Patents by Inventor Michael Rivers
Michael Rivers 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: 11926114Abstract: This disclosure includes methods and apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes. The method includes arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus, where the inner hub is arranged concentrically within a radially inner annular side of the outer band and the plurality of spokes are arranged between the outer band and the inner hub. The plurality of spokes are forced in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, where each spoke of the plurality of spokes is forced in a curing position against the inner hub and towards the outer band in a curing arrangement. The plurality of spokes are then cured to each of the inner hub and outer band.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: David C. Lung, Michael Widmyer, Eric Rivers
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Patent number: 11506083Abstract: Composite liners (such as acoustic panels, fan track liners, and/or ice impact panels or boxes for turbofan engines) and techniques for forming composite liners. In some examples, the composite liner includes at least one region comprising a reinforcement architecture comprising a matrix material, a plurality of relatively tough polymer-based reinforcement elements, and a plurality of second reinforcement elements. The plurality of relatively tough polymer-based reinforcement elements and the plurality of second reinforcement elements are embedded in the matrix material.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporalionInventors: Matthew J. Kappes, Robert Heeter, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Benedict N. Hodgson
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Patent number: 11421538Abstract: A composite aerofoil may include an aerofoil body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the body comprises a composite material including a plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements, a plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements, and a matrix material substantially encapsulating the plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements and the plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements. The plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements are different from the plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements. The disclosure also describes techniques for forming composite aerofoils.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Robert Heeter, Matthew J. Kappes, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Benedict N. Hodgson
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Publication number: 20210381396Abstract: The disclosure describes composite liners (such as acoustic panels, fan track liners, and/or ice impact panels or boxes for turbofan engines) and techniques for forming composite liners. In some examples, the composite liner includes at least one region comprising a reinforcement architecture comprising a matrix material, a plurality of relatively tough polymer-based reinforcement elements, and a plurality of second reinforcement elements. The plurality of relatively tough polymer-based reinforcement elements and the plurality of second reinforcement elements are embedded in the matrix material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2020Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Matthew J. Kappes, Robert Heeter, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Benedict N. Hodgson
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Publication number: 20210355833Abstract: A composite aerofoil may include an aerofoil body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the body comprises a composite material including a plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements, a plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements, and a matrix material substantially encapsulating the plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements and the plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements. The plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements are different from the plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements. The disclosure also describes techniques for forming composite aerofoils.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Robert Heeter, Matthew J. Kappes, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Benedict N. Hodgson
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Patent number: 10752999Abstract: An article that includes a structured substrate having a macro-porous structure that defines a plurality of pores, and a metallic nano-crystalline coating on at least a portion of the structured substrate, where the metallic nano-crystalline coating defines an average grain size less than about 20 nanometers.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Edward Claude Rice, Maxwell Layman, Robert F. Proctor, Philip M. Bastnagel, Mark E. Bartolomeo, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric Handa, Aaron Martin, Christopher I. Hamilton, Jonathan P. Acker, Nathan J. Cooper
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Publication number: 20200248864Abstract: A fabric art hanging apparatus (402) is disclosed which is arranged in use for mounting an item of fabric art (403) at a support structure such as a wall or other structure. The fabric art hanging apparatus (402) comprises a thin panel such as PVC sheet having opposed major faces, with a layer of a sewable material such as grosgrain fabric affixed by gluing to one face of the panel, and with the layer of sewable material arranged with at least one portion which extends beyond a perimeter of the panel. The portion of the layer of sewable material which extends beyond the perimeter of the panel is arranged in use for sewing to the item of fabric art. The outer face of the panel, which is opposite to the face glued to the sewable material, is adapted in use for locating a prior art mounting device (401) thereat, for example Commander brand strips or double-sided tape, depending on the user requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2016Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventor: Michael Rivers Dickinson
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Patent number: 10024191Abstract: A containment system for a gas turbine engine includes a fan track assembly for use with a containment case. The fan track assembly includes a body of collapsible material that is positioned within a cavity of the fan case, and voids are provided for providing space in the event of a catastrophic blade failure. Various configurations of the fan track liner assembly are provided along with various mounting methodologies for securing the track liner assembly to the fan case of a gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Trevor John Totten, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric William Engebretsen, Matthew Joseph Kappes
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Patent number: 9896948Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus may include a gas turbine engine component comprising a blade, a platform forming an airflow surface from which the blade extends on one side, and a motion weld receiving surface disposed on a non-airflow side of the platform, and a disk having a motion weld disk portion to receive the motion weld receiving surface of the gas turbine engine component and form a motion weld coupling when the disk and gas turbine engine component are coupled, wherein, prior to coupling, the gas turbine engine component further includes a blade stalk disposed on the non-airflow side of the platform and in which is formed the motion weld receiving surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Roy David Fulayter, Jonathan Michael Rivers
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Publication number: 20170297673Abstract: An article that includes a structured substrate having a macro-porous structure that defines a plurality of pores, and a metallic nano-crystalline coating on at least a portion of the structured substrate, where the metallic nano-crystalline coating defines an average grain size less than about 20 nanometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Edward Claude Rice, Maxwell Layman, Robert F. Proctor, Philip M. Bastnagel, Mark E. Bartolomeo, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric Handa, Aaron Martin, Christopher I. Hamilton, Jonathan P. Acker, Nathan J. Cooper
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Publication number: 20170268120Abstract: An article that includes a polymer-based substrate; and a metallic nano-crystalline coating on at least a portion of the polymer-based substrate, where the metallic nano-crystalline coating defines an average grain size less than about 20 nanometers, where the portion of the polymer-based substrate has a first Young's modulus and the metallic nano-crystalline coating has a second Young's modulus, where the first Young's modulus is at least five times less than the second Young's modulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Edward Claude Rice, Maxwell Layman, Robert F. Proctor, Philip M. Bastnagel, Mark E. Bartolomeo, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric Handa, Aaron Martin, Christopher I. Hamilton, Jonathan P. Acker, Nathan J. Cooper
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Patent number: 9481448Abstract: An aerodynamic fan nosecone for a gas turbine engine is provided and includes a fan nosecone that may be made of composite material. To improve airflow transition to the blade members, aerodynamic fairings are provided and are secured to an exterior surface of the nosecone which enhances fuel economy. The fairings may be secured to the nosecone by various methods, including providing for the fairings to be changed out and replaced with other fairings on the same nosecone assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Trevor John Totten, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric William Engebretsen
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Publication number: 20150003960Abstract: A containment system for a gas turbine engine includes a replaceable spring biased fan track assembly for use with a containment case. The fan track assembly includes a body of collapsible material that is positioned within a cavity of the fan case and a spring arrangement provides as system that is operable to perform during normal operating conditions as well as during catastrophic blade failure conditions. In particular, the improved fan track design contemplates a liner that displaces sufficiently at energies less than large foreign object destruction type events.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Trevor John Totten, Jonathan Michael Rivers
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Publication number: 20140314548Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique vane system. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique method for manufacturing a bypass vane stage. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for turbine engines and vane systems for turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Jonathan Michael Rivers, Roy David Fulayter
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Publication number: 20140255204Abstract: An aerodynamic fan nosecone for a gas turbine engine is provided and includes a fan nosecone that may be made of composite material. To improve airflow transition to the blade members, aerodynamic fairings are provided and are secured to an exterior surface of the nosecone which enhances fuel economy. The fairings may be secured to the nosecone by various methods, including providing for the fairings to be changed out and replaced with other fairings on the same nosecone assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Trevor John Totten, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric William Engebretsen
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Publication number: 20140255152Abstract: A containment system for a gas turbine engine includes a fan track assembly for use with a containment case. The fan track assembly includes a body of collapsible material that is positioned within a cavity of the fan case, and voids are provided for providing space in the event of a catastrophic blade failure. Various configurations of the fan track liner assembly are provided along with various mounting methodologies for securing the track liner assembly to the fan case of a gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Trevor John Totten, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric William Engebretsen, Matthew Joseph Kappes
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Publication number: 20140241890Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus may include a gas turbine engine component comprising a blade, a platform forming an airflow surface from which the blade extends on one side, and a motion weld receiving surface disposed on a non-airflow side of the platform, and a disk having a motion weld disk portion to receive the motion weld receiving surface of the gas turbine engine component and form a motion weld coupling when the disk and gas turbine engine component are coupled, wherein, prior to coupling, the gas turbine engine component further includes a blade stalk disposed on the non-airflow side of the platform and in which is formed the motion weld receiving surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Roy David Fulayter, Jonathan Michael Rivers
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Patent number: 7182408Abstract: A free spinning rim assembly is provided which is mountable to a first and second face of a motorcycle wheel including an axle shaft through its axis of rotation. The spinning rim assembly includes a spinner, which rotates about and is positioned circumspect the axle shaft, in proximity to the wheel face. The spinner rotates around the axle shaft at a different angular speed relative to the wheel on which it is mounted. The spinning rim assembly includes a spinning rim having a central bore, which is supported by a friction reducing means positioned in the spinner central bore. The friction reducing means is supported by a retaining means, which is further supported by the wheel hub.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventors: Michael Rivers, Jr., Marc C. Mathis
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Publication number: 20050173968Abstract: A free spinning rim assembly is provided which is mountable to a first and second face of a motorcycle wheel including an axle shaft through its axis of rotation. The spinning rim assembly includes a spinner, which rotates about and is positioned circumspect the axle shaft, in proximity to the wheel face. The spinner rotates around the axle shaft at a different angular speed relative to the wheel on which it is mounted. The spinning rim assembly includes a spinning rim having a central bore, which is supported by a friction reducing means positioned in the spinner central bore. The friction reducing means is supported by a retaining means, which is further supported by the wheel hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Michael Rivers, Marc Mathis
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Patent number: D494522Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventors: Michael Rivers, Jr., Marc C. Mathis