Patents by Inventor DANIEL A. WATTS

DANIEL A. WATTS 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: 12497188
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises a fuselage; wings; engines connected to the wings; a set of liquid hydrogen tanks; a vent located on the tail on the fuselage; a conduit system connecting the liquid hydrogen tanks to the vent; and a controller. The controller is configured to control the conduit system to remove gaseous hydrogen in the set of liquid hydrogen tanks to travel through the conduit system and exit at the vent in response to pressure in the set of liquid hydrogen tanks being greater than a specified tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Publication number: 20250058889
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises a fuselage, wings connected to the fuselage, engines connected to the wings, and liquid hydrogen tanks. Each engine in the engines comprises a nacelle, an electric motor within the nacelle, a fuel cell stack within the nacelle, and a nacelle heat exchanger within the nacelle that receives air flowing through an inlet in the nacelle. The liquid hydrogen tanks are configured to store liquid hydrogen, wherein the liquid hydrogen tanks extend along an outside of the fuselage and above the wings and below windows in the fuselage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael F. Stoia, Charles Aguilar, Drew Christopher Hoffman, Luis Gonzalez, Daniel A. Watts
  • Publication number: 20250058890
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises a fuselage; wings; engines connected to the wings; a set of liquid hydrogen tanks; a vent located on the tail on the fuselage; a conduit system connecting the liquid hydrogen tanks to the vent; and a controller. The controller is configured to control the conduit system to remove gaseous hydrogen in the set of liquid hydrogen tanks to travel through the conduit system and exit at the vent in response to pressure in the set of liquid hydrogen tanks being greater than a specified tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 11585644
    Abstract: A mass reducing projectile is provided. The mass reducing projectile includes a shell, one or more weights, and a low melt fusible alloy. The one or more weights are disposed within the shell. The low melt fusible alloy is disposed within the shell so as to encase the one or more weights within the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ngoc Hoang Nguyen, Catherine D. Cannova, Steven J. Adam, Daniel A. Watts
  • Publication number: 20220299302
    Abstract: A mass reducing projectile is provided. The mass reducing projectile includes a shell, one or more weights, and a low melt fusible alloy. The one or more weights are disposed within the shell. The low melt fusible alloy is disposed within the shell so as to encase the one or more weights within the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Ngoc Hoang Nguyen, Catherine D. Cannova, Steven J. Adam, Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 10934030
    Abstract: A rocket fueling system includes an insulated jacket configured to removably couple to at least a portion of a rocket and form an enclosed space between the insulated jacket and the at least the portion of the rocket. The rocket fueling system also includes a cryogen inlet in the insulated jacket. The cryogen inlet is configured to receive a cryogen into an interior chamber of the insulated jacket. The rocket fueling system further includes a cryogen outlet in the insulated jacket. The cryogen outlet is configured to provide the cryogen from the interior chamber in the insulated jacket to the at least the portion of the rocket in the enclosed space. The rocket fueling system still further includes a gas outlet in the insulated jacket configured to exhaust the cryogen from the enclosed space, and a flammable gas sensor configured to detect a flammable gas at the gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, David S. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10634094
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for delivering high triple point propellant to a rocket engine and maintaining the desired phase of the propellant during engine ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, David S. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10421657
    Abstract: A Reduced Boil-off Thermal Conditioning System (“RBTC System”) for transferring liquid natural gas (“LNG”) from a LNG supply tank to a LNG storage tank with reduced boil-off is disclosed. The RBTC System includes the LNG storage tank, a cryogenic fluid tank within the LNG supply tank, and a compressor. The LNG storage tank includes a first and second LNG pipe. The cryogenic fluid tank is configured to store a cryogenic fluid within the cryogenic fluid tank and the first and second LNG pipe are in fluid communication with to the cryogenic fluid tank. The first LNG pipe is in fluid communication with compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, David S. Jenkins, Albert Olsen
  • Publication number: 20180023512
    Abstract: A rocket fueling system includes an insulated jacket configured to removably couple to at least a portion of a rocket and form an enclosed space between the insulated jacket and the at least the portion of the rocket. The rocket fueling system also includes a cryogen inlet in the insulated jacket. The cryogen inlet is configured to receive a cryogen into an interior chamber of the insulated jacket. The rocket fueling system further includes a cryogen outlet in the insulated jacket. The cryogen outlet is configured to provide the cryogen from the interior chamber in the insulated jacket to the at least the portion of the rocket in the enclosed space. The rocket fueling system still further includes a gas outlet in the insulated jacket configured to exhaust the cryogen from the enclosed space, and a flammable gas sensor configured to detect a flammable gas at the gas outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, David S. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20180016130
    Abstract: A Reduced Boil-off Thermal Conditioning System (“RBTC System”) for transferring liquid natural gas (“LNG”) from a LNG supply tank to a LNG storage tank with reduced boil-off is disclosed. The RBTC System includes the LNG storage tank, a cryogenic fluid tank within the LNG supply tank, and a compressor. The LNG storage tank includes a first and second LNG pipe. The cryogenic fluid tank is configured to store a cryogenic fluid within the cryogenic fluid tank and the first and second LNG pipe are in fluid communication with to the cryogenic fluid tank. The first LNG pipe is in fluid communication with compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: DANIEL A. WATTS, DAVID S. JENKINS, ALBERT OLSEN
  • Patent number: 9853301
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for conditioning fluids stored in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel system includes a fuel cell and a storage vessel, which stores a first fluid that is supplied to the fuel cell and a second fluid that is produced by the fuel cell. The fuel system also includes a thermal conditioning module that receives the first fluid from the storage vessel and receives the second fluid from the fuel cell. The first fluid stored in the storage vessel is conditioned by absorbing heat from the second fluid, such that the fuel cell receives the conditioned first fluid. The second fluid received from the fuel cell is in gaseous state and is converted to a liquid. The liquid second fluid is stored in the storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Publication number: 20170342943
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for delivering high triple point propellant to a rocket engine and maintaining the desired phase of the propellant during engine ignition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, David S. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20170012303
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for conditioning fluids stored in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel system includes a fuel cell and a storage vessel, which stores a first fluid that is supplied to the fuel cell and a second fluid that is produced by the fuel cell. The fuel system also includes a thermal conditioning module that receives the first fluid from the storage vessel and receives the second fluid from the fuel cell. The first fluid stored in the storage vessel is conditioned by absorbing heat from the second fluid, such that the fuel cell receives the conditioned first fluid. The second fluid received from the fuel cell is in gaseous state and is converted to a liquid. The liquid second fluid is stored in the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Patent number: 9383065
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for storing fluid in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a storage vessel includes at least two concentrically arranged storage tanks, which includes a first storage tank and a second storage tank. The first storage tank surrounds the second storage tank, such that the first storage tank is configured to protect the second storage tank from external environmental conditions. The storage vessel also includes a storage compartment positioned adjacent to the two storage tanks. In one embodiment, the storage vessel may be an underwater cryogenic storage vessel that stores liquid oxygen used as a reactant in a fuel cell and liquid carbon dioxide, which is an effluent of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Publication number: 20150121905
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8991197
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Patent number: 8950195
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8859153
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for conditioning fluids stored in an underwater cryogenic storage vessel designed for use in a fuel system of an underwater vehicle. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel system includes a fuel cell and a storage vessel, which stores a first fluid that is supplied to the fuel cell and a second fluid that is produced by the fuel cell. The fuel system also includes a thermal conditioning module that receives the first fluid from the storage vessel and receives the second fluid from the fuel cell. The first fluid stored in the storage vessel is conditioned by absorbing heat from the second fluid, such that the fuel cell receives the conditioned first fluid. The second fluid received from the fuel cell is in gaseous state and is converted to a liquid. The liquid second fluid is stored in the storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin C. Cady, Daniel A. Watts, Gary D. Grayson
  • Patent number: 8789379
    Abstract: A hydrogen pump comprises a pump housing and a heating mechanism. The pump housing receives liquid hydrogen through a housing inlet. The heating mechanism vaporizes the liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen. The pump housing releases the gaseous hydrogen through a housing outlet at a predetermined pressure level of the gaseous hydrogen. The pump housing closes the housing outlet such as when the liquid hydrogen in the pump housing falls below a depletion level. The pump housing opens and additional liquid hydrogen enters the pump housing through the housing inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8726676
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow