Patents by Inventor Alan Richard Douglas

Alan Richard Douglas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9738051
    Abstract: Adjoining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections are mechanically interlocked. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. A composite structure may be at least partially produced by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Publication number: 20160144592
    Abstract: Adjoining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections are mechanically interlocked. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. The invention also includes a composite structure at least partially produced by such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: ROHR,INC.
    Inventor: ALAN RICHARD DOUGLAS
  • Patent number: 9296044
    Abstract: Adjoining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections are mechanically interlocked. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. The invention also includes a composite structure at least partially produced by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Patent number: 8397865
    Abstract: Systems and methods for noise suppression are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an acoustic structure has a core that includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one or more engaging structures for positioning a septum relative to the cell. The acoustic structure further includes a plurality of septums positioned relative to the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Ray Listak
  • Publication number: 20120285768
    Abstract: Systems and methods for noise suppression are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an acoustic structure has a core that includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one or more engaging structures for positioning a septum relative to the cell. The acoustic structure further includes a plurality of septums positioned relative to the plurality of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Ray Listak
  • Patent number: 8235171
    Abstract: Systems and methods for noise suppression are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an acoustic structure has a core that includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one or more engaging structures for positioning a septum relative to the cell. The acoustic structure further includes a plurality of septums positioned relative to the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Ray Listak
  • Publication number: 20120037448
    Abstract: Systems and methods for noise suppression are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an acoustic structure has a core that includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one or more engaging structures for positioning a septum relative to the cell. The acoustic structure further includes a plurality of septums positioned relative to the plurality of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Ray Listak
  • Patent number: 8047329
    Abstract: Systems and methods for noise suppression are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an acoustic structure has a core that includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one or more engaging structures for positioning a septum relative to the cell. The acoustic structure further includes a plurality of septums positioned relative to the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Ray Listak
  • Patent number: 8028797
    Abstract: The invention includes a joint assembly for connecting first and second longitudinal edges of portions of an acoustic barrel or panel having an open cell core, a perforated inner skin, and an outer skin. The joint assembly includes at least one strip covering a plurality of openings in walls of cells along the first and second longitudinal edges. The strip is separate from the inner and outer skins. A plate includes a first portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the first longitudinal edge, and a second portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the second longitudinal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Publication number: 20110200786
    Abstract: Adjoining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections are mechanically interlocked. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. The invention also includes a composite structure at least partially produced by such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Patent number: 7954224
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of joining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. The invention also includes a composite structure at least partially produced by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Publication number: 20110072637
    Abstract: The invention includes a joint assembly for connecting first and second longitudinal edges of portions of an acoustic barrel or panel having an open cell core, a perforated inner skin, and an outer skin. The joint assembly includes at least one strip covering a plurality of openings in walls of cells along the first and second longitudinal edges. The strip is separate from the inner and outer skins. A plate includes a first portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the first longitudinal edge, and a second portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the second longitudinal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Patent number: 7866440
    Abstract: The invention includes a joint assembly for connecting first and second longitudinal edges of portions of an acoustic barrel or panel having an open cell core, a perforated inner skin, and an outer skin. The joint assembly includes at least one strip covering a plurality of openings in walls of cells along the first and second longitudinal edges. The strip is separate from the inner and outer skins. A plate includes a first portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the first longitudinal edge, and a second portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the second longitudinal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Patent number: 7861394
    Abstract: A method for making a composite tubular structure, such as the inner skin of an acoustic liner, includes providing a tool that is adjustable between a molding position and a non-molding position. The tool has a base on which are mounted a plurality of sectors, each sector having an outer panel provided with a predetermined shaped surface. The predetermined shaped surface corresponds to a portion of the contour of the tubular structure to be formed. At least one of the sectors is fixed relative to the base while the remaining sectors are movable in a radial direction and separable from all the other sectors. The method includes adjusting the movable sectors until the tool is in the molding position, applying composite material on an outer surface of each sector, curing the composite material to form an inner skin, and removing the inner skin from the outer surface. The thus-formed composite tubular structure may be remounted on the tool for bonding to additional exterior layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Gabriel Joseph Gutierrez, Mark Alan Ramsey, Steven Mark Ranum
  • Publication number: 20100170633
    Abstract: A tool for making a composite tubular structure, such as the inner skin of an acoustic liner, includes a base on which are mounted a plurality of sectors, each having an outer panel provided with a predetermined shaped surface. The predetermined shaped surface corresponds to a portion of the contour of the tubular structure to be formed. At least one of the sectors is fixed relative to the base while the remaining sectors are movable in a radial direction and separable from all the other sectors. The sectors are provided with air bearings to facilitate movement along a radial direction. Splice plates are used to form a joint between the outer panels of adjacent sectors. After composite material is applied on the outer panels, a vacuum bag is formed to surround the composite material and also the joint areas on the inner surface of the tool. The entire tool may be placed in an autoclave for curing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Gabriel Joseph Gutierrez, Mark Alan Ramsey, Steven Mark Ranum
  • Patent number: 7707708
    Abstract: A tool for making a composite tubular structure, such as the inner skin of an acoustic liner, includes a base on which are mounted a plurality of sectors, each having an outer panel provided with a predetermined shaped surface. The predetermined shaped surface corresponds to a portion of the contour of the tubular structure to be formed. At least one of the sectors is fixed relative to the base while the remaining sectors are movable in a radial direction and separable from all the other sectors. The sectors are provided with air bearings to facilitate movement along a radial direction. Splice plates are used to form a joint between the outer panels of adjacent sectors. After composite material is applied on the outer panels, a vacuum bag is formed to surround the composite material and also the joint areas on the inner surface of the tool. The entire tool may be placed in an autoclave for curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Richard Douglas, Gabriel Joseph Gutierrez, Mark Alan Ramsey, Steven Mark Ranum
  • Publication number: 20080047121
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of joining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. The invention also includes a composite structure at least partially produced by such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas
  • Publication number: 20080017442
    Abstract: The invention includes a joint assembly for connecting first and second longitudinal edges of portions of an acoustic barrel or panel having an open cell core, a perforated inner skin, and an outer skin. The joint assembly includes at least one strip covering a plurality of openings in walls of cells along the first and second longitudinal edges. The strip is separate from the inner and outer skins. A plate includes a first portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the first longitudinal edge, and a second portion connected to the outer skin proximate to the second longitudinal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Richard Douglas