Patents by Inventor Keith R. DeBald

Keith R. DeBald 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: 11589701
    Abstract: A hot beverage dispensing mobile aircraft galley cart, a system, and a method. The hot beverage dispensing mobile aircraft galley cart may include a hot beverage maker module including a hot beverage maker. The hot beverage maker module may be implemented in or on the mobile aircraft galley cart. The hot beverage maker module may be configured to prepare and dispense a hot beverage. The hot beverage dispensing mobile aircraft galley cart may include a power module configured to provide power to the hot beverage maker module. The power module may be implemented in the mobile aircraft galley cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mudar S. Abu-Saymeh, Bryan N. Rogers, Sebastien A. Ramus, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 11540662
    Abstract: A vent valve flow fuse includes a valve cap with a valve cap cavity defined by one or more valve cap interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a valve body with a valve body cavity defined by one or more valve body interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a poppet configured to at least partially fit within the valve cap cavity and the valve body cavity. The vent valve flow fuse includes a spring configured to fit within the valve body cavity and to generate a resistive force against the poppet. The poppet is in a first position when fluid having a first amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity from a vent valve and engages the poppet. The poppet is in a second position when fluid having a second amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity and engages the poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, John H. Beard, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 11284735
    Abstract: A brew head assembly insertable within a brewing apparatus dimensioned to fit within a compartment in a galley of an aircraft may include an adjustable assembly and a brew cup. The adjustable assembly may include a brew head and a support member. The support member may define a first brew head cavity. The brew head may be at least partially inserted into the first brew head cavity. The adjustable assembly may be actuatable between an open position and at least one closed position. The brew cup may define a second brew head cavity. The brew head may be at least partially inserted into the second brew head cavity. A height between the brew head and the brew cup when the adjustable assembly is in the at least one closed position may be responsive to one or more parameters of a brew pod of a plurality of brew pods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, Keevin P. Stutheit, Mudar Abu-Saymeh, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 11246447
    Abstract: An adjustable brew head linkage includes a brew head linkage element, a handle linkage element, and an adjusting element between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to smoothly increase and decrease the distance between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to alter the size of a corresponding brew chamber to accommodate various brew pods. The brew head linkage element and/or handle linkage element may include a threaded portion to engage the adjusting element. Turning the adjusting element causes deflection. Threaded portions may have opposite handedness or different pitches. A secondary brew head linkage locking element provides friction to lock the adjusting element in place. The adjusting element increases and decreases the distance between the head linkage and the handle linkage in increments smaller than 0.178 millimeters ( 7/1000 inches).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, Keevin P. Stutheit, Mudar S. Abu-Saymeh, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 11202530
    Abstract: A descaling module is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the descaling module includes a container configured to receive a descaling fluid. The descaling module further includes at least one input port and at least one output port. The input port is configured to couple the container to a respective brew head of the beverage maker. The output port is configured to flow the descaling fluid through a fluid path of the beverage maker when pressurized fluid enters the container through the input port and forces the descaling fluid through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, Anthony D. Serfling, Christopher J. Painter, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20210353096
    Abstract: A vent valve flow fuse includes a valve cap with a valve cap cavity defined by one or more valve cap interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a valve body with a valve body cavity defined by one or more valve body interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a poppet configured to at least partially fit within the valve cap cavity and the valve body cavity. The vent valve flow fuse includes a spring configured to fit within the valve body cavity and to generate a resistive force against the poppet. The poppet is in a first position when fluid having a first amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity from a vent valve and engages the poppet. The poppet is in a second position when fluid having a second amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity and engages the poppet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, John H. Beard, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 11103102
    Abstract: A vent valve flow fuse includes a valve cap with a valve cap cavity defined by one or more valve cap interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a valve body with a valve body cavity defined by one or more valve body interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a poppet configured to at least partially fit within the valve cap cavity and the valve body cavity. The vent valve flow fuse includes a spring configured to fit within the valve body cavity and to generate a resistive force against the poppet. The poppet is in a first position when fluid having a first amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity from a vent valve and engages the poppet. The poppet is in a second position when fluid having a second amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity and engages the poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, John H. Beard, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20210068581
    Abstract: A multi-position shuttle valve assembly includes a housing with at least one flow path and a shuttle. The at least one flow path is configured to receive steam from a froth heater of an aircraft brewing apparatus. The at least one flow path is configured to direct the steam to the defined cavity. The shuttle is configured to divert the steam to a froth wand when the shuttle is in a first position. The shuttle is configured to divert the steam to a froth module installed on the housing when the shuttle is in a second position. A translation of the shuttle between the first position and the second position is dependent on the froth module being installed on the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, Anthony D. Serfling, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20210007544
    Abstract: A vent valve flow fuse includes a valve cap with a valve cap cavity defined by one or more valve cap interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a valve body with a valve body cavity defined by one or more valve body interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a poppet configured to at least partially fit within the valve cap cavity and the valve body cavity. The vent valve flow fuse includes a spring configured to fit within the valve body cavity and to generate a resistive force against the poppet. The poppet is in a first position when fluid having a first amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity from a vent valve and engages the poppet. The poppet is in a second position when fluid having a second amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity and engages the poppet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, John H. Beard, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20200352391
    Abstract: A descaling module is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the descaling module includes a container configured to receive a descaling fluid. The descaling module further includes at least one input port and at least one output port. The input port is configured to couple the container to a respective brew head of the beverage maker. The output port is configured to flow the descaling fluid through a fluid path of the beverage maker when pressurized fluid enters the container through the input port and forces the descaling fluid through the output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, Anthony D. Serfling, Christopher J. Painter, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20200297154
    Abstract: An adjustable brew head linkage includes a brew head linkage element, a handle linkage element, and an adjusting element between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to smoothly increase and decrease the distance between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to alter the size of a corresponding brew chamber to accommodate various brew pods. The brew head linkage element and/or handle linkage element may include a threaded portion to engage the adjusting element. Turning the adjusting element causes deflection. Threaded portions may have opposite handedness or different pitches. A secondary brew head linkage locking element provides friction to lock the adjusting element in place. The adjusting element increases and decreases the distance between the head linkage and the handle linkage in increments smaller than 0.178 millimeters ( 7/1000 inches).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, Keevin P. Stutheit, Mudar S. Abu-Saymeh, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20200205602
    Abstract: A brew head assembly insertable within a brewing apparatus dimensioned to fit within a compartment in a galley of an aircraft may include an adjustable assembly and a brew cup. The adjustable assembly may include a brew head and a support member. The support member may define a first brew head cavity. The brew head may be at least partially inserted into the first brew head cavity. The adjustable assembly may be actuatable between an open position and at least one closed position. The brew cup may define a second brew head cavity. The brew head may be at least partially inserted into the second brew head cavity. A height between the brew head and the brew cup when the adjustable assembly is in the at least one closed position may be responsive to one or more parameters of a brew pod of a plurality of brew pods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, Keevin P. Stutheit, Mudar Abu-Saymeh, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 9538878
    Abstract: The present invention is a froth wand for an espresso machine that can generate a high velocity stream of steam to foam a beverage at the beverage brewing apparatus. The wand includes an adapter for attaching to the beverage brewing machine at a steam supply outlet, and a conduit for communicating the steam to a steam tube. The steam tube has a cylindrical body with an annular recessed exit, and is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath. The sheath includes a cylindrical plug with a small longitudinal aperture that fits into the outlet of the steam tube. The mating of the sheath's plug and the steam tube forces the steam through the aperture, accelerating the steam at the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Kelly, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20150208854
    Abstract: The present invention is a froth wand for an espresso machine that can generate a high velocity stream of steam to foam a beverage at the beverage brewing apparatus. The wand includes an adapter for attaching to the beverage brewing machine at a steam supply outlet, and a conduit for communicating the steam to a steam tube. The steam tube has a cylindrical body with an annular recessed exit, and is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath. The sheath includes a cylindrical plug with a small longitudinal aperture that fits into the outlet of the steam tube. The mating of the sheath's plug and the steam tube forces the steam through the aperture, accelerating the steam at the exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Luke Kelly, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 9016670
    Abstract: The present invention is a froth wand for an espresso machine that can generate a high velocity stream of steam to foam a beverage at the beverage brewing apparatus. The wand includes an adapter for attaching to the beverage brewing machine at a steam supply outlet, and a conduit for communicating the steam to a steam tube. The steam tube has a cylindrical body with an annular recessed exit, and is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath. The sheath includes a cylindrical plug with a small longitudinal aperture that fits into the outlet of the steam tube. The mating of the sheath's plug and the steam tube forces the steam through the aperture, accelerating the steam at the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Kelly, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20130249123
    Abstract: The present invention is a froth wand for an espresso machine that can generate a high velocity stream of steam to foam a beverage at the beverage brewing apparatus. The wand includes an adapter for attaching to the beverage brewing machine at a steam supply outlet, and a conduit for communicating the steam to a steam tube. The steam tube has a cylindrical body with an annular recessed exit, and is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath. The sheath includes a cylindrical plug with a small longitudinal aperture that fits into the outlet of the steam tube. The mating of the sheath's plug and the steam tube forces the steam through the aperture, accelerating the steam at the exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Luke Kelly, Keith R. DeBald
  • Publication number: 20130174743
    Abstract: The present invention is a beverage brewing apparatus for an aircraft galley that includes a stow away platen to support a coffee cup or mug during brewing and that can be withdrawn when not in use to eliminate the intrusion of space in the galley if the platen were not stowable. The platen can operate like a pull out drawer, extending from its designated cavity when needed and pushed back into a withdrawn position when finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Luke E. Kelly, William D. Aronson, Sebastien A. Ramus, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 8302473
    Abstract: The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: BE Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien A. Ramus, Keith R. DeBald, Joseph C. Dettmer, Winston S. Fliess
  • Patent number: 8151796
    Abstract: The inflatable harness crew mask includes an inflatable harness with a compressed gas supply system connected to the inflatable harness independent of oxygen supplied to the mask from an oxygen regulator. The mask includes a valve connector with an exhalation and inhalation valve and an inflation valve connected to a pressurized gas inflation supply assembly including a container portion for a compressed gas cartridge, and a regulator portion connected to provide pressurized gas from the cartridge to an inflation gas supply tube connected to the inflation valve, which is manually operable by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: BE Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. McDonald, Bryan N. Rogers, Kirsten Frogley, Mike W. Veach, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: D941624
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mudar S. Abu-Saymeh, Bryan N. Rogers, Sebastien A. Ramus, Keith R. DeBald