Patents by Inventor Kirk D. Skaggs

Kirk D. Skaggs 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).

  • Publication number: 20210154501
    Abstract: An additively manufactured article is described. The additively manufactured article comprises a body, a plurality of channels integrated in the body, and an inlet fluidically coupled to at least one of the channels. The additively manufactured article further comprises pressurized fire suppressant in at least one of the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: William Ryan Cooper, Kirk D. Skaggs
  • Patent number: 9139262
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for transporting and reorienting an object on a base surface includes a first header coupled to a first side of the object, and a second header coupled to a second side of the object. The object is between the first and second headers. Each of the first and second headers includes a first flat surface that is contactable with the base surface for supporting the object in a first orientation, a second flat surface that is contactable with the base surface for supporting the object in a second orientation, and a curved surface that couples the first and second flat surfaces. The curved surface is contactable with the base surface as the object transitions between the first and second orientations. A radius of curvature of the curved surface is based on a position of a center of gravity of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kirk D. Skaggs, Gregory W. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8016650
    Abstract: An aircraft air distribution system includes a base and first and second arrays of nozzle air transfer ports in the base. An adjustable flow plate is positioned over the nozzle air transfer ports. A compressible member is located between the base and the adjustable flow plate and between the first and second arrays. First and second air ejector regions are located, respectively, on the sides of the compressible member between the base and the adjustable flow plate to connect to the first and second arrays, and direct air from the first and second arrays from the sides of the base. Fasteners moveably connect the adjustable flow plate to the base and are adjustable to change a size of different sections of the first and second air ejector regions to change an amount of airflow originating from the different sections of these regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond H. Horstman, Scott W. Bohm, Kenneth J. Walter, Steven L. Williams, Kirk D. Skaggs, John M. Brown, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Publication number: 20080139100
    Abstract: An aircraft air distribution system includes a base and first and second arrays of nozzle air transfer ports in the base. An adjustable flow plate is positioned over the nozzle air transfer ports. A compressible member is located between the base and the adjustable flow plate and between the first and second arrays. First and second air ejector regions are located, respectively, on the sides of the compressible member between the base and the adjustable flow plate to connect to the first and second arrays, and direct air from the first and second arrays from the sides of the base. Fasteners moveably connect the adjustable flow plate to the base and are adjustable to change a size of different sections of the first and second air ejector regions to change an amount of airflow originating from the different sections of these regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond H. Horstman, Scott W. Bohm, Kenneth J. Walter, Steven L. Williams, Kirk D. Skaggs, John M. Brown, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 7287701
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a spatial position of interest in an assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of determining a reference position of reference unit; moving the reference unit from the reference position to the first spatial position; inertially measuring a displacement of the reference unit while the reference unit is unilluminated by an illuminator; and determining the first position from the reference position, illuminator energy reflected from the reference unit, and the inertially measured displacement of the reference unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Miller, William O. Price, Kirk D. Skaggs
  • Patent number: 6254812
    Abstract: A tooling concept uses a compliant forming surface for forming composite parts. The tooling concept utilizes a rigid support substructure that has a thin compliant forming surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tooling concept is used to form a composite sine wave spar. A preferred embodiment of the tooling concept includes upper and lower tool inserts and side tool inserts. The upper tool insert has a compliant forming surface that is located in between a rigid support substructure and the composite material used to form the composite part. Composite prepreg is laid up over a sine wave contour on the upper and lower tool inserts to form upper and lower U-shaped composite workpieces. The upper and lower tool inserts and workpieces are then brought together to form a sine wave I-beam. Radius fillers are then applied to the intersections between the upper and lower composite workpieces and cap strips are placed over the flanges of the joined composite workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventors: Harold M. Goodridge, Kirk D. Skaggs
  • Patent number: 6024555
    Abstract: A tooling concept uses a compliant forming surface for forming composite parts. The tooling concept utilizes a rigid support substructure that has a thin compliant forming surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tooling concept is used to form a composite sine wave spar. A preferred embodiment of the tooling concept includes upper and lower tool inserts and side tool inserts. The upper tool insert has a compliant forming surface that is located in between a rigid support substructure and the composite material used to form the composite part. Composite prepreg is laid up over a sine wave contour on the upper and lower tool inserts to form upper and lower U-shaped composite workpieces. The upper and lower tool inserts and workpieces are then brought together to form a sine wave I-beam. Radius fillers are then applied to the intersections between the upper and lower composite workpieces and cap strips are placed over the flanges of the joined composite workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Harold M. Goodridge, Kirk D. Skaggs
  • Patent number: 5714179
    Abstract: A tooling concept having a compliant forming surface for forming composite parts. The tooling concept utilizes a rigid support substructure that has a thin compliant forming surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tooling concept is used to form a composite sine wave spar. A preferred embodiment of the tooling concept includes upper and lower tool inserts and side tool inserts. The upper tool insert has a compliant forming surface that is located in between a rigid support substructure and the composite material used to form the composite part. Composite prepreg is laid up over a sine wave contour on the upper and lower tool inserts to form upper and lower U-shaped composite workpieces. The upper and lower tool inserts and workpieces are then brought together to form a sine wave I-beam. Radius fillers are then applied to the intersections between the upper and lower composite workpieces and cap strips are placed over the flanges of the joined composite workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Harold M. Goodridge, Kirk D. Skaggs