Patents by Inventor Marc Matsen

Marc Matsen 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: 9469408
    Abstract: An ice protection system and method are provided that facilitate the prevention or reduction in ice formation upon an aerodynamic surface. The ice protection system may include an aerodynamic surface that includes a susceptor formed of a ferromagnetic material that is located proximate an outer mold line of a leading edge of the aerodynamic surface. The ice protection system may also include at least one induction coil and a signal source configured to provide alternating current to the at least one induction coil to thereby generate an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field creates an eddy current in the susceptor so as to heat the leading edge of the aerodynamic surface. A corresponding ice protection method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rangasamy Elangovan, Vyacheslav Khozikov, Stephen Roger Amorosi, Marc Matsen, Morteza Safai, Robert Miller
  • Patent number: 8044991
    Abstract: A local positioning system which includes a video camera, a computer communicating with the video camera and a target object sighted by the video camera and having a target object coordinate system. The computer is adapted to define a relative position and orientation of the video camera with respect to the target object, determine a position and orientation of the video camera in the target object coordinate system, and determine the position of a point of interest in the target object coordinate system. The system can also be used to aim the camera at a previously recorded point of interest on the target object. Contact with, or close proximity to, the target object is not required. A local positioning method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Scott Lea, Gary E. Georgeson, James Troy, Marc Matsen, Jeffrey Hansen, Charles Richards, Matthew W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090086014
    Abstract: A local positioning system which includes a video camera, a computer communicating with the video camera and a target object sighted by the video camera and having a target object coordinate system. The computer is adapted to define a relative position and orientation of the video camera with respect to the target object, determine a position and orientation of the video camera in the target object coordinate system, and determine the position of a point of interest in the target object coordinate system. The system can also be used to aim the camera at a previously recorded point of interest on the target object. Contact with, or close proximity to, the target object is not required. A local positioning method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Lea, Gary E. Georgeson, James Troy, Marc Matsen, Jeffrey Hansen, Charles Richards, Matthew W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20070095160
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing and monitoring a structure are provided. The system includes at least one radio frequency identification tag, and at least one non-destructive inspection sensor for acquiring data indicative of the structure and providing the acquired data to the radio frequency identification tag. The system could also include a data acquisition system capable of wirelessly communicating with the radio frequency identification tag and providing information indicative of a defect in the structure based on the data acquired by the non-destructive inspection sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Gary Georgeson, Marc Matsen, Bud Westerman
  • Publication number: 20070000991
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuration management in an article of manufacture disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for documenting a configuration of an article of manufacture includes an identifier positioned on the article of manufacture. A local positioning system is used to determine a positional location of the identifier on the article of manufacture. A multifunction apparatus configured to interactively communicate with the identifier and the local positioning system is present that is operable to communicate configuration information to the identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc Matsen, Brian Ramberg, Gloria Nickson, David Blackwell, Mahesh Seetharamu, Rajesh Doda, Everett Westerman, Karl Johnson
  • Publication number: 20060180705
    Abstract: A structural assembly and an associated system and method for manufacture are provided. The structural assembly includes an elongate member and a first connector member that is connected to an end of the elongate member by a braze joint. A second connector member can be connected to an end of the elongate member opposite the first connector by another braze joint. The elongate member is formed of a metal matrix composite material that includes a plurality of fibers of a reinforcement material disposed in a metal matrix. Each connector member is formed of a material that is dissimilar to the material of the elongate member. The braze joints can be formed by selectively heating the braze material, e.g., with an inductive coil that extends circumferentially around only a portion of the structural assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: David Nansen, Marc Matsen, Terry Smith, William Herb, Ronald Brown, Lee Firth
  • Publication number: 20060117825
    Abstract: A method of forming an elongated metal blank into a structural component having a predetermined outer configuration. The method includes providing a shape imparting cavity or shell section formed from a rigid material which includes an inner surface defining the predetermined shape, placing the metal blank into the cavity or shell section, and forming the metal blank into the component by heating axial portions of the metal blank and forcing a fluid at a high pressure into the metal blank until the metal blank at least partially conforms to at least a portion of the inner surface of the cavity or shell section to form the structural component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: George Pfaffmann, William Dykstra, Marc Matsen
  • Publication number: 20050242087
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Donald Anderson, Ronald Brown, Brad Kirkwood, Marc Matsen, Douglas McCarville, Stephen Moore
  • Publication number: 20050205568
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for consolidating a composite workpiece are provided. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic field generator for inducing a current and thereby heating a susceptor in thermal communication with the workpiece. The workpiece is supported by one or more support tools, each of which transmits the electromagnetic field so that the support tools are not substantially heated by the electromagnetic field. Thus, the time and energy required for heating the workpiece are reduced relative to conventional consolidation techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald Brown, Wesley Crow, Marc Matsen, Stephen Moore, David Nansen, Charles Newquist, Juris Verzemnieks
  • Publication number: 20050145309
    Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Coleman, John Fischer, Marc Matsen, Elizabeth Mull, David Nansen
  • Publication number: 20050035116
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for consolidating a composite workpiece are provided. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic field generator for inducing a current and thereby heating a susceptor in thermal communication with the workpiece. The workpiece is supported by one or more support tools, each of which transmits the electromagnetic field so that the support tools are not substantially heated by the electromagnetic field. Thus, the time and energy required for heating the workpiece are reduced relative to conventional consolidation techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald Brown, Marc Matsen, Wesley Crow, Stephen Moore, David Nansen, Charles Newquist, Juris Verzemnieks
  • Publication number: 20050035115
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Donald Anderson, Ronald Brown, Brad Kirkwood, Marc Matsen, Douglas McCarville, Stephen Moore