IP Library Granted Patent US 12,404,017
Granted Patent B2
US 12,404,017 · App. 17/979,447 · Granted Sep 2, 2025

Method for improving loss of lube survival

Inventors: John N. Maxwell (Keller, TX); Nick J. Jones (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
B64C27/12F16H57/041F16H57/0412B23P2700/01
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,404,017
App. No.
17/979,447
Granted
Sep 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are described to increase emissivity within a gearbox. Loss-of-lube conditions can cause a gearbox in a vehicle to quickly heat up and fail, which could lead to loss of aircraft and/or life. Surface treatments within a gearbox, such as black paint, black oxide coatings, shot-peening, and others, can increase emissivity within the gearbox. The increased emissivity can increase heat transfer via radiation, leading to longer operational capabilities during loss-of-lube conditions.

Claims (15)

1. A method of increasing emissivity in a gearbox, the gearbox comprising a housing, the method comprising:

applying one or more surface treatments to an inner facing surface of the housing, the one or more surface treatments configured to increase the emissivity, wherein the applying is performed after the gearbox is at least partially assembled.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises applying a first surface treatment of the one or more surface treatments to the inner surface of the housing and a second surface treatment of the one or more surface treatments to another component within the housing.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a second one or more surface treatments to one or more surfaces within the gearbox.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second one or more surface treatments comprises a different surface treatment from the one or more surface treatments.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises applying the one or more surface treatments to the inner facing surface after the inner facing surface has been manufactured.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises integrating the one or more surface treatments into the inner facing surface during manufacture of the inner facing surface.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying is performed before the gearbox is assembled together.

8. A method of increasing emissivity in a gearbox, comprising:

disassembling at least a portion of the gearbox to access one or more components of the gearbox;

applying one or more surface treatments to one or more surfaces of the one or more components, the one or more surface treatments configured to increase the emissivity within the gearbox; and

assembling the one or more components into the gearbox.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the applying comprises applying multiple different surface treatments to the same surface.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more surfaces treatments comprises one or more of: black paint; shot-peening; black oxide treatment.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more surfaces comprises at least one of: a surface of a shaft; a surface coupled to a bearing; an inward facing surface of a housing.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: MAXWELL, JOHN N.; JONES, NICK J.
To: BELL TEXTRON INC.
Reel/Frame 061636/0620 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: BELL TEXTRON INC.
To: BELL TEXTRON RHODE ISLAND INC.
Reel/Frame 061636/0661 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: BELL TEXTRON RHODE ISLAND INC.
To: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 061636/0678 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240141981A1 · May 2, 2024
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