Patents by Inventor George C. Tunis
George C. Tunis 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: 8739675Abstract: An armor panel system has a projectile-deflecting section having an outwardly facing surface. The projectile-deflecting section is formed of a material arranged in parallel layers, the layers arranged at a non-parallel angle to the outer surface. The non-parallel angles deflect or rotate an incoming projectile.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Hardwire, LLCInventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall, Stephen L. Kinnebrew
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Patent number: 8584572Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more structural vent channels for blast energy and gas and debris dissipation. The structural enclosure of a vehicle includes a hull floor and encloses or defines a compartment for crew, cargo, or crew and cargo. The channel provides a passage through, around, or through and around the vehicle, by which blast energy and debris can be dissipated from explosions beneath the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Hardwire, LLCInventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall
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Patent number: 8578834Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more structural vent channels for blast energy and gas and debris dissipation. The structural enclosure of a vehicle includes a hull floor and encloses or defines a compartment for crew, cargo, or crew and cargo. The channel provides a passage through, around, or through and around the vehicle, by which blast energy and debris can be dissipated from explosions beneath the vehicle. Objects can be mounted within, above, or below the channel with breakaway mounting fixtures. The channel can serve as a storage compartment for objects that would be sacrificed during a blast.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Hardwire, LLCInventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall
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Publication number: 20130033056Abstract: An energy absorbing system for blast mitigation is provided for a suspended support element, such as a gunner seat or medical stretcher, in a vehicle. An energy absorbing element is located in series within at least one suspension element of the seat or stretcher. The energy absorbing element includes an extensible section having a contracted, folded configuration and an extended configuration. A retention element, such as stitching or entangled interlocking fibers, retains the energy absorbing element in the contracted configuration. The retention element remains intact when the energy absorbing element supports a load from the person on the seat or stretcher and fails over a period of time when an explosive force is applied to the vehicle from underneath, causing the vehicle to move upwardly, the extensible section thereby extending in length and absorbing energy. Injury to the person can thereby be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventors: George C. Tunis, III, Scott Kendall
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Publication number: 20120193940Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more structural vent channels for blast energy and gas and debris dissipation. The structural enclosure of a vehicle includes a hull floor and encloses or defines a compartment for crew, cargo, or crew and cargo. The channel provides a passage through, around, or through and around the vehicle, by which blast energy and debris can be dissipated from explosions beneath the vehicle. Objects can be mounted within, above, or below the channel with breakaway mounting fixtures. The channel can serve as a storage compartment for objects that would be sacrificed during a blast.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall
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Publication number: 20120186424Abstract: An armor panel system has a projectile-deflecting section having an outwardly facing surface. The projectile-deflecting section is formed of a material arranged in parallel layers, the layers arranged at a non-parallel angle to the outer surface. The non-parallel angles deflect or rotate an incoming projectile.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2008Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall, Stephen L. Kinnebrew
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Patent number: 8006605Abstract: An armor panel system has a strike face assemblage formed of a hard material layer of discrete elements or tiles and a fiber reinforcement bonded to the tiles. The fiber reinforcement includes a layer of cup-shaped staples aligned and bonded to an inner surface of an associated tile and having legs that extend into gaps between side edges of adjacent tiles. The tiles and fiber reinforcement are encapsulated in a matrix material. The armor panel system also includes a support and containment assemblage having a support plate and a containment element. The containment element is fastened to and supported by the support plate along a periphery by stitching, which allows the containment element to act as a net to catch and contain fragments. A bonding layer joins the strike face assemblage and the support and containment assemblage. The bonding layer includes a mesh embedded in an adhesive material.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Hardware, LLCInventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall
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Patent number: 7997181Abstract: A multi-layer ballistic or armor panel system includes a hard component strike layer that is a continuous planar assembly of tile elements, the planar assembly having a strike surface and a rear surface. Seams between the tile elements are substantially non-perpendicular to the strike surface, thereby tending to deflect incoming projectiles. Grooves may be formed in one or more of the strike surface and the rear surface of the tile elements to provide a preferential weakness. The armor panel system may also include a reinforcing layer on at least one of the strike surface and the rear surface. A backing layer may be provided after the rear surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Hardwire, LLCInventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall, Stephen L. Kinnebrew
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Publication number: 20110148147Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more structural vent channels for blast energy and gas and debris dissipation. The structural enclosure of a vehicle includes a hull floor and encloses or defines a compartment for crew, cargo, or crew and cargo. The channel provides a passage through, around, or through and around the vehicle, by which blast energy and debris can be dissipated from explosions beneath the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall
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Patent number: 7959058Abstract: The present invention's composite-to-metal attachment methodology—bolt-free and adhesive-free—features the implementation of an intermediary structure containing metallic fibrous material. The intermediary structure couples a first adherend (which contains nonmetallic fibrous material) with a second adherend (which contains metallic nonfibrous material). The intermediary structure's fibrous attribute is availed of for effecting its co-cure attachment to the first adherend. The intermediary structure's metallic attribute is availed of for effecting its weld attachment to the second adherend. According to typical inventive practice, respective panels of the first adherend and the intermediary structure are arranged and connected so as to describe a stepped configuration at the interface between the first adherend and the intermediary structure. The first adherend and a first portion of the intermediary structure are co-impregnated with a uniform resinous system and are co-cured.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Roger M. Crane, Robert DeNale, Harry E. Prince, Timothy L. Dapp, George C. Tunis, III
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Publication number: 20110088543Abstract: An armor panel system has a strike face assemblage formed of a hard material layer of discrete elements or tiles and a fiber reinforcement bonded to the tiles. The fiber reinforcement includes a layer of cup-shaped staples aligned and bonded to an inner surface of an associated tile and having legs that extend into gaps between side edges of adjacent tiles. The tiles and fiber reinforcement are encapsulated in a matrix material. The armor panel system also includes a support and containment assemblage having a support plate and a containment element. The containment element is fastened to and supported by the support plate along a periphery by stitching, which allows the containment element to act as a net to catch and contain fragments. A bonding layer joins the strike face assemblage and the support and containment assemblage. The bonding layer includes a mesh embedded in an adhesive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall
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Publication number: 20090095147Abstract: An armor panel system has a strike face assemblage formed of a hard material layer of discrete elements or tiles and a fiber reinforcement bonded to the tiles. The fiber reinforcement includes a layer of cup-shaped staples aligned and bonded to an inner surface of an associated tile and having legs that extend into gaps between side edges of adjacent tiles. The tiles and fiber reinforcement are encapsulated in a matrix material. The armor panel system also includes a support and containment assemblage having a support plate and a containment element. The containment element is fastened to and supported by the support plate along a periphery by stitching, which allows the containment element to act as a net to catch and contain fragments. A bonding layer joins the strike face assemblage and the support and containment assemblage. The bonding layer includes a mesh embedded in an adhesive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall
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Patent number: 6811877Abstract: A reinforcing structure designed for handling compression stress states when the structure is molded into a composite. The structure, specifically a wrapped cord with metallic filaments contained therein, is suitable for both compression and tension load forces. The reinforcing structure has a core comprising a plurality of essentially straight, nested filaments arranged in parallel, the filaments forming a line of contact with adjacent filaments that extends along the length of the filaments. Wrapped about the core is at least one helically wound wire.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Gary Allen Haislet, George C. Tunis, III, Emmanuel Albert Gooding
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Publication number: 20040166299Abstract: A reinforcing structure designed for handling compression stress states when the structure is molded into a composite. The structure, specifically a wrapped cord with metallic filaments contained therein, is suitable for both compression and tension load forces. The reinforcing structure has a core comprising a plurality of essentially straight, nested filaments arranged in parallel, the filaments forming a line of contact with adjacent filaments that extends along the length of the filaments. Wrapped about the core is at least one helically wound wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Gary Allen Haislet, George C. Tunis, Emmanuel Albert Gooding
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Patent number: 6773655Abstract: Large composite structures are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process incorporating a resin distribution network. The resin distribution network is provided by a textured sheet of metal formed as an integral vacuum bag and mold. The texture is formed by upraised portions on one side of the sheet which correspond with depressions on the other side. Valleys between the upraised portions form the resin distribution network. A fiber lay up is placed against the textural sheet with the upraised portions facing the lay up. Main feeder grooves are also formed directly in the sheet. Resin is supplied under vacuum to the main feeder grooves, from where it travels through the valleys of the textured sheet to impregnate the lay up.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1996Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: TPI Technology, Inc.Inventors: George C. Tunis, III, William H. Seemann, III
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Patent number: 6159414Abstract: Large composite structures are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. The structures incorporate cores, which may be hollow cells or foam blocks. A plurality of cores, each of which may be wrapped with a fiber material, is arranged in a layer on a mold with a fiber material arranged to form face skins. The assembly is sealed under a vacuum bag to a mold surface. One or more main feeder conduits are provided in communication with a resin distribution network of smaller channels which facilitates flow of uncured resin into and through the fiber material. The resin distribution network may comprise a network of grooves formed in the surfaces or the cores and/or rounded corners of the cores. The network of smaller channels may also be provided between the vacuum bag and the fiber material, either integrally in the vacuum bag or via a separate distribution medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: TPI Composites Inc.Inventors: George C. Tunis, III, Steven J. Winckler
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Patent number: 5958325Abstract: Large composite structures are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process incorporating a resin distribution network. The structure includes cores each having a main feeder groove or channel therein. A resin distribution network is provided adjacent the core surface in fluid communication with the feeder groove. In a first embodiment, the resin distribution network comprises a plurality of microgrooves formed in each core surface. In a second embodiment, the resin distribution network comprises a separate distribution medium surrounding each core. Each core and associated resin distribution network is covered with a fiber material. The dry lay-up is placed against a mold and encapsulated in a vacuum bag. Uncured resin is fed under vacuum directly into the main feeder groove in each core via a fitting through the bag. The resin flows from the main feeder groove through the resin distribution network and outwardly into the fiber material and is allowed to cure.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: TPI Technology, Inc.Inventors: William H. Seemann, III, George C. Tunis, III, Andrew P. Perrella, Rikard K. Haraldsson, William E. Everitt, Everett A. Pearson
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Patent number: 5904972Abstract: Large composite structures are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. The structures incorporate cores, which may be hollow cells or foam blocks. A plurality of cores, each of which may be wrapped with a fiber material, is arranged in a layer on a mold with a fiber material arranged to form face skins. The assembly is sealed under a vacuum bag to a mold surface. One or more main feeder conduits are provided in communication with a resin distribution network of smaller channels which facilitates flow of uncured resin into and through the fiber material. The resin distribution network may comprise a network of grooves formed in the surfaces or the cores and/or rounded corners of the cores. The network of smaller channels may also be provided between the vacuum bag and the fiber material, either integrally in the vacuum bag or via a separate distribution medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: TPI Technology Inc.Inventors: George C. Tunis, III, Steven J. Winckler
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Patent number: 5721034Abstract: Large composite structures are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process incorporating a resin distribution network. The structure includes cores each having a main feeder groove or channel therein. A resin distribution network is provided adjacent the core surface in fluid communication with the feeder groove. In a first embodiment, the resin distribution network comprises a plurality of microgrooves formed in each core surface. In a second embodiment, the resin distribution network comprises a separate distribution medium surrounding each core. Each core and associated resin distribution network is covered with a fiber material. The dry lay-up is placed against a mold and encapsulated in a vacuum bag. Uncured resin is fed under vacuum directly into the main feeder groove in each core via a fitting through the bag. The resin flows from the main feeder groove through the resin distribution network and outwardly into the fiber material and is allowed to cure.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Scrimp Systems, L.L.C.Inventors: William H. Seemann, III, George C. Tunis, III, Andrew P. Perrella, Rikard K. Haraldsson, William E. Everitt, Everett A. Pearson
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Patent number: D694333Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Hardwire, LLCInventors: George C. Tunis, Scott Kendall, Emily Heinauer