Patents by Inventor Denver R. Whitworth

Denver R. Whitworth 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: 10850460
    Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
  • Publication number: 20200086593
    Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
  • Patent number: 10518491
    Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
  • Patent number: 10155366
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a damaged laminate including the process of cutting out a damaged section and replacing damaged section with a repair laminate, then covering the repair laminate with a vacuum bag having a heater disposed therein. Thereafter, applying heat and pressure to the repair laminate with the heater and vacuum bag to adequately debulk and cure the repair laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb
  • Patent number: 9930728
    Abstract: A device and method for applying treatment to a structure includes a housing having a first membrane sealed to a second membrane for creating an airtight cavity therebetween for receiving a porous material and a working layer. The method includes the process of conforming the shape of the housing to the structure and applying a treatment thereafter to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Eric W. Nottorf
  • Publication number: 20180065328
    Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru Jitariu
  • Patent number: 9849640
    Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, III, Dumitru Jitariu
  • Patent number: 9034137
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a bonding material to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the bonding material. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu
  • Publication number: 20130255856
    Abstract: Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Eric W. Nottorf, Vance N. Cribb, III, Dumitru Jitariu
  • Publication number: 20130056131
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a damaged laminate including the process of cutting out a damaged section and replacing damaged section with a repair laminate, then covering the repair laminate with a vacuum bag having a heater disposed therein. Thereafter, applying heat and pressure to the repair laminate with the heater and vacuum bag to adequately debulk and cure the repair laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb
  • Patent number: 8382924
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a release film to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the release film. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The release film and ply stack assembly is then removed from the exposed surface. A bonding material is then applied to the exposed surface, and the uncured ply stack assembly is applied to the bonding material. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu
  • Publication number: 20130043232
    Abstract: A device and method for applying treatment to a structure includes a housing having a first membrane sealed to a second membrane for creating an airtight cavity therebetween for receiving a porous material and a working layer. The method includes the process of conforming the shape of the housing to the structure and applying a treatment thereafter to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Eric W. Nottorf
  • Publication number: 20100258235
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a bonding material to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the bonding material. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu
  • Publication number: 20100243146
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a release film to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the release film. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The release film and ply stack assembly is then removed from the exposed surface. A bonding material is then applied to the exposed surface, and the uncured ply stack assembly is applied to the bonding material. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Denver R. Whitworth, Vance N. Cribb, Dumitru R. Jitariu