Patents by Inventor Ian C. Burford

Ian C. Burford 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: 10793251
    Abstract: Hinge pins for foldable aircraft wings are described. An example apparatus includes a hinge pin to rotatably couple a foldable tip of an aircraft wing to a fixed structure of the aircraft wing. The hinge pin includes a first flange, a second flange spaced apart from the first flange along a central axis of the hinge pin, and a through hole oriented along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric S. Kamila, Warren H. Steyaert, David D. Boes, Daniel E. McGinty, Ryan A. Fear, Renato Felicio, Eric G. Gruner, Matthew S. Elenbaas, Ian C. Burford, Eric D. Blohm
  • Publication number: 20190291847
    Abstract: Hinge pins for foldable aircraft wings are described. An example apparatus includes a hinge pin to rotatably couple a foldable tip of an aircraft wing to a fixed structure of the aircraft wing. The hinge pin includes a first flange, a second flange spaced apart from the first flange along a central axis of the hinge pin, and a through hole oriented along the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Eric S. Kamila, Warren H. Steyaert, David D. Boes, Daniel E. McGinty, Ryan A. Fear, Renato Felicio, Eric G. Gruner, Matthew S. Elenbaas, Ian C. Burford, Eric D. Blohm
  • Patent number: 9073618
    Abstract: A method of installing a door in an access opening in a skin of an aircraft. A composite inner door panel is positioned against an inside face of the skin. A composite outer door panel is positioned against an outside face of the skin. A plurality of fasteners is installed through fastener openings in the composite outer door panel. The plurality of fasteners is tightened to form a chamfered interface between the skin and the composite outer door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard B. Tanner, Brian H. Korenaga, Jeffrey F. Stulc, Ian C. Burford
  • Publication number: 20130232883
    Abstract: A method of installing a door in an access opening in a skin of an aircraft. A composite inner door panel is positioned against an inside face of the skin. A composite outer door panel is positioned against an outside face of the skin. A plurality of fasteners is installed through fastener openings in the composite outer door panel. The plurality of fasteners is tightened to form a chamfered interface between the skin and the composite outer door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard B. Tanner, Brian H. Korenaga, Jeffrey F. Stulc, Ian C. Burford
  • Patent number: 8443575
    Abstract: A door for an aircraft wing fuel tank access opening includes an outer impact resistant composite door panel, and an inner composite door panel. Double seals on the inner door panel prevent fuel leakage, and a chamfered outer edge on the outer door panel transfers a component of impact loads laterally into the wing skin to increase kinetic energy absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard B Tanner, Brian H. Korenaga, Jeffrey F Stulc, Ian C Burford
  • Patent number: 7721995
    Abstract: An innovative wing structure provides fibs to support skin panels without an attachment between the rib and the stringer free flange or the web. The support is provided by rib shear ties installed directly to the stringer skin flange. The rib incorporates a cut away to allow the stringer to pass through the rib. The composite stringer is an ā€˜Iā€™ section and is stable under compression, not requiring mechanical methods to prevent rolling over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Thomas V. Gendzwill, Gregory B. Doty, James R. Huck, Dean E. Wilson, Brian H. Korenaga
  • Patent number: 7686251
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an aircraft structure. In one advantageous embodiment, the aircraft structure may have a rib, a plurality of stringers, and a set of shear ties. The plurality of stringers may have skin flanges at ends of the plurality of stringers capable of being fastened to skin for the aircraft structure. The set of shear ties may extend from the rib and have a set of elongate members in which the set of elongate members are attached to the plurality of stringers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Thomas V. Gendzwill, Gregory B. Doty, James R. Huck, Dean E. Wilson, Brian H. Korenaga
  • Patent number: 7628358
    Abstract: A wing panel structure for an aerospace vehicle or the like may include an outer layer of material having a predetermined thickness. A core structure may be placed on at least a portion of the outer layer of material. An inner layer of material may be placed at least on the core structure. The inner layer of material may have a selected thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the outer layer of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James F. Ackermann, Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Thomas V. Gendzwill
  • Publication number: 20080210821
    Abstract: An innovative wing structure provides ribs to support skin panels without an attachment between the rib and the stringer free flange or the web. The support is provided by rib shear ties installed directly to the stringer skin flange. The rib incorporates a cut away to allow the stringer to pass through the rib. The composite stringer is an ā€˜Iā€™ section and is stable under compression, not requiring mechanical methods to prevent rolling over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Thomas V. Gendzwill, Gregory B. Doty, James R. Huck, Dean E. Wilson, Brian H. Korenaga
  • Publication number: 20080173757
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an aircraft structure. In one advantageous embodiment, the aircraft structure may have a rib, a plurality of stringers, and a set of shear ties. The plurality of stringers may have skin flanges at ends of the plurality of stringers capable of being fastened to skin for the aircraft structure. The set of shear ties may extend from the rib and have a set of elongate members in which the set of elongate members are attached to the plurality of stringers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Thomas V. Gendzwill, Gregory B. Doty, James R. Huck, Dean E. Wilson, Brian H. Korenaga
  • Patent number: 7387277
    Abstract: Aircraft wing assemblies having both composite and metal panels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wing assembly includes a support structure, an upper panel assembly formed from a metal material and coupled to the support structure, and a lower panel assembly formed from a composite material and coupled to the support structure. The metal material may be aluminum, titanium, or any other suitable metal, and the composite material may be a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material or other suitable composite material. In another embodiment, the upper panel assembly includes a downwardly depending first web portion, and the lower panel assembly includes an upwardly depending second web portion, the second web portion being proximate the first web portion, and an interface member of an isolating material is disposed between the first and second web portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jan A. Kordel, Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Victor A. Munsen, Daniel E. McGinty, Scott N. Rampton, Bruce R. Fox, James M. Kelly, Miles O. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080099613
    Abstract: A wing panel structure for an aerospace vehicle or the like may include an outer layer of material having a predetermined thickness. A core structure may be placed on at least a portion of the outer layer of material. An inner layer of material may be placed at least on the core structure. The inner layer of material may have a selected thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the outer layer of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: James F. Ackermann, Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Thomas V. Gendzwill
  • Publication number: 20080023585
    Abstract: Aircraft wing assemblies having both composite and metal panels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wing assembly includes a support structure, an upper panel assembly formed from a metal material and coupled to the support structure, and a lower panel assembly formed from a composite material and coupled to the support structure. The metal material may be aluminum, titanium, or any other suitable metal, and the composite material may be a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material or other suitable composite material. In another embodiment, the upper panel assembly includes a downwardly depending first web portion, and the lower panel assembly includes an upwardly depending second web portion, the second web portion being proximate the first web portion, and an interface member of an isolating material is disposed between the first and second web portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Jan A. Kordel, Richard B. Tanner, Ian C. Burford, Victor A. Munsen, Daniel E. McGinty, Scott N. Rampton, Bruce R. Fox, James M. Kelly, Miles O. Johnson