Patents by Inventor Bret A. Voss
Bret A. Voss 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).
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Patent number: 11541575Abstract: A first tooling die and a second tooling die are movable with respect to each other. The first tooling die and the second tooling die form a die cavity. The first tooling die and the second tooling die comprise a plurality of stacked metal sheets. A plurality of air gaps is defined between adjacent stacked metal sheets. A first smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and connected to the first tooling die. The first smart susceptor material has a first Curie temperature. A second smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and associated with the second tooling die. The second smart susceptor material has a second Curie temperature lower than the first Curie temperature. A flexible membrane is between the second tooling die and the first smart susceptor material. The flexible membrane is configured to receive pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, Timothy J. Luchini, Bret A. Voss, Christopher J. Hottes
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Patent number: 11485053Abstract: Heating apparatus and methods for thermally processing a part including improved control of temperature. A thermal management system is coupled to a back surface of a table thermally coupled to an inductive heating circuit. The thermal management system includes a chamber defining an interior space, at least one cooling fin disposed within the chamber, an inlet extending through the chamber and fluidly communicating with the interior space, and an outlet extending through the chamber and fluidly communicating with the interior space. In some applications, an air source fluidly communicates with the inlet and is selectively operable to generate an air flow through the chamber, so that the thermal management system may be selectively operated in an insulator mode and a cooling mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen, Jeffrey H. Olberg, James R. Jones
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Patent number: 11440224Abstract: Heating apparatus and methods for forming a part with a non-planar shape include a table formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface. A tool, also formed of a thermally conductive material, has a base surface configured to engage the table surface of the table and a tooling surface opposite the base surface, wherein the tooling surface has a contoured shape that is non-planar. A heating blanket is provided above the table and defines a heating surface. The tooling surface of the tool is configured to engage a first surface of the part and the heating surface of the heating blanket is configured to engage a second surface of the part opposite the first surface of the part. The table and the heating blanket are heated to a processing temperature so that the part at least partially conforms to the tooling surface of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen, Jeffrey H. Olberg, John F. Spalding
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Patent number: 11399416Abstract: A heating apparatus for thermally processing a part includes a table formed of a thermally conductive material and a table inductive heating circuit thermally coupled to the table. The table inductive heating circuit comprising a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other. Each table induction coil circuit includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. First and second table induction coil circuits have pairs of segments positioned adjacent each other that are configured to carry current in opposite directions. In some examples, the table induction coil circuits have partially nested, rectilinear hook shapes. In other examples, the table induction coil circuits overlap each other at rhombus-shaped turns.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen
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Patent number: 11284482Abstract: A heating blanket includes an interlaced heating layer having a fabric thread and a heat-generating thread interlaced with the fabric thread to form the interlaced heating layer. The heat-generating thread includes a conductor wire configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electrical current applied to the conductor wire, and a susceptor wire formed of a susceptor material configured to inductively generate heat in response to the magnetic field of the conductor wire when a temperature of the susceptor wire is below a Curie point of the susceptor wire. Methods of forming the heating blanket and methods of heating a contoured surface using the heating blanket are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen
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Publication number: 20210001515Abstract: A first tooling die and a second tooling die are movable with respect to each other. The first tooling die and the second tooling die form a die cavity. The first tooling die and the second tooling die comprise a plurality of stacked metal sheets. A plurality of air gaps is defined between adjacent stacked metal sheets. A first smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and connected to the first tooling die. The first smart susceptor material has a first Curie temperature. A second smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and associated with the second tooling die. The second smart susceptor material has a second Curie temperature lower than the first Curie temperature. A flexible membrane is between the second tooling die and the first smart susceptor material. The flexible membrane is configured to receive pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Timothy J. Luchini, Bret A. Voss, Christopher J. Hottes
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Patent number: 10814526Abstract: A first tooling die and a second tooling die are movable with respect to each other. The first tooling die and the second tooling die form a die cavity. The first tooling die and the second tooling die comprise a plurality of stacked metal sheets. A plurality of air gaps is defined between adjacent stacked metal sheets. A first smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and connected to the first tooling die. The first smart susceptor material has a first Curie temperature. A second smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and associated with the second tooling die. The second smart susceptor material has a second Curie temperature lower than the first Curie temperature. A flexible membrane is between the second tooling die and the first smart susceptor material. The flexible membrane is configured to receive pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, Timothy J. Luchini, Bret A. Voss, Christopher J. Hottes
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Publication number: 20200164547Abstract: Heating apparatus and methods for forming a part with a non-planar shape include a table formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface. A tool, also formed of a thermally conductive material, has a base surface configured to engage the table surface of the table and a tooling surface opposite the base surface, wherein the tooling surface has a contoured shape that is non-planar. A heating blanket is provided above the table and defines a heating surface. The tooling surface of the tool is configured to engage a first surface of the part and the heating surface of the heating blanket is configured to engage a second surface of the part opposite the first surface of the part. The table and the heating blanket are heated to a processing temperature so that the part at least partially conforms to the tooling surface of the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen, Jeffrey H. Olberg, John F. Spalding
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Publication number: 20200170080Abstract: A heating apparatus for thermally processing a part includes a table formed of a thermally conductive material and a table inductive heating circuit thermally coupled to the table. The table inductive heating circuit comprising a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other. Each table induction coil circuit includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. First and second table induction coil circuits have pairs of segments positioned adjacent each other that are configured to carry current in opposite directions. In some examples, the table induction coil circuits have partially nested, rectilinear hook shapes. In other examples, the table induction coil circuits overlap each other at rhombus-shaped turns.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen
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Publication number: 20200164548Abstract: Heating apparatus and methods for thermally processing a part including improved control of temperature. A thermal management system is coupled to a back surface of a table thermally coupled to an inductive heating circuit. The thermal management system includes a chamber defining an interior space, at least one cooling fin disposed within the chamber, an inlet extending through the chamber and fluidly communicating with the interior space, and an outlet extending through the chamber and fluidly communicating with the interior space. In some applications, an air source fluidly communicates with the inlet and is selectively operable to generate an air flow through the chamber, so that the thermal management system may be selectively operated in an insulator mode and a cooling mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen, Jeffrey H. Olberg, James R. Jones
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Publication number: 20200084841Abstract: A heating blanket includes an interlaced heating layer having a fabric thread and a heat-generating thread interlaced with the fabric thread to form the interlaced heating layer. The heat-generating thread includes a conductor wire configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electrical current applied to the conductor wire, and a susceptor wire formed of a susceptor material configured to inductively generate heat in response to the magnetic field of the conductor wire when a temperature of the susceptor wire is below a Curie point of the susceptor wire. Methods of forming the heating blanket and methods of heating a contoured surface using the heating blanket are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bret A. Voss, Marc R. Matsen
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Patent number: 10350863Abstract: A panel includes a structural substrate and a damping element including a viscoelastic material (VEM) layer coupleable to the structural substrate of the aircraft, and a constraining layer coupled to the VEM layer. The VEM layer is configured to dampen a vibration of the structural substrate. The constraining layer is configured to apply a shear force to the VEM layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Alan E. Landmann, Mark A. Negley, Jaffar S. Iqbal, Bret A. Voss, Mark M. Gmerek, Giacomo Licciardi
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Publication number: 20190091893Abstract: A first tooling die and a second tooling die are movable with respect to each other. The first tooling die and the second tooling die form a die cavity. The first tooling die and the second tooling die comprise a plurality of stacked metal sheets. A plurality of air gaps is defined between adjacent stacked metal sheets. A first smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and connected to the first tooling die. The first smart susceptor material has a first Curie temperature. A second smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and associated with the second tooling die. The second smart susceptor material has a second Curie temperature lower than the first Curie temperature. A flexible membrane is between the second tooling die and the first smart susceptor material. The flexible membrane is configured to receive pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Timothy J. Luchini, Bret A. Voss, Christopher J. Hottes
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Patent number: 9805150Abstract: A computer system enables a noise level associated with a structural substrate to be reduced. The computer system includes a memory device for storing data, and a processor in communication with the memory device. The processor is programmed to define a modulus of elasticity, a thickness, and/or a distribution associated with one or more damping elements coupleable to the structural substrate, define at least one operating parameter associated with the structural substrate and the one or more damping elements, simulate a first performance of the structural substrate and/or the one or more damping elements to generate a first performance data set; and determine whether the first performance data set satisfies a predetermined threshold. The first performance data set is associated with the at least one operating parameter and the modulus of elasticity, the thickness, and/or the distribution associated with the one or more damping elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Alan E. Landmann, Mark A. Negley, Bret A. Voss, Jaffar S. Iqbal
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Patent number: 9789747Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Bret A. Voss, Mark A. Negley, William J. Sweet, Kevin R. Housen, Jason S. Damazo, Michael D. Gonzales, Michael Howard-Edward Ware, Lee Charles Firth
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Publication number: 20160332501Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Bret A. Voss, Mark A. Negley, William J. Sweet, Kevin R. Housen, Jason S. Damazo, Michael D. Gonzales, Michael Howard-Edward Ware, Lee Charles Firth
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Publication number: 20160034611Abstract: A computer system enables a noise level associated with a structural substrate to be reduced. The computer system includes a memory device for storing data, and a processor in communication with the memory device. The processor is programmed to define a modulus of elasticity, a thickness, and/or a distribution associated with one or more damping elements coupleable to the structural substrate, define at least one operating parameter associated with the structural substrate and the one or more damping elements, simulate a first performance of the structural substrate and/or the one or more damping elements to generate a first performance data set; and determine whether the first performance data set satisfies a predetermined threshold. The first performance data set is associated with the at least one operating parameter and the modulus of elasticity, the thickness, and/or the distribution associated with the one or more damping elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Alan E. Landmann, Mark A. Negley, Bret A. Voss, Jaffar S. Iqbal
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Publication number: 20160031195Abstract: A panel includes a structural substrate and a damping element including a viscoelastic material (VEM) layer coupleable to the structural substrate of the aircraft, and a constraining layer coupled to the VEM layer. The VEM layer is configured to dampen a vibration of the structural substrate. The constraining layer is configured to apply a shear force to the VEM layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Alan E. Landmann, Mark A. Negley, Jaffar S. Iqbal, Bret A. Voss, Mark M. Gmerek, Giacomo Licciardi
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Patent number: 8993806Abstract: Porous bulk materials formed of shape-persistent, non-collapsible, three-dimensional molecular cage building blocks are presented that are useful for a variety of applications including gas separation/storage, sensing, and catalysis.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body CorporateInventors: Wei Zhang, Richard D. Noble, Yinghua Jin, Bret A. Voss
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Publication number: 20130047849Abstract: Porous bulk materials formed of shape-persistent, non-collapsible, three-dimensional molecular cage building blocks are presented that are useful for a variety of applications including gas separation/storage, sensing, and catalysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Wei Zhang, Richard D. Noble, Yinghua Jin, Bret A. Voss