Patents by Inventor David A. Willis

David A. Willis 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: 12459603
    Abstract: A reduced drag surface involves a perforated or porous surface exposed to a flowing fluid and a slip interface disposed between the surface and the flowing fluid, wherein the slip interface is formed from an entrapped fluid trapped at the surface. A method for modifying a drag coefficient on a reduced drag surface involves the steps of supplying a fluid to a perforated or porous surface exposed to a flowing fluid, wherein the surface traps the fluid at the surface to form an entrapped fluid and forming a slip interface between the surface and the flowing fluid, wherein the slip interface is formed from the entrapped fluid. An apparatus for a reduced drag surface includes the reduced drag surface described above and a source of fluid fluidically coupled to the surface such that the source supplied fluid to the surface to form the entrapped fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Paul S. Krueger, David A. Willis, Haosen Tan, Denise Cox
  • Publication number: 20230131080
    Abstract: A reduced drag surface involves a perforated or porous surface exposed to a flowing fluid and a slip interface disposed between the surface and the flowing fluid, wherein the slip interface is formed from an entrapped fluid trapped at the surface. A method for modifying a drag coefficient on a reduced drag surface involves the steps of supplying a fluid to a perforated or porous surface exposed to a flowing fluid, wherein the surface traps the fluid at the surface to form an entrapped fluid and forming a slip interface between the surface and the flowing fluid, wherein the slip interface is formed from the entrapped fluid. An apparatus for a reduced drag surface includes the reduced drag surface described above and a source of fluid fluidically coupled to the surface such that the source supplied fluid to the surface to form the entrapped fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Paul S. Krueger, David A. Willis, Haosen Tan, Denise Cox
  • Patent number: 5490369
    Abstract: A capping head including a housing assembly including a magnetic clutch interconnecting a drive spindle and a quill for applying a closure to a container. The magnetic clutch consists of opposed rings of magnets and one of the rings is disposed in a piston ring assembly that is quickly and easily adjustable relative to the other to vary the torque limit of the clutch. A simple yet efficient clamping assembly is employed to facilitate ready adjustment and retention of the movable piston ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Darwin L. Ellis, James D. Duke, David A. Willis