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).

  • Patent number: 10179940
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
  • Patent number: 9394062
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerald D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20160068922
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
  • Patent number: 9187818
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
  • Publication number: 20150259079
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerald D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
  • Patent number: 9016551
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerry D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
  • Patent number: 8918978
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brad L Kirkwood, Lee C. Firth, Richard D. Widdle, Wesley B. Crow
  • Patent number: 8530114
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brad L. Kirkwood
  • Patent number: 8388292
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Lee C. Firth, Richard D. Widdle, Wesley B. Crow
  • Patent number: 8343402
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Wesley B. Crow, Brad L. Kirkwood
  • Publication number: 20110135418
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Lee C. Firth, Richard D. Widdle, Wesley B. Crow
  • Patent number: 7810757
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brad L Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerald D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20100200123
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Tony Shen, Wesley B. Crow
  • Publication number: 20100162567
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerry D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20090035632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Brad L. Kirkwood
  • Publication number: 20080105661
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Kirkwood, Paul S. Gregg, Gerry D. Miller, Jeff D. Will, David W. Evans
  • Patent number: 7102112
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Ronald W. Brown, Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Douglas A. McCarville, Stephen G. Moore
  • Patent number: 6979807
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Ronald W. Brown, Brad L. Kirkwood, Marc R. Matsen, Douglas A. McCarville, Stephen G. Moore
  • Patent number: 6855917
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Ronald W. Brown, John R. Fischer, Brad L. Kirkwood
  • Publication number: 20030226839
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Brad L. Kirkwood, Ronald W. Brown