Patents by Inventor Brian P. Francis

Brian P. Francis 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).

  • Publication number: 20230415508
    Abstract: A heat shield for a wheel assembly may comprise a plurality of heat shield segments, a plurality of shield bumpers may be coupled to a radially outward surface of each heat shield segment, and a plurality of heat shield retainers coupled to the plurality of heat shield segments. Each heat shield retainer may include a first bumper standoff and a second bumper standoff located over a first radially outward surface of the heat shield retainer. Each of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper standoff may comprise an attachment portion coupled to the first radially outward surface of the heat shield retainer and a bumper portion defining a bumper opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Francis, MARCIN SZYMON SOKOLOWSKI, BARTLOMIEJ KAMIL ZUK
  • Publication number: 20230382159
    Abstract: A heat shield for a wheel assembly may comprise a plurality of heat shield segments and a plurality of heat shield retainers coupled to the plurality of heat shield segments. A plurality of shield bumpers may be coupled to a radially outward surface of each heat shield segment of the plurality of arcuate heat shield segments. A first retainer bumper may be located over a first radially outward surface of each heat shield retainer of the plurality of heat shield retainers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: JERRY MILLER, JACOB ALLEN DICKEL, BRIAN P. FRANCIS, NATHANIEL J. HERRMANN, JAY G. PETERSON, MARCIN SZYMON SOKOLOWSKI, BARTLOMIEJ KAMIL ZUK
  • Patent number: 11713111
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes an inboard wheel portion having a rim and a disk. A radially inward surface of the rim and an inboard surface of the disk define a wheel well cavity configured to house a brake assembly. The wheel assembly also includes a torque bar (e.g., a torque bar of the brake assembly) mounted to the inboard wheel portion. Further, the wheel assembly includes a retainer coupled to the torque bar and disposed radially between the torque bar and the radially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion. The retainer includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. The body includes opposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and retain a respective heat shield segment of a segmented annular heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian P. Francis, Gary C. Riebe, Paul J. Howard
  • Patent number: 11346418
    Abstract: A retainer for a segmented annular heat shield of a wheel includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. Both the first end and the second end are configured to be coupled to at least one of the wheel and a torque bar. Further, the body includes opposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and secure a respective heat shield segment of the segmented annular heat shield. Also, the retainer includes a cover coupled to and extending over at least the body, with an air gap being defined between the body and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Brian P. Francis
  • Publication number: 20200300320
    Abstract: A retainer for a segmented annular heat shield of a wheel includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. Both the first end and the second end are configured to be coupled to at least one of the wheel and a torque bar. Further, the body includes opposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and secure a respective heat shield segment of the segmented annular heat shield. Also, the retainer includes a cover coupled to and extending over at least the body, with an air gap being defined between the body and the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian P. Francis
  • Publication number: 20200298965
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes an inboard wheel portion having a rim and a disk. A radially inward surface of the rim and an inboard surface of the disk define a wheel well cavity configured to house a brake assembly. The wheel assembly also includes a torque bar (e.g., a torque bar of the brake assembly) mounted to the inboard wheel portion. Further, the wheel assembly includes a retainer coupled to the torque bar and disposed radially between the torque bar and the radially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion. The retainer includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. The body includes opposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and retain a respective heat shield segment of a segmented annular heat shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian P. Francis, GARY C. RIEBE, PAUL J. HOWARD