Patents by Inventor Michael B. Nicholas

Michael B. Nicholas 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: 20230241678
    Abstract: Implementations provide gas atomized metal matrix composite (“GAMMC”)-based feedstock for cold spray additive manufacturing (“CSAM”) enabling complex structural repairs. The feedstock is prepared by arranging a metal matrix composite (MMC) material in a gas atomization system, wherein the MMC material includes metal particles and ceramic particles. The feedstock is further prepared by performing gas atomization of the MMC material using the gas atomization system to atomize the MMC material, and producing a feedstock powder comprised of metal particles that are embedded with the ceramic particles from the atomized MMC material. The GAMMC-based feedstock comprises metallic (for binding to the substrate of the damaged part) and ceramic (for reinforcement) particles bonded together such that the ceramic particles bond directly to and within the metallic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bruno Zamorano Senderos, Ali Yousefiani, Michael B. Nicholas, Rogie I. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11628499
    Abstract: Implementations provide gas atomized metal matrix composite (“GAMMC”)-based feedstock for cold spray additive manufacturing (“CSAM”) enabling complex structural repairs. The feedstock is prepared by arranging a metal matrix composite (MMC) material in a gas atomization system, wherein the MMC material includes metal particles and ceramic particles. The feedstock is further prepared by performing gas atomization of the MMC material using the gas atomization system to atomize the MMC material, and producing a feedstock powder comprised of metal particles that are embedded with the ceramic particles from the atomized MMC material. The GAMMC-based feedstock comprises metallic (for binding to the substrate of the damaged part) and ceramic (for reinforcement) particles bonded together such that the ceramic particles bond directly to and within the metallic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bruno Zamorano Senderos, Ali Yousefiani, Michael B. Nicholas, Rogie I. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20210154740
    Abstract: Implementations provide gas atomized metal matrix composite (“GAMMC”)-based feedstock for cold spray additive manufacturing (“CSAM”) enabling complex structural repairs. The feedstock is prepared by arranging a metal matrix composite (MMC) material in a gas atomization system, wherein the MMC material includes metal particles and ceramic particles. The feedstock is further prepared by performing gas atomization of the MMC material using the gas atomization system to atomize the MMC material, and producing a feedstock powder comprised of metal particles that are embedded with the ceramic particles from the atomized MMC material. The GAMMC-based feedstock comprises metallic (for binding to the substrate of the damaged part) and ceramic (for reinforcement) particles bonded together such that the ceramic particles bond directly to and within the metallic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Bruno Zamorano Senderos, Ali Yousefiani, Michael B. Nicholas, Rogie I. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7835130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lighting protection. In one advantageous embodiment a method forms a lighting protection system on a composite surface of an aircraft. A dielectric coating is formed on the composite surface in which the dielectric coating covers a metal feature exposed on the composite surface. A metal adhesion promoter is applied in a pattern on the dielectric coating and over additional areas of the composite surface, including a grounding feature to form a metal adhesion promoter layer. A metal coating is formed on the metal adhesion promoter layer to create a path from an area including the metal feature to the grounding feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael H. E. Ware, Michael B. Nicholas, Quynhgiao N. Le
  • Publication number: 20090092844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lighting protection. In one advantageous embodiment a method forms a lighting protection system on a composite surface of an aircraft. A dielectric coating is formed on the composite surface in which the dielectric coating covers a metal feature exposed on the composite surface. A metal adhesion promoter is applied in a pattern on the dielectric coating and over additional areas of the composite surface, including a grounding feature to form a metal adhesion promoter layer. A metal coating is formed on the metal adhesion promoter layer to create a path from an area including the metal feature to the grounding feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Michael H. E. Ware, Michael B. Nicholas, Quynhgiao N. Le