Patents by Inventor Brad L. Kirkwood
Brad L. Kirkwood 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).
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Patent number: 10179940Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for manufacturing a part. The part is comprised of a metal alloy and is positioned to form a positioned part. An electromagnetic field is generated that heats the positioned part. A surface of the positioned part is exposed to an inert gas, while the electromagnetic field is generated to create an inverse thermal gradient between an exterior of the positioned part and an interior section of the positioned part to form a heat treated part.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
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Patent number: 9394062Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerald D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
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Publication number: 20160068922Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for manufacturing a part. The part is comprised of a metal alloy and is positioned to form a positioned part. An electromagnetic field is generated that heats the positioned part. A surface of the positioned part is exposed to an inert gas, while the electromagnetic field is generated to create an inverse thermal gradient between an exterior of the positioned part and an interior section of the positioned part to form a heat treated part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
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Patent number: 9187818Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for manufacturing a part. The part is comprised of a metal alloy and is positioned to form a positioned part. An electromagnetic field is generated that heats the positioned part. A surface of the positioned part is exposed to an inert gas, while the electromagnetic field is generated to create an inverse thermal gradient between an exterior of the positioned part and an interior section of the positioned part to form a heat treated part.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
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Publication number: 20150259079Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerald D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
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Patent number: 9016551Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerry D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
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Patent number: 8918978Abstract: A method to join a first structure to a second structure comprises aligning a first hole in the first structure with a second hole in the second structure and inserting a fastener into the first hole and the second hole. The fastener comprises a shape memory alloy which was formed into a first shape having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in an austenite state and reduced to a second shape having a diameter less than the diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in a martensite state. The method further comprises heating the fastener above an austenite start transition temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Brad L Kirkwood, Lee C. Firth, Richard D. Widdle, Wesley B. Crow
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Patent number: 8530114Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect comprises a metal sheet with an air side and a fuel side in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The metal sheet comprises a metallic composite having a matrix. The matrix comprises a first metal. The metal sheet also comprises a plurality of discontinuous, elongated, directional reinforcement wires. The reinforcement wires comprise a second metal that is immiscible in the first metal. An oxidation protection layer is disposed on the air side of the metal sheet.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Brad L. Kirkwood
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Patent number: 8388292Abstract: In one embodiment a method to join a first structure to a second structure, comprises aligning a first hole in the first structure with a second hole in the second structure and inserting a fastener into the first hole and the second hole. The fastener comprises a shape memory alloy which was formed into a first shape having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in an austenite state and reduced to a second shape having a diameter less than the diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in a martensite state.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Lee C. Firth, Richard D. Widdle, Wesley B. Crow
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Patent number: 8343402Abstract: In one embodiment method to form a composite part from a metallic composite powder, comprises positioning a metallic composite powder preform in a mold cavity formed by a first susceptor and a second susceptor, heating the mold cavity to a first processing temperature, applying a pressure to the mold cavity, and applying a thermal oscillation cycle to the mold cavity, wherein the thermal oscillation cycle oscillates the temperature of the mold cavity between a first temperature in which the metallic composite powder is in a first phase and a second temperature in which the metallic composite powder is in a second phase, different from the first phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, Wesley B. Crow, Brad L. Kirkwood
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Publication number: 20110135418Abstract: In one embodiment a method to join a first structure to a second structure, comprises aligning a first hole in the first structure with a second hole in the second structure and inserting a fastener into the first hole and the second hole. The fastener comprises a shape memory alloy which was formed into a first shape having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in an austenite state and reduced to a second shape having a diameter less than the diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in a martensite state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Lee C. Firth, Richard D. Widdle, Wesley B. Crow
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Patent number: 7810757Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Brad L Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerald D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
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Publication number: 20100200123Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for manufacturing a part. The part is comprised of a metal alloy and is positioned to form a positioned part. An electromagnetic field is generated that heats the positioned part. A surface of the positioned part is exposed to an inert gas, while the electromagnetic field is generated to create an inverse thermal gradient between an exterior of the positioned part and an interior section of the positioned part to form a heat treated part.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
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Publication number: 20100162567Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2006Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerry D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
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Publication number: 20090035632Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect comprises a metal sheet with an air side and a fuel side in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The metal sheet comprises a metallic composite having a matrix. The matrix comprises a first metal. The metal sheet also comprises a plurality of discontinuous, elongated, directional reinforcement wires. The reinforcement wires comprise a second metal that is immiscible in the first metal. An oxidation protection layer is disposed on the air side of the metal sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventor: Brad L. Kirkwood
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Publication number: 20080105661Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerry D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
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Patent number: 7102112Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Donald A. Anderson, Ronald W. Brown, Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Douglas A. McCarville, Stephen G. Moore
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Patent number: 6979807Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Donald A. Anderson, Ronald W. Brown, Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Douglas A. McCarville, Stephen G. Moore
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Patent number: 6855917Abstract: A die liner for use in a die having a die body wherein the die body is configured to form a workpiece. The die liner is a discrete structure that is configured to be used in conjunction with the die body. The die liner defines a forming surface for forming the workpiece and is configured to have at least one characteristic that is different than a corresponding characteristic of the die body such that the die liner increases the durability of the die.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, Ronald W. Brown, John R. Fischer, Brad L. Kirkwood
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Publication number: 20030226839Abstract: A single or multilayer smart susceptor for temperature control of part fabrication in an induction processing system generally consists of single layer or laminated layers of ferromagnetic material susceptible to heating by induction. The use of the susceptors in fabrication at elevated temperatures causes oxidation damage to the surface. The susceptor may be coated with a nickel aluminide surface coating to minimize oxidation of the susceptor outer surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2001Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, Brad L. Kirkwood, Ronald W. Brown