Patents by Inventor Frederick Theodore Calkins
Frederick Theodore Calkins 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).
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Patent number: 11286042Abstract: Variably porous panels and panel assemblies incorporating shape memory alloy components along with methods for actuating the shape memory alloys are disclosed to predictably alter the porosity of a substrate surface, with the shape memory alloy maintained in an orientation relative to the panel that is in-plane with a mold-line of the panel outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Frederick Theodore Calkins, Douglas E. Nicholson, Jordan Kreitzman
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Patent number: 11225339Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermally conductive interface assembly including a first component associated with a first interface surface and a second component associated with a second interface surface. The apparatus also includes a shape memory alloy component coupled to the thermally conductive interface assembly and configured to move one or more components of the thermally conductive interface assembly between a first state and a second state based on a temperature of the shape memory alloy component. In the first state, the first interface surface is in physical contact with the second interface surface, and in the second state, a gap is defined between the first interface surface and the second interface surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Eric S. Mindock, James H. Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Abraham Naroll Gissen, Miguel A. Estevez
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Patent number: 10934021Abstract: A method for aligning and joining a first structure to a second structure in an aircraft is provided. A spacer system having a shape memory alloy is positioned in a gap between the first structure and the second structure. The shape memory alloy is initially in a cooled state. A temperature of the shape memory alloy is increased such that the shape memory alloy changes from the cooled shape to a heated shape to fill the gap and apply a load to hold the first structure in place relative to the second structure. Additional processes may then be performed to join the first structure to the second structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James Henry Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Stephen K. Kirchmeier, Edward Andrew Whalen, Donald William Ruhmann
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Publication number: 20200331639Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermally conductive interface assembly including a first component associated with a first interface surface and a second component associated with a second interface surface. The apparatus also includes a shape memory alloy component coupled to the thermally conductive interface assembly and configured to move one or more components of the thermally conductive interface assembly between a first state and a second state based on a temperature of the shape memory alloy component. In the first state, the first interface surface is in physical contact with the second interface surface, and in the second state, a gap is defined between the first interface surface and the second interface surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Eric S. Mindock, James H. Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Abraham NaroII Gissen, Miguel A. Estevez
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Patent number: 10730645Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermally conductive interface assembly including a first component associated with a first interface surface and a second component associated with a second interface surface. The apparatus also includes a shape memory alloy component coupled to the thermally conductive interface assembly and configured to move one or more components of the thermally conductive interface assembly between a first state and a second state based on a temperature of the shape memory alloy component. In the first state, the first interface surface is in physical contact with the second interface surface, and in the second state, a gap is defined between the first interface surface and the second interface surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Eric S. Mindock, James H. Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Abraham Naroll Gissen, Miguel A. Estevez
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Publication number: 20200130865Abstract: A method for aligning and joining a first structure to a second structure in an aircraft is provided. A spacer system having a shape memory alloy is positioned in a gap between the first structure and the second structure. The shape memory alloy is initially in a cooled state. A temperature of the shape memory alloy is increased such that the shape memory alloy changes from the cooled shape to a heated shape to fill the gap and apply a load to hold the first structure in place relative to the second structure. Additional processes may then be performed to join the first structure to the second structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: James Henry Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Stephen K. Kirchmeier, Edward Andrew Whalen, Donald William Ruhmann
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Patent number: 10612867Abstract: Thermal management systems incorporating shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators and related methods. A thermal management system includes a heat transfer region, a process fluid conduit, a thermal management fluid conduit, and an SMA actuator assembly. The SMA actuator assembly includes an SMA element coupled to an actuation element, which is configured to assume a position among a plurality of positions defined between a restrictive position and an open position. The position of the actuation element is based, at least in part, on a conformation of the SMA element. A method of passively regulating a temperature of a process fluid includes conveying a process fluid stream in heat exchange relation with an SMA element, transitioning the SMA element to assume a conformation, flowing each of the process fluid stream and a thermal management fluid stream through a heat transfer region, and modulating a flow rate of the thermal management fluid stream.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David W. Foutch, Frederick Theodore Calkins
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Publication number: 20200047875Abstract: Variably porous panels and panel assemblies incorporating shape memory alloy components along with methods for actuating the shape memory alloys are disclosed to predictably alter the porosity of a substrate surface, with the shape memory alloy maintained in an orientation relative to the panel that is in-plane with a mold-line of the panel outer surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Frederick Theodore Calkins, Douglas E. Nicholson, Jordan Kreitzman
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Publication number: 20190257599Abstract: Thermal management systems incorporating shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators and related methods. A thermal management system includes a heat transfer region, a process fluid conduit, a thermal management fluid conduit, and an SMA actuator assembly. The SMA actuator assembly includes an SMA element coupled to an actuation element, which is configured to assume a position among a plurality of positions defined between a restrictive position and an open position. The position of the actuation element is based, at least in part, on a conformation of the SMA element. A method of passively regulating a temperature of a process fluid includes conveying a process fluid stream in heat exchange relation with an SMA element, transitioning the SMA element to assume a conformation, flowing each of the process fluid stream and a thermal management fluid stream through a heat transfer region, and modulating a flow rate of the thermal management fluid stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: David W. Foutch, Frederick Theodore Calkins
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Publication number: 20180305043Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermally conductive interface assembly including a first component associated with a first interface surface and a second component associated with a second interface surface. The apparatus also includes a shape memory alloy component coupled to the thermally conductive interface assembly and configured to move one or more components of the thermally conductive interface assembly between a first state and a second state based on a temperature of the shape memory alloy component. In the first state, the first interface surface is in physical contact with the second interface surface, and in the second state, a gap is defined between the first interface surface and the second interface surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Eric S. Mindock, James H. Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins, Abraham NaroII Gissen, Miguel A. Estevez
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Patent number: 8584987Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has a first shape and at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy has a second shape. Upon deployment of a weapon including the shape memory alloy weapon fairing, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is heated by the weapon and/or air friction. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing changes shape in response to the temperature change and provides a fairing for one or more structures of the weapon. In some implementations, the fairing covers a protuberance or other connection mechanism of the weapon.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Casey Lyn Madsen, Daniel John Clingman, James H. Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins
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Publication number: 20120282474Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has a first shape and at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy has a second shape. Upon deployment of a weapon including the shape memory alloy weapon fairing, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is heated by the weapon and/or air friction. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing changes shape in response to the temperature change and provides a fairing for one or more structures of the weapon. In some implementations, the fairing covers a protuberance or other connection mechanism of the weapon.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Casey Lyn Madsen, Daniel John Clingman, James H. Mabe, Frederick Theodore Calkins