Patents by Inventor Kevin A. Noertker

Kevin A. Noertker 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: 10189555
    Abstract: A latching mechanism is provided for engaging an aircraft surface panel to a support member. The aircraft panel is provided with a post extending from the lower surface, which extends through a panel support member into a post engagement mechanism. The post engagement mechanism defines a rotatable sleeve, which rotates for locking and unlocking engagement between the post and the post engagement mechanism. Locking engagement continues when power to the post engagement actuator is terminated. The post engagement mechanism may utilize various types of actuators, including mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic. The aircraft panel and the panel support member are translatable into and out of abutting engagement independent of the need for any contact with the aircraft panel upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John Rufino, Kevin A. Noertker, Charles R. Smith, Cory Combs
  • Patent number: 9937995
    Abstract: A pneumatic fastening mechanism is provided for fastening an aircraft surface panel to an aircraft panel support member. The panel includes a plurality of receptacles extending from the panel lower surface. The panel support member includes a corresponding plurality of panel engagement mechanisms, disposed on the support member lower surface, and translatable through the support member to engage the receptacles. The panel engagement mechanisms are extendable from a first position, wherein the panel abuts and is engaged to the panel support member, to second position wherein the panel is elevated above the panel support member upper surface where the panel may be unlocked and separated from the panel engagement mechanism. The panel engagement mechanism is operative to elevate and release the panel in response to changes in fluid pressure communicated to the panel engagement mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cory M. Combs, Charles Smith, John Rufino, Kevin A. Noertker, Greg A. Cifu
  • Publication number: 20170001705
    Abstract: A latching mechanism is provided for engaging an aircraft surface panel to a support member. The aircraft panel is provided with a post extending from the lower surface, which extends through a panel support member into a post engagement mechanism. The post engagement mechanism defines a rotatable sleeve, which rotates for locking and unlocking engagement between the post and the post engagement mechanism. Locking engagement continues when power to the post engagement actuator is terminated. The post engagement mechanism may utilize various types of actuators, including mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic. The aircraft panel and the panel support member are translatable into and out of abutting engagement independent of the need for any contact with the aircraft panel upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: John Rufino, Kevin A. Noertker, Charles R. Smith, Cory Combs