Patents Represented by Attorney Kevin L. Leffel
  • Patent number: 5851056
    Abstract: The invention is in the field of heat shields for aircraft wheel and brake assemblies. More particularly, the invention relates to such heat shields having removable sections. According to an aspect of the invention, a heat shield is provided for attachment to an aircraft wheel having a hub and a tube well concentric with the hub, a web interconnecting the hub and the tube well, and a plurality of torque bars fixed to the wheel generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and spaced from the tube well. The heat shield comprises a plurality of heat shield sections to be disposed between adjacent torque bars and spaced from the tube well, and a plurality of elongate heat shield carriers to be fixed to the wheel generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and spaced from the tube well with the heat shield carriers superposing the torque bars and engaging the plurality of heat shield sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Robert William Hyde
  • Patent number: 5825634
    Abstract: The invention relates to Electromagnetic Interference ("EMI") shielding of electrical components mounted on circuit boards. An EMI shielded assembly is provided, comprising a circuit board having at least one electrical contact distributed around the perimeter of an area within which EMI shielding is desired, an EMI shielding cover encircling the area over the contact and covering the area, and a ring-like EMI shielding gasket encircling the area and compressed between the contact and the cover, the gasket in an uncompressed state having low portions alternated with high portions spaced around the gasket. The high portions are spaced away from the at least one electrical contact above the low portions, and the high portions are displaceable toward the low portions upon compression of the gasket. A method for EMI shielding is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: BFGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Moorehead, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5806794
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a damped brake rod for use in an aircraft landing gear, the landing gear comprising a strut and a wheel and brake assembly carried on the strut. The brake rod connects the wheel and brake assembly to the strut and bears an axial load during braking. The brake rod is laterally damped to dissipate lateral vibrations imparted to the brake rod during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: The B.F.Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Louis C. Hrusch, Charles Wheater, John J. Enright
  • Patent number: 5758394
    Abstract: A rotary needling process including a multitude of felting needles repeatedly driven into a fibrous structure disposed on a surface of a needle penetrable support as the support is rotated about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: John S. Linck, Edward Lee Morris, Jr., Hannes Pum
  • Patent number: 5740593
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Philip William Sheehan, Ronnie Sze-Heng Liew
  • Patent number: 5709532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propeller ice protection system having more evenly distributed sliding contact wear resulting in reduced maintenance, and a method of operating the system. According to the invention, polarity of a DC potential applied to the sliding contacts is periodically reversed in order to more evenly distribute brush wear. Specific hardware embodiments and various polarity reversing schemes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Giamati, Jeffrey J. Siesel
  • Patent number: 5657951
    Abstract: A de-icing system is provided including a de-icer attached to an aircraft structural member subjected to an impinging airstream during flight, the airstream passing over the structural member in a fore to aft direction. The deicer has a primary heater element disposed beneath a primary shedding zone upon which ice accumulates during flight, the primary heater element being configured to heat the primary shedding zone upon application of an electrical potential across the primary heater element, and a secondary heater element disposed beneath a secondary shedding zone upon which ice accumulates during flight, the secondary heater element being configured to heat the secondary shedding zone upon application of an electrical potential across the secondary heater element, the secondary heater element being disposed immediately aft of the primary heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Giamati
  • Patent number: 5634800
    Abstract: An improved sliding contact for use with a propeller ice protection system is provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a silver graphite brush forms a sliding contact with a hardened copper alloy slip ring. A sliding contact according to the invention demonstrates improved performance in an oil contaminated environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Giamati
  • Patent number: 5581857
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Co.
    Inventors: Philip W. Sheehan, Ronnie S. Liew
  • Patent number: 5553815
    Abstract: A de-icer module especially adapted for installment on the inner surface of an airfoil is provided. The structural member has an outer surface upon which ice accumulates. The de-icer module comprises a support sheet delimited by a support area, a single pancake shaped separation means for developing a transient electro-mechanical separation force between the support sheet and the structural member distributed over the support area, the separation means being adjacent the support sheet, attachment means for connecting the support sheet to the inner surface of the structural member with the support sheet in close proximity to the inner surface of the structural member and the separation means sandwiched between the support sheet and the structural member. The invention provides a simplified mounting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Lowell J. Adams, Norbert A. Weisend, Jr., Nathan Pisarski, Steven C. Simshauser
  • Patent number: 5552576
    Abstract: A modular drainmast assembly for an aircraft includes a drain tube assembly removably enclosed in a fairing that is removably attachable to an aircraft. The electrically heated drain tube assembly may be accessed in the field for service, repair or replacement. A resilient sealed interface supports the drain tube where it exits the drainmast while permitting relative movement between the drain tube and the drainmast fairing due to thermal expansion and contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: The BF Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Giamati
  • Patent number: 5515585
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: The BF Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Philip W. Sheehan, Ronnie S. Liew
  • Patent number: 5504979
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: The BFGoodrich Company
    Inventors: Philip W. Sheehan, Ronnie S. Liew
  • Patent number: 5480678
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for use in chemical vapor infiltration and deposition (CVI/CVD) processes. More specifically, the invention relates to a preheater for heating a reactant gas inside a CVI/CVD furnace, and a fixture for depositing a matrix within a stack of porous structures by a pressure gradient CVI/CVD process. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: James W. Rudolph, Mark J. Purdy, Lowell D. Bok
  • Patent number: 5479060
    Abstract: An improved brush assembly is provided for conducting electrical power from a fixed power system to a rotating ice protection system. The invention is especially adapted for use with an aircraft propeller ice protection system. According to an aspect of the invention, the brush assembly has a housing with a brush enclosure and an attachment leg that attaches the brush assembly to a mounting bracket with the brush enclosure spaced to one side of the mounting bracket. According to another aspect of the invention, an internally mounted transient voltage suppressor is provided with minimized impedance between the transient voltage suppressor and the power system connection thereby providing improved lightning protection. These and other features are provided which are described in detail and represent further improvements over prior brush assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Giamati, Tommy M. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5475204
    Abstract: A de-icer for a structural member of an aircraft is provided. The de-icer includes first and second heaters having first and second electrically conductive strips, respectively. The first and second conductive strips are configured to form first and second marginal portions, respectively. The first and second heaters are positioned relative to each other such that the marginal portions are overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Giamati, Kevin Leffel, Tommy M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5468161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-permanent backshell and connector assembly for use with a harness having a plurality of conductors. More particularly, the invention relates to a connector and backshell assembly that inhibits unauthorized service and repair. The invention comprises a connector, an annular adapter sleeve, and a backshell. The adapter sleeve defines a locking surface that has at least on dog extending therefrom. The dog engages tooth-like projections on the connector. The adapter sleeve can rotate relative to the cylindrical extension before the backshell is installed due to the at least one dog being displaceable away from the tooth-like projections, and the adapter sleeve cannot rotate relative to the cylindrical extension after the backshell is installed due to the stopping surface preventing the at least one dog from displacing away from the tooth-like projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Engine Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Wright
  • Patent number: 5449134
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a pneumatic de-icer structure having a replaceable environment resistant surface are disclosed. A separable adhesive impermanently bonds the environment resistant surface to the de-icer structure. The environment resistant layer can be repeatedly replaced until the cycle life of the pneumatic de-icer structure is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Norbert A. Weisend, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5449133
    Abstract: A de-icer for attachment to an airfoil subject to impingement by an airstream. The airstream induces a stagnation line near the leading edge of the airfoil. The de-icer has inflatable passages that are parallel to the airstream overlying the airfoil on one side of the stagnation line, and inflatable passages that are parallel to the leading edge overlying the airfoil on the other side of the stagnation line. The de-icer maintains the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil during de-icer inflation. A method of manufacturing the de-icer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Duain N. Ely, Joseph H. Macarchenia
  • Patent number: 5429327
    Abstract: An electro-impulse de-icer for de-icing an aircraft structural member having an opening in the leading edge and including an inductor coil. The inductor coil is disposed either at least partially within the opening or adjacent to the opening. The de-icer further includes a movable metal target disposed in proximity with the coil. The target is supported by a flexible, ice-accumulating support member that permits the target to move relative to the coil and to the structural member. The support member is rapidly, and forcefully, displaced away from the coil and the structural member upon passing a short-duration, high-current pulse through the coil. The current flow creates an electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in the target and the support member (if made of metal). Upon collapse of the electromagnetic field in the coil, the target and support member are pulled rapidly to their rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Lowell J. Adams