Patents by Inventor John Ralph Hull

John Ralph Hull 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: 9509204
    Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems include a flexible body that is configured to extend within a gap that is defined between a base structure and an attached component. The motion-damping systems further include a magnetic assembly and a ferromagnetic body. One of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is located within the flexible body and the other of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is operatively affixed to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic force therebetween retains the flexible body in physical contact with the selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The methods include methods of installing and/or operating the motion-dampening systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Thomas H. Martig
  • Publication number: 20160332501
    Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Bret A. Voss, Mark A. Negley, William J. Sweet, Kevin R. Housen, Jason S. Damazo, Michael D. Gonzales, Michael Howard-Edward Ware, Lee Charles Firth
  • Patent number: 9403328
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking a structure. A compaction blanket comprising a number of magnets is placed on the structure. A heat source is applied on the compaction blanket, wherein the compaction blanket is between the heat source and a rework of the structure and heat is conducted from the heat source through the compaction blanket to heat the rework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Lawrence Hafenrichter, John Ralph Hull
  • Publication number: 20150252864
    Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph HULL, Michael STRASIK, Thomas H. MARTIG
  • Publication number: 20150167777
    Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems include a flexible body that is configured to extend within a gap that is defined between a base structure and an attached component. The motion-damping systems further include a magnetic assembly and a ferromagnetic body. One of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is located within the flexible body and the other of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is operatively affixed to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic force therebetween retains the flexible body in physical contact with the selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The methods include methods of installing and/or operating the motion-dampening systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph HULL, Michael Strasik, Thomas H. Martig
  • Publication number: 20150136327
    Abstract: A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Mark Alan Negley, Michael Strasik, John A. Mittleider
  • Patent number: 8992711
    Abstract: A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Mark Alan Negley, Michael Strasik, John A. Mittleider
  • Patent number: 8806950
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. An apparatus comprises a conductive material and a current inducer. The conductive material is configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field has magnetic flux lines that are substantially fixed and the conductive material has a temperature that is equal to or less than a critical temperature at which the conductive material has substantially zero electrical resistance. The current inducer is configured to cause an electric current to flow in a test object that interacts with the magnetic field, wherein the electric current has a frequency that generates an acoustic wave in the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Richard H. Bossi
  • Publication number: 20130111998
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. An apparatus comprises a conductive material and a current inducer. The conductive material is configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field has magnetic flux lines that are substantially fixed and the conductive material has a temperature that is equal to or less than a critical temperature at which the conductive material has substantially zero electrical resistance. The current inducer is configured to cause an electric current to flow in a test object that interacts with the magnetic field, wherein the electric current has a frequency that generates an acoustic wave in the test object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Richard H. Bossi
  • Patent number: 8374662
    Abstract: A particle trap and an associated method of trapping particles are provided. The particle trap includes a body formed of a high temperature superconductor (HTS). The body defines a cavity therethrough. The particle trap also includes first and second HTS end plates or first and second electrodes positioned at opposite ends of the cavity. At least one of the end plates or at least one of the electrodes defines at least one opening into the cavity to permit charged particles to enter and exit the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John Ralph Hull
  • Patent number: 8196433
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for making a glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement. The apparatus comprises a container for melting one or more glass components in a mixture comprising the glass components and one or more nanofibers. The container has an opening that allows escape of any gas released from the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more heating elements for heating the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more electric field devices, positioned exterior to the glass components, that create an electric field in a volume of the mixture in order to orient the nanofibers within the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Mark S. Wilenski, Michael Strasik
  • Publication number: 20120067514
    Abstract: A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: JOHN RALPH HULL, Mark Alan Negley, Michael Strasik, John A. Mittleider
  • Publication number: 20120015171
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for making a glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement. The apparatus comprises a container for melting one or more glass components in a mixture comprising the glass components and one or more nanofibers. The container has an opening that allows escape of any gas released from the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more heating elements for heating the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more electric field devices, positioned exterior to the glass components, that create an electric field in a volume of the mixture in order to orient the nanofibers within the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Mark S. Wilenski, Michael Strasik
  • Patent number: 8051682
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for making a glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement. The apparatus comprises a container for melting one or more glass components in a mixture comprising the glass components and one or more nanofibers. The container has an opening that allows escape of any gas released from the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more heating elements for heating the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more electric field devices, positioned exterior to the glass components, that create an electric field in a volume of the mixture in order to orient the nanofibers within the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Mark S. Wilenski, Michael Strasik
  • Publication number: 20110230355
    Abstract: A particle trap and an associated method of trapping particles are provided. The particle trap includes a body formed of a high temperature superconductor (HTS). The body defines a cavity therethrough. The particle trap also includes first and second HTS end plates or first and second electrodes positioned at opposite ends of the cavity. At least one of the end plates or at least one of the electrodes defines at least one opening into the cavity to permit charged particles to enter and exit the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: John Ralph Hull
  • Patent number: 7902719
    Abstract: An apparatus for affecting at least one physical parameter associated with a shaft oriented about a longitudinal axis includes: a piezoelectric tubular member in a substantially osculatory coaxial relation with at least a portion of the shaft; and at least one electrical network coupled with the piezoelectric tubular member for switchingly completing an electrical path through the piezoelectric tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John Ralph Hull
  • Publication number: 20090189484
    Abstract: An apparatus for affecting at least one physical parameter associated with a shaft oriented about a longitudinal axis includes: a piezoelectric tubular member in a substantially osculatory coaxial relation with at least a portion of the shaft; and at least one electrical network coupled with the piezoelectric tubular member for switchingly completing an electrical path through the piezoelectric tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: John Ralph Hull