Patents by Inventor Thomas K Tsotsis

Thomas K Tsotsis 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: 8657990
    Abstract: Carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, methods of manufacturing carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, and methods of manufacturing composite parts with carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a composite structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes producing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on one or both sides of a substrate, and attaching the substrate to a first fiber layer. The method can further include positioning a second fiber layer adjacent to the first fiber layer to position the plurality of carbon nanotubes between the first and second fiber layers. The method can additionally include infusing the first and second fiber layers with resin, and curing the resin. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer by melt-bonding. In another embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer with stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Publication number: 20140020825
    Abstract: Carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, methods of manufacturing carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, and methods of manufacturing composite parts with carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a composite structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes producing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on one or both sides of a substrate, and attaching the substrate to a first fiber layer. The method can further include positioning a second fiber layer adjacent to the first fiber layer to position the plurality of carbon nanotubes between the first and second fiber layers. The method can additionally include infusing the first and second fiber layers with resin, and curing the resin. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer by melt-bonding. In another embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer with stitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Publication number: 20130288044
    Abstract: Composites comprising at least one silicon-oxy-carbide (SOC) layer deposited onto a polymeric matrix substrate to enhance their thermo-oxidative stability are provided. The SOC layer is formed onto the polymeric matrix substrate by atmospheric plasma deposition to produce an thermo-oxidative barrier coating or an adhesion-promoting layer to enable the deposition of a variety of known (or future developed) metallic and/or ceramic materials as oxygen and/or thermal barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Marvi A. Matos, Alpana Ranade, Laura M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8445788
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes a metallic wire substrate having a diameter and a surface, and a coating material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The coating material is operable to adhere a portion of the carbon nanotubes to the surface of the wire. The coating material has higher specific conductivity than the metallic wire substrate and also has a low contact resistance with the metallic wire substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, James P. Huang, Namsoo P. Kim, Keith D. Humfeld, William L. Mitchael, Brad D. Mecham
  • Patent number: 8414784
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes a plurality of thermoplastic filaments each having a surface, and a coating material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The coating material is bonded to the surface of each thermoplastic filament. The thermoplastic filaments having the coating bonded thereto are bundled and bonded to each other to form a substantially cylindrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Patent number: 8388795
    Abstract: Carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, methods of manufacturing carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies, and methods of manufacturing composite parts with carbon nanotube interlayer assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a composite structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes producing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on one or both sides of a substrate, and attaching the substrate to a first fiber layer. The method can further include positioning a second fiber layer adjacent to the first fiber layer to position the plurality of carbon nanotubes between the first and second fiber layers. The method can additionally include infusing the first and second fiber layers with resin, and curing the resin. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer by melt-bonding. In another embodiment, the carbon nanotube substrate can be attached to the first fiber layer with stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Patent number: 8337730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, multicellular, hollow carbon fiber wherein the fiber structure includes a substantially hollow fiber and multiple internal walls defining multiple integral internal hollow fibers such that the fiber structure comprises a honeycomb-like cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Jeff Haggard
  • Patent number: 8313660
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes a thermoplastic filament having a circumference and a plurality of coating layers dispersed about the circumference of the thermoplastic filament. The coating layers include a plurality of conductive layers comprising aligned carbon nanotubes dispersed therein and at least one thermoplastic layer between each pair of conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Patent number: 8106142
    Abstract: Polyacetylinic oligomers suitable for high-temperature polymer-matrix composites are provided. The polyacetylinic oligomers have the formula: D-A-D wherein D is an endcap including at least one crosslinking functionality; and A is backbone selected from the group consisting of imidesulfone; ether; ethersulfone; amide; imide; ester; estersulfone; etherimide; amideimide; oxazole; oxazole sulfone; thiazole; thiazole sulfone; imidazole; and imidazole sulfone. At least one ethynyl functional group, however, is incorporated into the backbone such that crosslinking is not only realized at the endcaps but also at the ethynyl groups within the backbone of the oligomer itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Norman R. Byrd
  • Patent number: 8063168
    Abstract: An oligomer having di-phenylethynyl endcaps is disclosed. The capped oligomer has the formula: D-A-D wherein D is a di-phenylethynyl endcap; and A is an oligomer selected from the group consisting of imidesulfone; ether; ethersulfone; amide; imide; ester; estersulfone; etherimide; amideimide; oxazole; oxazole sulfone; thiazole; thiazole sulfone; imidazole; and imidazole sulfone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Norman R. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20110186685
    Abstract: A film composite having generally parallel riblets reduces drag on the flow of fluid over a surface and may either be directly applied onto a substrate or secondarily bonded as an appliqué. The film composite is formed on a substrate layer by layer by sequentially assembling layers of a binder and an inorganic filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Nicholas A. Kotov
  • Patent number: 7897876
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes an aramid fiber and at least one layer attached about the aramid fiber, the at least one layer including at least one of aligned carbon nanotubes and graphene platelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Nicholas A. Kotov
  • Publication number: 20110024158
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes an aramid fiber and at least one layer attached about the aramid fiber, the at least one layer including at least one of aligned carbon nanotubes and graphene platelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Nicholas A. Kotov
  • Patent number: 7875802
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes a thermoplastic filament having a circumference and a plurality of coating layers dispersed about the circumference of the thermoplastic filament. The coating layers include a plurality of conductive layers comprising aligned carbon nanotubes dispersed therein and at least one thermoplastic layer between each pair of conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Patent number: 7875801
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes a plurality of thermoplastic filaments each having a surface, and a coating material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The coating material is bonded to the surface of each thermoplastic filament. The thermoplastic filaments having the coating bonded thereto are bundled and bonded to each other to form a substantially cylindrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Publication number: 20100264266
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are laminates that include a layer containing a metal-coated fabric. The laminate may also include a layer or layers of an organic polymeric matrix composite. In accordance with certain embodiments, the matrix composite includes a thermosetting or thermoplastic resin matrix with parallel-oriented reinforcing fibers embedded therein, interposed between the metal-coated fabric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Publication number: 20100204412
    Abstract: An oligomer having di-phenylethynyl endcaps is disclosed. The capped oligomer has the formula: D-A-D wherein D is a di-phenylethynyl endcap; and A is an oligomer selected from the group consisting of imidesulfone; ether; ethersulfone; amide; imide; ester; estersulfone; etherimide; amideimide; oxazole; oxazole sulfone; thiazole; thiazole sulfone; imidazole; and imidazole sulfone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Norman R. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20100204485
    Abstract: Polyacetylinic oligomers suitable for high-temperature polymer-matrix composites are provided. The polyacetylinic oligomers have the formula: D-A-D wherein D is an endcap including at least one crosslinking functionality; and A is backbone selected from the group consisting of imidesulfone; ether; ethersulfone; amide; imide; ester; estersulfone; etherimide; amideimide; oxazole; oxazole sulfone; thiazole; thiazole sulfone; imidazole; and imidazole sulfone. At least one ethynyl functional group, however, is incorporated into the backbone such that crosslinking is not only realized at the endcaps but also at the ethynyl groups within the backbone of the oligomer itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Norman R. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20100170694
    Abstract: A conductive wire includes a plurality of thermoplastic filaments each having a surface, and a coating material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The coating material is bonded to the surface of each thermoplastic filament. The thermoplastic filaments having the coating bonded thereto are bundled and bonded to each other to form a substantially cylindrical conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Publication number: 20100173105
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, multicellular, hollow carbon fiber wherein the fiber structure includes a substantially hollow fiber and multiple internal walls defining multiple integral internal hollow fibers such that the fiber structure comprises a honeycomb-like cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicants: THE BOEING COMPANY, HILLS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tsotsis, Jeff Haggard