Patents by Inventor James P. Schalla

James P. Schalla 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: 11572172
    Abstract: A galley cart has a rear wall with an inlet port and an outlet port. A first divider has a first edge, wherein a first distance is defined between the first edge and a front wall. A second divider has a second edge, wherein a second distance is defined between the second edge and the front wall. The second distance is less than the first distance for control of the flow of cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Burgess, James P. Schalla
  • Publication number: 20230002060
    Abstract: A ventilation assembly comprises a number of fan systems configured to purify air and a number of air distribution assemblies. Each air distribution assembly of the number of air distribution assemblies is configured to be removably installed on a seatback of a passenger seat. Each air distribution assembly of the number of air distribution assemblies comprises a pair of air distribution vents, ductwork configured to receive air from at least one fan system of the number of fan systems and direct air to the pair of air distribution vents, and a seat attachment device configured to removably couple the pair of air distribution vents to the seatback such that each air distribution vent is situated on opposite sides of the seatback for providing purified air to a seated passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Ty Aaby Larsen, Eric Anthony Hill, Daniel T. Sim, James Jason Salmon, James P. Schalla, Nicholas A. Jones, David R. Space, Gabriel Lynn Miller
  • Patent number: 11525622
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides system for sealing a refrigerated galley of an aircraft. The system includes a door, and a seal assembly positioned at a bottom surface of the door. The seal assembly includes (i) a housing coupled to the bottom surface of the door, (ii) a seal positioned at least partially in the housing, wherein the seal is moveable relative to the housing and the door, (iii) a biasing mechanism coupled to the housing and the seal and configured to hold the seal in a relaxed state by applying a biasing force to the seal in a direction away from a floor surface of the refrigerated galley, and (iv) an activation mechanism coupled to the housing. The activation mechanism is configured to transition the seal from the relaxed state to a compressed state in response to a rotation of the door from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, James P. Schalla, Justin W. Balvanz, Thomas J. Moran
  • Patent number: 11352822
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for sealing a compartment. The system includes a door with a seal positioned on a bottom surface of the door. The system also includes one or more hinges coupled to the door. The door rotates from a closed position to an open position via the one or more hinges. A height of the door with respect to a floor surface increases in response to a rotation of the door from the closed position to the open position due to a helical slope of both a first cam surface of the one or more hinges and a second cam surface of the one or more hinges. The seal transitions from a compressed state to a relaxed state in response to the rotation of the door from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, James P. Schalla, Justin W. Balvanz, Thomas J. Moran
  • Patent number: 11214373
    Abstract: A galley for an aircraft includes a frame having metal structural members having interior surfaces and panels coupled to and supported by the frame. Each panel has a core and a facesheet having an inner surface. The frame and the panels define a cart compartment configured to receive a galley cart. The interior surfaces of the metal structural members are interior of the inner surface of the corresponding facesheet. The galley includes a cooling system having a supply duct and a return duct along one or more of the panels in flow communication with the cart compartment configured to supply cooled airflow from a heat exchanger. The galley includes insulating panels located in the cart compartment covering the interior surfaces of the corresponding metal structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Mark Edward King, Michael J. Burgess, Lyndsey Jo Penfield, James Paul Mehlos
  • Patent number: 10936879
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying the storage status of overhead luggage storage bins in an aircraft. A camera is provided that is mounted with a field of view directed at an inner portion of a group of open bins. The camera is communicatively coupled to a controller and selectively provides images of the inner portion of the bins immediately prior to when the bins are closed to the controller. A projector is also provided for each group of bins. The projector is communicatively coupled to the controller and is mounted such that an image received from the controller is projected onto an outer surface of the closed bins. The controller receives images from each of the cameras and selectively provides such images to the projector associated with each camera so that a storage status display is projected on an outer surface of the bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Yakentim M. Ibrahim, Kevin S. Callahan, James P. Schalla
  • Publication number: 20200408461
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides system for sealing a refrigerated galley of an aircraft. The system includes a door, and a seal assembly positioned at a bottom surface of the door. The seal assembly includes (i) a housing coupled to the bottom surface of the door, (ii) a seal positioned at least partially in the housing, wherein the seal is moveable relative to the housing and the door, (iii) a biasing mechanism coupled to the housing and the seal and configured to hold the seal in a relaxed state by applying a biasing force to the seal in a direction away from a floor surface of the refrigerated galley, and (iv) an activation mechanism coupled to the housing. The activation mechanism is configured to transition the seal from the relaxed state to a compressed state in response to a rotation of the door from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, James P. Schalla, Justin W. Balvanz, Thomas J. Moran
  • Publication number: 20200378167
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for sealing a compartment. The system includes a door with a seal positioned on a bottom surface of the door. The system also includes one or more hinges coupled to the door. The door rotates from a closed position to an open position via the one or more hinges. A height of the door with respect to a floor surface increases in response to a rotation of the door from the closed position to the open position due to a helical slope of both a first cam surface of the one or more hinges and a second cam surface of the one or more hinges. The seal transitions from a compressed state to a relaxed state in response to the rotation of the door from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, James P. Schalla, Justin W. Balvanz, Thomas J. Moran
  • Publication number: 20200164987
    Abstract: A galley cart has a rear wall with an inlet port and an outlet port. A first divider has a first edge, wherein a first distance is defined between the first edge and a front wall. A second divider has a second edge, wherein a second distance is defined between the second edge and the front wall. The second distance is less than the first distance for control of the flow of cooling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Burgess, James P. Schalla
  • Publication number: 20190375508
    Abstract: A galley for an aircraft includes a frame having metal structural members having interior surfaces and panels coupled to and supported by the frame. Each panel has a core and a facesheet having an inner surface. The frame and the panels define a cart compartment configured to receive a galley cart. The interior surfaces of the metal structural members are interior of the inner surface of the corresponding facesheet. The galley includes a cooling system having a supply duct and a return duct along one or more of the panels in flow communication with the cart compartment configured to supply cooled airflow from a heat exchanger. The galley includes insulating panels located in the cart compartment covering the interior surfaces of the corresponding metal structural members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Mark Edward King, Michael J. Burgess, Lyndsey Jo Penfield, James Paul Mehlos
  • Patent number: 10372231
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Patent number: 10252804
    Abstract: A galley refrigeration system includes a liquid heat exchange loop and an air heat exchange loop in thermal communication with the liquid heat exchange loop. The air heat exchange loop includes a heat exchanger configured to be coupled in flow communication with at least one galley cart. Optionally, the galley refrigeration system may include a control system in operative communication with the liquid heat exchange loop and the air heat exchange loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James P. Schalla
  • Publication number: 20190073043
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Patent number: 10146320
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Publication number: 20180173962
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying the storage status of overhead luggage storage bins in an aircraft. A camera is provided that is mounted with a field of view directed at an inner portion of a group of open bins. The camera is communicatively coupled to a controller and selectively provides images of the inner portion of the bins immediately prior to when the bins are closed to the controller. A projector is also provided for each group of bins. The projector is communicatively coupled to the controller and is mounted such that an image received from the controller is projected onto an outer surface of the closed bins. The controller receives images from each of the cameras and selectively provides such images to the projector associated with each camera so that a storage status display is projected on an outer surface of the bins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Yakentim M. Ibrahim, Kevin S. Callahan, James P. Schalla
  • Patent number: 9986822
    Abstract: A system for cooling a thermally insulated galley cart in an aircraft incorporates a skin heat exchanger configured to transfer heat to an aircraft skin. A cooling system is in communication with the skin heat exchanger and is configured to be removably coupled with a thermally insulated galley cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Burgess, James P. Schalla
  • Publication number: 20180136733
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Calsee N. Robb, William A. Harkness, Buddy L. Sharpe, Heidi J. Kneller
  • Publication number: 20160340044
    Abstract: A galley refrigeration system includes a liquid heat exchange loop and an air heat exchange loop in thermal communication with the liquid heat exchange loop. The air heat exchange loop includes a heat exchanger configured to be coupled in flow communication with at least one galley cart. Optionally, the galley refrigeration system may include a control system in operative communication with the liquid heat exchange loop and the air heat exchange loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: James P. Schalla
  • Patent number: 9446847
    Abstract: A case for a galley cart defines a cavity with at least two dividers positioned within the cavity, each having a first end edge and an opposing second end edge, with the dividers defining at least two chambers within the cavity. A door is movably attached to the case having a first position in which the cavity is accessible and a second position in which the cavity is substantially sealed. The door incorporates a housing having at least one cooling puck corresponding to at least a first one of the chambers and a second cooling puck corresponding to a second one of the chambers. At least one sealing member is coupled to the housing in the door and configured to compress against the first end edges of the dividers and to provide flow communication between the first cooling compartment and the first chamber and between the second cooling compartment and the second chamber when the door is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marcus K. Richardson, Tateh Wu, Raymond H. Horstman, James P. Schalla
  • Patent number: 9386845
    Abstract: A galley cart incorporates a housing defining a cavity and having an opening. A door is hingedly attached to the housing to seal the opening and allow access to the cavity through the opening. A compartment is provided in the cart configured to contain cooling media. An integrated support rail is coupled to the housing within the cavity and configured to at least partially support a tray within the cavity. The support rail has multiple orifices therethrough and the support rail is in flow communication with the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tateh Wu, Marcus K. Richardson, Kyongsoo Chae, Raymond H. Horstman, James P. Schalla