Patents by Inventor Alan Binks

Alan Binks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9551298
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a forward nacelle portion having an aft edge and defining a bypass duct that transports bypass airflow of the turbofan engine, a translatable sleeve that is translatable aft of the forward nacelle portion, and a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) airfoil that is movable between a stowed position, a VAFN flow position, and a thrust reverse position. Blocker doors for the thrust position are integrated into the VAFN airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Michael J. Layland, Norman J. James
  • Patent number: 9403599
    Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Norman John James, Michael John Layland
  • Patent number: 9233757
    Abstract: A nacelle is configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween. The nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The first cowling can also include a flattened surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Norman John James, Alan Binks, Michael J Layland
  • Publication number: 20140064927
    Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: ALAN BINKS, NORMAN JOHN JAMES, MICHAEL JOHN LAYLAND
  • Publication number: 20140027537
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a forward nacelle portion having an aft edge and defining a bypass duct that transports bypass airflow of the turbofan engine, a translatable sleeve that is translatable aft of the forward nacelle portion, and a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) airfoil that is movable between a stowed position, a VAFN flow position, and a thrust reverse position. Blocker doors for the thrust position are integrated into the VAFN airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Michael J. Layland, Norman J. James
  • Publication number: 20130118599
    Abstract: A nacelle is configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween. The nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The first cowling can also include a flattened surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman John James, Alan Binks, Michael J. Layland
  • Patent number: 8267642
    Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Norman John James, Michael John Layland
  • Patent number: 8197191
    Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Norman John James, Michael John Layland
  • Publication number: 20110197973
    Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Norman John James, Michael John Layland
  • Publication number: 20100260602
    Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Norman John James, Michael John Layland