Patents by Inventor Joseph S. Alford

Joseph S. Alford 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).

  • Vibration damping hinge joints for variable area jet engine exhaust nozzles
    Patent number: 5101533
    Abstract: A spring biased bearing is slidably mounted within a clevis joint so as to apply a frictional damping force to a flap of a jet engine exhaust nozzle. A forward hinge joint restrains the bearing against rotation with the flap while an aft hinge joint provides for both rotation and translation of the bearing about the flap. A tubular canister may be used with the hinge joint to preset the axial compression and biasing force generated by a coil spring enclosed within the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Stenger, William C. Lippmeier, Joseph S. Alford, David O. Fitts, Malachi Lawrence, Jr., Keith A. Williams, Douglas M. Fortuna