Patents by Inventor Alex X. Zhu

Alex X. Zhu 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).

  • Configurable cooling assembly and cooling method
    Patent number: 11117336
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing the temperature of heat sensitive material located near a repair patch being thermally cured on a composite skin using a heating blanket. The method comprises configuring an assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks to fit within a space between the heating blanket and the heat sensitive material. The assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks is then installed against the skin within the space, forming a heat sink that conducts a portion of heat out of the composite skin away from the heat sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alex X. Zhu, Daniel A. Charles
  • Thermal management device and method using phase change material
    Patent number: 10828853
    Abstract: A device manages thermal energy applied to a composite patch on a structure having a heat sink. The device includes an enclosure configured to be placed on the structure overlying the composite patch, and a phase change material within the enclosure for absorbing the thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alex X. Zhu
  • Configurable Cooling Assembly and Cooling Method
    Publication number: 20200223163
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing the temperature of heat sensitive material located near a repair patch being thermally cured on a composite skin using a heating blanket. The method comprises configuring an assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks to fit within a space between the heating blanket and the heat sensitive material. The assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks is then installed against the skin within the space, forming a heat sink that conducts a portion of heat out of the composite skin away from the heat sensitive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Alex X. Zhu, Daniel A. Charles
  • Trimmable heat blanket and heating method
    Patent number: 10306709
    Abstract: An electrical heat blanket includes an array of individual resistive heating element circuits that are spaced apart from each other. The heat blanket is trimmed to a desired size and/or shape by severing the blanket along cut lines between the circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alex X. Zhu
  • Trimmable Heat Blanket and Heating Method
    Publication number: 20180235031
    Abstract: An electrical heat blanket includes an array of individual resistive heating element circuits that are spaced apart from each other. The heat blanket is trimmed to a desired size and/or shape by severing the blanket along cut lines between the circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Alex X. Zhu
  • Thermal Management Device and Method Using Phase Change Material
    Publication number: 20180149437
    Abstract: A device manages thermal energy applied to a composite patch on a structure having a heat sink. The device includes an enclosure configured to be placed on the structure overlying the composite patch, and a phase change material within the enclosure for absorbing the thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventor: Alex X. Zhu
  • Configurable Cooling Assembly and Cooling Method
    Publication number: 20180147800
    Abstract: An assembly of thermally conductive cooling blocks is configured to be placed against a composite skin between a heating blanket used to thermally cure a composite repair patch and a structure formed of a heat sensitive material. The cooling block assembly conducts heat away from the skin to prevent overheating of the heat sensitive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Alex X. Zhu, Daniel A. Charles