Patents by Inventor Edward Andrew Whalen

Edward Andrew Whalen 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: 10988240
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Edward Andrew Whalen
  • Patent number: 10934021
    Abstract: A method for aligning and joining a first structure to a second structure in an aircraft is provided. A spacer system having a shape memory alloy is positioned in a gap between the first structure and the second structure. The shape memory alloy is initially in a cooled state. A temperature of the shape memory alloy is increased such that the shape memory alloy changes from the cooled shape to a heated shape to fill the gap and apply a load to hold the first structure in place relative to the second structure. Additional processes may then be performed to join the first structure to the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James Henry Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Stephen K. Kirchmeier, Edward Andrew Whalen, Donald William Ruhmann
  • Publication number: 20200130865
    Abstract: A method for aligning and joining a first structure to a second structure in an aircraft is provided. A spacer system having a shape memory alloy is positioned in a gap between the first structure and the second structure. The shape memory alloy is initially in a cooled state. A temperature of the shape memory alloy is increased such that the shape memory alloy changes from the cooled shape to a heated shape to fill the gap and apply a load to hold the first structure in place relative to the second structure. Additional processes may then be performed to join the first structure to the second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: James Henry Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Stephen K. Kirchmeier, Edward Andrew Whalen, Donald William Ruhmann
  • Publication number: 20180346101
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Edward Andrew Whalen
  • Patent number: 10086927
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Edward Andrew Whalen
  • Publication number: 20170297680
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Edward Andrew Whalen
  • Patent number: 8490926
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies described herein provide for the creation of an actuating fluid flow utilizing a multi-stage actuator. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a fluid actuation system includes at least two stages, each stage having a plenum and one or two diaphragms acting on the plenum to create an actuating fluid flow. The diaphragms of each stage may be substantially aligned along an axis. The actuating flow is aggregated between stages and expelled into a fluid flow to be controlled. According to various aspects, the diaphragms may include piezoelectric discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan John Clingman, Edward Andrew Whalen
  • Patent number: 8350199
    Abstract: A launch vehicle comprising a casing, a solid propellant, a channel, a geometric feature, and a suppression structure. The solid propellant is located within the casing. The channel is through the solid propellant, and the geometric feature is in the channel. The suppression structure is located around a centerline for the channel and located upstream in a flow path from the geometric feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Valdis Kibens, Edward Andrew Whalen
  • Publication number: 20110186132
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies described herein provide for the creation of an actuating fluid flow utilizing a multi-stage actuator. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a fluid actuation system includes at least two stages, each stage having a plenum and one or two diaphragms acting on the plenum to create an actuating fluid flow. The diaphragms of each stage may be substantially aligned along an axis. The actuating flow is aggregated between stages and expelled into a fluid flow to be controlled. According to various aspects, the diaphragms may include piezoelectric discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Dan John Clingman, Edward Andrew Whalen
  • Publication number: 20100176247
    Abstract: A launch vehicle comprising a casing, a solid propellant, a channel, a geometric feature, and a suppression structure. The solid propellant is located within the casing. The channel is through the solid propellant, and the geometric feature is in the channel. The suppression structure is located around a centerline for the channel and located upstream in a flow path from the geometric feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Valdis Kibens, Edward Andrew Whalen