 1526

US Classification:

92 24

Abstract:

A locking hydraulic actuator has a cylinder and a main piston that is movable from an extend position to a retract position by a hydraulic circuit. The actuator has a locking mechanism that includes a lock piston that slides within a lock piston bore of the main piston. One or more lock segments are held by slots within the main piston and may be radially constrained within a tailstock housing and cylinder. The lock segments maintain the main piston in a locked position. The lock segments have two straight tapers, one on a proximal face and the other on a distal face, which transmit axial loading forces to and from the cylinder and main piston by distributed loading, thereby avoiding point-contact loading and material deformation. The lock piston, lock segments, piston, and cylinder may have different hardnesses.

US Patent:

6981439, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Dec 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/746033

Inventors:

Kenneth E. Hart - Simi Valley CA, US

Assignee:

HR Textron, Inc. - Santa Clarita CA

International Classification:

F15B 13/00

US Classification:

91509, 60403

Abstract:

Two or more flow control valves may be used to provide redundant flow control for a hydraulic actuator or servoactuator. The flow control valves include a sleeve, a bypass control spool, and a primary control spool. Under normal operating conditions, each bypass control spool is stationary relative to the sleeve and the flow control valve functions as a four-way hydraulic flow control valve. Each flow control valve is connected to a bypass-shutoff valve including a bypass spool that is moveable from a shut-off position to a bypass position. Upon supply pressure failure to one flow control valve, the bypass spool moves to the bypass position, reducing pressure in the corresponding actuator piston chambers. When a primary control spool becomes jammed, the corresponding bypass control spool moves within its sleeve allowing a bypass groove to port control pressure to the return line, thereby reducing pressure in the corresponding actuator piston chambers.

US Patent:

20050133123, Jun 23, 2005

Filed:

Nov 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/995516

Inventors:

Brian Joseph - Wheeling WV, US
Brian Gordon - Wheeling WV, US
Kenneth Hart - Wheeling WV, US
Joseph Polsinelli - McMechen WV, US
James Witzgall - Wheeling WV, US
Gregg Wolfe - Wheeling WV, US

International Classification:

C22C021/00

US Classification:

148437000

Abstract:

A glass fiber reinforced metal matrix composite is described. The composite includes glass fibers distributed in a metal matrix body. The fibers may be uniformly distributed in the metal matrix and may include continuous lengths of the glass fibers. The glass fibers may be glass fibers, S-glass, E-glass fibers, soda-lime-silica fibers, basalt fibers, quartz fibers, or other similar glassy fibers. The metal matrix may include aluminum or alloys of aluminum as well as other metals and alloys.