Patents by Inventor Finley Miller

Finley Miller 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).

  • Fluoroelastomer covered elastomeric tooling for composite manufacturing
    Patent number: 11642816
    Abstract: A multi-layer elastomeric tooling for the manufacturing of composite structures is disclosed. The tooling comprises an elastomeric base material with an outer layer of fluoroelastomer. The base material can, in certain embodiments, be selected for its mechanical or thermal performance or low cost without the limitation of being a contact material. The outer material can, in various embodiments, have inferior mechanical properties, or durometers different than the base material or can be a contact or barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Rubbercraft Corporation of California, Ltd.
    Inventors: Finley Miller, Robert Harshberger, Mathias Hecht
  • Tri-layer bladder and related systems and methods for fabricating composite structures
    Patent number: 11052575
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder tool and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the elastomeric bladder tool comprises an elastomeric inner layer substantially defining an inner cavity of the elastomeric bladder tool, an elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric bladder tool, and a permeable middle layer positioned between the elastomeric inner layer and the elastomeric outer layer. The permeable middle layer has greater permeability than both the elastomeric outer layer and the elastomeric inner layer to allow for evacuating of gases that have entered the permeable middle layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Rubbercraft Corporation of California, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Harshberger, Finley Miller, Mathias Hecht
  • TRI-LAYER BLADDER AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20200114548
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder tool and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the elastomeric bladder tool comprises an elastomeric inner layer substantially defining an inner cavity of the elastomeric bladder tool, an elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric bladder tool, and a permeable middle layer positioned between the elastomeric inner layer and the elastomeric outer layer. The permeable middle layer has greater permeability than both the elastomeric outer layer and the elastomeric inner layer to allow for evacuating of gases that have entered the permeable middle layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Rubbercraft Corporation of California, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Harshberger, Finley Miller, Mathias Hecht
  • Tri-layer bladder and related systems and methods for fabricating composite structures
    Patent number: 10507601
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder tool and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the elastomeric bladder tool comprises an elastomeric inner layer substantially defining an inner cavity of the elastomeric bladder tool, an elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric bladder tool, and a permeable middle layer positioned between the elastomeric inner layer and the elastomeric outer layer. The permeable middle layer has greater permeability than both the elastomeric outer layer and the elastomeric inner layer to allow for evacuating of gases that have entered the permeable middle layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rubbercraft Corporation of California, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Harshberger, Finley Miller, Mathias Hecht
  • FLUOROELASTOMER COVERED ELASTOMERIC TOOLING FOR COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING
    Publication number: 20190099923
    Abstract: A multi-layer elastomeric tooling for the manufacturing of composite structures is disclosed. The tooling comprises an elastomeric base material with an outer layer of fluoroelastomer. The base material can, in certain embodiments, be selected for its mechanical or thermal performance or low cost without the limitation of being a contact material. The outer material can, in various embodiments, have inferior mechanical properties, or durometers different than the base material or can be a contact or barrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: Rubbercraft Corporation of California, Ltd.
    Inventors: Finley Miller, Robert Harshberger, Mathias Hecht
  • TRI-LAYER BLADDER AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20170334095
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder tool and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the elastomeric bladder tool comprises an elastomeric inner layer substantially defining an inner cavity of the elastomeric bladder tool, an elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric bladder tool, and a permeable middle layer positioned between the elastomeric inner layer and the elastomeric outer layer. The permeable middle layer has greater permeability than both the elastomeric outer layer and the elastomeric inner layer to allow for evacuating of gases that have entered the permeable middle layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Harshberger, Finley Miller, Mathias Hecht
  • Leak detection in vacuum bags
    Patent number: 9500593
    Abstract: A device indicates the location of an air leak in a vacuum bag used to process composite parts. The device includes a layer of material on the inner face of the bag that changes in appearance due to an oxidation-reduction reaction in areas of the layer exposed to oxygen caused by a leak in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John N. Harris, Finley Miller, Michael R. Swift
  • LEAK DETECTION IN VACUUM BAGS
    Publication number: 20140199768
    Abstract: A device indicates the location of an air leak in a vacuum bag used to process composite parts. The device includes a layer of material on the inner face of the bag that changes in appearance due to an oxidation-reduction reaction in areas of the layer exposed to oxygen caused by a leak in the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John N. Harris, Finley Miller, Michael R. Swift
  • Leak detection in vacuum bags
    Patent number: 8707766
    Abstract: A device indicates the location of an air leak in a vacuum bag used to process composite parts. The device includes a layer of material on the inner face of the bag that changes in appearance due to an oxidation-reduction reaction in areas of the layer exposed to oxygen caused by a leak in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John N. Harris, Finley Miller, Michael R. Swift
  • Leak Detection In Vacuum Bags
    Publication number: 20110259086
    Abstract: A device indicates the location of an air leak in a vacuum bag used to process composite parts. The device includes a layer of material on the inner face of the bag that changes in appearance due to an oxidation-reduction reaction in areas of the layer exposed to oxygen caused by a leak in the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John N. Harris, Finley Miller, Michael R. Swift