Patents by Inventor Marc J. Piehl

Marc J. Piehl 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).

  • COMPOSITE SECTIONS FOR AIRCRAFT FUSELAGES AND OTHER STRUCTURES, AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH SECTIONS
    Publication number: 20090139641
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
  • Reinforced rampdown for composite structural member and method for same
    Patent number: 7531058
    Abstract: A composite member with a reinforced rampdown or taper has a composite noodle bonded to an end of a core to fill the taper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas L. Grose, Marc J. Piehl, Douglas A. Frisch, Joseph L. Sweetin, Gary J. Peffers
  • Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections
    Patent number: 7503368
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
  • Methods of forming metal foil ply replacement in composite structures
    Patent number: 7491289
    Abstract: Laminate structures and methods for forming same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a laminate structure includes a metal-polymer composite lamina. The metal-polymer composite lamina has a first face and a second face spaced apart, and extends to a terminal edge. The lamina includes a ply of fiber-reinforced polymer that extends between the first face and the second face and has an interior edge. The interior edge defines at least one cutout. A ply of metal foil extends between the first face and the second face substantially from the interior edge filling the at least one cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Willard N. Westre, David W Evans, Edward Li, Marc J. Piehl, Eric Sager
  • Reinforced Rampdown For Composite Structural Member And Method For Same
    Publication number: 20080138584
    Abstract: A composite member with a reinforced rampdown or taper has a composite noodle bonded to an end of a core to fill the taper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas L. Grose, Marc J. Piehl, Douglas A. Frisch, Joseph L. Sweetin, Gary J. Peffers
  • Titanium foil ply replacement in layup of composite skin
    Patent number: 7115323
    Abstract: Laminate structures and methods for forming same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a laminate structure includes a metal-polymer composite lamina. The metal-polymer composite lamina has a first face and a second face spaced apart, and extends to a terminal edge. The lamina includes a ply of fiber-reinforced polymer that extends between the first face and the second face and has an interior edge. The interior edge defines at least one cutout. A ply of metal foil extends between the first face and the second face substantially from the interior edge filling the at least one cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Willard Westre, David W. Evans, Edward Li, Marc J. Piehl, Eric Sager