Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Alden

Ralph E. Alden 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).

  • Patent number: 7322546
    Abstract: The present development relates to an improved wing having a tip tank assembly. The tip tank assembly is attached to a distal end of an outer wing section. The tip tank assembly includes a tank, a pair of mounting brackets and a fairing assembly. The fairing assembly includes a nose piece, a central piece, a tail piece, an inner end plate, and an upper close out piece. The inner end plate extends perpendicularly downward from a lower surface of the outer wing section eventually terminating at a bottom portion of the central piece. The inner end plate acts as an air dam to trap high pressure air that is generated during flight, substantially increasing the lift of the wing. Lastly, the upper close out piece extends between an upper wing surface and an upper portion of the central piece increasing the overall wingspan of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Harry T. Snow, Jr., Ralph E. Alden
  • Patent number: 5141178
    Abstract: An aerial refueling system includes a reel mounted for rotation about a central axis for winding and unwinding a hose. A sheave is provided to receive the hose as it leaves the reel and to change the direction of the hose so that it trails axially of the reel. The sheave is mounted on a non-rotating carriage which is supported by the reel and moves axially along the reel as the reel rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Whittaker Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Alden, Guy G. Vennero