Joseph D Rainville, 40Killeen, TX

2022039, Dec 8, 2022

Jun 4, 2021

17/339572

- Fort Worth TX, US
Joseph Dean Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Bell Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

H01M 8/04746
H01M 8/0438
H01M 8/04111
B64D 41/00
B60L 50/70
B60L 58/30

A method of operating an aircraft includes providing a fuel cell system to power the aircraft, providing an airflow path through the fuel cell system, sensing a change mass air flow rate supplied to a compressor of the fuel cell system, and at least one of adjusting a restriction of airflow entering the airflow path in response to the sensed change in mass air flow rate, adjusting a restriction of airflow exiting the airflow path in response to the sensed change in mass air flow rate, and adjusting an air scoop to gather a different amount of air into the airflow path. A method of operating an aircraft includes sensing a change in ambient pressure supplied to an airflow path and adjusting a restriction of airflow exiting the airflow path in response to a sensed change in ambient pressure.

2022028, Sep 15, 2022

May 31, 2022

17/829191

- Providence RI, US
Joseph Dean Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Textron Innovations Inc. - Providence RI

B64D 31/00
H01M 8/04082
H01M 8/04746
H01M 8/04313
B64D 33/08
B64C 39/02
B60L 58/33
B60L 58/00
B64D 27/24
H01M 8/04029

An aircraft that includes a fuselage, an electric motor driven propulsion system, and a fuel cell system configured to provide electricity to the electric motor. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, an oxygen tank, an air channel, and a cathode switch. The cathode switch being configured to convert between an air mode, wherein the fuel cell operates utilizing air from the air channel, and an oxygen mode, wherein the fuel cell operates utilizing oxygen from the oxygen tank.

2020038, Dec 10, 2020

Jun 9, 2019

16/435546

- Fort Worth TX, US
Joseph D. Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

H01M 8/04223
H01M 8/04014
H01M 8/04007
H01M 8/04701
H01M 8/04992
B64D 41/00
B64C 39/02

An air-cooled fuel-cell freeze-protection system for a rotorcraft using a controller to vary a heating system for an air-cooled fuel cell. The heating system heats supply air for the air-cooled fuel cell, and a butterfly valve varies a pressure of the supply air to the air-cooled fuel cell. The heating system can be an electric heater, a heat exchanger, or a combination of heater and heat exchanger.

2020023, Jul 30, 2020

Jan 25, 2019

16/257726

- Fort Worth TX, US
Joseph Dean Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

B64D 27/24
B64C 27/04
H01M 8/04537
H01M 8/04858
B64D 41/00

A fuel-cell system at 540 VDC for powering an electrical load of a rotorcraft with a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell. Each fuel cell is configured identically and features a positive electrical node and a negative electrical node. Each fuel cell is configured to provide one half of the electrical load of the rotorcraft and one half of the voltage of the electrical load.

2020023, Jul 30, 2020

Jan 25, 2019

16/257750

- Fort Worth TX, US
Joseph Dean Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

B64D 27/24
H01M 8/04537
H01M 8/04858
H01M 8/04664
B64C 27/04
B64D 41/00

A stack fuel cell array featuring paired fuel-cell systems combined to generate 540 VDC for a rotorcraft. Power from the hydrogen-based fuel cells is provided to the rotorcraft. A rated electrical load of the rotorcraft helps determine how many paired fuel-cell systems are needed during any fuel-cell systems failures. Each of the paired fuel-cell systems is coupled to an electrical load of the rotorcraft. The system detects any fuel cell failures and removes other working fuel cells as needed to balance the electrical system.

2020023, Jul 30, 2020

Jan 30, 2019

16/262059

- Fort Worth TX, US
Joseph Dean Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

B64D 33/08
H01M 8/04007
B64C 27/28
B64C 27/20
B64C 27/26

A thermal management system includes a plurality of passages through a leading edge of a component of an aircraft. The thermal management system is configured to circulate coolant from a heat source through the plurality of passages in order to maximize heat transfer from the coolant to the airflow passing over the leading edge.

2020018, Jun 11, 2020

Dec 10, 2018

16/214735

- Fort Worth TX, US
Joseph Dean Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

B64D 31/00
H01M 8/04082
H01M 8/04746
H01M 8/04313
B64C 39/02
B64D 33/08

An aircraft that includes a fuselage, an electric motor driven propulsion system, and a fuel cell system configured to provide electricity to the electric motor. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, an oxygen tank, an air channel, and a cathode switch. The cathode switch being configured to convert between an air mode, wherein the fuel cell operates utilizing air from the air channel, and an oxygen mode, wherein the fuel cell operates utilizing oxygen from the oxygen tank.

2020018, Jun 11, 2020

Dec 10, 2018

16/214765

- Fort Worth TX, US
Joseph Dean Rainville - Fort Worth TX, US

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. - Fort Worth TX

B64F 1/28
B64D 37/30

A system and a method for autonomous hydrogen refueling of vertical lift aircraft using a landing pad with sensors, a hydrogen storage tank, a refueling arm configured to couple the hydrogen storage tank to the aircraft and a controller configured to control a flow of fuel from the hydrogen storage tank to the aircraft.