Patents by Inventor Brian E. Geppert

Brian E. Geppert 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: 11052992
    Abstract: Mini-spoilers for enhancing the effectiveness of lateral-control surfaces of aircraft wings are described. An example aircraft includes a wing, a lateral-control surface, and a mini-spoiler. The lateral-control surface is movably coupled to the wing. The lateral-control surface is movable between a neutral position, a first upward deflected position, and a second upward deflected position extending beyond the first upward deflected position. The mini-spoiler is located on or forward of the lateral-control surface. The mini-spoiler is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The mini-spoiler is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the deployed position based on the lateral-control surface being moved from the neutral position to or toward the first upward deflected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul M. Vijgen, Adam P. Malachowski, Christopher A. Konings, Brian E. Geppert
  • Publication number: 20210155338
    Abstract: Mini-spoilers for enhancing the effectiveness of lateral-control surfaces of aircraft wings are described. An example aircraft includes a wing, a lateral-control surface, and a mini-spoiler. The lateral-control surface is movably coupled to the wing. The lateral-control surface is movable between a neutral position, a first upward deflected position, and a second upward deflected position extending beyond the first upward deflected position. The mini-spoiler is located on or forward of the lateral-control surface. The mini-spoiler is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The mini-spoiler is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the deployed position based on the lateral-control surface being moved from the neutral position to or toward the first upward deflected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Paul M. Vijgen, Adam P. Malachowski, Christopher A. Konings, Brian E. Geppert
  • Patent number: 10144502
    Abstract: Aerodynamic structures having lower surface spoilers are described herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes a first spoiler of an aerodynamic structure of an aircraft, where the first spoiler is to deflect away from a first side of the aerodynamic structure and a second spoiler on a second side of the aerodynamic structure opposite of the first side, where the second spoiler is to deflect away from the second side to reduce a load on at least one of the first spoiler or a flap of the aerodynamic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean C. Omeara, Brian E. Geppert, Christopher Andrew Konings, Stephen Roger Amorosi, Paul M. Vijgen, Kevin Mark Johnsen, Gregory M. Santini
  • Publication number: 20170259908
    Abstract: Aerodynamic structures having lower surface spoilers are described herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes a first spoiler of an aerodynamic structure of an aircraft, where the first spoiler is to deflect away from a first side of the aerodynamic structure and a second spoiler on a second side of the aerodynamic structure opposite of the first side, where the second spoiler is to deflect away from the second side to reduce a load on at least one of the first spoiler or a flap of the aerodynamic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Sean C. Omeara, Brian E. Geppert, Christopher Andrew Konings, Stephen Roger Amorosi, Paul M. Vijgen, Kevin Mark Johnsen, Gregory M. Santini