Patents by Inventor Richard Keith Bird

Richard Keith Bird 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).

  • In-situ selective reinforcement of near-net-shaped formed structures
    Patent number: 11052458
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods in which a metal matrix composite (MMC) material is incorporated into a metallic structure during a one-step near-net-shape structural forming process. Various embodiments provide in-situ selective reinforcement processes in which the MMC may be pre-placed on a forming tool in locations that correspond to specific regions in the metallic structure. Various embodiment near-net-shape structural forming processes may then be executed and result in various embodiment metallic structural components with selectively-reinforced regions that provide enhanced mechanical properties in key locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Richard Keith Bird, Joel A. Alexa, Peter L. Messick, Marcia S. Domack, John A. Wagner
  • IN-SITU SELECTIVE REINFORCEMENT OF NEAR-NET-SHAPED FORMED STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20160228947
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods in which a metal matrix composite (MMC) material is incorporated into a metallic structure during a one-step near-net-shape structural forming process. Various embodiments provide in-situ selective reinforcement processes in which the MMC may be pre-placed on a forming tool in locations that correspond to specific regions in the metallic structure. Various embodiment near-net-shape structural forming processes may then be executed and result in various embodiment metallic structural components with selectively-reinforced regions that provide enhanced mechanical properties in key locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Keith Bird, JOEL A. ALEXA, PETER L. MESSICK, MARCIA S. DOMACK, JOHN A. WAGNER