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).

  • Patent number: 11901619
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Best, Robert A. DiChiara, Brian L. Muench, Vann Heng, Jonathan D. Embler, Thomas R. Pinney, Holly M. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20230198137
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Best, Robert A. DiChiara, Brian L. Muench, Vann Heng, Jonathan D. Embler, Thomas R. Pinney, Holly M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10913552
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Best, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler
  • Patent number: 10773788
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Best, Jonathan D. Embler, John S. Kruse, Thomas R. Pinney, Drew L. Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20190054998
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. BEST, Jonathan D. EMBLER, John S. KRUSE, Thomas R. PINNEY, Drew L. SMALLWOOD
  • Publication number: 20180057192
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. BEST, Thomas R. PINNEY, Jonathan D. EMBLER
  • Patent number: 9878809
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Best, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler
  • Publication number: 20160362199
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Best, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler
  • Patent number: 7050998
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Financiometrics Inc.
    Inventors: Jivendra K. Kale, Michael J. Best
  • Patent number: 4695190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. A. Best, Richard H. Jones, Joseph H. Hynes, Richard J. Pond, Colin R. Gordon
  • Patent number: 4477205
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Morrill, Michael J. A. Best
  • Patent number: 4405016
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. A. Best
  • Patent number: 4371005
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Morrill, Michael J. A. Best