Abstract: A mist delivery system includes an enclosure having at least one misting nozzle coupled thereto. The enclosure includes a primary wall and a secondary wall, whereby an air channel is defined between the primary wall and the secondary wall. A controller directs misted air through the misting nozzle and further activates an air flow system such that misted air within the shower area flows through and is dried in the air channel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 26, 2007
Date of Patent:
November 25, 2008
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
Jeanne Guerin, Douglas E Emsley, Donald R Furlong, Dennis C Lin, Bethany L. Franko, Kevin S Zielki, Cynthia Vandewall, Peter R Mitchell, William Sanford, Vicki Curtis, Wing Cheung
Abstract: A method of manufacturing a protective cover (24) for a component of a vehicle includes assembling multiple layers to form a charge (22). The charge (22) is formed within a mold (50) of the component to form a multi-contoured laminate (58). The protective cover (24) is separated from the multi-contoured laminate (58). A method of forming a down stream part structure or mold (167) for a component includes assembling multiple layers to form a charge (78). The charge (78) is formed within an original mold of the component to form a multi-contoured laminate (76). A splash is separated from the multi-contoured laminate (76). A protective cover, such as the cover (24), is for a vehicle component and includes a contour holding layer (36) and a protective laminate layer (34). The contour holding layer (36) and the protective laminate layer (34) are formed within a mold of the vehicle component to form the protective cover.
Abstract: A portable multi-axis load confirmation tool having a rotating ball on the end thereof follows a three-dimensional weld program path therewith. The ball reacts to an internal load cell for verifying weld program path dynamics before an actual program is run with friction stir welding tools. The load cell is connected to instrumentation electronics converting a load cell signal to a digital readout and comparing the load cell signal to weld program load requirements. The tool integrates into a tool holder loaded on a friction stir welding spindle for simulating an actual friction stir welding tool.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 15, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 18, 2008
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
Kurt A. Burton, Mike P. Matlack, Herb L. Bommer
Abstract: An architectural archway for an aircraft. The archways can be positioned individually, or in pairs or other sets along the length of an aircraft fuselage. The archways are used to run or connect various transport elements, such as electrical wiring, water lines, and environmental control system conduits, between the upper crown, lower bay and passenger cabin of the aircraft. The invention simplifies installation complexity and eliminates the installation and variability associated with running transport elements between the various sections of the aircraft.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 15, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 11, 2008
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
David A. Young, Richard Fraker, R. Klaus Brauer, Peter S. Guard
Abstract: A powered nose aircraft wheel system (130) for an aircraft (12) includes landing gear (104) that extends from the aircraft (12). A wheel axel (136) is coupled to the landing gear (104). A wheel (134) is coupled to the wheel axel (136). A wheel motor (106) is coupled to the wheel axel (136) and the wheel (134). A controller (120) is coupled to the wheel motor (106) and rotates the wheel (134). A method of taxiing an aircraft (12) includes permitting the wheel (134) of the aircraft (12) to freely spin during the landing of the aircraft (12). Power is transferred from an auxiliary power unit (73) of the aircraft (12) to the wheel motor (106). The wheel (134) is rotated via the wheel motor (106). The aircraft (12) is steered and the speed of the wheel (134) is controlled via one or more controllers selected from an onboard controller (18, 118, 120) and an offboard controller (45, 58, 59).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 4, 2008
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
William R. McCoskey, Richard N. Johnson, Matthew J. Berden
Abstract: This invention relates to the concept of managing the rate of change of energy in a helicopter or other aeronautical vehicle. The invention uses energy management calculations to determine the maximum longitudinal and lateral inputs that can be made while still enabling the vehicle to maintain a desired vertical state. The results of the calculations can be cued to the pilot either tactilely, aurally, or visually, or used for internal software limiting.
Abstract: A hub fairing system (12) for a stopped-rotor aircraft (10) having a fuselage (14) including a hub (16). The hub (16) is mechanically coupled to the fuselage (14) and to multiple blades (40) and is rotated by an engine (22). A retractable fairing (60, 64) covers a portion of the hub (16). An actuator (26) is coupled to the fairing (60, 64). A controller (28) is coupled to the actuator (26) and retracts the fairing (60, 64). A method of reducing drag on the aircraft includes transitioning between a rotary-wing mode and a fixed-wing mode. The fairing (60, 64) is deployed over a portion of the hub (16) upon the completion of the transition between flight modes.
Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 22, 2005
Date of Patent:
October 7, 2008
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
Barbara A. Capron, Philip E. Cassady, Dennis G. Koshinz, Jonathan Saint Clair, William D. Sherman, Fong Shi, Minas H. Tanielian
Abstract: A method of administering a drug whereby a fine drug powder can be accurately administered to a target site (in particular, a target site in the body cavity) via fluidization and spraying with a gas by using a micro tube. Concerning the administration mode, in particular, the drug alone or a biopolymer is administered or the biopolymer is employed as a carrier in the above method. More specifically speaking, a method of administering a fine drug powder which comprises finely milling one or more types fine particles of the drug and/or the biopolymer, blending them each other, fluidizing the blend with a gas, then transporting the fluidized matter in a micro tube by the gas stream and spraying the fine drug powder from the tip of the micro tube toward the target site.
Abstract: An inspection system (9) includes an idler wheel (61) that is coupled to a fabrication system (8) and is in contact with a backing layer (65) of an applied material (64). A rotation sensor (63) monitors the idler wheel (61) and generates a rotational signal. A controller (24) is coupled to the rotation sensor (63) and determines a characteristic of one or more flaws and FOD (19) on a composite structure (12) in response to the rotation signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 24, 2004
Date of Patent:
September 16, 2008
Assignee:
The Boeing Company
Inventors:
Roger W. Engelbart, Reed Hannebaum, Tim Pollock
Abstract: A reclosable packaging having a slider/zipper assembly and a sealed header. The header has a tear notch for initiating tearing of the header material and a line of weakness for continued tearing of the header material at an elevation which is lower than the top of the slider. Most preferably, the line of weakness is lower than the bottom of the slider. When the header is torn along the line of weakness, at least part of the slider is exposed and accessible to the consumer. In one embodiment, the tear notch is located in a side edge at an elevation higher than the top of the slider. A slit is provided which traverses a range of elevations encompassing a first elevation near an elevation of the tear notch and a second elevation near an elevation of the line of weakness.
Abstract: A method of forming a superhydrophobic material (66) includes mixing a hydrophobic material (24) with soluble particles (26) to form a mixture (32). The mixture (32) is cured. A portion of the soluble particles (26) is etched away from the mixture (32) to form the superhydrophobic material (66). A superhydrophobic material forming system (10) includes a mixer (30) that mixes a hydrophobic binder (24) with soluble particles (26) to form the mixture (32). A curing station (16) cures the mixture (32). An applicator (69) applies a solvent (68) to the mixture (32) to etch away a portion of the soluble particles (26) from the mixture (32) to form the superhydrophobic material (66).
Inventors:
Christopher Samhammer, Richard K. Simms, Juliane Trummer, Linsey K. Mallory, Ximena Rozo Kaplan, Ushio Itakura, Masahito Fukuizumi, Tomohiro Yoshizaki, Yasuaki Hanahara, Wade Johnson, Herman Chan, Ben Cooper, Patrick C. Moran