Patents by Inventor Dale B. Winter

Dale B. Winter 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).

  • Lightning protection system for aircraft composite structure
    Patent number: 7969706
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
  • Lightning protection system for an aircraft composite structure
    Patent number: 7898785
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a wall, an internal structure, and a fastener. The wall has a conductive surface and a countersunk hole. The countersunk hole passes through the internal structure. The fastener has an interference fit within the countersunk hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dale B. Winter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Steven C. Steckmyer, Kevin D. Pate, Darrin M. Hansen, John R. Porter, Jeffrey Sutton, Russell J. Heeter, James F. Huffaker
  • Lightning Protection System for Aircraft Composite Structure
    Publication number: 20100020461
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
  • Lightning protection system for aircraft composite structure
    Patent number: 7599164
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
  • LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT COMPOSITE STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080297967
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a wall, an internal structure, and a fastener. The wall has a conductive surface and a countersunk hole. The countersunk hole passes through the internal structure. The fastener has an interference fit within the countersunk hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Dale B. Winter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Steven C. Steckmyer, Kevin D. Pate, Darrin M. Hansen, John R. Porter, Jeffrey Sutton, Russell J. Heeter, James F. Huffaker
  • LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR AIRCRAFT COMPOSITE STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080137259
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend