Patents by Inventor Derek M. Beckner

Derek M. Beckner 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: 10670312
    Abstract: An evaporator comprises a plurality of thermal elements disposed in a shell interior of an evaporator shell. A primary supply line configured to carry a working fluid is disposed in the shell interior. A plurality of tube sets is fluidically coupled to the primary supply line, and each tube set is spaced apart from an adjacent tube set along the first primary supply line. Each tube set comprises a plurality of individual tubes, with each tube proximate a different subset of thermal elements within the shell interior. Each tube comprises a plurality of first fluid distribution points configured to distribute the working fluid proximate the external surface of at least one of the plurality of thermal elements, thereby increasing the amount of surface area of the thermal elements in contact with the working fluid, and increasing the overall efficiency of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Maurer, Derek M. Beckner, Nicholas J. Nagurny
  • Patent number: 10634403
    Abstract: An evaporator comprises a plurality of thermal elements disposed in a shell interior of an evaporator shell. A primary supply line configured to carry a working fluid is disposed in the shell interior. A plurality of tube sets is fluidically coupled to the primary supply line, and each tube set is spaced apart from an adjacent tube set along the first primary supply line. Each tube set comprises a plurality of individual tubes, with each tube proximate a different subset of thermal elements within the shell interior. Each tube comprises a plurality of first fluid distribution points configured to distribute the working fluid proximate the external surface of at least one of the plurality of thermal elements, thereby increasing the amount of surface area of the thermal elements in contact with the working fluid, and increasing the overall efficiency of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Maurer, Derek M. Beckner, Nicholas J. Nagurny
  • Patent number: 10495389
    Abstract: A process of producing shell and tube heat exchangers where the ends of the tubes are secured to a tube sheet while reacting applied FSW forces without introducing a crevice or local deformation near the ends of the tubes. In particular, an interference fit is used to lock the ends of the tubes into the tube sheet without flaring or expanding the tube ends. A FSW process is then used to weld the ends of the tubes to the tube sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Scott M. Maurer, Trevor J. Owen
  • Patent number: 10247491
    Abstract: A process of producing shell and tube heat exchangers where the ends of the tubes are secured to a tube sheet while reacting applied FSW forces without introducing a crevice or local deformation near the ends of the tubes. In particular, an interference fit is used to lock the ends of the tubes into the tube sheet without flaring or expanding the tube ends. A FSW process is then used to weld the ends of the tubes to the tube sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Scott M. Maurer, Trevor J. Owen
  • Publication number: 20170219299
    Abstract: A process of producing shell and tube heat exchangers where the ends of the tubes are secured to a tube sheet while reacting applied FSW forces without introducing a crevice or local deformation near the ends of the tubes. In particular, an interference fit is used to lock the ends of the tubes into the tube sheet without flaring or expanding the tube ends. A FSW process is then used to weld the ends of the tubes to the tube sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Scott M. Maurer, Trevor J. Owen
  • Publication number: 20170219300
    Abstract: A process of producing shell and tube heat exchangers where the ends of the tubes are secured to a tube sheet while reacting applied FSW forces without introducing a crevice or local deformation near the ends of the tubes. In particular, an interference fit is used to lock the ends of the tubes into the tube sheet without flaring or expanding the tube ends. A FSW process is then used to weld the ends of the tubes to the tube sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Scott M. Maurer, Trevor J. Owen
  • Patent number: 9658002
    Abstract: A process of producing shell and tube heat exchangers where the ends of the tubes are secured to a tube sheet while reacting applied FSW forces without introducing a crevice or local deformation near the ends of the tubes. In particular, an interference fit is used to lock the ends of the tubes into the tube sheet without flaring or expanding the tube ends. A FSW process is then used to weld the ends of the tubes to the tube sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Scott M. Maurer, Trevor J. Owen
  • Publication number: 20160363355
    Abstract: An evaporator comprises a plurality of thermal elements disposed in a shell interior of an evaporator shell. A primary supply line configured to carry a working fluid is disposed in the shell interior. A plurality of tube sets is fluidically coupled to the primary supply line, and each tube set is spaced apart from an adjacent tube set along the first primary supply line. Each tube set comprises a plurality of individual tubes, with each tube proximate a different subset of thermal elements within the shell interior. Each tube comprises a plurality of first fluid distribution points configured to distribute the working fluid proximate the external surface of at least one of the plurality of thermal elements, thereby increasing the amount of surface area of the thermal elements in contact with the working fluid, and increasing the overall efficiency of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Scott M. Maurer, Derek M. Beckner, Nicholas J. Nagurny
  • Publication number: 20140262173
    Abstract: A process of producing shell and tube heat exchangers where the ends of the tubes are secured to a tube sheet while reacting applied FSW forces without introducing a crevice or local deformation near the ends of the tubes. In particular, an interference fit is used to lock the ends of the tubes into the tube sheet without flaring or expanding the tube ends. A FSW process is then used to weld the ends of the tubes to the tube sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas J. NAGURNY, Derek M. BECKNER, Michael R. ELLER, Scott M. MAURER, Trevor J. OWEN
  • Patent number: 8540012
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and a method for fabricating the heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger core that is formed from a plurality of stacked aluminum panels that are joined together via friction stir welding. Each panel in the core is formed from at least two aluminum extrusions that are joined to one another via friction stir welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Natalie B. Levings, Derek M. Beckner, Michael R. Eller, Patrick D. Grandelli, Joe Van Ryzin, Eliot Goldstein, Randy J. Brown, Leslie D. Kramer, Robert J. Howard
  • Publication number: 20110011572
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising helically wound tube bundles is disclosed. The helically wound tube bundles are joined with tube sheets to define a primary working fluid system that is fluidically isolated from a secondary working fluid system. The tube sheets and tubes are formed of the same material, which facilitates their joining by means of joints that are substantially galvanic corrosion-resistant joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Nagurny, Natalie B. Levings, Derek M. Beckner, Scott M. Maurer