Patents by Inventor Markus B. Heinimann

Markus B. Heinimann 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: 9297394
    Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jiantao Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega
  • Publication number: 20140248453
    Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jiantao Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega
  • Patent number: 8578747
    Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jiantao Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega
  • Patent number: 8444092
    Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jiantao Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega
  • Publication number: 20120227453
    Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jianto Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega
  • Publication number: 20100127125
    Abstract: Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Ming Li, James M. Marinelli, Jianto Liu, Paul E. Magnusen, Simon Sheu, Markus B. Heinimann, John Liu, Luis Fanor Vega
  • Publication number: 20100043939
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing a wing structure comprising producing a machined metallic bottom skin by pre-machinmg, preforming or combinations thereof, finishing the skin which serves as a mold, placing a plurality of straps on top of the skin, arranging a monolithic, fiber metal laminate, or non-reinforced metallic laminate skin on top of the plurality of straps to form a module, and curing the module, wherein the bottom skin is the load carrying element in the wing The present invention also discloses a method for producing a wing structure comprising providing a mold, placing a first monolithic, fiber metal laminate, or non-reinforced metallic laminate skin on a lay-up mold, placing a plurality of straps on top of the skin, arranging a second monolithic, fiber metal laminate, or non-reinforced metallic laminate skin on top of the plurality of straps to form a module, and curing the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: ALCOA, INC.
    Inventors: Markus B. Heinimann, Michael Kulak, Edmund W. Chu, John T. Siemon
  • Publication number: 20090211697
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing an aircraft wing hybrid structure comprising the steps of producing a machined metallic bottom skin by either (i) pre-machining, (ii) preforming or (iii) combinations thereof, finishing the machined metallic bottom skin, providing a finished machined metallic bottom skin that serves as a lay-up mold, placing a plurality of core straps on top of the finished machined metallic bottom skin, arranging a skin that is selected from the group consisting of a monolithic skin, a fiber metal laminate skin and a non-reinforced metallic laminate skin on top of the plurality of cores strap to form a module, and curing the module, wherein the finished machined metallic bottom skin is the load carrying element in the aircraft wing hybrid structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Markus B. Heinimann, Michael Kulak, Edmund W. Chu, John T. Siemon