Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Hansen

Jeffrey M. Hansen 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: 11448367
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for storing hydrogen is described. The pressure vessel includes at least one chamber to store hydrogen atoms. The pressure vessel also includes a mycelium structure within the at least one chamber. The mycelium structure has a surface area of at least 800 m2/m3. At least some of the hydrogen atoms are attached to the mycelium structure at a pressure greater than ambient pressure. Methods of storing hydrogen and methods of constructing a hydrogen storage tank are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Stephenson, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 11161282
    Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20210215298
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for storing hydrogen is described. The pressure vessel includes at least one chamber to store hydrogen atoms. The pressure vessel also includes a mycelium structure within the at least one chamber. The mycelium structure has a surface area of at least 800 m2/m3. At least some of the hydrogen atoms are attached to the mycelium structure at a pressure greater than ambient pressure. Methods of storing hydrogen and methods of constructing a hydrogen storage tank are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Stephenson, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 10995911
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for storing hydrogen is described. The pressure vessel includes at least one chamber to store hydrogen atoms. The pressure vessel also includes a mycelium structure within the at least one chamber. The mycelium structure has a surface area of at least 800 m2/m3. At least some of the hydrogen atoms are attached to the mycelium structure at a pressure greater than ambient pressure. Methods of storing hydrogen and methods of constructing a hydrogen storage tank are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Stephenson, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 10902979
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a susceptor coil assembly ribbon. An apparatus comprising a tensioning section 100 that provides a predetermined amount of tension to a plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20, a collimating section 200 that receives the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20 from the tensioning section 100 and aligns the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20. An impaling section 300 receives the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20 aligned by the collimating section 200 and impales the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20 into a matrix material 320 so as to fabricate a susceptor coil assembly ribbon 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher John Hottes, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Charles M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20200016797
    Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10456960
    Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10113253
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a susceptor coil assembly. An apparatus comprising a tensioning section; a feeding section for feeding a conductor wire toward the tensioning section, the tensioning section maintaining a desired tension of the conductor wire; and a coiling section for winding a susceptor wire around an outer surface of the conductor wire so as to fabricate a susceptor coil assembly. The coiling section winds the susceptor wire around the conductor wire as the conductor wire moves from the feeding section towards the tensioning section. A first programmable drive is programmable to achieve a desired feedrate of the conductor wire from the feeding section to the coiling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher John Hottes, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 10071429
    Abstract: A magnet sensing portable autonomous device includes a platform. A plurality of wheel sets is coupled to the platform. A drive system is used for driving the plurality of wheels. An attachment mechanism is positioned on an underside of the platform for securing the device to a surface. A control board is used for controlling the operation of the device. In some embodiments, a drill spindle assembly is coupled to the platform. A drill feed assembly is coupled to the drill spindle assembly for raising and lowering the drill spindle assembly. A plurality of sensors are operable to sense one or more magnets disposed below the surface. A drive table is used for positioning the drill spindle assembly in an XY plane based on an output of said plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Noel A. Spishak, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Stephen G. Moore, Dan D. Day
  • Publication number: 20180244519
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for storing hydrogen is described. The pressure vessel includes at least one chamber to store hydrogen atoms. The pressure vessel also includes a mycelium structure within the at least one chamber. The mycelium structure has a surface area of at least 800 m2/m3. At least some of the hydrogen atoms are attached to the mycelium structure at a pressure greater than ambient pressure. Methods of storing hydrogen and methods of constructing a hydrogen storage tank are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Stephenson, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9993971
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a stack of adhesive plies for attaching a doubler to a surface on a structure includes a digital scanner, configured for scanning the surface and for producing a first set of digital data representing a contour of the surface, and a computer, coupled to the digital scanner, having a processor and system memory. The computer is programmed for mapping a gap between a bonding surface on the doubler and the surface on the structure using the first set of digital data and a second set of digital data representing the bonding surface, and for segmenting the mapped gap into layers corresponding to the adhesive plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson, Michael D. Fogarty, Michael W. Evens, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20170092421
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a susceptor coil assembly. An apparatus comprising a tensioning section; a feeding section for feeding a conductor wire toward the tensioning section, the tensioning section maintaining a desired tension of the conductor wire; and a coiling section for winding a susceptor wire around an outer surface of the conductor wire so as to fabricate a susceptor coil assembly. The coiling section winds the susceptor wire around the conductor wire as the conductor wire moves from the feeding section towards the tensioning section. A first programmable drive is programmable to achieve a desired feedrate of the conductor wire from the feeding section to the coiling section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher John Hottes, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20170094729
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a susceptor coil assembly ribbon. An apparatus comprising a tensioning section 100 that provides a predetermined amount of tension to a plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20, a collimating section 200 that receives the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20 from the tensioning section 100 and aligns the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20. An impaling section 300 receives the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20 aligned by the collimating section 200 and impales the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies 20 into a matrix material 320 so as to fabricate a susceptor coil assembly ribbon 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher John Hottes, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Charles M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20170021534
    Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9296156
    Abstract: A ply placement device uses a ply guide to place plies on a curved substrate surface. The ply guide includes a guide surface and a guide edge that are each curved to match the contour of the substrate so that the ply transitions smoothly from its planar form to a curved form as the ply is placed onto the substrate. The ply guide may be flexible or segmented to allow reconfiguration of the guide surfaces to match various substrate contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert L. Anderson, Charles M. Richards, Barry P. VanWest, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9194769
    Abstract: A system and method for environmental testing and evaluation of non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensors is provided. The system has a structure having a plurality of NDI sensors to be tested. The system further has an environmental chamber containing heating elements and cooling elements for heating and cooling the NDI sensors when the structure is secured to the environmental chamber. The system further has an impact testing assembly positioned over the structure for impacting the structure. The system further has a data acquisition computer subsystem coupled to the environmental chamber and coupled to the NDI sensors. The data acquisition computer subsystem controls and monitors the heating and cooling elements, and collects and processes temperature and impact data acquired by the NDI sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Simon D. Senibi, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20150217512
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a stack of adhesive plies for attaching a doubler to a surface on a structure includes a digital scanner, configured for scanning the surface and for producing a first set of digital data representing a contour of the surface, and a computer, coupled to the digital scanner, having a processor and system memory. The computer is programmed for mapping a gap between a bonding surface on the doubler and the surface on the structure using the first set of digital data and a second set of digital data representing the bonding surface, and for segmenting the mapped gap into layers corresponding to the adhesive plies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: SCOTT W. LEA, GARY E. GEORGESON, MICHAEL D. FOGARTY, MICHAEL W. EVENS, JEFFREY M. HANSEN
  • Patent number: 9034128
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to fit a metallic or composite doubler on an uneven surface. A three dimensional digital map of the gap between the doubler and the uneven surface is generated by digitally scanning the uneven surface. The digital map is then used to fabricate a stack of adhesive plies tailored to substantially fill the gap between the doubler and the uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson, Michael D. Fogarty, Michael W. Evens, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20110192541
    Abstract: A ply placement device uses a ply guide to place plies on a curved substrate surface. The ply guide includes a guide surface and a guide edge that are each curved to match the contour of the substrate so that the ply transitions smoothly from its planar form to a curved form as the ply is placed onto the substrate. The ply guide may be flexible or segmented to allow reconfiguration of the guide surfaces to match various substrate contours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert L. Anderson, Charles M. Richards, Barry P. VanWest, Jeffrey M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7993480
    Abstract: A ply placement device uses a ply guide to place plies on a curved substrate surface. The ply guide includes a guide surface and a guide edge that are each curved to match the contour of the substrate so that the ply transitions smoothly from its planar form to a curved form as the ply is placed onto the substrate. The ply guide may be flexible or segmented to allow reconfiguration of the guide surfaces to match various substrate contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Anderson, Charles M. Richards, Barry P. VanWest, Jeffrey M. Hansen