Patents by Inventor Keith E. Ritchie

Keith E. Ritchie 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: 12636842
    Abstract: A repair method is provided during which a thermoplastic patch is arranged on a thermoplastic aerospace component. The thermoplastic patch contacts the thermoplastic aerospace component. The thermoplastic patch is horizontal ultrasonic welded to the thermoplastic aerospace component using an ultrasonic horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyan Bob Shen, Michael van Tooren, Keith E. Ritchie, Daniel O. Ursenbach
  • Publication number: 20250235892
    Abstract: A method for applying a sulfonation treatment to a thermoplastic part includes installing a gas sulfonation assembly on one or more surfaces of the thermoplastic part by forming a vacuum bag on the one or more surfaces. The vacuum bag forms a sealed cavity between the vacuum bag and a treatment portion of the one or more surfaces. The method further includes drawing a vacuum in the sealed cavity with the gas sulfonation assembly, directing a sulfonating gas into the sealed cavity with the gas sulfonation assembly to sulfonate the treatment portion, removing the sulfonating gas from the sealed cavity with the gas sulfonation assembly, removing the gas sulfonation assembly from the thermoplastic part, applying a neutralizing agent to the treatment portion, and applying at least one coating to the treatment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2025
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Shyan Bob Shen, Daniel O. Ursenbach, Michael van Tooren, Chris Croshaw, Jeffrey D. Woods, Keith E. Ritchie, Kevin R. Bordage, Blair A. Smith, Vijay V. Pujar
  • Publication number: 20250033302
    Abstract: A repair method is provided during which a thermoplastic patch is arranged on a thermoplastic aerospace component. The thermoplastic patch contacts the thermoplastic aerospace component. The thermoplastic patch is horizontal ultrasonic welded to the thermoplastic aerospace component using an ultrasonic horn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Shyan Bob Shen, Michael van Tooren, Daniel O. Ursenbach, Keith E. Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20240391179
    Abstract: A method is provided during which a first thermoplastic composite body is arranged on a rigid support structure. The first thermoplastic composite body contacts the rigid support structure. A second thermoplastic composite body is arranged on the first thermoplastic composite body. The second thermoplastic composite body contacts the first thermoplastic composite body. Energy transmission material is arranged on the second thermoplastic composite body. The first thermoplastic composite body and the second thermoplastic composite body are disposed between the rigid support structure and the energy transmission material. The second thermoplastic composite body is ultrasonic welded to the first thermoplastic composite body using an ultrasonic horn. The energy transmission material is arranged between the second thermoplastic composite body and the ultrasonic horn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Michael van Tooren, Shyan Bob Shen, Jeffrey D. Woods, Keith E. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 11136942
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a sound-absorbing exhaust center plug for an aircraft gas turbine engine comprising a center plug adapted for attachment within an exhaust nozzle of the engine. The center plug comprises an outer skin, and at least one cavity within the center plug and the at least one cavity extending between a forward bulkhead and an aft bulkhead, where the aft bulkhead is canted inwardly. The outer skin includes a plurality of outer skin openings providing an acoustic pathway through the outer skin and into the at least one cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Lopez, Lisa K. Martini-Saliers, David Gaul, Jose S. Alonso-Miralles, Keith E. Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20200088135
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a sound-absorbing exhaust center plug for an aircraft gas turbine engine comprising a center plug adapted for attachment within an exhaust nozzle of the engine. The center plug comprises an outer skin, and at least one cavity within the center plug and the at least one cavity extending between a forward bulkhead and an aft bulkhead, where the aft bulkhead is canted inwardly. The outer skin includes a plurality of outer skin openings providing an acoustic pathway through the outer skin and into the at least one cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Carlos A. Lopez, Lisa K. Martini-Saliers, David Gaul, Jose S. Alonso-Miralles, Keith E. Ritchie