Patents by Inventor Kevin S. Brown

Kevin S. Brown 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).

  • Publication number: 20250114914
    Abstract: A vacuum support system and vacuum support apparatus to support and maintain one or more workpieces via application of negative pressure. The vacuum support system includes a vacuum source and a vacuum support apparatus to support one or more workpieces thereon. The vacuum support apparatus includes a base frame and a cover member supported on the base frame. The base frame has a recessed region for fluidic communication with the vacuum source, and one or more support members arranged in the recessed region. The cover member has a gripping support surface to anchor one or more workpieces thereon via negative air pressure induced in the recessed region by the vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Brown, Michael S. Heuschober, Kevin Thomas Ostrega
  • Patent number: 12246106
    Abstract: A portable sanitizing method includes moving a cover of a case assembly between an open position that exposes a storage chamber and a closed position; storing a wand assembly including a sanitizing head having an ultraviolet (UV) lamp in the storage chamber when not in use; and removing the wand assembly from the storage chamber to disinfect one or more components with UV light emitted by the UV lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arthur Edward Brockschmidt, Jr., Kevin S. Callahan, Jamie J. Childress, Michael Kipling Klein, Douglas Alan Brown, Christopher Edward Plass, Teresa A. King
  • Patent number: 11420773
    Abstract: An engine thrust rating process and system for controlling engine thrust during flight of an aircraft and/or to support an airplane development program (including design, validation testing, and production of airplane systems, airplane dispatch and operation tools). The thrust rating process uses thrust ratios derived from thrust expressed in power rather than engine rotor speed (N1). In one or more examples, the thrust rating architecture is based on “Max Rated Thrust” tables and the power setting parameter “PSP” being calculated at the end of the process instead of at the beginning of the process (unlike conventional procedures), thereby enabling the system software development early as needed to support the airplane development phase. This concept also yields improvements such as simplified control logic, optimized engine performance and engine life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kiet T. Huynh, Kevin S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20200307831
    Abstract: An engine thrust rating process and system for controlling engine thrust during flight of an aircraft and/or to support an airplane development program (including design, validation testing, and production of airplane systems, airplane dispatch and operation tools). The thrust rating process uses thrust ratios derived from thrust expressed in power rather than engine rotor speed (N1). In one or more examples, the thrust rating architecture is based on “Max Rated Thrust” tables and the power setting parameter “PSP” being calculated at the end of the process instead of at the beginning of the process (unlike conventional procedures), thereby enabling the system software development early as needed to support the airplane development phase. This concept also yields improvements such as simplified control logic, optimized engine performance and engine life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kiet T. Huynh, Kevin S. Brown
  • Patent number: 9950805
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying N1 speed on a flight deck display in a manner that provides increased resolution at the upper end of the operating range. This is accomplished by a variable scale(s) which improves the functionality of the N1 gauge (serving as an indication of thrust) in the desired region. Also, there is visual indication to provide pilots the ability to discern if the current thrust is within a specific tolerance to the desired value within the takeoff region. This additional indication is based on color changes associated with the N1 display structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hodges, Kevin S. Brown
  • Patent number: 9738393
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to increase a payload capacity of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a selection via a control display unit to employ a fluid delivery system during takeoff of an aircraft. The fluid delivery system includes a tank disposed on the aircraft. The example method also includes automatically controlling, via a fluid management system including a processor, a flow of the water from the tank during takeoff in response to the selection. The water is to cool an engine heat source of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric G. Landre, Kent E. Karnofski, Derek T. Washio, Daniel Patrick Wehry Hould, Kevin S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20170113809
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying N1 speed on a flight deck display in a manner that provides increased resolution at the upper end of the operating range. This is accomplished by a variable scale(s) which improves the functionality of the N1 gauge (serving as an indication of thrust) in the desired region. Also, there is visual indication to provide pilots the ability to discern if the current thrust is within a specific tolerance to the desired value within the takeoff region. This additional indication is based on color changes associated with the N1 display structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hodges, Kevin S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150225090
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to increase a payload capacity of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a selection via a control display unit to employ a fluid delivery system during takeoff of an aircraft. The fluid delivery system includes a tank disposed on the aircraft. The example method also includes automatically controlling, via a fluid management system including a processor, a flow of the water from the tank during takeoff in response to the selection. The water is to cool an engine heat source of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Eric G. Landre, Kent E. Karnofski, Derek T. Washio, Daniel Patrick Wehry Hould, Kevin S. Brown
  • Patent number: 6704630
    Abstract: A system for detecting and correcting a thrust control malfunction in an aircraft engine. The system includes an electronic engine control (EEC) unit that includes a first processing subsystem and a second processing subsystem, and a thrust control malfunction accommodation (TCMA) circuit included in the first processing subsystem and the second processing subsystem. Additionally, the system includes a TCMA software package executed by the first processing subsystem and the second processing subsystem, thereby providing redundant execution of the TCMA software package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Grazyna Balut Ostrom, Kevin S. Brown, Kenny L. Fung, Shahrokh Ghayem
  • Publication number: 20030191565
    Abstract: A system for detecting and correcting a thrust control malfunction in an aircraft engine. The system includes an electronic engine control (EEC) unit that includes a first processing subsystem and a second processing subsystem, and a thrust control malfunction accommodation (TCMA) circuit included in the first processing subsystem and the second processing subsystem. Additionally, the system includes a TCMA software package executed by the first processing subsystem and the second processing subsystem, thereby providing redundant execution of the TCMA software package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Grazyna Balut Ostrom, Kevin S. Brown, Kenny L. Fung, Shahrokh Ghayem