Patents by Inventor James D. Cotton

James D. Cotton 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: 11666968
    Abstract: Examples for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing are described herein. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object by heating a metallic material to a molten state such that the metallic material includes a solid-liquid interface. The example can further involve applying an electromagnetic field or vibrations to the metallic material of the first layer. In some instances, the electromagnetic fields or vibrations perturb the first layer of metallic material causing nucleation sites to form at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. The example also includes generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object. Generating the second layer increases a number of nucleation sites at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. Each nucleation site can grows a crystal at a spatially-random orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arash Ghabchi, Christopher A. Meyer, James D. Cotton, Matthew J. Crill
  • Patent number: 11486025
    Abstract: An alpha-beta titanium-based alloy including titanium; one of 0.001-1.0 wt. % neodymium, 0.001-1.0 wt. % dysprosium, or 0.001-0.5 wt. % erbium; and at least one of aluminum, zirconium, tin, oxygen, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, iron, and chromium present in amounts defined based on an aluminum equivalent and a molybdenum equivalent, wherein the aluminum equivalent (Al-eq) is between 0 to 7.5% and the molybdenum equivalent (Mo-eq) is between 2.7 to 47.5, and wherein the aluminum equivalent (Al-eq) and the molybdenum equivalent (Mo-eq) are defined, in weight percents, as follows: Al-eq=(Al %)+(Zr %)/6+(Sn %)/3+10*(O %) Mo-eq=(Mo %)+0.67*(V %)+0.33*(Nb %)+2.9*(Fe %)+1.6*(Cr %).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James D. Cotton, Arash Ghabchi, Matthew J. Crill, Natalia G. Mitropolskaya
  • Publication number: 20220230732
    Abstract: Techniques for obtaining materials science properties of soft tissue for use in a damage model for ameliorating injuries in an individual performing a process are presented. The techniques can include obtaining physical parameters characterizing the soft tissue of the individual under each of a plurality of loading conditions, fitting a soft tissue damage model based on the parameters, and ameliorating injury in performing the process by implementing guidelines based on the soft tissue damage model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Liisa Charlie Hammer, Karen C. Takatani, Kevin F. Malik, Richard J. Gardner, James D. Cotton
  • Publication number: 20220134427
    Abstract: Examples for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing are described herein. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object by heating a metallic material to a molten state such that the metallic material includes a solid-liquid interface. The example can further involve applying an electromagnetic field or vibrations to the metallic material of the first layer. In some instances, the electromagnetic fields or vibrations perturb the first layer of metallic material causing nucleation sites to form at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. The example also includes generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object. Generating the second layer increases a number of nucleation sites at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. Each nucleation site can grows a crystal at a spatially-random orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Arash Ghabchi, Christopher A. Meyer, James D. Cotton, Matthew J. Crill
  • Patent number: 11278963
    Abstract: Examples for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing are described herein. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object by heating a metallic material to a molten state such that the metallic material includes a solid-liquid interface. The example can further involve applying an electromagnetic field or vibrations to the metallic material of the first layer. In some instances, the electromagnetic fields or vibrations perturb the first layer of metallic material causing nucleation sites to form at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. The example also includes generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object. Generating the second layer increases a number of nucleation sites at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. Each nucleation site can grows a crystal at a spatially-random orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arash Ghabchi, Christopher A. Meyer, James D. Cotton, Matthew J. Crill
  • Patent number: 11130175
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a spherical metallic powder blend using a metallic starting material, the method including steps of grinding the metallic starting material to yield an intermediate powder, spheroidizing the intermediate powder to yield a first spherical powder component, and mixing the first spherical powder component with a second spherical powder component, wherein the first spherical powder component and the second spherical powder component have substantially the same chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Catherine J. Parrish, James D. Cotton
  • Patent number: 10851439
    Abstract: A titanium-based alloy includes 0.001-1.0 wt. % in total of at least one lanthanide series element, remainder of titanium and impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James D. Cotton, Arash Ghabchi, Matthew J. Crill, Natalia G. Mitropolskaya
  • Publication number: 20200354815
    Abstract: An alpha-beta titanium-based alloy including titanium; one of 0.001-1.0 wt. % neodymium, 0.001-1.0 wt. % dysprosium, or 0.001-0.5 wt. % erbium; and at least one of aluminum, zirconium, tin, oxygen, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, iron, and chromium present in amounts defined based on an aluminum equivalent and a molybdenum equivalent, wherein the aluminum equivalent (Al-eq) is between 0 to 7.5% and the molybdenum equivalent (Mo-eq) is between 2.7 to 47.5, and wherein the aluminum equivalent (Al-eq) and the molybdenum equivalent (Mo-eq) are defined, in weight percents, as follows: Al-eq=(Al %)+(Zr %)/6+(Sn %)/3+10*(O %) Mo-eq=(Mo %)+0.67*(V %)+0.33*(Nb %)+2.9*(Fe %)+1.6*(Cr %).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James D. Cotton, Arash Ghabchi, Matthew J. Crill, Natalia G. Mitropolskaya
  • Patent number: 10682725
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to techniques for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object using a material with grains structured in a first arrangement. After a threshold duration occurs since generating the first layer, the example can involve applying an external force to the first layer to cause deformations in the first arrangement of grains. The example can further involve generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object to form a portion of the integral object. Generating the second layer of the integral object causes the material of the first layer to recrystallize new grains to replace grains proximate the deformations. The grains that result from recrystallization are structured in new arrangement that improves the physical and mechanical properties of the layer and subsequent layers collective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arash Ghabchi, Christopher A. Meyer, James D. Cotton, Matthew J. Crill
  • Patent number: 10435771
    Abstract: An alloy composition that includes about 1 to about 9 atomic percent aluminum (Al), about 25 to about 33 atomic percent titanium (Ti), about 10 to about 33 atomic percent vanadium (V), about 5 to about 10 atomic percent zirconium (Zr) and about 25 to about 33 atomic percent niobium (Nb).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Catherine J. Parrish, Carlos Angelo Nunes, Gilberto Carvalho Coelho, James D. Cotton, Nabil Chaia, Jose Mauro Moraes, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190233924
    Abstract: An alloy composition that includes aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), zirconium (Zr) and niobium (Nb), the alloy composition existing essentially as a single phase having a body-centered cubic crystal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Catherine J. Parrish, Carlos Angelo Nunes, Gilberto Carvalho Coelho, James D. Cotton, Nabil Chaia, Jose Mauro Moraes, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190217389
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a spherical metallic powder blend using a metallic starting material, the method including steps of grinding the metallic starting material to yield an intermediate powder, spheroidizing the intermediate powder to yield a first spherical powder component, and mixing the first spherical powder component with a second spherical powder component, wherein the first spherical powder component and the second spherical powder component have substantially the same chemical composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Catherine J. Parrish, James D. Cotton
  • Publication number: 20190160589
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to techniques for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object using a material with grains structured in a first arrangement. After a threshold duration occurs since generating the first layer, the example can involve applying an external force to the first layer to cause deformations in the first arrangement of grains. The example can further involve generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object to form a portion of the integral object. Generating the second layer of the integral object causes the material of the first layer to recrystallize new grains to replace grains proximate the deformations. The grains that result from recrystallization are structured in new arrangement that improves the physical and mechanical properties of the layer and subsequent layers collective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Arash Ghabchi, Christopher A. Meyer, James D. Cotton, Matthew J. Crill
  • Publication number: 20190160540
    Abstract: Examples for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing are described herein. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object by heating a metallic material to a molten state such that the metallic material includes a solid-liquid interface. The example can further involve applying an electromagnetic field or vibrations to the metallic material of the first layer. In some instances, the electromagnetic fields or vibrations perturb the first layer of metallic material causing nucleation sites to form at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. The example also includes generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object. Generating the second layer increases a number of nucleation sites at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. Each nucleation site can grows a crystal at a spatially-random orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Arash Ghabchi, Christopher A. Meyer, James D. Cotton, Matthew J. Crill
  • Publication number: 20190119787
    Abstract: A titanium-based alloy includes 0.001-1.0 wt. % in total of at least one lanthanide series element, remainder of titanium and impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James D. Cotton, Arash Ghabchi, Matthew J. Crill, Natalia G. Mitropolskaya
  • Publication number: 20180051361
    Abstract: An alloy composition that includes about 1 to about 9 atomic percent aluminum (Al), about 25 to about 33 atomic percent titanium (Ti), about 10 to about 33 atomic percent vanadium (V), about 5 to about 10 atomic percent zirconium (Zr) and about 25 to about 33 atomic percent niobium (Nb).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Catherine J. Parrish, Carlos Angelo Nunes, Gilberto Carvalho Coelho, James D. Cotton, Nabil Chaia, Jose Mauro Moraes, JR.
  • Patent number: 8795585
    Abstract: There is provided cryogenic milled nanophase copper alloys and methods of making the alloys. The alloys are fine grained having grains in the size range from about 2 to about 100 nanometers, and greater. The nanophase alloys possess desirable physical properties stemming from the fine grain size, such as potentially high strength. Some embodiments of the cryogenic milled copper alloys may also be tailored for ductility, toughness, fracture resistance, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance and other physical properties by balancing the alloy composition. In addition, embodiments of the alloys generally do not require extensive or expensive post-cryogenic milling processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Barun Majumdar, James D. Cotton, Clifford C. Bampton
  • Patent number: 8784728
    Abstract: There is provided cryogenic milled copper alloys and methods of making the alloys. The alloys are fine grained and possess desirable physical properties stemming from the fine grain size. Embodiments include desirable physical properties, such as potentially high strength. Some embodiments of the cryogenic milled copper alloys may also be tailored for ductility, toughness, fracture resistance, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance and other physical properties by balancing the alloy composition. In addition, embodiments of the alloys generally do not require extensive or expensive post-cryogenic milling processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Clifford C. Bampton, James D. Cotton, Barun Majumdar
  • Patent number: 8500929
    Abstract: A method is provided for improving the machinability of a titanium alloy includes heating the alloy at a temperature and time period that imparts to the alloy a microstructure having between about 10 and 15 vol. % alpha phase in a beta phase matrix. According to one embodiment, the alloy is thereafter annealed at a temperature lower than the temperature for the initial heating step, and for a duration that is longer than the time period for the initial heating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James D. Cotton, William L. Merrick, Michael L. Watts
  • Publication number: 20100278679
    Abstract: There is provided cryogenic milled nanophase copper alloys and methods of making the alloys. The alloys are fine grained having grains in the size range from about 2 to about 100 nanometers, and greater. The nanophase alloys possess desirable physical properties stemming from the fine grain size, such as potentially high strength. Some embodiments of the cryogenic milled copper alloys may also be tailored for ductility, toughness, fracture resistance, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance and other physical properties by balancing the alloy composition. In addition, embodiments of the alloys generally do not require extensive or expensive post-cryogenic milling processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Barun Majumdar, James D. Cotton, Clifford C. Bampton