Patents by Inventor Alfred W. Harris

Alfred W. Harris 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: 4538843
    Abstract: A housing (14, 24) is mounted on each of two bodies. Each housing (14, 24) has an inwardly extending strut portion (16, 26) with an inner mating surface (18, 28). The mating surfaces (18, 28) are urged together to react a preload on the latch (12). The preload is provided by the tensioned engagement of a draw hook (62) and a catch pin (106). The draw hook (62) is pivotably mounted on a lever (42) that is pivotably mounted on housing (14). The catch pin (106) is slidably mounted on housing (24). The pivot axes of hook (62) and lever (42) are positioned to provide over-center latching action. A carrier (100) for the catch pin (106) has a shaft (102) that is threadedly engaged by a hollow internally threaded bolt (112). The outer end of the bolt (112) is axially engaged by a screw driver to adjust the longitudinal position of the carrier (100) along the load path to adjust the preload tensioning. Rotation of the carrier (100) is prevented by engagement of the carrier (100) in slots (142) in housing (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alfred W. Harris
  • Patent number: 4524485
    Abstract: First and second structures are hingedly connected by the engagement of a hinge pin (24) by a hinge knuckle (22). Knuckle (22) is rigidly mounted on the first structure. Pin (24) is attached to a carrier that is slidably mounted on the second structure. A spring, preferably a plurality of stacks of Belleville springs, is positioned between the carrier and the second structure. The slidable mount allows the two structures to move translationally relative to each other to prevent excessive hinge loads. The spring controls such movement and biases the hinge pin, and therefore the hinge axis, into a center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alfred W. Harris
  • Patent number: 4240250
    Abstract: A noise-suppressing air inlet having two coaxially arranged airflow channels to supply inlet air to a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The outer airflow channel has an annular cross-sectional geometry and is formed between the inner wall of a tubular outer cowling which forms the forward portion of the engine housing and the outer wall of a tubular inner cowling that is coaxially mounted within the outer cowling. The inner airflow channel is formed between the inner wall of the inner cowling and a forward projecting central hub of the gas turbine engine. Major portions of the walls of both the inner and outer cowling include sound attenuating panels to suppress noise propagating in the forward direction through both airflow channels of the air inlet. The inner cowling is supported within the outer cowling such that the leading edge of the inner cowling projects forwardly of the outer cowling leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alfred W. Harris
  • Patent number: 4216923
    Abstract: An aircraft thrust reverser having a plurality of doors rotatably secured to linkage members at each door's center, and rotatably secured to a carriage ring at one end. As the carriage ring moves toward the direction of travel of the aircraft, the linkage members cause the doors to extend in a forward slope, intercepting fan air and directing it outward and forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Boeing Commercial Airplane Company
    Inventor: Alfred W. Harris