Patents by Inventor Kevin D. Pate

Kevin D. Pate 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: 8507042
    Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron T. Purdy, Theresa N. Ward, J. Sidney Clements, Michael G. Anderson, Julie K. Bennett, Kevin D. Pate
  • Publication number: 20120119022
    Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron T. Purdy, Theresa N. Ward, J. Sidney Clements, Michael G. Anderson, Julie K. Bennett, Kevin D. Pate
  • Patent number: 8124182
    Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron T. Purdy, Theresa N. Ward, J. Sidney Clements, Michael G. Anderson, Julie K. Bennett, Kevin D. Pate
  • Patent number: 7969706
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
  • Patent number: 7898785
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a wall, an internal structure, and a fastener. The wall has a conductive surface and a countersunk hole. The countersunk hole passes through the internal structure. The fastener has an interference fit within the countersunk hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dale B. Winter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Steven C. Steckmyer, Kevin D. Pate, Darrin M. Hansen, John R. Porter, Jeffrey Sutton, Russell J. Heeter, James F. Huffaker
  • Publication number: 20100020461
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
  • Patent number: 7599164
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20080308678
    Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron T. Purdy, Theresa N. Ward, J. Sidney Clements, Michael G. Anderson, Julie K. Bennett, Kevin D. Pate
  • Publication number: 20080297967
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a wall, an internal structure, and a fastener. The wall has a conductive surface and a countersunk hole. The countersunk hole passes through the internal structure. The fastener has an interference fit within the countersunk hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Dale B. Winter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Steven C. Steckmyer, Kevin D. Pate, Darrin M. Hansen, John R. Porter, Jeffrey Sutton, Russell J. Heeter, James F. Huffaker
  • Publication number: 20080137259
    Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend