Patents by Inventor Kava S. Crosson-Eltruan

Kava S. Crosson-Eltruan 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).

  • High stiffness shape memory alloy actuated aerostructure
    Patent number: 10202939
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated aerostructure operable to dynamically change shape according to flight conditions is disclosed. Deformable structures are actuated by SMA actuators that are coupled to face sheets of the deformable structures. Actuating the SMA actuators produces complex shape changes of the deformable structures by activating shape changes of the SMA actuators. The SMA actuators are actuated via an active or passive temperature change based on operating conditions. The SMA actuated aerostructure can be used for morphable nozzles such as a variable area fan nozzle and/or a variable geometry chevron of a jet engine to reduce engine noise during takeoff without degrading fuel burn during cruise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Widdle, Matthew T. Grimshaw, Kava S. Crosson-Eltruan, James Henry Mabe, Frederick T. Calkins, Lynn Marie Gravatt, Moushumi Shome