Patents by Inventor Matthew K. Fay

Matthew K. Fay 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: 20200147902
    Abstract: A method for forming composite materials and associated apparatuses is presented, including positioning at least one electronic component on a lay-up surface. The method also includes positioning a composite on the lay-up surface, where the composite comprises resin and fibers. Additionally, the method includes causing a flow of the resin between the lay-up surface and the fibers. Yet further, the method includes curing the resin to form a cured resin, where the electronic component and the fibers are located in the cured resin. The composite material includes a resin having a shape based on a surface of a lay-up system. Additionally, the composite material includes fibers contained within the resin. Further, the composite materials includes at least one electronic component. The electronic component of the composite material is located in the resin based on a flow of the resin around the electronic component on the surface of the lay-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Keith D. Humfeld
  • Patent number: 8620936
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system for facilitating transfer of data and information over a network includes a database component for storing data and information related to a machine and at least one part thereof, a communication component adapted to communicate with a user via a user device over the network, and a processing component adapted to receive a request for data and information from the user over the network via the user device and process the request by retrieving data and information from the database component related to the machine or the at least one part thereof specified by the user passed with the request. The communication component is adapted to transfer the data and information related to the machine or the at least one part thereof from the database component to the user device for viewing by the user on the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Lake, Diana L. Herman, Kenneth D. Bouvier, Matthew K. Fay
  • Patent number: 8400171
    Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring and testing for potential corrosion of structural elements is disclosed comprising a soluble material disposed adjacent to at least one conductor in a transmission line that reacts to the presence of moisture causing a detectable change in an electrical property of the conductor. The conductor may comprise a conductive ink that is disrupted when the soluble material dissolves beneath it. Alternately, the nonconductive soluble membrane may separate two conductors and moisture causes a disruption in the soluble membrane allowing the two conductors to short. Detected changes in the electrical properties of the one or more conductors can be used to indicate potential corrosion or structural imparement in the structural element. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device comprising one or more RFID chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gerardo Pena, Justin D. Kearns, Jason P. Bommer, Matthew K. Fay
  • Patent number: 8237548
    Abstract: A structural health management device, system and method are provided for facilitating the inspection of a structure, such as in accordance with a condition-based maintenance strategy. A structural health management device may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and at least one sense line communicably coupled to the RFID tag and configured to extend at least partially along a workpiece. The sense line may be formed of different materials depending upon the objective of the inspection. The RFID tag may include processing circuitry and an antenna configured to facilitate offboard communication. The processing circuitry may be configured to interrogate the at least one sense line to determine a change in continuity which is indicative of a change in the structural health of the workpiece. The structural health management device may therefore detect the onset of structural issues in a timely manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Justin D. Kearns, Gerardo Pena, Jason P. Bommer
  • Patent number: 8138773
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring and testing for both possible fractures and corrosion in structural elements is disclosed. A frangible material layer including a thin breakable conductor sense loop and a resilient material layer including a conductive corrosion sense loop bonded on top of the frangible layer form an assembly which is bonded to a structural element to be tested. Portions of the conductive corrosion sense loop are exposed through weep holes in the resilient material layer. A fracture in the bonded structural element induces a disruption in both the frangible membrane and the thin breakable conductor sense loop and corrosion of the conductive corrosion sense loop changes its electrical properties. Measured electrical property changes of the disrupted conductor sense loop and/or the conductive corrosion sense loop reveal possible damage. Both sensor layers may utilize a single shared wireless communications tag to couple to an electrical measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Greg L. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20110291802
    Abstract: A structural health management device, system and method are provided for facilitating the inspection of a structure, such as in accordance with a condition-based maintenance strategy. A structural health management device may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and at least one sense line communicably coupled to the RFID tag and configured to extend at least partially along a workpiece. The sense line may be formed of different materials depending upon the objective of the inspection. The RFID tag may include processing circuitry and an antenna configured to facilitate offboard communication. The processing circuitry may be configured to interrogate the at least one sense line to determine a change in continuity which is indicative of a change in the structural health of the workpiece. The structural health management device may therefore detect the onset of structural issues in a timely manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Justin D. Kearns, Gerardo Pena, Jason P. Bommer
  • Patent number: 8054092
    Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring and testing for potential corrosion of structural elements is disclosed. A membrane including a thin conductor sense loop within it may be disposed near a structural element to be monitored. Measured changes in the electrical properties of the conductor sense loop reveal corrosion of the conductor and can indicate potential corrosion in the structural element. The sensor may also be implemented as a gasket. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Greg L. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20100182023
    Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring and testing for potential corrosion of structural elements is disclosed comprising a soluble material disposed adjacent to at least one conductor in a transmission line that reacts to the presence of moisture causing a detectable change in an electrical property of the conductor. The conductor may comprise a conductive ink that is disrupted when the soluble material dissolves beneath it. Alternately, the nonconductive soluble membrane may separate two conductors and moisture causes a disruption in the soluble membrane allowing the two conductors to short. Detected changes in the electrical properties of the one or more conductors can be used to indicate potential corrosion or structural imparement in the structural element. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device comprising one or more RFID chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gerardo Pena, Justin D. Kearns, Jason P. Bommer, Matthew K. Fay
  • Publication number: 20100052704
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring and testing for both possible fractures and corrosion in structural elements is disclosed. A frangible material layer including a thin breakable conductor sense loop and a resilient material layer including a conductive corrosion sense loop bonded on top of the frangible layer form an assembly which is bonded to a structural element to be tested. Portions of the conductive corrosion sense loop are exposed through weep holes in the resilient material layer. A fracture in the bonded structural element induces a disruption in both the frangible membrane and the thin breakable conductor sense loop and corrosion of the conductive corrosion sense loop changes its electrical properties. Measured electrical property changes of the disrupted conductor sense loop and/or the conductive corrosion sense loop reveal possible damage. Both sensor layers may utilize a single shared wireless communications tag to couple to an electrical measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Greg L. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 7621193
    Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring and testing the integrity of structural elements is disclosed. A frangible membrane including a thin breakable conductor sense loop is bonded to a structural element to be tested. A fracture in the bonded structural element induces a disruption in the both the frangible membrane and the thin breakable conductor sense loop. Measured electrical property change of the disrupted conductor sense loop reveals the fracture in the structural element. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device. The sensor may also be implemented as a gasket and/or employ weep holes to the breakable conductor to reveal possible corrosion as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Gregory L. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20090276438
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system for facilitating transfer of data and information over a network includes a database component for storing data and information related to a machine and at least one part thereof, a communication component adapted to communicate with a user via a user device over the network, and a processing component adapted to receive a request for data and information from the user over the network via the user device and process the request by retrieving data and information from the database component related to the machine or the at least one part thereof specified by the user passed with the request. The communication component is adapted to transfer the data and information related to the machine or the at least one part thereof from the database component to the user device for viewing by the user on the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Peter J. Lake, Diana L. Herman, Kenneth D. Bouvier, Matthew K. Fay
  • Publication number: 20090126471
    Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring and testing the integrity of structural elements is disclosed. A frangible membrane including a thin breakable conductor sense loop is bonded to a structural element to be tested. A fracture in the bonded structural element induces a disruption in the both the frangible membrane and the thin breakable conductor sense loop. Measured electrical property change of the disrupted conductor sense loop reveals the fracture in the structural element. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device. The sensor may also be implemented as a gasket and/or employ weep holes to the breakable conductor to reveal possible corrosion as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Greg L. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20090128169
    Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring and testing for potential corrosion of structural elements is disclosed. A membrane including a thin conductor sense loop within it may be disposed near a structural element to be monitored. Measured changes in the electrical properties of the conductor sense loop reveal corrosion of the conductor and can indicate potential corrosion in the structural element. The sensor may also be implemented as a gasket. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew K. Fay, Greg L. Sheffield