Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Tung & Associates
  • Modular passenger seat for an aircraft
    Patent number: 7871039
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat assembly as described herein is formed from two primary and modular components: a structural frame that provides passenger support and dynamic load paths for the seat assembly; and a comfort frame that provides the passenger seating surface and the external upholstery layer for the seat assembly. If the seat assembly is designed for multiple passengers, then a separate comfort frame is used for each passenger seat location. The structural frame can be formed as a molded composite construction, and the comfort frame can also utilize a molded composite support frame. The support frame is used as a mounting shell for a fabric carrier that includes the external upholstery layer. The modular design and use of composite materials results in a significant weight and parts count savings relative to conventional seat designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Fullerton, Scott E. Coburn, R. Klaus-Brauer, Blake Emery, Sebastian Petry, Jeffrey Bernett, Don Chadwick, David Wykes
  • Process for forming curved thermoplastic composite material
    Patent number: 7871553
    Abstract: A process for forming curved thermoplastic composite material. According to an illustrative embodiment, the process includes providing a length of straight thermoplastic material; pre-forming the length of straight thermoplastic material into a selected cross-sectional configuration; pressing the length of the straight thermoplastic material; and imparting a curved shape to the length of straight thermoplastic material by providing a curved section and passing the length of straight thermoplastic material through the curved section of a process assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Randall D. Wilkerson, Alexander M. Rubin, James R. Fox
  • Methods and apparatus for an aircraft lavoratory
    Patent number: 7866603
    Abstract: A handicapped-accessible aircraft lavatory includes a wheelchair region, a toilet assembly adjacent to and oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the wheelchair region, and a sink assembly adjacent to the toilet assembly. The sink assembly includes a basin positioned at a predetermined height and a predetermined lateral distance with respect to the toilet seat, wherein the predetermined height and the predetermined distance are selected such that the sink assembly is within arms-reach of a passenger (e.g., a 95th percentile male passenger) sitting on the toilet seat. Additional amenities such as mirrors, toilet paper, tissues, and the like may also be similarly positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ben M. Cooper, Bryan D. Moran
  • Buck-boost switching regulator and control method thereof
    Patent number: 7863872
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a buck-boost switching regulator, comprising: (1) a first loop including: a first and a second switch electrically connected with each other, the first switch having an end electrically connected with an input voltage, and the second switch having an end electrically connected with ground; and a first control circuit controlling the operation of the first and the second switch; (2) a second loop including: a third and a fourth switch electrically connected with each other, the third switch having an end electrically connected with ground, and the fourth switch having an end electrically connected with an output voltage; and a second control circuit controlling the operation of the third and the fourth switch; and (3) an inductor electrically connected between a node between the first and the second switch, and a node between the third and the fourth switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Che Chiu
  • Motion estimation method utilizing a distance-weighted search sequence
    Patent number: 7864837
    Abstract: A motion estimation method for a succession of frames in a digital coding system includes: with reference to a first block in a first frame, searching a second frame for a second block that corresponds to the first block; and estimating a motion vector of the first block with respect to the second block in the second frame. Blocks in the second frame are searched according to a distance-weighted search sequence starting from a candidate origin block. In view of the radiating characteristics of motion vectors, the distance-weighted search sequence can save unnecessary search time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporation
    Inventors: Chang-Che Tsai, Chih-Hsin Lin, Yi-Fang Lee, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Integral double bag for vacuum bagging a composite part and method of using the same
    Patent number: 7862679
    Abstract: Composite parts such as plastic laminates are formed using a pre-assembled, integral double bag to vacuum bag the part. The double bag is formed of two sheets of bag material that are cut to pre-determined width dimensions, with the width of one sheet being less than that of the other. The bag sheets are prealigned and then attached to each other by spaced apart bonds between the sheets which hold the bag sheets in registered relationship to each other when the double bag is placed over the part and sealed to a tool base. The attachment bonds may be formed by ultrasonic welding, heat sealing or an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Kulesha
  • Cell structure with buried capacitor for soft error rate improvement
    Patent number: 7864561
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device with an improved protection against soft errors includes a bi-stable flip-flop cell having a data storage node and a data bar storage node. A first capacitor electrically couples the data storage node to a predefined voltage and a second capacitor electrically couples the data bar storage node to the predefined voltage. Each one of the first and second capacitors includes a top conductive electrode overlying a bottom contact electrode with a dielectric layer disposed in-between. The bottom contact electrode overlays at least two different active regions forming the data and data bar storage nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Reduced active area in a phase change memory structure
    Patent number: 7858980
    Abstract: A phase change memory structure and method for forming the same, the method including providing a substrate comprising a conductive area; forming a spacer having a partially exposed sidewall region at an upper portion of the spacer defining a phase change memory element contact area; and, wherein the spacer bottom portion partially overlaps the conductive area. Both these two methods can reduce active area of a phase change memory element, therefore, reducing a required phase changing electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Shyue Lai, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Denny Tang, Wen-Chin Lin
  • Time-based fuel cell purge method
    Patent number: 7858253
    Abstract: A method of purging a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes determining a running average current load on the fuel cell, a standard deviation of cell voltages of the fuel cell and/or a maximum change in cell voltage of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is purged if the running average current load exceeds an average current load standard, the standard deviation of cell voltages exceeds a standard deviation threshold value, or the maximum change in cell voltage exceeds a maximum allowed cell voltage change rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Bradley Spare, Milos Milacic, William Sanderson
  • Orientation device and method for coordinate generation employed thereby
    Patent number: 7857703
    Abstract: A method for coordinate generation to be implemented using an orientation device includes the steps of: providing at least three reference marks on a target; aiming the orientation device at an initial point on the target, and operating the orientation device such that the sensor is able to capture an image of the target that contains at least one of the reference marks; correlating a coordinate space of the orientation device with a coordinate space of the target; aiming the orientation device at a target point on the target, and operating the orientation device such that the sensor is able to capture an image of the target that contains the reference marks; and determining relative coordinates of the target point with reference to the established coordinate space relation and the captured image. An orientation device that performs the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: FixArt Imaging Incorporated
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin Lin, Hsin-Chia Chen, Chang-Che Tsai, Yi-Fang Lee, Hsuan-Hsien Lee, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Ground towing power architecture for an electric brake system of an aircraft
    Patent number: 7857107
    Abstract: A power management architecture as disclosed herein is suitable for use in connection with an electric brake system of an aircraft. During ground towing operations when the aircraft engines are off, the power management architecture provides operating power to the electric brake system (and other aircraft systems that are required to support towing operations) via the main aircraft battery. This towing power mode prevents the battery from powering other aircraft systems during towing operations, thus reducing the load on the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Yamamoto, Erik Godo, Joel T. Purificacion, Marcelino Montano
  • Adherends with enhanced surfaces
    Patent number: 7854997
    Abstract: Metallic substrates have a surface for receiving application of an adhesive that includes a precipitated coating of metallic nanoparticulates. A first portion of the nanoparticulates is adhered to the surface and a second portion is in contact with the first portion. Also provided are adhered constructs. These constructs include a first substrate with a first surface that has a metallic precipitated coating of nanoparticulates. A first portion of the nanoparticulates is adhered to the surface and a second portion contacts the first portion. The constructs include a second substrate that has a second surface; and an adhesive is applied between the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Julia J. Mack
  • Mounting system for ballistic panel
    Patent number: 7854466
    Abstract: A ballistic panel and mounting assembly for use with a vehicle door having a side impact structure. The panel having first and second separable members, and a plurality of upper brackets and side brackets used to secure the respective first and second members to both the beltline of the vehicle door and to the side impact structure. The brackets configured such that the panel is mounted outwardly of the window hardware and associated control mechanism and adjacent the side impact structure. In addition, connectors located on the first and second members operate to connect or join the respective members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Blackmer, John Scott, Scott Kahlbaum
  • Anode loop pressure control in PEM fuel cell system
    Patent number: 7855025
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The method includes operating the fuel cell stack in accordance with a predetermined profile of fuel gas/oxidant gas delta pressure vs. time, monitoring a fuel gas/oxidant gas delta pressure vs. time value of the fuel cell stack and adjusting pressure of the fuel gas by consuming excess quantities of the fuel gas in the fuel cell stack when the fuel gas/oxidant gas delta pressure vs. time value of the fuel cell stack exceeds the predetermined profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Bradley Spare, Keith Oglesby
  • Image qualification for optical navigation sensor
    Patent number: 7856121
    Abstract: An image qualification method. A movements-determining method utilizes the image qualification, the image qualification method of which requires only an image frame to determine if the image frame is qualified. Thus, the image qualification proceeds in real time. The image qualification counts peaks of images of the frame to determine if a number of the peaks exceed a certain number, depending on application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporation
    Inventor: Chun-Huang Lin
  • Filter membrane
    Patent number: 7854788
    Abstract: A filter membrane includes a substrate, a polymer layer provided on the substrate and a plurality of filter openings each having a width of from about 2 nanometers to about 5 nanometers provided in the polymer layer. A method of controlling pore size of a filter membrane and a method of decontaminating a filter membrane are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrd, James P. Huang, Gwen Gross
  • Leak detection in vacuum bags
    Patent number: 7849729
    Abstract: Air leaks in a vacuum bag are detected using a leak detection film covering the inside face of the bag. The film includes a gas permeable binder carrying oxygen sensitive material that changes in physical appearance at the location of an air leak. The film may be adhered to the inside face of the bag or may form a separate membrane that is placed over a layup being molded in the bag. The film may be illuminated with light having a wavelength selected to cause the film to luminesce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Finley B. Miller, Michael E. Benne
  • Stabilizing device and method for handheld measurement device
    Patent number: 7841230
    Abstract: A stabilizing device for a handheld measurement device. An illustrative embodiment of the stabilizing device includes a device harness adapted to receive the handheld measurement device and having a handle opening and a nose opening and at least one harness attachment device carried by the device harness. A method for taking surface measurements with a handheld measurement device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Werner, Kate Ackerman
  • Start-up control device
    Patent number: 7843017
    Abstract: A transistor having a start-up control element is provided. The transistor includes an N-type depletion mode transistor and an N-type enhancement mode transistor. The N-type depletion mode transistor includes a drain for electrically connecting to an external power supply, and a gate normally grounded. The N-type enhancement mode transistor includes a drain electrically connected to the external power supply, and a gate electrically connected to a source of the depletion mode transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Hsing Cheng, Kuang-Ming Chang
  • Method for planarization
    Patent number: 7838427
    Abstract: A method of planarizing a dielectric insulating layer including providing a substrate including forming a first dielectric insulating layer having a concave and convex portion on the substrate; forming an organic resinous layer on the first dielectric insulating layer and exposing the convex portion of the first dielectric insulating layer; isotropically etching the first dielectric insulating layer convex portion; removing the organic resinous layer; and, forming a second dielectric insulating layer on the first dielectric insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuh-Hwa Chang