Patents by Inventor Benjamin P. Van Kampen

Benjamin P. Van Kampen 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: 8356842
    Abstract: Fittings with redundant seals for aircraft fuel lines, fuel tanks, and other systems. A representative fitting includes a first member having a flange and a barrel. The barrel further includes a passageway. A first flange seal is positioned at a face of the flange and can be sealably coupled to a surface, for example, a tank wall. A second flange seal is disposed outwardly from the first flange seal to seal against the surface. The fitting further includes a second member positioned within the passageway of the barrel. The fitting further includes first and second barrel seals positioned between the barrel and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 7946038
    Abstract: Adjustable fittings for attaching support members to fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits, are disclosed herein. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fluid conduit carried by an aircraft and a housing fixedly attached to the fluid conduit. The housing can include a first attachment feature having one of a projection extending outwardly from the housing or an aperture extending at least partially through the housing. The system further includes a support member having an attachment portion positioned proximate to the attachment feature. The attachment portion includes a support member aperture positioned over at least a portion of the first attachment feature. An adjustable fitting couples the support member to the housing. The adjustable fitting can include a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an engagement portion at the second side positioned within at least a portion of the support member aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 7922122
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits. An aircraft configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fuselage portion, a wing portion, and a fuel tank carried by least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The aircraft also includes a spar carried by at least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The spar includes a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib. The aircraft further includes a fluid conduit proximate to the spar and operably coupled to the fuel tank. A support member carrying the fluid conduit is operably coupled to the spar. The support member can be positioned to transfer at least approximately all of the axial loads from the fluid conduit to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Publication number: 20100024189
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits, are disclosed. An aircraft configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fuselage portion, a wing portion, and a fuel tank carried by least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The aircraft also includes a spar carried by at least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The spar includes a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib. The aircraft further includes a fluid conduit proximate to the spar and operably coupled to the fuel tank. A support member carrying the fluid conduit is operably coupled to the spar. The support member can be positioned to transfer at least approximately all of the axial loads from the fluid conduit to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Publication number: 20090293256
    Abstract: Adjustable fittings for attaching support members to fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits, are disclosed herein. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fluid conduit carried by an aircraft and a housing fixedly attached to the fluid conduit. The housing can include a first attachment feature having one of a projection extending outwardly from the housing or an aperture extending at least partially through the housing. The system further includes a support member having an attachment portion positioned proximate to the attachment feature. The attachment portion includes a support member aperture positioned over at least a portion of the first attachment feature. An adjustable fitting couples the support member to the housing. The adjustable fitting can include a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an engagement portion at the second side positioned within at least a portion of the support member aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Publication number: 20090261583
    Abstract: Fittings with redundant seals for aircraft fuel lines, fuel tanks, and other systems are disclosed. A fitting in accordance with one embodiment can be positioned adjacent to an aperture in a fuel tank wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The fitting can include a first member having a flange and a barrel. The barrel can further include a passageway. A first flange seal can be positioned at a face of the flange and can be sealably coupled to a surface, for example, the tank wall. A second flange seal can be disposed outwardly from the first flange seal against the surface. The fitting can further include a second member (e.g., a sensor) positioned within the passageway of the barrel. The fitting can further include first and second barrel seals positioned between the barrel and the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 7581700
    Abstract: Adjustable fittings for attaching support members to fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits, are disclosed herein. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fluid conduit carried by an aircraft and a housing fixedly attached to the fluid conduit. The housing can include a first attachment feature having one of a projection extending outwardly from the housing or an aperture extending at least partially through the housing. The system further includes a support member having an attachment portion positioned proximate to the attachment feature. The attachment portion includes a support member aperture positioned over at least a portion of the first attachment feature. An adjustable fitting couples the support member to the housing. The adjustable fitting can include a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an engagement portion at the second side positioned within at least a portion of the support member aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 7533850
    Abstract: Fittings with redundant seals for aircraft fuel lines, fuel tanks, and other systems are disclosed. A fitting in accordance with one embodiment can be positioned adjacent to an aperture in a fuel tank wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The fitting can include a first member having a flange and a barrel. The barrel can further include a passageway. A first flange seal can be positioned at a face of the flange and can be sealably coupled to a surface, for example, the tank wall. A second flange seal can be disposed outwardly from the first flange seal against the surface. The fitting can further include a second member (e.g., a sensor) positioned within the passageway of the barrel. The fitting can further include first and second barrel seals positioned between the barrel and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 7493911
    Abstract: A shrouded valve apparatus including an outer conduit, an inner conduit disposed within the outer conduit, and a valve member operable to regulate flow through the inner conduit. This apparatus is useful in shrouded aircraft fuel systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 7293741
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits, are disclosed. An aircraft configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fuselage portion, a wing portion, and a fuel tank carried by least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The aircraft also includes a spar carried by at least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The spar includes a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib. The aircraft further includes a fluid conduit proximate to the spar and operably coupled to the fuel tank. A support member carrying the fluid conduit is operably coupled to the spar. The support member can be positioned to transfer at least approximately all of the axial loads from the fluid conduit to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen
  • Patent number: 7213787
    Abstract: Valves for annular conduits and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A fluid transmission system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first conduit having a first wall aligned with a flow direction in the first conduit and a second conduit disposed annularly around the first conduit with a second wall aligned with the flow direction. An access channel can be positioned to have an aperture in fluid communication with the first conduit and can be isolated from fluid communication with the second conduit. A valve element can be positioned in fluid communication with the access channel and can be movable between a first position and a second position, with the valve element being positioned to allow a first amount of flow through the access channel when in the first position and being positioned to allow no flow or a second amount of flow less than the first amount of flow through the access channel when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Carns, Theron L. Cutler, Mark A. Shelly, Benjamin P. Van Kampen