Patents Assigned to The Boeing Company
  • Microgrid control system
    Patent number: 8682495
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product is provided for configuring a microgrid. A first configuration of the microgrid having a set of microgrid elements is initialized. An address for each element in the set of microgrid elements of the microgrid is verified. In response to receiving status data from the set of microgrid elements connected in a peer-to-peer network indicating a reconfiguration of the microgrid, the set of microgrid elements is re-aligned to form a second grid configuration. The second grid configuration is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Carralero, Jimmy M. Quiambao, Dale Kenneth Pounds
  • Tunable variable emissivity materials and methods for controlling the temperature of spacecraft using tunable variable emissivity materials
    Patent number: 8679582
    Abstract: Tunable variable emissivity materials, methods for fabricating tunable variable emissivity materials, and methods for controlling the temperature of a spacecraft using tunable variable emissivity materials have been provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a variable emissivity material has the formula M1(1?(x+y))M2xM3yMnO3, wherein M1 comprises lanthanum, praseodymium, scandium, yttrium, neodymium or samarium, M2 comprises an alkali earth metal, M3 comprises an alkali earth metal that is not M2, and x, y, and (x+y) are less than 1. The material has a critical temperature (Tc) in the range of about 270 to about 320K and a transition width is less than about 30K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Cumberland, William B. Barvose-Carter, Adam F. Gross
  • Method of and apparatus for monitoring for security threats in computer network traffic
    Patent number: 8683588
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for monitoring for security threats in computer network traffic is disclosed. The method comprises operating computer processing means to carry out the steps of: monitoring traffic between a network to be protected and a second network, through a first gateway; in response to determining traffic between the network to be protected and a new host in the second network, accessing the new host through a second gateway; and comparing traffic between the network to be protected and the new host through the first gateway with traffic between the computer processing means and the new host through the second gateway, to detect an anomaly therebetween. The apparatus comprising the computer processing means, the computer processing means programmed and operable to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Esteban, David Scarlatti
  • Amorphous metal riblets
    Patent number: 8678316
    Abstract: An array of aerodynamic riblets is created by a plurality of high stiffness tips with a layer supporting the tips in predetermined spaced relation and adhering the tips to a vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Diane C. Rawlings, Stephen Christensen
  • Method and system for differentiating among a plurality of design expressions
    Patent number: 8683367
    Abstract: A method for differentiating between variations of an apparatus design is provided. The method includes digitally characterizing at least two aspects of a first expression wherein the at least two aspects include at least logical data and physical data relating to the first expression, and digitally characterizing the at least two next aspects of at least one next expression other than the first expression wherein the at least two next aspects include at least logical data and physical data relating to the at least one next design expression. The method further includes identifying selected differences between the at least two aspects and the at least two next aspects and displaying the first expression and at least one of the at least one next expression in a visual display wherein the selected differences are presented using at least one visually identifiable distinction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brent Louis Hadley, Patrick J. Eames, Michael Patrick Sciarra
  • GROUP-IV SOLAR CELL STRUCTURE USING GROUP-IV or III-V HETEROSTRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20140076388
    Abstract: Device structures, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for photovoltaic cells that may be a single junction or multijunction solar cells, with at least a first layer comprising a group-IV semiconductor in which part of the cell comprises a second layer comprising a III-V semiconductor or group-IV semiconductor having a different composition than the group-IV semiconductor of the first layer, such that a heterostructure is formed between the first and second layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard R. King, Christopher M. Fetzer, Nasser H. Karam
  • COMPOSITE INTERSECTION REINFORCEMENT
    Publication number: 20140079906
    Abstract: An assembly and method for manufacturing a composite reinforcement for unitizing a structure are provided. According to one embodiment, the assembly includes a base having a plurality of pins extending outwardly therefrom to define a structure about which a composite fiber is wound to define a composite reinforcement preform. The assembly also includes a plurality of mandrels positioned adjacent to the base and at least a portion of the composite reinforcement preform, and a cap that is positioned over at least a portion of the plurality of mandrels. The cap is configured to engage each of the mandrels to support the mandrels and the composite reinforcement preform during a curing process to form the composite reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David T. Misciagna, Jessica J. Fuhrer, Robert S. Funk, William S. Tolotta
  • On-Orbit Reconfigurable Solar Array
    Publication number: 20140077626
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure teaches a method for reconfiguring a solar array. The method involves providing, for the solar array, at least one string of solar cells. The method further involves deactivating at least a portion of at least one of the strings of solar cells of the solar array when power produced by the solar array reaches a maximum power allowance threshold. In addition, the method involves activating at least a portion of at least one of the strings of the solar cells in the solar array when the power produced by the solar array reaches a minimum power allowance threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert K. Levy
  • Optimized Flight Plan Management System
    Publication number: 20140081569
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for flight planning. Routes from a start point to an end point are identified for a flight of an aircraft from a database of routes. A plurality of different types of routes is present in the database of routes. A number of characteristics of the aircraft are applied to the routes to identify a performance of the aircraft for the routes using a number of weather conditions for the flight. The routes are ranked based on the performance of the aircraft on the routes in meeting a number of goals for the flight to form ranked routes. A portion of the ranked routes are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Rajat Agrawal, Robert A. Petrie, JR., Jason J. Long
  • Forest Sensor Deployment and Monitoring System
    Publication number: 20140077969
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a location. Soil sensor units are deployed in the location in a forest from a group of aerial vehicles. Information is generated about a number of soil conditions in the location in the forest using the soil sensor units in the location. The information is transmitted from the soil sensor units to a remote location for analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • METALLIC SANDWICH STRUCTURE HAVING SMALL BEND RADIUS
    Publication number: 20140077031
    Abstract: An acoustic-attenuating wall panel for a nacelle of a turbine engine may include a radiused portion. The radiused portion may include an airflow surface having a concave configuration and which may be exposed to an airflow passing through the nacelle. The radiused portion may include an acoustic attenuating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brenda Benedetti, Robert S. Farrell, Luis R. Leon, Justin H. Lan, Garry A. Booker
  • Lavatory Reconfiguration System
    Publication number: 20140077033
    Abstract: A method and apparatus operating a moveable partition. The moveable partition is configured for use with a first lavatory and a second lavatory. The moveable partition is further configured to separate the first lavatory and the second lavatory into separate spaces within a fixed perimeter for the first lavatory and the second lavatory when the moveable partition is in a first configuration. The moveable partition is further configured to define a single space within the fixed perimeter when the moveable partition is in a second configuration. The moveable partition is connected to a door for the first lavatory in the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Lee Scown, Paul Joseph Wilcynski, Jeffrey Nix, Marc Anton Spane
  • GROUP-IV SOLAR CELL STRUCTURE USING GROUP-IV or III-V HETEROSTRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20140076391
    Abstract: Device structures, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for photovoltaic cells that may be a single junction or multijunction solar cells, with at least a first layer comprising a group-IV semiconductor in which part of the cell comprises a second layer comprising a III-V semiconductor or group-IV semiconductor having a different composition than the group-IV semiconductor of the first layer, such that a heterostructure is formed between the first and second layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard R. King, Christopher M. Fetzer, Nasser H. Karam
  • Performance-Based Simulation System for an Aircraft
    Publication number: 20140080099
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for training in an aircraft. An apparatus comprises an aircraft, a display system associated with the aircraft, a sensor system associated with the aircraft, and a training processor configured to be connected to the aircraft. The training processor is further configured to receive information about an operator, generate constructive data for simulated objects, generate simulation sensor data using the constructive data, and present the simulation sensor data with live sensor data generated by the sensor system on the display system. The training processor is further configured to identify a performance of the operator based on a policy and modify a simulation based on the performance of the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bradley Sowadski, Brandt Wilson Dargue, Robert James Lechner
  • STRONG BONDED JOINTS FOR CRYOGENIC APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20140077037
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for strong bonded wide joints for cryogenic applications. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a three-dimensional preform and a plastic matrix. The plastic matrix may be impregnated in the three-dimensional preform to form a softening strip that may be capable of remaining flexible at a temperature at which a gas may have a liquid form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael Leslie Hand
  • Correction of Pressure Signals Measured During Supersonic Wind Tunnel Testing
    Publication number: 20140076041
    Abstract: A method for removing interference-induced distortion effects from an environment used to experimentally measure aerodynamic signatures. A space marching algorithm is used to extract the effects of environment including rail and wall reflections and rail edge effects to create an interference-free pressure signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric E. Adamson, Alicia L. Bidwell
  • Discretely Tailored Multi-Zone Bondline for Fail-Safe Structural Repair
    Publication number: 20140076481
    Abstract: A repair patch for reworking an inconsistent area of a composite structure includes a patch body adapted to cover the inconsistent area and having a first patch region, a second patch region outside the first patch region and a first separation zone between the first patch region and the second patch region, with the first patch region, the first separation zone and the second patch region having increasing interlaminar fracture toughness from a center to an edge of the patch body; and a layer of adhesive for bonding the patch body to the composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dan-Jumbo, Russell L. Keller, Everett A. Westerman
  • METHOD OF FORMING A WINDOW CUTOUT IN AN AIRFRAME
    Publication number: 20140076477
    Abstract: A method of forming cutouts in an aircraft fuselage may include forming a first cutout and a second cutout in side-by-side relation to one another in a side region of the fuselage. The method may further include configuring the first cutout and the second cutout such that a direct load path extends along the side region substantially continuously from a lower portion of the side region generally under the first cutout to an upper portion of the side region generally over the second cutout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Max U. Kismarton
  • Thermodynamic Pump for Cryogenic Fueled Devices
    Publication number: 20140076290
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Virtual Cell Method for Battery Management
    Publication number: 20140077765
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for battery management. The disclosed method involves current balancing through sinking and/or sourcing current, by at least one virtual cell, for battery cells in a battery pack based on available current and capacity of the battery cells. In one or more embodiments, at least one virtual cell is capable to sink and/or source current for at least one degraded battery cell or at least one dead battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu, George M. Roe