Patents by Inventor Chris J. Foster

Chris J. Foster 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).

  • Composite wing edge attachment and method
    Patent number: 10933972
    Abstract: A composite edge of an aircraft wing includes a composite wing box skin panel, attached to an outward wing spar in an attachment region, and a composite ramp, upon an outer surface of, and co-cured with, the composite wing box skin panel. The composite wing box skin panel has a proximal end and a distal end, with an overhanging edge, with substantially constant thickness and ply count in the attachment region. The composite ramp has a maximum ramp thickness at the distal end, the distal end being set back from the overhanging edge, defining a shoulder on the overhanging edge. A composite wing edge skin panel, having a thickness substantially equal to the maximum ramp thickness, is attached to the composite wing box skin panel at the shoulder and adjacent to the distal end of the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Chris J. Foster, John V. Dovey, Gregory M. Santini
  • Composite wing edge attachment and method
    Patent number: 10329009
    Abstract: A composite edge of an aircraft wing includes a composite wing box skin panel, attached to an outward wing spar in an attachment region, and a composite ramp, upon an outer surface of the composite wing box skin panel. The composite wing box skin panel has a proximal end and a distal end, with an overhanging edge, with substantially constant thickness and ply count in the attachment region, the overhanging edge being without any joggle. The composite ramp has a maximum ramp thickness at the distal end, the distal end being set back from the overhanging edge, defining a shoulder, having a relief radius, on the overhanging edge. A composite wing edge skin panel, having a thickness substantially equal to the maximum ramp thickness, is attached to the composite wing box skin panel at the shoulder and adjacent to the distal end of the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Chris J Foster, Gregory M Santini, John V Dovey
  • COMPOSITE WING EDGE ATTACHMENT AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20190071165
    Abstract: A composite edge of an aircraft wing includes a composite wing box skin panel, attached to an outward wing spar in an attachment region, and a composite ramp, upon an outer surface of, and co-cured with, the composite wing box skin panel. The composite wing box skin panel has a proximal end and a distal end, with an overhanging edge, with substantially constant thickness and ply count in the attachment region. The composite ramp has a maximum ramp thickness at the distal end, the distal end being set back from the overhanging edge, defining a shoulder on the overhanging edge. A composite wing edge skin panel, having a thickness substantially equal to the maximum ramp thickness, is attached to the composite wing box skin panel at the shoulder and adjacent to the distal end of the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Chris J. Foster, John V. Dovey, Gregory M. Santini
  • COMPOSITE WING EDGE ATTACHMENT AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160244143
    Abstract: A composite edge of an aircraft wing includes a composite wing box skin panel, attached to an outward wing spar in an attachment region, and a composite ramp, upon an outer surface of, and co-cured with, the composite wing box skin panel. The composite wing box skin panel has a proximal end and a distal end, with an overhanging edge, with substantially constant thickness and ply count in the attachment region. The composite ramp has a maximum ramp thickness at the distal end, is the distal end being set back from the overhanging edge, defining a shoulder on the overhanging edge. A composite wing edge skin panel, having a thickness substantially equal to the maximum ramp thickness, is attached to the composite wing box skin panel at the shoulder and adjacent to the distal end of the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Chris J. Foster, Gregory M. Santini, John V. Dovey