Patents by Inventor Richard L. Rankin

Richard L. Rankin 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: 8567719
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Shawn A. Clafin, Dennis C. Lin, Richard L. Rankin, Kevin S. Zielke, Karen Hills, Steven Sauer
  • Patent number: 8519824
    Abstract: A modular environment for a vehicle. The modular environment may include a configurable service space with a mounting system within the vehicle that has a number of modules configured to releaseably engage the mounting system. The module environment also may include a service space control system able to electronically communicate with and identify at least one of the modules. The modular environment may also include an arch framework that supports a number of fixed modules and a number of configurable modules. A further embodiment is shown of a method for using a service space control system that controls a modular environment for a vehicle having a configurable service, and including a mounting system configured to releaseably engage a number of modules in a service space. The service space control system electronically communicates with and can identify at least one of the modules and limit its use to only authorized users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Rankin, Nino Senoadi, Karen Cavalier Bradshaw, Erik Ivar Wiman, Robert J. Bengtsson, Buddy Lee Sharpe, Mark Edward Wentland, Shawn Claflin
  • Patent number: 8387918
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Richard L. Rankin, Dennis C. Lin
  • Patent number: 8232670
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for an aircraft galley and lavatory energy system capable of independent operation from a separate aircraft energy generating system. The galley and lavatory energy system comprises an energy source providing electrical energy, heat energy, and at least one by-product; a plurality of galley and lavatory devices for receiving the electrical energy, the heat energy, and the at least one by-product; and, a plurality of connectors for connecting the electrical energy, the heat energy, and the at least one by-product to the galley and lavatory devices. The energy source comprises a fuel cell, a fuel module, and optionally, a supplemental fuel source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Sherman Breit, Michael Neil Witting, Trevor Laib, Richard L. Rankin, John Anthony Trela, Markland T. Gates, Ali Reza Mansouri
  • Publication number: 20100193629
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for an aircraft galley and lavatory energy system capable of independent operation from a separate aircraft energy generating system. The galley and lavatory energy system comprises an energy source providing electrical energy, heat energy, and at least one by-product; a plurality of galley and lavatory devices for receiving the electrical energy, the heat energy, and the at least one by-product; and, a plurality of connectors for connecting the electrical energy, the heat energy, and the at least one by-product to the galley and lavatory devices. The energy source comprises a fuel cell, a fuel module, and optionally, a supplemental fuel source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Sherman Breit, Michael Neil Witting, Trevor Laib, Richard L. Rankin, John Anthony Trela, Markland T. Gates, Ali Reza Mansouri
  • Patent number: 7578533
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Robert J. Bengtsson, Ralph N. Bladt, Kwun-Wing W. Cheung, Shawn A. Claflin, Richard L. Rankin, Miguel A. Remedios, Kevin S. Zielke, Roland von Ballmoos
  • Patent number: 7513457
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Robert J. Bengtsson, Ralph N. Bladt, Kwun-Wing W. Cheung, Shawn A. Claflin, Dennis C. Lin, Richard L. Rankin, Miguel A. Remedios, Bryce A. Van Dyke, Kevin S. Zielke
  • Publication number: 20080078874
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Robert J. Bengtsson, Ralph N. Bladt, Kwun-Wing W. Cheung, Shawn A. Claflin, Dennis C. Lin, Richard L. Rankin, Miguel A. Remedios, Bryce A. Van Dyke, Kevin S. Zielke
  • Publication number: 20080078873
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Shawn A. Claflin, Dennis C. Lin, Richard L. Rankin, Kevin S. Zielke, Karen Hills, Steven Sauer
  • Publication number: 20080078872
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Richard L. Rankin, Dennis C. Lin