Patents by Inventor Eric A. Bruton

Eric A. Bruton 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).

  • Publication number: 20260149188
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) reflector (100) includes a non-metallic substrate (102) shaped to reflect RF energy in a specific direction and a cold-sprayed RF-reflective layer (104) on the non-metallic substrate (102). A method (400) for manufacturing an RF reflector includes providing the non-metallic substrate (402) and cold spraying the RF-reflective layer onto the substrate (406). An antenna system (10) includes an antenna (200) for transmitting and receiving RF energy (300) and a radio frequency reflector (100) positioned to direct RF energy (300) towards or away from the antenna (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2024
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter Bablio, Eric A. Bruton
  • Patent number: 12221704
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cold spray metal process for imparting electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistance or lightning protection to the surface of a polymer, and a polymer with surface EMI resistance, or lightning protection, articles coated therefrom, and methods of reducing or eliminating electrochemical interactions between the metallic coating and components of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric A. Bruton, Stephen P. Gaydos
  • Publication number: 20240218124
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyanilines, articles thereof, and methods of forming polyanilines. In at least one aspect, a polyaniline has a thermal stability of about 100° C. or greater, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 50,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of from about 1 to about 5. In at least one aspect, a film includes a polyaniline, the film having a hydrocarbon content of about 1 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the film. In at least one aspect, a method includes introducing an emulsion of an aqueous solution of an aniline and an alkyl-substituted aryl sulfonic acid having 1 wt % or less of hydrocarbon content into a flow reactor, the flow reactor having a length of tubing having an inner diameter. The method includes polymerizing the monomer within the tube to form a polyaniline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick J. KINLEN, Matthew A. FLACK, Eric A. BRUTON
  • Patent number: 11970577
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyanilines, articles thereof, and methods of forming polyanilines. In at least one aspect, a polyaniline has a thermal stability of about 100° C. or greater, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 50,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of from about 1 to about 5. In at least one aspect, a film includes a polyaniline, the film having a hydrocarbon content of about 1 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the film. In at least one aspect, a method includes introducing an emulsion of an aqueous solution of an aniline and an alkyl-substituted aryl sulfonic acid having 1 wt % or less of hydrocarbon content into a flow reactor, the flow reactor having a length of tubing having an inner diameter. The method includes polymerizing the monomer within the tube to form a polyaniline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick J. Kinlen, Matthew A. Flack, Eric A. Bruton
  • Patent number: 11932728
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyanilines, articles thereof, and methods of forming polyanilines. In at least one aspect, a polyaniline has a thermal stability of about 100° C. or greater, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 50,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of from about 1 to about 5. In at least one aspect, a film includes a polyaniline, the film having a hydrocarbon content of about 1 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the film. In at least one aspect, a method includes introducing an emulsion of an aqueous solution of an aniline and an alkyl-substituted aryl sulfonic acid having 1 wt % or less of hydrocarbon content into a flow reactor, the flow reactor having a length of tubing having an inner diameter. The method includes polymerizing the monomer within the tube to form a polyaniline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick J. Kinlen, Matthew A. Flack, Eric A. Bruton
  • Patent number: 11891700
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cold spray metal process for imparting electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistance or lightning protection to the surface of a polymer, and a polymer with surface EMI resistance, or lightning protection, articles coated therefrom, and methods of reducing or eliminating electrochemical interactions between the metallic coating and components of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric A. Bruton, Stephen P. Gaydos
  • Publication number: 20230212756
    Abstract: A method of molding a metalized composite part. The method comprises: introducing particles comprising at least one metal into a gas stream; directing the gas stream toward a surface of a thermoplastic composite part, thereby depositing a metal layer on the composite part to form a metallized composite part; and molding the metallized composite part to introduce a bend without delamination of the metal layer from the metallized composite part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric A. BRUTON, Christopher H. CHILDERS, Stephen P. GAYDOS
  • Patent number: 11634820
    Abstract: A method of molding a metalized composite part. The method comprises: introducing particles comprising at least one metal into a gas stream; directing the gas stream toward a surface of a thermoplastic composite part, thereby depositing a metal layer on the composite part to form a metallized composite part; and molding the metallized composite part to introduce a bend without delamination of the metal layer from the metallized composite part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric A. Bruton, Christopher H. Childers, Stephen P. Gaydos
  • Publication number: 20230086889
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cold spray metal process for imparting EMI resistance or lightning protection to the surface of a polymer, and a polymer with surface EMI resistance, or lightning protection, articles coated therefrom, and methods of reducing or eliminating electrochemical interactions between the metallic coating and components of the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric A. Bruton, Stephen P. Gaydos
  • Publication number: 20230047638
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cold spray metal process for imparting electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistance or lightning protection to the surface of a polymer, and a polymer with surface EMI resistance, or lightning protection, articles coated therefrom, and methods of reducing or eliminating electrochemical interactions between the metallic coating and components of the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY100 N. RIVERSIDE PLAZA
    Inventors: Eric A. Bruton, Stephen P. Gaydos
  • Patent number: 11492708
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cold spray metal process for imparting electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistance or lightning protection to the surface of a polymer, and a polymer with surface EMI resistance, or lightning protection, articles coated therefrom, and methods of reducing or eliminating electrochemical interactions between the metallic coating and components of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric A. Bruton, Stephen P. Gaydos
  • Publication number: 20220162384
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyanilines, articles thereof, and methods of forming polyanilines. In at least one aspect, a polyaniline has a thermal stability of about 100° C. or greater, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 50,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of from about 1 to about 5. In at least one aspect, a film includes a polyaniline, the film having a hydrocarbon content of about 1 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the film. In at least one aspect, a method includes introducing an emulsion of an aqueous solution of an aniline and an alkyl-substituted aryl sulfonic acid having 1 wt % or less of hydrocarbon content into a flow reactor, the flow reactor having a length of tubing having an inner diameter. The method includes polymerizing the monomer within the tube to form a polyaniline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick J. KINLEN, Matthew A. FLACK, Eric A. BRUTON
  • Patent number: 11248089
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyanilines, articles thereof, and methods of forming polyanilines. In at least one aspect, a polyaniline has a thermal stability of about 100° C. or greater, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 50,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of from about 1 to about 5. In at least one aspect, a film includes a polyaniline, the film having a hydrocarbon content of about 1 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the film. In at least one aspect, a method includes introducing an emulsion of an aqueous solution of an aniline and an alkyl-substituted aryl sulfonic acid having 1 wt % or less of hydrocarbon content into a flow reactor, the flow reactor having a length of tubing having an inner diameter. The method includes polymerizing the monomer within the tube to form a polyaniline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick J. Kinlen, Matthew A. Flack, Eric A. Bruton
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11021261
    Abstract: A protective coating composition for providing protection to a component of a ram air turbine system in need thereof. The protective coating composition comprises an aqueous-soluble or alkaline-soluble polymer matrix, one or more compressible fillers, and one or more non-compressible fillers. The disclosure also provides a method for providing a protective coating onto components of a ram air turbine system in need thereof for providing indentation and scratch resistance thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zweig, Eric A. Bruton, Richard J. Toth
  • Patent number: 10975248
    Abstract: A temporary protective coating composition for providing a temporary protection to a substrate surface in need thereof. The temporary protective coating composition comprises an aqueous-soluble or alkaline-soluble polymer matrix, one or more compressible fillers, and one or more non-compressible fillers. The disclosure also provides a method for providing a temporary protective coating onto a substrate surface in need thereof for providing indentation and scratch resistance thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zweig, Eric A. Bruton
  • Publication number: 20200399763
    Abstract: A method of molding a metalized composite part. The method comprises: introducing particles comprising at least one metal into a gas stream; directing the gas stream toward a surface of a thermoplastic composite part, thereby depositing a metal layer on the composite part to form a metallized composite part; and molding the metallized composite part to introduce a bend without delamination of the metal layer from the metallized composite part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Bruton, Christopher H. Childers, Stephen P. Gaydos
  • Publication number: 20200325276
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyanilines, articles thereof, and methods of forming polyanilines. In at least one aspect, a polyaniline has a thermal stability of about 100° C. or greater, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 50,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of from about 1 to about 5. In at least one aspect, a film includes a polyaniline, the film having a hydrocarbon content of about 1 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the film. In at least one aspect, a method includes introducing an emulsion of an aqueous solution of an aniline and an alkyl-substituted aryl sulfonic acid having 1 wt % or less of hydrocarbon content into a flow reactor, the flow reactor having a length of tubing having an inner diameter. The method includes polymerizing the monomer within the tube to form a polyaniline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick J. KINLEN, Matthew A. FLACK, Eric A. BRUTON
  • 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: 20200224041
    Abstract: A temporary protective coating composition for providing a temporary protection to a substrate surface in need thereof. The temporary protective coating composition comprises an aqueous-soluble or alkaline-soluble polymer matrix, one or more compressible fillers, and one or more non-compressible fillers. The disclosure also provides a method for providing a temporary protective coating onto a substrate surface in need thereof for providing indentation and scratch resistance thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zweig, Eric A. Bruton