Patents by Inventor Richard L. Kulesha
Richard L. Kulesha 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: 10538037Abstract: A composite laminate reinforcing tool may be used to form a reinforced joint at a bond line of a composite laminate structure. The tool may hold one or more clips having posts, and the tool may be positioned along the bond line between at least two composite laminate elements. Joint sections of the clip may be heated to increase a pliability of the joint section, and the tool may be actuated to drive the post through the at least two composite laminate elements. The posts may be deflected toward a base of the clip, thereby to seat the clip. The reinforced composite laminate structure may then be cured.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Publication number: 20170165900Abstract: A composite laminate reinforcing tool may be used to form a reinforced joint at a bond line of a composite laminate structure. The tool may hold one or more clips having posts, and the tool may be positioned along the bond line between at least two composite laminate elements. Joint sections of the clip may be heated to increase a pliability of the joint section, and the tool may be actuated to drive the post through the at least two composite laminate elements. The posts may be deflected toward a base of the clip, thereby to seat the clip. The reinforced composite laminate structure may then be cured.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 9663228Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling cargo. A cargo handling system may be positioned relative to the cargo. The cargo handling system may comprise a frame structure and an engagement system. The frame structure may be configured to change in a number of dimensions to encompass the cargo. The engagement system may be configured to engage the cargo. The number of dimensions of the frame structure may be adjusted to encompass the cargo. The cargo may be engaged with the engagement system.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 9610728Abstract: A composite laminate reinforcing tool may be used to form a reinforced joint at a bond line of a composite laminate structure. The tool may hold one or more clips having posts, and the tool may be positioned along the bond line between at least two composite laminate elements. Joint sections of the clip may be heated to increase a pliability of the joint section, and the tool may be actuated to drive the post through the at least two composite laminate elements. The posts, may deflect toward a base of the clip, thereby to seat the clip. The reinforced composite laminate structure may then be cured.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 9555881Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a rotor of a rotary wing aircraft, including a stationary frame, a rotary propulsion shaft extending through the frame, the propulsion shaft having a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion coupled to the first shaft portion at a joint, the first shaft portion being configured to be coupled to a drive unit and the second shaft portion being pivotable relative to a centerline of the first shaft portion in two degrees of freedom about the joint, and at least one actuator coupled to the stationary frame at one end and connected to the second shaft portion at the other end so that the second shaft portion rotates relative to the at least one actuator, the at least one actuator being configured to pivot the second shaft portion in the two degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 9533462Abstract: An apparatus includes a first tube, a motor, a support, and a tubular mold having an inside surface. The motor rotates the first tube and the tubular mold. A vacuum bag is disposed over the inside surface of the tubular mold. A plurality of second tubes and a plurality of third tubes extend radially from the first tube. The second and third tubes establish fluid communication between the first tube and a tubular space defined between the bag and the inside surface. A resin injection system is configured to inject a resin into the tubular space by conveying the resin first through the first tube, then injecting the resin through the plurality of second tubes into the bag such that the resin flows over a surface of a layer disposed inside the tubular space. A vacuum system is configured to produce a vacuum through the plurality of third tubes.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 9488291Abstract: A smart drain valve comprises a support plate, a bolt passing through a center of the support plate, an outer plate connected to a first end of the bolt, an inner plate connected to a second end of the bolt, and a spring positioned between the inner plate and the support plate. The spring is made of a shape memory material.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 9260176Abstract: Roller modules have roller assemblies that are retractable below a cargo floor. Each module includes a housing, at least one roller for engaging cargo on the floor and, a mechanism mounting the roller on the housing for shifting movement between an extended position in which the roller extends above the floor for engaging cargo, and a retracted position in which the roller is disposed below the floor.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Publication number: 20160016358Abstract: A composite laminate reinforcing tool may be used to form a reinforced joint at a bond line of a composite laminate structure. The tool may hold one or more clips having posts, and the tool may be positioned along the bond line between at least two composite laminate elements. Joint sections of the clip may be heated to increase a pliability of the joint section, and the tool may be actuated to drive the post through the at least two composite laminate elements. The posts, may deflect toward a base of the clip, thereby to seat the clip. The reinforced composite laminate structure may then be cured.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Publication number: 20150284078Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a rotor of a rotary wing aircraft, including a stationary frame, a rotary propulsion shaft extending through the frame, the propulsion shaft having a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion coupled to the first shaft portion at a joint, the first shaft portion being configured to be coupled to a drive unit and the second shaft portion being pivotable relative to a centerline of the first shaft portion in two degrees of freedom about the joint, and at least one actuator coupled to the stationary frame at one end and connected to the second shaft portion at the other end so that the second shaft portion rotates relative to the at least one actuator, the at least one actuator being configured to pivot the second shaft portion in the two degrees of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 8911584Abstract: Composite parts such as plastic laminates are formed using a pre-assembled, integral double bag to vacuum bag the part. The double bag is formed of two sheets of bag material that are cut to pre-determined width dimensions, with the width of one sheet being less than that of the other. The bag sheets are prealigned and then attached to each other by spaced apart bonds between the sheets which hold the bag sheets in registered relationship to each other when the double bag is placed over the part and sealed to a tool base. The attachment bonds may be formed by ultrasonic welding, heat sealing or an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Publication number: 20140363267Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling cargo. A cargo handling system may be positioned relative to the cargo. The cargo handling system may comprise a frame structure and an engagement system. The frame structure may be configured to change in a number of dimensions to encompass the cargo. The engagement system may be configured to engage the cargo. The number of dimensions of the frame structure may be adjusted to encompass the cargo. The cargo may be engaged with the engagement system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 8840355Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling cargo. A cargo handling system may be positioned relative to the cargo. The cargo handling system may comprise a frame structure and an engagement system. The frame structure may be configured to change in a number of dimensions to encompass the cargo. The engagement system may be configured to engage the cargo. The number of dimensions of the frame structure may be adjusted to encompass the cargo. The cargo may be engaged with the engagement system.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Publication number: 20140264105Abstract: A smart drain valve comprises a support plate, a bolt passing through a center of the support plate, an outer plate connected to a first end of the bolt, an inner plate connected to a second end of the bolt, and a spring positioned between the inner plate and the support plate. The spring is made of a shape memory material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 8783285Abstract: A smart drain valve comprises a support plate, a bolt passing through a center of the support plate, an outer plate connected to a first end of the bolt, an inner plate connected to a second end of the bolt, and a spring positioned between the inner plate and the support plate. The spring is made of a shape memory material.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Publication number: 20140141114Abstract: Thickness gradients in large, cobonded composite structures resulting from gravity-induced resin migration during curing is substantially reduced by rotating the structure during the resin infusion and curing stages. The layup for the structure is placed on a rotatable tool fixture and vacuum bagged. The tool fixture is mounted on a central support tube provided with motors for rotating the tool fixture about the axis of the tube. The tube has internal passageways that deliver resin to the bagged layup and carry away excess resin from the layup using vacuum pressure. The resulting composite structures exhibit thickness gradients less than 10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 8677717Abstract: Methods and structures for a composite truss structure are provided. The structure includes a web formed of a plurality of sheets of composite material, each sheet including a first face and an opposing second face and each face including a length and a width. Each of the plurality of sheets are coupled to at least one other of the plurality of sheets face to face such that the length and width of each face substantially match the length and width of a face of an adjacent sheet. The plurality of sheets are formed to include an upper chord member, a lower chord member, and a plurality of web members extending therebetween. The structure also includes at least a first flange plate coupled to the web proximate an outer periphery of the web.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 8652388Abstract: Thickness gradients in large, cobonded composite structures resulting from gravity-induced resin migration during curing is substantially reduced by rotating the structure during the resin infusion and curing stages. The layup for the structure is placed on a rotatable tool fixture and vacuum bagged. The tool fixture is mounted on a central support tube provided with motors for rotating the tool fixture about the axis of the tube. The tube has internal passageways that deliver resin to the bagged layup and carry away excess resin from the layup using vacuum pressure. The resulting composite structures exhibit thickness gradients less than 10%.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Publication number: 20130276310Abstract: Methods and structures for a composite truss structure are provided. The structure includes a web formed of a plurality of sheets of composite material, each sheet including a first face and an opposing second face and each face including a length and a width. Each of the plurality of sheets are coupled to at least one other of the plurality of sheets face to face such that the length and width of each face substantially match the length and width of a face of an adjacent sheet. The plurality of sheets are formed to include an upper chord member, a lower chord member, and a plurality of web members extending therebetween. The structure also includes at least a first flange plate coupled to the web proximate an outer periphery of the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventor: Richard L. Kulesha
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Patent number: 8490362Abstract: Methods and structures for a composite truss structure are provided. The structure includes a web formed of a plurality of sheets of composite material, each sheet including a first face and an opposing second face and each face including a length and a width. Each of the plurality of sheets are coupled to at least one other of the plurality of sheets face to face such that the length and width of each face substantially match the length and width of a face of an adjacent sheet. The plurality of sheets are formed to include an upper chord member, a lower chord member, and a plurality of web members extending therebetween. The structure also includes at least a first flange plate coupled to the web proximate an outer periphery of the web.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard L. Kulesha