Patents by Inventor Earl E. Van Beek

Earl E. Van Beek 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).

  • Method for improving crack resistance in fiber-metal-laminate structures
    Patent number: 7192501
    Abstract: A method is provided for altering residual stresses in a fiber-metal-laminate structure. At least a first fiber laminate substrate layer having first and second surfaces is provided. At least a first outer metallic laminate layer having third and fourth surfaces is provided, and the first and fourth surface is provided, and the first and fourth surfaces are bonded together. The third surface is peened, such that the at least first fiber laminate substrate layer is subjected to residual tensile stresses and the at least first outer metallic laminate layer is subjected to residual compression stresses. Peening defines a peened region that extends from the third surface into the at least first outer metallic laminate layer a finite distance that is closer to the third surface than the fourth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Willard N. Westre, Leanna M. Micona, Earl E. Van Beek
  • Method for improving crack resistance in fiber-metal-laminate structures
    Publication number: 20040081849
    Abstract: A method is provided for altering residual stresses in a fiber-metal-laminate structure. At least a first fiber laminate substrate layer having first and second surfaces is provided. At least a first outer metallic laminate layer having third and fourth surfaces is provided, and the first and fourth surface is provided, and the first and fourth surfaces are bonded together. The third surface is peened, such that the at least first fiber laminate substrate layer is subjected to residual tensile stresses and the at least first outer metallic laminate layer is subjected to residual compression stresses. Peening defines a peened region that extends from the third surface into the at least first outer metallic laminate layer a finite distance that is closer to the third surface than the fourth surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Williard N. Westre, Leanna M. Micona, Earl E. Van Beek