Patents by Inventor Edward W. Brouwers

Edward W. Brouwers 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: 11135829
    Abstract: A system for forming a structural member which includes a first collimated light source and a reservoir containing a volume of photo-monomer resin wherein the first collimated light source is positioned spaced apart from the photo-monomer resin. The system further includes a first face sheet structure defining at least one bore which extends through the first face sheet structure wherein a portion of the first face sheet structure is positioned under a surface of the volume of photo-monomer resin such that photo-monomer resin is positioned within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sophia Yang, Matthew H. Cawthorne, Edward W. Brouwers, Jacob Michael Hundley, Zak Charles Eckel, Scott Biesboer, Kenneth Cante
  • Patent number: 11059594
    Abstract: An example method includes: forming a conductive layer on at least a portion of a surface of a substrate, where the substrate comprises a composite material of an aerodynamic structure, and where the conductive layer is configured to provide a conductive path to conduct an electric current generated by a lightning strike to an electrically-grounded location; depositing an insulating layer on the conductive layer; removing one or more portions of the insulating layer to form respective gaps in the insulating layer and expose corresponding one or more portions of the conductive layer; and forming a resistive-heater layer on the insulating layer such that the resistive-heater layer fills the respective gaps in the insulating layer and contacts the corresponding one or more portions of the conductive layer, such that when electric power is provided to the conductive layer, the electric power is communicated to the resistive-heater layer thereby generating heat therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick J. Kinlen, Eric A. Bruton, Edward W. Brouwers, Kenneth W. Young
  • Publication number: 20200247550
    Abstract: An example method includes: forming a conductive layer on at least a portion of a surface of a substrate, where the substrate comprises a composite material of an aerodynamic structure, and where the conductive layer is configured to provide a conductive path to conduct an electric current generated by a lightning strike to an electrically-grounded location; depositing an insulating layer on the conductive layer; removing one or more portions of the insulating layer to form respective gaps in the insulating layer and expose corresponding one or more portions of the conductive layer; and forming a resistive-heater layer on the insulating layer such that the resistive-heater layer fills the respective gaps in the insulating layer and contacts the corresponding one or more portions of the conductive layer, such that when electric power is provided to the conductive layer, the electric power is communicated to the resistive-heater layer thereby generating heat therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick J. Kinlen, Eric A. Bruton, Edward W. Brouwers, Kenneth W. Young
  • Publication number: 20180093428
    Abstract: A system for forming a structural member which includes a first collimated light source and a reservoir containing a volume of photo-monomer resin wherein the first collimated light source is positioned spaced apart from the photo-monomer resin. The system further includes a first face sheet structure defining at least one bore which extends through the first face sheet structure wherein a portion of the first face sheet structure is positioned under a surface of the volume of photo-monomer resin such that photo-monomer resin is positioned within the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Sophia Yang, Matthew H. Cawthorne, Edward W. Brouwers, Jacob Michael Hundley, Zak Charles Eckel, Scott Biesboer, Kenneth Cante
  • Patent number: 9745070
    Abstract: Within examples, systems for multiple zone heaters for rotor craft are provided and methods for operation. An example system for a rotor craft comprises multiple blades coupled to a rotor and areas of the multiple blades divided into sections. A given blade includes an inboard section extending from the rotor outward and an outboard section extending from the inboard section to a tip of the given blade. The system also includes a plurality of first spanwise heater systems included on respective outboard sections of the multiple blades, a plurality of second spanwise heater systems included on respective inboard sections of the multiple blades, and a control unit coupled to the plurality of first spanwise heater systems and the plurality of second spanwise heater systems. Respective heater systems of the sections of multiple blades are energized in a sequence based on outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edward W. Brouwers, Andrew A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20160130006
    Abstract: Within examples, systems for multiple zone heaters for rotor craft are provided and methods for operation. An example system for a rotor craft comprises multiple blades coupled to a rotor and areas of the multiple blades divided into sections. A given blade includes an inboard section extending from the rotor outward and an outboard section extending from the inboard section to a tip of the given blade. The system also includes a plurality of first spanwise heater systems included on respective outboard sections of the multiple blades, a plurality of second spanwise heater systems included on respective inboard sections of the multiple blades, and a control unit coupled to the plurality of first spanwise heater systems and the plurality of second spanwise heater systems. Respective heater systems of the sections of multiple blades are energized in a sequence based on outside air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Edward W. Brouwers, Andrew A. Peterson