Patents by Inventor Eric George Gruner

Eric George Gruner 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).

  • Apparatus and methods for limiting trailing edge deflection in aircraft folding wing tips
    Patent number: 11945578
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for limiting trailing edge deflection in aircraft folding wing tips are disclosed herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a fixed wing portion. The fixed wing portion includes an outboard rib. The aircraft wing also includes a wing tip moveably coupled to the fixed wing portion. The wing tip is moveable between an extended position and a folded position. The wing tip includes an inboard rib that is disposed in a trailing edge section of the wing tip. The wing tip includes a stop plate coupled to the inboard rib. The stop plate extends inboard from the inboard rib such that when the wing tip is in the extended position, the stop plate is disposed below a portion of the outboard rib of the fixed wing portion to limit upward deflection of the trailing edge section of the wing tip relative to the fixed wing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Olds, Eric George Gruner, Billy P. Tung, Eric Dwight Blohm
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LIMITING TRAILING EDGE DEFLECTION IN AIRCRAFT FOLDING WING TIPS
    Publication number: 20230118630
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for limiting trailing edge deflection in aircraft folding wing tips are disclosed herein. An example aircraft wing disclosed herein includes a fixed wing portion. The fixed wing portion includes an outboard rib. The aircraft wing also includes a wing tip moveably coupled to the fixed wing portion. The wing tip is moveable between an extended position and a folded position. The wing tip includes an inboard rib that is disposed in a trailing edge section of the wing tip. The wing tip includes a stop plate coupled to the inboard rib. The stop plate extends inboard from the inboard rib such that when the wing tip is in the extended position, the stop plate is disposed below a portion of the outboard rib of the fixed wing portion to limit upward deflection of the trailing edge section of the wing tip relative to the fixed wing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Olds, Eric George Gruner, Billy P. Tung, Eric Dwight Blohm