Patents by Inventor Brian L. Wherley

Brian L. Wherley 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: 8127443
    Abstract: A method of fabrication of a rocket engine nozzle assembly using pressure brazing generally includes initially assembling a rocket engine nozzle liner into a rocket engine nozzle jacket for a rocket engine nozzle assembly. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may then be sealed. Prior to pressure brazing the rocket engine nozzle assembly, pressure brazing parameters may be determined. The pressure brazing may be performed with the determined pressure brazing parameters to complete the fabrication of the rocket engine nozzle. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may include a rocket engine nozzle jacket and a rocket engine nozzle liner having a plurality of channels, with the space between each channel defining a land, and the rocket engine nozzle liner having at least a pair of endlands disposed at each end thereof. The rocket engine nozzle liner is bonded to the rocket engine nozzle jacket by the endlands being bonded to the nozzle jacket and the lands being pressure brazed to the nozzle jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffry A. Fint, Michael B. Hankins, Myron L. Jew, Donald G. Ulmer, Brian L. Wherley, William D. Romine, Frederick M. Kuck, Douglas S. Ades
  • Patent number: 7954459
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing liquid are provided which employ a plurality of rods disposed within a storage vessel that serve as the heat transfer element. While the plurality of rods are generally submerged by the liquid fuel to facilitate heat transfer and vaporization of the liquid fuel, the rods may be packed closely together such that the liquid inventory required to maintain the rods in a submerged state is substantially less than required by conventional fuel supply systems, thereby permitting the weight of a fuel supply system that incorporates the apparatus and method to be reduced while still permitting effective vaporization of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan Z. Ullman, Albert D. Tomassian, Brian L. Wherley, Clyde D. Newman
  • Patent number: 7596940
    Abstract: A method of fabrication of a rocket engine nozzle assembly using pressure brazing generally includes initially assembling a rocket engine nozzle liner into a rocket engine nozzle jacket for a rocket engine nozzle assembly. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may then be sealed. Prior to pressure brazing the rocket engine nozzle assembly, pressure brazing parameters may be determined. The pressure brazing may be performed with the determined pressure brazing parameters to complete the fabrication of the rocket engine nozzle. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may include a rocket engine nozzle jacket and a rocket engine nozzle liner having a plurality of channels, with the space between each channel defining a land, and the rocket engine nozzle liner having at least a pair of endlands disposed at each end thereof. The rocket engine nozzle liner is bonded to the rocket engine nozzle jacket by the endlands being bonded to the nozzle jacket and the lands being pressure brazed to the nozzle jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry A. Fint, Michael B. Hankins, Myron L. Jew, Donald G. Ulmer, Brian L. Wherley, William D. Romine, Frederick M. Kuck, Douglas S. Ades
  • Publication number: 20090100678
    Abstract: A method of fabrication of a rocket engine nozzle assembly using pressure brazing generally includes initially assembling a rocket engine nozzle liner into a rocket engine nozzle jacket for a rocket engine nozzle assembly. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may then be sealed. Prior to pressure brazing the rocket engine nozzle assembly, pressure brazing parameters may be determined. The pressure brazing may be performed with the determined pressure brazing parameters to complete the fabrication of the rocket engine nozzle. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may include a rocket engine nozzle jacket and a rocket engine nozzle liner having a plurality of channels, with the space between each channel defining a land, and the rocket engine nozzle liner having at least a pair of endlands disposed at each end thereof. The rocket engine nozzle liner is bonded to the rocket engine nozzle jacket by the endlands being bonded to the nozzle jacket and the lands being pressure brazed to the nozzle jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffry A. Fint, Michael B. Hankins, Myron L. Jew, Donald G. Ulmer, Brian L. Wherley, William D. Romine, Frederick M. Kuck, Douglas S. Ades
  • Publication number: 20090000572
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing liquid are provided which employ a plurality of rods disposed within a storage vessel that serve as the heat transfer element. While the plurality of rods are generally submerged by the liquid fuel to facilitate heat transfer and vaporization of the liquid fuel, the rods may be packed closely together such that the liquid inventory required to maintain the rods in a submerged state is substantially less than required by conventional fuel supply systems, thereby permitting the weight of a fuel supply system that incorporates the apparatus and method to be reduced while still permitting effective vaporization of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Alan Z. Ullman, Albert D. Tomassian, Brian L. Wherley, Clyde D. Newman