Patents by Inventor Thomas Koerwien

Thomas Koerwien 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: 20150307205
    Abstract: A structural element includes a first component and a second component; a bonded joint, by which the first component and the second component are interconnected; and an indication bolt, which is fixed to the first component and the second component. The indication bolt is designed to indicate when the first component and the second component have moved relative one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan NIEDERMEIER, Thomas KOERWIEN
  • Publication number: 20150283757
    Abstract: A method for providing spacers on a construction component to be adhered involves applying a planar formation, including passages, on the construction component to be adhered, and inserting a setting liquid in the passages of the planar formation, so that the liquid forms spacer on the construction component to be adhered after setting and peeling off the planar formation. The spacer ensures a predetermined minimum bondline when adhering the construction component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas KOERWIEN
  • Patent number: 8992200
    Abstract: A resin infusion apparatus and system, layup system comprising the same, and methods of using these are provided. The resin infusion apparatus comprises a hollow cylinder having a plurality of pores perforating an arcuate surface thereof. The interior of the cylinder is provided with one or more flow restrictors that assist in controlling the flow out of the pores of the cylinder. Laminates made of prepregs prepared using the apparatus and/or system may thus be essentially free of voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Thomas Koerwien, Shu Ching Quek, Thomas Miebach
  • Patent number: 8591796
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, methods for molding and curing of composite articles are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a molding apparatus including an elastic layer disposed on a rigid support and a mold disposed on the elastic layer and the support. In one embodiment, the mold includes an inner surface, the inner surface further including a molding surface, and wherein a first surface of the elastic layer and the inner surface of the mold define a molding chamber. In one embodiment, a prepreg is further disposed within the molding chamber, wherein the prepreg is disposed on the first surface of the elastic layer. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a fluid via a fluid inlet against a second surface of the elastic layer, thereby expanding the elastic layer against the inner surface of the mold, and pushing the prepreg against the molding surface of the mold to form a molded composite article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Bruno Betoni Parodi, Julian Thomas O'Flynn, Thomas Kluge, Thomas Koerwien
  • Publication number: 20130049266
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, methods for molding and curing of composite articles are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a molding apparatus including an elastic layer disposed on a rigid support and a mold disposed on the elastic layer and the support. In one embodiment, the mold includes an inner surface, the inner surface further including a molding surface, and wherein a first surface of the elastic layer and the inner surface of the mold define a molding chamber. In one embodiment, a prepreg is further disposed within the molding chamber, wherein the prepreg is disposed on the first surface of the elastic layer. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a fluid via a fluid inlet against a second surface of the elastic layer, thereby expanding the elastic layer against the inner surface of the mold, and pushing the prepreg against the molding surface of the mold to form a molded composite article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Bruno Betoni Parodi, Julian Thomas O'Flynn, Thomas Kluge, Thomas Koerwien
  • Patent number: 8357325
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a mold and the mold fabricated by such method. The mold is fabricated by providing a support structure having a predefined shape; applying a heat distribution layer on the support structure; applying a heating element network upon the heat distribution layer; applying at least one glass composition layer upon the heating element network; applying a resin composition to each of the heating element network and the at least one glass composition layer; and integrating the heat distribution layer, heating element network, the at least one glass composition layer and the resin composition to form a mold unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Koerwien
  • Publication number: 20120073726
    Abstract: An automated in-line feed-through system integrating the delivery, application and infusion of a resin to one or more fiber tows and layup of the one or more infused fiber tows to form a composite structure. The system includes an automated resin delivery, deposition and infusion system configured to deposit the resin on a respective one of the one or more fiber tows and form the infused fiber tows. The system integrates an automated layup system including a compaction roller configured to adhere the one or more infused fiber tows to a substrate. The system further includes a controller configured to control a flow rate of the resin, control the temperature of the resin, the infused fiber tows and the automated layup system, and control tension of the one or more infused fiber tows within the automated layup system. Other aspects of the automated in-line system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rainer Koeniger, Mark Ernest Vermilyea, Shu Ching Quek, Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Theodosia Kourkoutsaki, Julian Thomas O'Flynn, Thomas Kluge, Julia Susanne Ursula Schell, Bruno Betoni Parodi, Mile Ostojic, Thomas Koerwien
  • Publication number: 20110155849
    Abstract: A resin infusion apparatus and system, layup system comprising the same, and methods of using these are provided. The resin infusion apparatus comprises a hollow cylinder having a plurality of pores perforating an arcuate surface thereof. The interior of the cylinder is provided with one or more flow restrictors that assist in controlling the flow out of the pores of the cylinder. Laminates made of prepregs prepared using the apparatus and/or system may thus be essentially free of voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Thomas Koerwien, Shu Ching Quek, Thomas Miebach
  • Publication number: 20100140448
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a mould and the mould fabricated by such method. The mould is fabricated by providing a support structure having a predefined shape; applying a heat distribution layer on the support structure; applying a heating element network upon the heat distribution layer; applying at least one glass composition layer upon the heating element network; applying a resin composition to each of the heating element network and the at least one glass composition layer; and integrating the heat distribution layer, heating element network, the at least one glass composition layer and the resin composition to form a mould unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Koerwien
  • Patent number: 7507446
    Abstract: A ready-made technical process for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic building components envisions the use of a link and, optionally, a flange and/or a base using textile blanks as starting material. Initially, at least two layers of the textile blanks are positioned vis-à-vis one another, clamped in and undergo a first sewing-up process. A preform is fashioned featuring the architecture of the product that is to be manufactured, and subsequently the preform is infiltrated with resin in order to realize the plastic building component. A tension module realizes a flange on a textile preform and a sewing material holder receives a textile preform in order to implement the steps referred to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Eads Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Koerwien, Ernst-Joachim Bauer, Juergen Filsinger
  • Publication number: 20060124224
    Abstract: A ready-made technical process for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic building components envisions the use of a link and, optionally, a flange and/or a base using textile blanks as starting material. Initially, at least two layers of the textile blanks are positioned vis-à-vis one another, clamped in and undergo a first sewing-up process. A preform is fashioned featuring the architecture of the product that is to be manufactured, and subsequently the preform is infiltrated with resin in order to realize the plastic building component. A tension module realizes a flange on a textile preform and a sewing material holder receives a textile preform in order to implement the steps referred to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Koerwien, Ernst-Joachim Bauer, Juergen Filsinger
  • Patent number: 7056402
    Abstract: A ready-made technical process for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic building components envisions the use of a link and, optionally, a flange and/or a base using textile blanks as starting material. Initially, at least two layers of the textile blanks are positioned vis-á-vis one another, clamped in and undergo a first sewing-up process. A preform is fashioned featuring the architecture of the product that is to be manufactured, and subsequently the preform is infiltrated with resin in order to realize the plastic building component. A tension module realizes a flange on a textile preform and a sewing material holder receives a textile preform in order to implement the steps referred to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Koerwien, Ernst-Joachim Bauer, Juergen Filsinger
  • Publication number: 20040074587
    Abstract: Ready-made technical process for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic building components that envisions the use of a link and optionally of a flange and/or a base using textile blanks (10) as starting material, and, initially, at least two layers of the textile blanks are positioned vis-à-vis one another, clamped in and undergo a first sewing-up process, and a preform is fashioned featuring the architecture of the product that is to be manufactured, and subsequently the preform is infiltrated with resin in order to realize the plastic building component, as well as of a tension module for realizing a flange on a textile preform and a sewing material holder that receives a textile preform in order to implement the referred to steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Koerwien, Ernst-Joachim Bauer, Juergen Filsinger