Patents by Inventor Gregory Piedmont
Gregory Piedmont 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: 9751251Abstract: A vacuum-forming system for deforming a forming blank is disclosed. The system includes a tool and at least one regulator bag disposed adjacent to the tool. The regulator bag includes a sealed bag having an exterior and an interior and a first volume and a defined passage from the interior to the exterior of the regulator bag. The passage is configured such that the regulator bag has a rate of deflation wherein the sealed bag will deflate from the first volume to a second volume over a determined period of time while the exterior of the sealed bag is at a determined reduced pressure. The system also includes a vacuum membrane coupled to the tool, the membrane configured to form a vacuum space enclosing the forming blank and the at least one regulator bag.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory Piedmont, Mike Malis
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Patent number: 8920587Abstract: A small-diameter composite tube may be formed by hand rolling. A slip sheet may be placed on a work surface, and then a composite sheet may be placed on the slip sheet. A mandrel may be placed at a first edge of the composite sheet, and a portion of the slip sheet may be folded over the mandrel, and the first edge of the composite sheet, such that the mandrel is enclosed in the slip sheet. A compression bar may then be placed on the folded-over portion of the slip sheet and force may be applied, causing the slip sheet to contact the mandrel. Then, the folded-over portion of the slip sheet may be pulled away from the mandrel while force is maintained on the compression bar. As the folded-over portion of the slip sheet is pulled, the composite sheet may wind around the mandrel, forming the composite tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Gregory Piedmont, Mike Malis
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Publication number: 20140306385Abstract: A vacuum-forming system for deforming a forming blank is disclosed. The system includes a tool and at least one regulator bag disposed adjacent to the tool. The regulator bag includes a sealed bag having an exterior and an interior and a first volume and a defined passage from the interior to the exterior of the regulator bag. The passage is configured such that the regulator bag has a rate of deflation wherein the sealed bag will deflate from the first volume to a second volume over a determined period of time while the exterior of the sealed bag is at a determined reduced pressure. The system also includes a vacuum membrane coupled to the tool, the membrane configured to form a vacuum space enclosing the forming blank and the at least one regulator bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Gregory PIEDMONT, Mike MALIS
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Patent number: 8795574Abstract: A vacuum-forming system for deforming a forming blank is disclosed. The system includes a tool and at least one regulator bag disposed adjacent to the tool. The regulator bag includes a sealed bag having an exterior and an interior and a first volume and a defined passage from the interior to the exterior of the regulator bag. The passage is configured such that the regulator bag has a rate of deflation wherein the sealed bag will deflate from the first volume to a second volume over a determined period of time while the exterior of the sealed bag is at a determined reduced pressure. The system also includes a vacuum membrane coupled to the tool, the membrane configured to form a vacuum space enclosing the forming blank and the at least one regulator bag.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Gregory Piedmont, Mike Malis
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Patent number: 8760308Abstract: A system for providing feedback to an operator regarding a speed at which the operator is passing a treatment device over a surface compared to an ideal speed is disclosed. The system includes a reference module configured to provide an optical beam, a sensing module configured to detect the optical beam and providing a signal related to a speed of the optical beam passing over the sensing module, and an electronics module configured to receive the signal from the sensing module and provide an indication of whether the speed of the beam is less than, equal to, or greater than an ideal speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Gregory Piedmont
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Publication number: 20130299073Abstract: A contour caul including two or more higher Tg regions that follow geometries of a composite structure and an expansion region located between the higher Tg regions. The expansion region has a lower glass-liquid transition temperature than the higher Tg regions. Also, a method making a composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: Gregory PIEDMONT
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Publication number: 20130099932Abstract: A system for providing feedback to an operator regarding a speed at which the operator is passing a treatment device over a surface compared to an ideal speed is disclosed. The system includes a reference module configured to provide an optical beam, a sensing module configured to detect the optical beam and providing a signal related to a speed of the optical beam passing over the sensing module, and an electronics module configured to receive the signal from the sensing module and provide an indication of whether the speed of the beam is less than, equal to, or greater than an ideal speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Gregory Piedmont
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Patent number: 8347572Abstract: A lightweight beam may have a triangular prism core and a triaxial fabric cover wrapped around the core, with at least one rod proximate an apex of the core. The rod may extend substantially parallel to a centerline of the core. Multiple lightweight beams may be joined to form a larger lightweight structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Gregory Piedmont
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Publication number: 20120266561Abstract: A lightweight beam may have a triangular prism core and a triaxial fabric cover wrapped around the core, with at least one rod proximate an apex of the core. The rod may extend substantially parallel to a centerline of the core. Multiple lightweight beams may be joined to form a larger lightweight structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: Gregory PIEDMONT
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Publication number: 20120267000Abstract: A small-diameter composite tube may be formed by hand rolling. A slip sheet may be placed on a work surface, and then a composite sheet may be placed on the slip sheet. A mandrel may be placed at a first edge of the composite sheet, and a portion of the slip sheet may be folded over the mandrel, and the first edge of the composite sheet, such that the mandrel is enclosed in the slip sheet. A compression bar may then be placed on the folded-over portion of the slip sheet and force may be applied, causing the slip sheet to contact the mandrel. Then, the folded-over portion of the slip sheet may be pulled away from the mandrel while force is maintained on the compression bar. As the folded-over portion of the slip sheet is pulled, the composite sheet may wind around the mandrel, forming the composite tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Gregory Piedmont, Mike Malis
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Publication number: 20120261853Abstract: A vacuum-forming system for deforming a forming blank is disclosed. The system includes a tool and at least one regulator bag disposed adjacent to the tool. The regulator bag includes a sealed bag having an exterior and an interior and a first volume and a defined passage from the interior to the exterior of the regulator bag. The passage is configured such that the regulator bag has a rate of deflation wherein the sealed bag will deflate from the first volume to a second volume over a determined period of time while the exterior of the sealed bag is at a determined reduced pressure. The system also includes a vacuum membrane coupled to the tool, the membrane configured to form a vacuum space enclosing the forming blank and the at least one regulator bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory Piedmont, Mike Malis
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Publication number: 20070119362Abstract: A banner-carrying apparatus which reduces the folding and winding up of the banner or flag about the banner-carrying pole by using a tubular sleeve coaxially, annularly and rotatively mounted about a flag pole shaft. Low friction bearing surfaces allow the sleeve to freely rotate unwinding, through the force of gravity, a flag which has been wound upon it. Specialized clamps provide adjustable and releasable securing of the flag to the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: May 31, 2007Inventor: Gregory Piedmont
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Publication number: 20050241566Abstract: A banner-carrying apparatus which reduces the folding and winding up of the banner or flag about the banner-carrying pole by using a tubular sleeve coaxially, annularly and rotatively mounted about a flag pole shaft. Low friction bearing surfaces allow the sleeve to freely rotate unwinding, through the force of gravity, a flag which has been wound upon it. Specialized clamps provide adjustable and releasable securing of the flag to the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2004Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventor: Gregory Piedmont