Patents Represented by Law Firm Christensen, O'Connor, Garrison & Havelka
  • Patent number: 4026105
    Abstract: A thrust reverser cascade section comprising a plurality of cascade windows mounted in an engine nacelle rearwardly of the fan air compressor, each cascade window including a plurality of cascade elements, is disclosed. The cascade elements are rotatable through an arc of 90.degree., more or less, between closed and open positions, along axes lying generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle. The cascade elements include deflecting vanes and are generally S-shaped when viewed in cross-section. Adjacent cascade elements abut one another in both their open and closed positions. Seals are located in the regions of abutment. The vanes direct fan air flow from the fan air duct toward the front of the nacelle when the cascade elements are in their open position. Each cascade window also includes sealing end plates adapted to move into and out of sealing relationship with the cascade elements to seal the ends when the cascade elements are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Varnell L. James
  • Patent number: 4025681
    Abstract: An environmentally durable, aluminum honeycomb structure is obtained by surface treatment and application of a polymeric film forming substance to the aluminum foil used in manufacture of honeycomb core prior to application of the adhesive and expanding the stacked and bonded core whereby the cells of the honeycomb core structure are formed. By application of a polymeric film forming substance before bonding, all surfaces of the honeycomb core are protected from corrosion and other environmental degradations. The presence of a polymeric film forming substance on honeycomb core surfaces aids in the formation of strong core-to-face sheet bonds by improving the fillet configuration and thereby the strength obtained in face sheet-to-core bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Donnelly, Joseph Arthur Marceau, Joseph Corey McMillan, Yukimori Moji
  • Patent number: 4025193
    Abstract: A modulated light beam is projected from a transmitter aircraft toward a receiver aircraft and reflected back toward the receiver aircraft by a retroreflector mounted on the receiver aircraft. The reflected light beam is received by the transmitter aircraft and is focused onto the face of an image dissector tube. The location of the reflected light beam on the face of the tube defines the position of the receiver aircraft in azimuth and elevation with respect to the position of the transmitter aircraft. The range difference between the two aircraft is determined by phase comparing the transmitted light beam with the received light beam. When used for in-flight refueling, further retroreflectors are mounted on a refueling boom and a similar technique is used to determine the exact location of the boom and its associated refueling nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: C. Ray Pond, Lawrence W. Robinson, Patrick D. Texeira
  • Patent number: 4025350
    Abstract: The invention concerns the binding of refractory powders into self-supporting `green` shapes which are fired to provide refractory objects. In accordance with the invention the binders are based on zirconium salts and include a separate gell time delaying agent to ensure satisfactory gelling and to achieve control and to allow complex shapes to be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Zirconal Processes Limited
    Inventors: Ian Richard Walters, Harold Garton Emblem
  • Patent number: 4025325
    Abstract: A portable, toilet ventilating, air-filtering device for boats, house trailers, motels and the like, in which the housing interior is divided into opposite pressure-equalizing plenums by transverse partitioning filter means, and in one of these plenums is mounted a rotatively and vertically adjustable intake duct with spatulate nozzle head that can serve as a carrying handle when nested retracted against the housing top. A suction-blower mounted in communication with the opposed plenum draws air from the toilet bowl and through filter panels for discharge through a bottom opening into a discharge duct recessed in the bottom exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Pleasantaire Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Vernon Goodwin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4025006
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for dispensing hay from large cylindrical bales formed of layers of hay spirally wound around a central axis. The preferred embodiment is comprised of a U-shaped frame detachably mountable on a three-point hitch of a tractor. The frame supports two rotatable, cylindrical rollers so oriented that a bale is supportable thereon. Powered rotation of one or both of the rollers causes the bale to rotate about its axis and the outermost layer of hay to be unwound from the bale and discharged between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Inventor: Carrol E. Turnbow
  • Patent number: 4023644
    Abstract: Noise generated by the tips of the fan blades in a turbofan jet propulsion engine is suppressed by generating an annular fluid layer or wake in the inlet of the turbofan engine forwardly from the fan blades and spaced inwardly from the inner wall of the inlet and by lining the inner wall of the inlet with an acoustically absorbent layer of material. Sound waves generated by the fan blades are reflected outwardly by the fluid layer and are absorbed in the acoustic absorbent layer on the inner wall of the inlet. In order for the wake to reflect sound waves, either the local fluid velocity in the wake must be lower than the fluid velocity of the surrounding airstream traveling through the inlet or the acoustic speed in the wake must be greater than or equal to the acoustic speed in the surrounding airstream. It is preferred that both conditions be met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Samuel Joseph Cowan, John William Little
  • Patent number: 4022404
    Abstract: An aircraft having a middle passenger-carrying deck, a lower cargo deck, and a forward, upper third deck, including an operating crew compartment, a passenger-carrying section or stateroom, and a main galley compartment in the aft portion of the third deck. The galley compartment is interconnected with an auxiliary galley compartment on the middle deck by two cart lifts through which the modular food and beverage containing carts can be elevated to the upper deck galley compartment for storage and lowered to the middle deck for in-flight food and beverage service to passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Rashad S. Greiss
  • Patent number: 4023012
    Abstract: A system for verifying the user of a card in an automatic banking system and the like, wherein when a card is used for the first time after issuance, the user of the card himself manipulates the machine to input a secret number he intends to use with the card so that strict secrecy of the secret number can be maintained. The balance of the use's account is utilized for checking the correctness of the secret number when the card is used after the first use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Shizuya Ano, Yasuo Uchida
  • Patent number: 4019696
    Abstract: A method of enhancing Coanda flow attachment over a wing and flap surface of an upper surface blowing aircraft comprising the step of directing the jet exhaust flow or stream toward regions wherein the exhaust flow separates from the wing and flap surface so as to create an outward velocity component which prevents ambient air from flowing in and under the exhaust from the sides of the exhaust flow and causing such separation is disclosed. The method comprises the further step of creating vortices also having outward velocity components on the wing and flap surface. The outward velocity components of the vortices further increases the sidewise velocity component on the wing surface. In addition, the rotational velocity components of the vortices scrub the boundary layer air from the flap surface to further promote flow attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William J. Hirt, Charles A. Grotz
  • Patent number: 4019702
    Abstract: A pilot guidance system that computes and displays pitch and speed steering commands is automatically operated during the post-takeoff climb (at specified times clocked from the start of the takeoff run), to present commands that assist the pilot in cutting (and later in restoring) thrust for a predetermined interval to reduce engine noise, and in guiding the aircraft in a safe, gentle climb over the proximate community. The specified times (unique for each model of aircraft, airport, runway and departure flight path), synchronize the thrust cutback interval with the boundaries of the community in line with chosen departure path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gordon D. Annin
  • Patent number: 4018858
    Abstract: The invention concerns the binding of refractory powders into self-supporting "green" shapes which are fired to provide refractory objects. In accordance with the invention the binders are based on zirconium salts and include a dispersion of calcined magnesia in a mixture of water and a polyhydric alcohol. The magnesia reacts with the zirconium salt to form zirconium oxide/hydroxide which gells hard. In order to control the speed of gelling a separate gell time delaying agent is also optionally included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Zirconal Processes Limited
    Inventors: Ian Richard Walters, Harold Garton Emblem
  • Patent number: 4019191
    Abstract: A photometric device for use in a single lens reflex camera comprising a photometric optical system and a light receiving element disposed behind a pentaprism is disclosed. The light receiving element is disposed at a position where the image of a subject, imaged on a focusing glass plate by the photographing lens, is refocused by the photometric lenses. The light receiving area of the light receiving element is sized so that only a portion of the light refocused by the photometric lenses is received to provide a photometric operation that gives priority to a portion of the subject image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Miyata
  • Patent number: 4016703
    Abstract: A pin fastening device having a double tapered head, the angle of one taper being on the order of 80.degree., or sufficient to withstand severe longitudinal forces, and the angle of the other taper being on the order of 10.degree., so as to provide a substantial interference fit between the pin and the work members. This double tapered head may be effectively utilized with a wide variety of pin fastener attachment end styles. Furthermore, an attachment end of a pin fastener is disclosed which includes a novel configuration of annular rings, which rings have a thread angle of 60.degree., and relatively small radii of curvature at their trough and peak. By having such a set of annular rings, one portion of the pin may be longitudinally extended sufficiently to give the pin large shear force resistance, while sufficient total ring surface is retained to withstand large tension forces. A single pin may thus have both a high shear and tension resisting capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Louis A. Champoux, Joseph G. Falcioni, Morton Mendels
  • Patent number: 4017831
    Abstract: A system for continuously, automatically sensing the setting of operator controlled switches that denote: (1) the need for operator assistance [CALL]; and, (2) the operational status [STATUS] of a plurality of numerically controlled (N/C) machines is disclosed. The sensed CALL and STATUS information is transmitted, in a highly noise immune push-pull voltage manner, from the N/C machine locations (e.g., shop area) to a central processing unit (CPU) located in a control room. The CPU processes the received information and in accordance therewith transmits CALL control signals to one or more visual paging boards located in the shop area and to a status display board located in the control room. The status board displays, in real time, the STATUS information and CALL information, plus the elapsed time since a particular STATUS state started, or a particular CALL was made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jansey D. Tieden, Forester E. Woodruff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4014486
    Abstract: An air stair-door combination for an aircraft is described in which interference between the door and the stairway in opening and closing thereof is eliminated by delayed motion of the stairway until the door is moved through a significant portion of its travel. The stair being interconnected to the door counterbalances a portion of the weight of the door, thus decreasing power requirements for opening and closing the stairway and door. A folding handrail structure adapted to nestle into the folded stairway is described. The door and stair actuator operates on a pivot point located on the door such that initial opening movement of the door causes stair operating rods to first travel downwardly past an overcenter point, then upwardly through further movement of the pivot point. The stair segments are projected outwardly by stair actuator linkage means driven by the operating rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Neal A. Nelson, Clarence E. Jacobus
  • Patent number: 4014333
    Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument useful for effecting aspiration and irrigation during ophthalmic surgery. The disclosed embodiment comprises two, telescopically disposed cannulae and a connector which couples the two cannuli and forms fluid-tight seals with each. Each cannula consists of a rigid, small-diameter tube and a Luer hub (or "mount") coaxial therewith. The tube of the inner cannula is telescopically disposed within the outer cannula, the diameters of the cannulae being such that a passage is defined therebetween. The connector is of one-piece, rigid construction and includes a generally cylindrical body having a first nipple extending axially from one of its ends and a second nipple extending radially from one side. The first nipple is frictionally engaged within and forms a fluid-tight seal with the hub of the outer cannula. A cavity extends from the end of the first nipple through the body of the connector and terminates at the end of the body remote from the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Inventor: David J. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 4015117
    Abstract: The outputs of one or more interconnected, unbiased photovoltaic devices mounted to receive light generated by one or more modulated light sources are connected via a long cable to the input of a balanced low impedance differential input line preamplifier. When multiple photovoltaic devices are included, their outputs can be directly interconnected and the thusly combined output will provide information about the intensity of light impinging on their photo conductive surfaces. The balanced low impedance differential input line preamplifier comprises a differential amplifier and a pair of common base input stages, one connected to each input of the differential amplifier. In a DC decoupling embodiment, capacitors are used to couple the common base input stages to the differential amplifier. The output of the balanced low impedance differential input line preamplifier is connected to a detector that provides an output indicative of the state of the output of the photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: Opcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Wicklund, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4013247
    Abstract: Support apparatus for stabilizing an inflatable aircraft escape slide both during deployment and use is disclosed. The support apparatus includes a series of panels or links that are hinged together to form a mechanical girt (support). The upper end of the mechanical girt is attached to a girt bar that is mounted near the lower region of the aircraft egress door to secure the upper end of the escape slide. The mechanical girt is deployed through the aircraft door with the escape slide. As the mechanical girt swings against the exterior surface of the aircraft, latching mechanisms automatically engage mating catches located on the aircraft exterior near the sill of the aircraft door and at a location near the lower edge of the mechanical girt to securely fasten the mechanical girt to the exterior surface of the aircraft. A lower girt bar, that extends across a lower region of the mechanical girt is connected to the inflatable escape slide by a lower girt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Leverett William Giffin
  • Patent number: PP4051
    Abstract: As a mutation of Pacific Gold, a new peach tree variety is disclosed which is characterized by its dwarf nature and a predominance of vigorous, robust spurs, very short laterals with short internodes and prominent axillary buds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: May Nursery Company
    Inventor: Henry Krahn