Patents by Inventor Brian C. Clapp

Brian C. Clapp 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: 10689086
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Patent number: 9738371
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Publication number: 20170183075
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Publication number: 20160251071
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Patent number: 8882040
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Patent number: 8869403
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Publication number: 20140165361
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Publication number: 20120061512
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Patent number: 8061035
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes
  • Patent number: 7325771
    Abstract: Structures and methods for joining composite fuselage sections and other panel assemblies together are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shell structure configured in accordance with the present invention includes a first panel portion positioned adjacent to a second panel portion. The first panel portion can include a first stiffener attached to a first composite skin, and the second panel portion can include a second stiffener attached to a second composite skin. The shell structure can further include a fitting extending across a first edge region of the first panel portion and a second edge region of the second panel portion. A first end portion of the fitting can be attached to the first stiffener and the first composite skin, and a second end portion of the fitting can be attached to a second stiffener and a second composite skin, to join the first panel portion to the second panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Stulc, Wallace C. Chan, Brian C. Clapp, Neal G. Rolfes