Timothy E Ledbetter

US Patent:

6431530, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

May 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/577737

Inventors:

Frank Bradley Stamps - Colleyville TX
Michael Reaugh Smith - Colleyville TX
Timothy Kent Ledbetter - Euless TX

Assignee:

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. - Hurst TX

International Classification:

F16F 904

US Classification:

267136, 2671413, 267293

Abstract:

A vibration isolator ( ) for isolating the vibration of two bodies that are connected together is disclosed. The vibration isolator ( ) comprises an inner cylinder ( ) and a pair of outer housings ( ) concentrically bonded together with elastomer structures ( ) to form two chambers ( ) that are joined by a tuning port ( ). The elastomer structures ( ) may serve both as the seals for the chambers ( ) and the compliant spring members in the isolator ( ). The isolator ( ) connects to a vibrating body by a spherical bearing ( ). The chambers ( ) and tuning port ( ) are filled with an inviscid fluid ( ) and pressurized to prevent cavitation. In certain embodiments, pressure within the isolator ( ) is maintained by a volume compensating device ( ) connected to the chambers ( ) via a small diameter orifice ( ).

US Patent:

6443273, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Aug 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/939127

Inventors:

Timothy K. Ledbetter - Euless TX
Brad Stamps - Colleyville TX
David Popelka - Colleyville TX
Christopher M. Bothwell - Grapevine TX
Michael Reaugh Smith - Colleyville TX

Assignee:

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

B64D 4700

US Classification:

188379, 244 1711, 244 1727, 267136

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an improved vibration cancellation device designed to overcome many of the shortcomings inherent in prior devices. In many embodiments, the vibration cancellation device is smaller in scale than prior designs, facilitating more versatility with respect to design options. The device of the present invention achieves a smaller size partly due to the use of suspension springs having an offset, rather than a parallel arrangement.

US Patent:

7665969, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Jan 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/040173

Inventors:

Frank B. Stamps - Colleyville TX, US
Patrick R. Tisdale - Roanoke TX, US
James L. Braswell - Colleyville TX, US
Tom Campbell - Fort Worth TX, US
Timothy K. Ledbetter - Euless TX, US
Joseph J. Zierer - Fort Worth TX, US
D. J. Reddy - Hurst TX, US
Mark A. Wiinikka - Hurst TX, US
Ronnie L. Martin - Arlington TX, US
David A. Haynie - Euless TX, US
Stanley Gene Sadler - Arlington TX, US
Ron Measom - Hurst TX, US
Paul Oldroyd - Azle TX, US
Tricia Hiros - Haltom City TX, US
Jim Harse - Bedford TX, US
Bob Mullins - Mansfield TX, US

Assignee:

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Hurst TX

International Classification:

B63H 1/06

US Classification:

416134A, 416135, 416140, 416141

Abstract:

An assembly for providing flexure to a blade of a rotary blade system, the assembly including an upper support plate having an upper curved surface, a lower support plate having a lower curved surface, and a yoke positioned therebetween. At least one of the upper and lower yoke surfaces having a layer of cushioning material positioned thereon and secured thereto. The layer of cushioning material extending along and following the general contour of yoke surface, and the layer of cushioning material directly contacting a support plate. Another embodiment is an assembly for providing flexure to a blade of a rotary blade system, including, an upper support plate having an upper curved surface, a lower support plate having a lower curved surface, and a yoke positioned therebetween and directly contacting the support plates wherein one of the curved surfaces is a non-circular arc that does not form part of the circumference of a circle.

US Patent:

8413728, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Aug 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/537991

Inventors:

Timothy W. Ledbetter - Sachse TX, US
Steven B. Tweedie - Plano TX, US
James M. Benson - Rowlett TX, US
Maureen A. Bohac - Fort Worth TX, US
Iain A. Peebles - Murphy TX, US

Assignee:

Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC - Garland TX

International Classification:

E21B 19/18
B25B 13/50

US Classification:

166377, 166 7751, 166 855, 166 781, 81 5734, 81 5735

Abstract:

A break-out assembly includes a slide wrench assembly, and a slide wrench rotator assembly which rotates the slide wrench assembly in response to actuating first and second rotator assembly cylinders. The first and second rotator assembly cylinders are actuated in opposed directions. The break-out assembly includes a clamp assembly having opposed arm assemblies which are rotatable about separate pivot points.

US Patent:

8622151, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Sep 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/129762

Inventors:

Timothy W. Ledbetter - Sachse TX, US

Assignee:

Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC - Garland TX

International Classification:

E21B 31/06

US Classification:

175 52, 175 85, 175195

Abstract:

A drilling machine includes a feed cable system which operatively couples a rotary head to a tower. The feed cable system includes first and second pull up cables and an equalizer bar, wherein the equalizer bar is coupled to the first and second pull up cables. The equalizer bar drives the rotary head to be held in a level position so that it is restricted from tilting. The drilling machine includes a slack take up device which couples the equalizer bar to the tower. The slack take up device is repeatably moveable between extended and retracted conditions.

US Patent:

8646549, Feb 11, 2014

Filed:

Oct 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/576103

Inventors:

Timothy W. Ledbetter - Sachse TX, US
Iain A. Peebles - Murphy TX, US

Assignee:

Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC - Garland TX

International Classification:

E21B 21/08

US Classification:

175205, 175106, 175107, 192209

Abstract:

A drilling machine includes a compressor coupled to a prime mover through a hydraulic clutch, wherein the hydraulic clutch is repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged conditions. The compressor is allowed to provide air and is restricted from providing air in response to the hydraulic clutch being in the engaged and disengaged conditions, respectively. The hydraulic clutch is moveable between the engaged and disengaged conditions during operation of the prime mover.

US Patent:

53583817, Oct 25, 1994

Filed:

Mar 19, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/034345

Inventors:

Cecil E. Covington - Hurst TX
Timothy K. Ledbetter - Euless TX
Ernest A. Powell - Bedford TX
Madison K. Robinson - Bedford TX
Ajay Sehgal - Bedford TX
Patrick R. Tisdale - Roanoke TX

Assignee:

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

B64C 2738

US Classification:

416134A

Abstract:

An improved feathering flexure for a helicopter rotor system yoke includes, in transverse cross section, a relatively thin central web and six relatively thin flanges. Three flanges extend from each of the web's two edges, and the flanges lie in planes which are approximately radial relative to the neutral feathering axis of the feathering flexure. The feathering flexure is constructed of fiberglass material embedded in a polymer matrix. The web's fiberglass material in the web is bias material, that is, material whose glass fibers are oriented at plus or minus 45 degrees relative to the yoke's spanwise axis. In transverse cross section, each of the flanges includes two unidirectional belts disposed on either side of a bias pack. The glass fibers in the unidirectional belts are oriented parallel to the yoke's spanwise axis. The fiberglass material in the bias packs is bias material.

US Patent:

20190061930, Feb 28, 2019

Filed:

Aug 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/687350

Inventors:

- Fort Worth TX, US
Timothy Kent Ledbetter - Euless TX, US
Drew A. Sutton - Lexington KY, US
Bryan W. Marshall - Mansfield TX, US
Paul Sherrill - Grapevine TX, US
Frank B. Stamps - Colleyville TX, US
James Donn Hethcock - Colleyville TX, US
Andrew Paul Haldeman - Fort Worth TX, US
Paul K. Oldroyd - Azle TX, US

International Classification:

B64C 27/473
B64C 27/06
B64F 5/40
B29C 73/04

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a method may comprise coupling a plurality of reinforcement fibers to a plurality of spherical components; inserting the plurality of spherical components into an enclosure; and heating the enclosure to cause the plurality of spherical components to expand, wherein the plurality of spherical components expands to form a geodesic structure, wherein the geodesic structure comprises a plurality of polyhedron components configured in a geodesic arrangement.