Patents by Inventor Michael A. Ward

Michael A. Ward 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: 20250051036
    Abstract: There is provided a support pin assembly for full size determinant assembly of an aircraft structure. The support pin assembly includes a block having a vertical bore and a horizontal bore; a bushing within the horizontal bore; a barrel nut having a cylindrical body within the vertical bore and a barrel nut hole; and a pin. The pin includes an insertion portion within the bushing, an interface element, and an extending portion having at least one protruding circumferential portion having two or more flat surface portions on opposing sides to enable rotation of the pin. The at least one protruding circumferential portion is positioned within a hole in a frame section of the aircraft structure, and provides nominal adjustment of the pin, so that with any binding condition of the pin, the pin is released by rotating the pin via the two or more flat surface portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brent A. Beach, Colleen A. Oberlee, Timothy L. Smith, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 11260459
    Abstract: Tools and methods for creating a plurality of aligned holes from a plurality of near full-sized holes. The tool includes a cutting member having a first diameter and a pilot member connected to and coaxial with the cutting member. A first section of the pilot member includes a centering member and is positioned between the cutting member and the second section having a second diameter. The centering member may include a cutting surface. The second diameter corresponds to a positional tolerance of misalignment of a plurality of near full-sized holes of the same diameter and a full-size hole diameter. The centering member may have a third diameter between the first and second diameters. The centering member may be tapered. The pilot member may be inserted into a plurality of near-full sized holes and the cutting member may cut through the holes to form a plurality of aligned full sized holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John P. Scheibel, James L. Scherer, Michael A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210370423
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for forming a plurality of aligned holes from a plurality of misaligned holes. The apparatus includes a reamer with a constant diameter a first portion and a tapered second portion. A constant diameter pilot member is connected to the reamer. The taper may be configured to center the reamer and reduce an offset between the apparatus and a centerline of a virtual hole created by the misaligned holes. The constant diameter of the pilot member corresponds to the virtual hole and the constant diameter of the first portion of the reamer correspond to a cleanup hole configured to accept an oversize fastener and fully encompass the misaligned holes. If the pilot member cannot pass through the misaligned holes, an apparatus with a smaller diameter pilot member and a larger diameter reamer is needed to create a cleanup hole that fully encompasses the misaligned holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: John P. Scheibel, James L. Scherer, Michael A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210339322
    Abstract: Tools and methods for creating a plurality of aligned holes from a plurality of near full-sized holes. The tool includes a cutting member having a first diameter and a pilot member connected to and coaxial with the cutting member. A first section of the pilot member includes a centering member and is positioned between the cutting member and the second section having a second diameter. The centering member may include a cutting surface. The second diameter corresponds to a positional tolerance of misalignment of a plurality of near full-sized holes of the same diameter and a full-size hole diameter. The centering member may have a third diameter between the first and second diameters. The centering member may be tapered. The pilot member may be inserted into a plurality of near-full sized holes and the cutting member may cut through the holes to form a plurality of aligned full sized holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: John P. Scheibel, James L. Scherer, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 10744573
    Abstract: A method for enlarging each one of an initial pair of holes, which includes a first hole, extending through a first component, and a second hole, extending through a second component, includes inserting a pilot member, corresponding to a tolerance of misalignment of the first hole and the second hole of the initial pair of holes, such that pilot member passes through a clearance gap, defined by at least a portion of a boundary of first hole and at least a portion of a boundary of second hole with pilot member having a first central axis. The method also includes cutting a second pair of aligned holes through first and second components, respectively, with a cutter section, which has a second central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John P. Scheibel, James L. Scherer, Michael A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20200108456
    Abstract: A cutter assembly for increasing a diameter of an initial pair of holes that includes a first hole defined through a first component and a second hole defined through a second component. The cutter assembly includes a pilot member having a pilot diameter corresponding to a tolerance of misalignment of the first hole and the second hole. Further included is a cutter section associated with the pilot member wherein the cutter section has a cutting diameter larger than the pilot diameter and the cutter section is configured to produce a second pair of aligned holes in the first and second components having a diameter dimension of that of the cutting diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: John P. Scheibel, James L. Scherer, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 9155387
    Abstract: An anti-corrosion support device includes a post and a post protector that is disposed about a bottom portion of the post. An interior surface of the post protector is sized and shaped to fit tightly over an exterior surface of the bottom portion of the post. The anti-corrosion support device also may include an adjustment foot that passes through an aperture formed through a bottom portion of the post protector into an attachment member mounted to the post. An anti-corrosion support system includes several of the anti-corrosion support devices, shelf supporting means, and one or more shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Kaluzavich, Michael A. Ward, David Barsigian
  • Publication number: 20110180503
    Abstract: An anti-corrosion support device includes a post and a post protector that is disposed about a bottom portion of the post. An interior surface of the post protector is sized and shaped to fit tightly over an exterior surface of the bottom portion of the post. The anti-corrosion support device also may include an adjustment foot that passes through an aperture formed through a bottom portion of the post protector into an attachment member mounted to the post. An anti-corrosion support system includes several of the anti-corrosion support devices, shelf supporting means, and one or more shelves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: METRO INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT P. Kaluzavich, Michael A. Ward, DAVID Barsigian
  • Patent number: 7489858
    Abstract: A heater is disclosed. The comprises a housing; a reflector; and a pair of opposite connectors supported by the reflector and configured to support opposite ends of a heating element. The reflector is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Zank, Michael J. Martin, Michael A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20080083727
    Abstract: A heater is disclosed. The comprises a housing; a reflector; and a pair of opposite connectors supported by the reflector and configured to support opposite ends of a heating element. The reflector is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Zank, Michael J. Martin, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 7034963
    Abstract: An algorithm (method) for sizing (adjusting edges 01) grayscale or dose level pixel-maps (raster images) real time for input into radiant beam lithography systems or similar dose level grayscale image rendering systems to compensate for systemic distortions such as edge bias and/or loss of linearity (i) successively assembles one or more frame matrixes of grayscale values from a parent pixel-map having edges and corners where an edge is defined by gray pixels having values between 1, 2, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Asher Klatchko, Samuel C. Howells, Michael A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20030107770
    Abstract: An algorithm (method) for sizing (adjusting edges of) grayscale or dose level pixel-maps (raster images) real time for input into radiant beam lithography systems or similar dose level grayscale image rendering systems to compensate for systemic distortions such as edge bias and/or loss of linearity (i) successively assembles one or more frame matrixes of grayscale values from a parent pixel-map having edges and corners where an edge is defined by gray pixels having values between 1, 2, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Asher Klatchko, Samuel C. Howells, Michael A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20020007676
    Abstract: A package for a sporting device having a display and electrical components mounted on a pair of circuit boards includes a housing defining a chamber receiving the boards and the display, front and back covers on opposite sides of the housing, and a stiffener disposed between the boards. The packaging allows the sporting device to be attached to sports equipment such as ball catching gloves as well as parts of the body and clothing. For high impact loading, an optional shock-absorbing pad with spaced ribs can be mounted on a back face of the back cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Michael A. Ward, David L. Overman, Albert E. Dilz, David L. Hunt, David K. Memke, David L. Slayton
  • Patent number: 5969286
    Abstract: A slapper detonator includes an explosive pellet disposed within a detonator housing and a bridge chip disposed within a pocket defined between a pair of printed circuit boards. One of the printed circuit boards is disposed between the bridge chip and the explosive pellet and includes an opening centered over the bridge element to permit a flyer to accelerate before impacting the explosive pellet. The printed circuit board with the opening also establishes a connection between the bridge contact pads and metalized patterns or pads on the other printed circuit board which are, in turn, connected with metalized patterns or pads on an opposite side of the board. Various input contacts can be attached to the metalized pads, including an adapter board which converts side-by-side pads to concentric pads to permit coaxial connectors to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Electronics Development Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Ward, David L. Overman
  • Patent number: 5645257
    Abstract: An adjustable support apparatus includes a vertical standard having a rail, a support member having an edge abutting the standard and a surface formed to fit flush with the rail, and a securing device for securing the support member to the standard. Preferably, the standard includes a channel into which the edge of the support fits. The rail couples to a corresponding bracket on the securing device. The securing device may be mounted on the support member through holes respectively located in the securing device and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 5482168
    Abstract: A modular wall-mounted storage system includes at least one shelf, at least one horizontal bar, at least one pair of shelf brackets, and at least one pair of vertical uprights. Each shelf bracket includes structure for supporting a shelf and structure for engaging at least one horizontal bar. Each vertical upright includes a slotted support structure for receiving and supporting at least one horizontal bar at a variety of vertical and horizontal locations thereof, wherein each horizontal bar may be received and supported on a pair of vertical uprights at a variety of vertical and horizontal locations relative to each vertical upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 5049263
    Abstract: A strainer cup strains a flow of particle-bearing fluid. When blocked, unstrained fluid overflows the cup spilling into a chamber. A switch detects a level of fluid and signals a blocked strainer cup condition, as the chamber drains off the unstrained fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hoffman, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 5047157
    Abstract: A centrifugal particulates filter has inlet and outlet ports for coolant flow, and a flushing port for handling partiulates removed from the main coolant stream. The flushing port is connected to a coiled capillary tube to maintain a constant drain flow of particulates and coolant, the coolant being recycled to the coolant tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hoffman, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: D425435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Ward, David Overman, Albert E. Dilz, Jr., David L. Hunt, David K. Memke, David L. Slayton
  • Patent number: D858165
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Michael A. Ward