Patents by Inventor John C. Rufino
John C. Rufino 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: 10106243Abstract: An apparatus for selectively increasing a wing area of an aircraft having a fuselage with an interior space includes an inflatable wing moveable between a stowed condition located in the interior space and a deployed condition located outside the interior space. A plurality of reels is secured to the aircraft. A plurality of suspension lines connects the wing to the reels. At least one reel is operable to unwind a corresponding suspension line to allow the wing to inflate to the deployed condition exclusively by ram air generated by movement of the aircraft. A method of use for a deployable wing is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Keavney, John C. Rufino
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Patent number: 9809295Abstract: A sealing system for an aircraft having an opening and a door movable between an open condition spaced from the opening and a closed condition covering and sealing the opening includes a cover plate connected to the aircraft adjacent the opening. A first magnetic coupling secured to the cover plate includes a first plurality of magnets. A second magnetic coupling configured for securing to the door includes a second plurality of magnets. The first magnetic coupling is repelled by the second magnetic coupling when the couplings have a first degree of alignment with one another. This causes the cove plot move away from the door. The first magnetic coupling is attracted to the second magnetic coupling when the couplings have a second degree of alignment with one another greater than the first degree, causing the magnetic couplings to engage one another and seal the opening in the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Robert E. Bauer, John C. Rufino
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Publication number: 20170291683Abstract: An apparatus for selectively increasing a wing area of an aircraft having a fuselage with an interior space includes an inflatable wing moveable between a stowed condition located in the interior space and a deployed condition located outside the interior space. A plurality of reels is secured to the aircraft. A plurality of suspension lines connects the wing to the reels. At least one reel is operable to unwind a corresponding suspension line to allow the wing to inflate to the deployed condition exclusively by ram air generated by movement of the aircraft. A method of use for a deployable wing is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: THOMAS E. KEAVNEY, JOHN C. RUFINO
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Patent number: 9689412Abstract: A magnetic fastener assembly for securing an access panel to an aircraft structure. A panel magnetic foundation member is rigidly secured to a surface of the panel facing the aircraft structure and a land magnetic foundation member is rigidly secured to a surface of the aircraft structure facing the panel. A planar magnet is positioned between the panel magnetic foundation member and the land magnetic foundation member and being magnetically coupled thereto so as to secure the panel to the aircraft structure. A separation device, such as a pneumatic bladder, is positioned between the panel and the land structure and adjacent to the magnet, and is rigidly secured to the aircraft structure. The separation device is actuated to apply pressure to the panel and break the magnetic attraction between one or both of the panel magnetic foundation member and the magnet or the land magnetic foundation member and the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Charles R. Smith, Cory M. Combs, John C. Rufino, Matthew A. Neal
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Patent number: 7267637Abstract: An exercise trainer having a first crank arm and a second crank arm respectively connected to a first foot link and a second foot link with foot pedals supported on the foot links, and bearing supports for the foot links removed from the crank arms. A flexible connection connects a ground point, the foot pedals, and the foot links to provide relative movement in a modified ellipse as to the ground point of at least twice the length of each crank arm. A seat is mounted on the trainer having a motor and control for raising and lowering the seat with respect to the foot pedals. The first and second crank arms are connected to a motor for driving the crank arms at a given speed which can supplement a user's effort or provide a load to a user beyond a given speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Unisen, Inc.Inventors: Fred Mercado, John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh
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Patent number: 7025710Abstract: An exercise trainer with a stride multiplier mounted on a base having crank arms rotationally supported on the base with foot links connected to the crank arms at one end and supported for movement distally from the crank arms. Foot pedals are respectively supported for longitudinal movement on the foot links with a flexible connection between the foot pedals and a ground connection on the base and the foot links to provide a generally elliptical movement of the foot pedals. Pivotal levers having at least one portion connected for movement with the foot links are connected to the foot links by a pivotal connection. The pivotal levers have an upper portion with handles and a lower portion with at least a portion that can be disengaged from movement with the foot links.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Unisen, Inc.Inventors: Kevin P. Corbalis, John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh
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Publication number: 20050250621Abstract: An exercise trainer with a stride multiplier mounted on a base having crank arms rotationally supported on the base with foot links connected to the crank arms at one end and supported for movement distally from the crank arms. Foot pedals are respectively supported for longitudinal movement on the foot links with a flexible connection between the foot pedals and a ground connection on the base and the foot links to provide a generally elliptical movement of the foot pedals. Pivotal levers having at least one portion connected for movement with the foot links are connected to the foot links by a pivotal connection. The pivotal levers have an upper portion with handles and a lower portion with at least a portion that can be disengaged from movement with the foot links.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Inventors: Kevin P. Corbalis, John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh
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Patent number: 6908416Abstract: An exercise trainer having a first crank arm and a second crank arm respectively connected to a first foot link and a second foot link with foot pedals supported on the foot links, and bearing supports for the foot links removed from the crank arms. A flexible connection connects a ground point, the foot pedals, and the foot links to provide relative movement in a modified ellipse as to the ground point of at least twice the length of each crank arm. A seat is mounted on the trainer having a motor and control for raising and lowering the seat with respect to the foot pedals. The first and second crank arms are connected to a motor for driving the crank arms at a given speed which can supplement a user's effort or provide a load to a user beyond a given speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Unisen, Inc.Inventors: Fred Mercado, John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh
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Patent number: 6575877Abstract: An exercise trainer having a frame with a flywheel supported on the frame and first and second crank arms having a common axle on the flywheel. A first foot link and a second foot link are respectively connected to the crank arms for pivotal reciprocating movement. The links have channel tracks and an elongated tunnel. Bearing surfaces support the first foot links rearwardly and engage the channels. Foot pedals are mounted on the foot links for relative movement on the foot links. A flexible member such as a belt, cable, or chain is connected to the foot pedal. A lower portion of the flexible member is connected to a fixed location or ground on the frame. A forward and rearward rotational support such as a pulley receives the flexible member defining a lower portion wrapping around the pulleys and connected to the frame. The pulleys are mounted in the tunnel to provide movement of the foot pedals greater than twice the length of the crank arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Unisen, Inc.Inventors: John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh
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Publication number: 20020155927Abstract: An exercise trainer with a stride multiplier mounted on a base having crank arms rotationally supported on the base with foot links connected to the crank arms at one end and supported for movement distally from the crank arms. Foot pedals are respectively supported for longitudinal movement on the foot links with a flexible connection between the foot pedals and a ground connection on the base and the foot links to provide a generally elliptical movement of the foot pedals. Pivotal levers having at least one portion connected for movement with the foot links are connected to the foot links by a pivotal connection. The pivotal levers have an upper portion with handles and a lower portion with at least a portion that can be disengaged from movement with the foot links.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Kevin P. Corbalis, John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh
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Publication number: 20020049122Abstract: An exercise trainer having a first crank arm and a second crank arm respectively connected to a first foot link and a second foot link with foot pedals supported on the foot links, and bearing supports for the foot links removed from the crank arms. A flexible connection connects a ground point, the foot pedals, and the foot links to provide relative movement in a modified ellipse as to the ground point of at least twice the length of each crank arm. A seat is mounted on the trainer having a motor and control for raising and lowering the seat with respect to the foot pedals. The first and second crank arms are connected to a motor for driving the crank arms at a given speed which can supplement a user's effort or provide a load to a user beyond a given speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Fred Mercado, John C. Rufino, Young Ming Goh
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Publication number: 20020022553Abstract: An exercise trainer having a frame with a flywheel supported on the frame and first and second crank arms having a common axle on the flywheel. A first foot link and a second foot link are respectively connected to the crank arms for pivotal reciprocating movement. The links have channel tracks and an elongated tunnel. Bearing surfaces support the first foot links rearwardly and engage the channels. Foot pedals are mounted on the foot links for relative movement on the foot links. A flexible member such as a belt, cable, or chain is connected to the foot pedal. A lower portion of the flexible member is connected to a fixed location or ground on the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2000Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventors: John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh
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Patent number: 6183398Abstract: An exercise trainer having a frame with a flywheel supported on the frame and first and second crank arms having a common axle on the flywheel. A first foot link and a second foot link are respectively connected to the crank arms for pivotal reciprocating movement. The links have channel tracks and an elongated tunnel. Bearing surfaces support the first foot links rearwardly and engage the channels. Foot pedals are mounted on the foot links for relative movement on the foot links. A flexible member such as a belt, cable, or chain is connected to the foot pedal. A lower portion of the flexible member is connected to a fixed location or ground on the frame. A forward and rearward rotational support such as a pulley receives the flexible member defining a lower portion wrapping around the pulleys and connected to the frame. The pulleys are mounted in the tunnel to provide movement of the foot pedals greater than twice the length of the crank arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Unisen, Inc.Inventors: John C. Rufino, Yong Ming Goh