Patents by Inventor Michael J. A. Best
Michael J. A. Best 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).
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Patent number: 11901619Abstract: In a first example, a radome includes a shell including a ceramic matrix composite, the shell forming a first hole at a forward end of the shell and a second hole at an aft end of the shell. The radome also includes a fluid impervious coating on the shell. In a second example, a vehicle includes a main body, the radome, and an attachment assembly that couples the radome to the main body. In a third example, a method includes forming a shell comprising a ceramic matrix composite using a wet layup process, applying a fluid impervious coating onto the shell, and curing the shell and the fluid impervious coating.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Best, Robert A. DiChiara, Brian L. Muench, Vann Heng, Jonathan D. Embler, Thomas R. Pinney, Holly M. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20230198137Abstract: In a first example, a radome includes a shell including a ceramic matrix composite, the shell forming a first hole at a forward end of the shell and a second hole at an aft end of the shell. The radome also includes a fluid impervious coating on the shell. In a second example, a vehicle includes a main body, the radome, and an attachment assembly that couples the radome to the main body. In a third example, a method includes forming a shell comprising a ceramic matrix composite using a wet layup process, applying a fluid impervious coating onto the shell, and curing the shell and the fluid impervious coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Michael J. Best, Robert A. DiChiara, Brian L. Muench, Vann Heng, Jonathan D. Embler, Thomas R. Pinney, Holly M. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10913552Abstract: A stand-off panel thermal protection system is disclosed. The system comprises a sandwich panel comprising: a first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and a second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. A ceramic matrix composite core is positioned between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. The ceramic matrix composite core has a perimeter. The first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet extend past the perimeter to form a gap between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet surrounding the ceramic matrix composite core. A plurality of orifices are formed through the sandwich panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventors: Michael J. Best, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler
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Patent number: 10773788Abstract: A fairing assembly for an aerial vehicle having a tank that forms a body of the vehicle and a wing coupled to the tank is provided. The fining assembly includes a substructure configured to couple with a tank skin of the tank, a thermal protection system coupled to the substructure, and a seal assembly coupled to the substructure, the seal assembly being configured to overlap at least a portion of an edge of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael J. Best, Jonathan D. Embler, John S. Kruse, Thomas R. Pinney, Drew L. Smallwood
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Publication number: 20190054998Abstract: A fairing assembly for an aerial vehicle having a tank that forms a body of the vehicle and a wing coupled to the tank is provided. The fairing assembly includes a substructure configured to couple with a tank skin of the tank, a thermal protection system coupled to the substructure, and a seal assembly coupled to the substructure, the seal assembly being configured to overlap at least a portion of an edge of the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Michael J. BEST, Jonathan D. EMBLER, John S. KRUSE, Thomas R. PINNEY, Drew L. SMALLWOOD
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Publication number: 20180057192Abstract: A stand-off panel thermal protection system is disclosed. The system comprises a sandwich panel comprising: a first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and a second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. A ceramic matrix composite core is positioned between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. The ceramic matrix composite core has a perimeter. The first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet extend past the perimeter to form a gap between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet surrounding the ceramic matrix composite core. A plurality of orifices are formed through the sandwich panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Michael J. BEST, Thomas R. PINNEY, Jonathan D. EMBLER
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Patent number: 9878809Abstract: A stand-off panel thermal protection system includes a sandwich panel comprising: a first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and a second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. A ceramic matrix composite core is positioned between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. The ceramic matrix composite core has a perimeter. The first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet extend past the perimeter to form a gap between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet surrounding the ceramic matrix composite core. A plurality of orifices are formed through the sandwich panel. The thermal protection system further comprises a soft goods seal positioned in the gap; a plurality of insulation components; a plurality of stand-off brackets; and a plurality of fasteners positionable through the plurality of orifices to couple the sandwich panel to the plurality of brackets.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael J. Best, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler
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Publication number: 20160362199Abstract: A stand-off panel thermal protection system is disclosed. The system comprises a sandwich panel comprising: a first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and a second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. A ceramic matrix composite core is positioned between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet. The ceramic matrix composite core has a perimeter. The first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet extend past the perimeter to form a gap between the first ceramic matrix composite facesheet and the second ceramic matrix composite facesheet surrounding the ceramic matrix composite core. A plurality of orifices are formed through the sandwich panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Best, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler
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Patent number: 7050998Abstract: A method and a system for the optimal allocation of investment funds to construct an investment portfolio by using a two-segment, risk-averse utility function, where the first segment is a log-utility function indicative of the portfolio holder's utility for positive rates of return and reflects the portfolio holder's desire for maximizing portfolio growth, and the second segment is a power-utility function with a zero or negative power indicative of the degree to which the portfolio holder is averse to losses. An optimization algorithm determines the optimal investment weights for the assets in the investment portfolio to maximize the portfolio's expected utility, which is based on the two-segment utility function. A computer software includes modules for carrying out the optimization to determine the optimal investment weights for the assets and to thereby construct the investment portfolio. The computer software is in the form of codes executed by a processor.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Financiometrics Inc.Inventors: Jivendra K. Kale, Michael J. Best
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Patent number: 4695190Abstract: Apparatus for connecting portions of subsea flow conduits includes a stab member with a body and having a bore therethrough, one end of which exits from the stab body through a side port. A stab receptacle includes a bore for receiving the stab body, and a flow bore intersecting the receiving bore and leading to the exterior of the receptacle. The side port communciates with the receptacle flow bore when the stab member is landed in the receiving bore. Seals above and below the side port seal the receiving bore above and below the intersection of the receptacle flow bore and receiving bore. The cross-sectional areas of the seals exposed to internal fluid pressure are substantially equal, resulting in zero blow-apart force on the stab connection. Alternatively, the lower seal can have a larger exposed cross-sectional area than the upper seal, resulting in a net force tending to hold the connection teogether.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1986Date of Patent: September 22, 1987Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. A. Best, Richard H. Jones, Joseph H. Hynes, Richard J. Pond, Colin R. Gordon
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Patent number: 4477205Abstract: A temporary hub cover for the hubs of flow lines, hydraulic lines, and electrical conduits and the mating hubs of the underwater production unit includes a body enclosing the hub, plungers within the body for releasably engaging into detents on the hub to hold the cover on the hub, and a trigger mechanism operable from a remote location to release the engagement between the cover and hub whereby the cover can be removed from the hub. A connector tool is lowered through the water and supports means for operating the trigger mechanism upon downward movement of the connector tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1982Date of Patent: October 16, 1984Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Charles D. Morrill, Michael J. A. Best
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Patent number: 4405016Abstract: A cap for an underwater Christmas tree having locking probes to lock down the operating rods of a connector connecting the Christmas tree to an underwater wellhead housing. The tops of the operating rods are housed within hollow canisters at the top of the Christmas tree.The cap includes a body having circumferentially disposed locking dogs housed therein for engagement with the top of the Christmas tree. The dogs are actuated by a cam ring which telescopically receives the body and has a tapered surface for sliding over a correlatively tapered surface on each of the dogs. The body includes a metal gasket seal for sealing engagement with the top of the Christmas tree, and seals are provided between the cam ring and body.The cap has downwardly extending locking probes which extend telescopically into the canisters above the operating rods. The locking probes each include a housing and a releasable tubular piston slidably disposed in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1981Date of Patent: September 20, 1983Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. A. Best
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Patent number: 4371005Abstract: A temporary hub cover for the hubs of flow lines, hydraulic lines, and electrical conduits and the mating hubs of the underwater production unit includes a body enclosing the hub, plungers within the body for releasably engaging into detents on the hub to hold the cover on the hub, and a trigger mechanism operable from a remote location to release the engagement between the cover and hub whereby the cover can be removed from the hub.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1979Date of Patent: February 1, 1983Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Charles D. Morrill, Michael J. A. Best