Patents by Inventor Donald Frank Wilkins

Donald Frank Wilkins 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: 10429857
    Abstract: Systems and methods for aircraft refueling with sun glare prevention. One embodiment is a method that includes calculating a future time to position a receiver aircraft via an optical sensor with respect to a supply aircraft for an aerial fuel transfer, and calculating a sun position relative to the position of the receiver aircraft for the future time. The method also includes determining that the optical sensor of the receiver aircraft is susceptible to solar interference for the future time based on the sun position relative to the position of the receiver aircraft. The method further includes generating a request for the supply aircraft to move to an alternate position for the future time, and positioning the receiver aircraft via the optical sensor at the future time with respect to the alternate position of the supply aircraft for the aerial fuel transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Weaver, Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10087518
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for electrically reconfigurable deposition masks. One embodiment is a deposition mask that includes a plurality of electrical elements. Each of the electrical elements has an opening between a top surface and a bottom surface that constricts based on an electrical signal. A plurality of top surfaces of the electrical elements defines a top surface of the mask, and a plurality of bottom surface of the electrical elements defines a bottom surface of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20180210466
    Abstract: Systems and methods for aircraft refueling with sun glare prevention. One embodiment is a method that includes calculating a future time to position a receiver aircraft via an optical sensor with respect to a supply aircraft for an aerial fuel transfer, and calculating a sun position relative to the position of the receiver aircraft for the future time. The method also includes determining that the optical sensor of the receiver aircraft is susceptible to solar interference for the future time based on the sun position relative to the position of the receiver aircraft. The method further includes generating a request for the supply aircraft to move to an alternate position for the future time, and positioning the receiver aircraft via the optical sensor at the future time with respect to the alternate position of the supply aircraft for the aerial fuel transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas L. Weaver, Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20160047035
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for electrically reconfigurable deposition masks. One embodiment is a deposition mask that includes a plurality of electrical elements. Each of the electrical elements has an opening between a top surface and a bottom surface that constricts based on an electrical signal. A plurality of top surfaces of the electrical elements defines a top surface of the mask, and a plurality of bottom surface of the electrical elements defines a bottom surface of the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8873238
    Abstract: A chassis system includes a body, a lid, a cavity, a backplane, and an electrically conductive connector. The lid is removably attached to the body such that when the lid is attached to the body a cavity within the body is completely enclosed by the body and the attached lid. The lid and the body are made of at least one material that does not allow electromagnetic waves to enter the cavity. The backplane is attached to the body or the lid. The electrically conductive connector is attached to the body or lid. The connector is in wired or wireless communication with the backplane for allowing electricity or data to flow between the electrically conductive connector and the backplane. The chassis system may be used to environmentally protect one or more electronic modules inserted into the cavity of the chassis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8659480
    Abstract: A frequency reconfigurable antenna may include at least two antenna segments and a photonic crystal positioned between the at least two antenna segments. The photonic crystal may selectably electrically connect or isolate the at least two antenna segments with respect to each other based on a conductive state of the photonic crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20130329372
    Abstract: A chassis system includes a body, a lid, a cavity, a backplane, and an electrically conductive connector. The lid is removably attached to the body such that when the lid is attached to the body a cavity within the body is completely enclosed by the body and the attached lid. The lid and the body are made of at least one material that does not allow electromagnetic waves to enter the cavity. The backplane is attached to the body or the lid. The electrically conductive connector is attached to the body or lid. The connector is in wired or wireless communication with the backplane for allowing electricity or data to flow between the electrically conductive connector and the backplane. The chassis system may be used to environmentally protect one or more electronic modules inserted into the cavity of the chassis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20110273347
    Abstract: A frequency reconfigurable antenna may include at least two antenna segments and a photonic crystal positioned between the at least two antenna segments. The photonic crystal may selectably electrically connect or isolate the at least two antenna segments with respect to each other based on a conductive state of the photonic crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Frank Wilkins