Patents by Inventor Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.

Robert A. DiChiara, Jr. 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: 20240003296
    Abstract: A transpirational cooling panel comprises a porous ceramic matrix composite layer and a porous high-temperature fabric layer. A machined ceramic fiber batting is located between the porous ceramic matrix composite layer and the porous high-temperature fabric layer. A ceramic stitching joins the porous ceramic matrix composite layer and the porous high-temperature fabric layer through the machined ceramic fiber batting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240002033
    Abstract: A transpirational cooling panel comprises a porous ceramic matrix composite layer and a porous high-temperature fabric layer. A machined ceramic fiber batting is located between the porous ceramic matrix composite layer and the porous high-temperature fabric layer. A ceramic stitching joins the porous ceramic matrix composite layer and the porous high-temperature fabric layer through the machined ceramic fiber batting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara, JR.
  • Patent number: 11772821
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of repairing an aircraft. The method comprises charging a thermal transfer blanket comprising a thermal energy storage media with thermal energy from a heat source. The method further comprises positioning a thermally curable patch on an exterior surface of an aircraft. The thermally curable patch comprises an uncured polymer having a first temperature. The thermal transfer blanket is applied to the thermally curable patch. Thermal energy is transferred between the thermal transfer blanket and the thermally curable patch to increase the first temperature of the uncured polymer to a cure temperature for a sufficient amount of time to cure the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A DiChiara, Jr., Richard W. Burns, Glenn B. Godinho
  • Patent number: 11767770
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating thermal loading between engine exhaust structures having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The engine exhaust structure comprises a metallic duct portion, a ceramic duct portion, and a double bipod fitting joining the metallic duct portion to the ceramic duct portion. The double bipod fitting is capable of flexing and taking up the thermal expansion differences between the joined metallic and ceramic ducts across the full temperature spectrum that an engine exhaust structure will experience in service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Nevinsky, David T. Misciagna, Joseph Orso, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr, Marc Daniel Spiccia Karasek
  • Publication number: 20230052326
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating thermal loading between engine exhaust structures having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The engine exhaust structure comprises a metallic duct portion, a ceramic duct portion, and a double bipod fitting joining the metallic duct portion to the ceramic duct portion. The double bipod fitting is capable of flexing and taking up the thermal expansion differences between the joined metallic and ceramic ducts across the full temperature spectrum that an engine exhaust structure will experience in service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Nevinsky, David T. Misciagna, Joseph Orso, Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Marc Daniel Spiccia Karasek
  • Publication number: 20220410501
    Abstract: A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a number of tiles, wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and have a thermal diffusivity of greater than about 25 mm2/sec. A joint flexibly joins the tiles together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Creed Ernest Blevins
  • Publication number: 20220120512
    Abstract: A thermal transfer blanket includes a flexible container comprising a thermally insulating material. A thermal energy storage media is disposed within the flexible container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220119129
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of repairing an aircraft. The method comprises charging a thermal transfer blanket comprising a thermal energy storage media with thermal energy from a heat source. The method further comprises positioning a thermally curable patch on an exterior surface of an aircraft. The thermally curable patch comprises an uncured polymer having a first temperature. The thermal transfer blanket is applied to the thermally curable patch. Thermal energy is transferred between the thermal transfer blanket and the thermally curable patch to increase the first temperature of the uncured polymer to a cure temperature for a sufficient amount of time to cure the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Richard W. Burns, Glenn B. Godinho
  • Publication number: 20220120513
    Abstract: A method of thermally treating a material includes applying a thermal transfer blanket to a surface of the material. The thermal transfer blanket comprises a thermal energy storage media having a first temperature, the material having a second temperature that is different than the first temperature. Thermal energy is transferred between the thermal transfer blanket and the material, thereby modifying the temperature of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara, JR.
  • Patent number: 10330136
    Abstract: A fastener system includes a fastener including a fastener first end and a longitudinally opposed fastener second end, and an anchor configured to receive and capture the fastener upon rotation of the fastener in a first direction, wherein the anchor is further configured to engage the fastener first end upon complete rotation of the fastener in the first direction, and the anchor is further configured to prohibit further rotation in a second direction, opposite the first direction, upon engagement with the fastener first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, Jr., Keith A. Etling, David S. Blum
  • Publication number: 20180135679
    Abstract: A fastener system includes a fastener including a fastener first end and a longitudinally opposed fastener second end, and an anchor configured to receive and capture the fastener upon rotation of the fastener in a first direction, wherein the anchor is further configured to engage the fastener first end upon complete rotation of the fastener in the first direction, and the anchor is further configured to prohibit further rotation in a second direction, opposite the first direction, upon engagement with the fastener first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Keith A. Etling, David S. Blum
  • Publication number: 20180009718
    Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composites (CMC) having superior properties at high temperatures. The CMC can include a sol gel mixture mixed or blended metal oxide particles. The sol-gel mixture can be an aqueous colloidal suspension of a metal oxide, preferably from about 10 wt % to about 25 wt % of the metal oxide, containing a metal oxide such as alumina (Al2O3), silica (SiO2) or alumina-coated silica. The mixture can be infiltrated into a ceramic fiber, gelled, dried and sintered to form the CMC of the present teachings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventor: Robert A. DICHIARA, JR.
  • Patent number: 8357258
    Abstract: Thermal insulation assemblies, methods for fabricating thermal insulation assemblies, and thermally insulated structures are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermally insulated structure is disclosed that includes a thermal insulation assembly comprises a ceramic tile having a surface coated with an alumina-mullite slurry. A ceramic matrix composite is disposed on the coated surface. The ceramic matrix composite comprises a first ply of a ceramic fiber impregnated with a ceramic matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vann Heng, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr., Elizabeth Chu, Dave Zorger
  • Publication number: 20110171442
    Abstract: Thermal insulation assemblies, methods for fabricating thermal insulation assemblies, and thermally insulated structures are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermally insulated structure is disclosed that includes a thermal insulation assembly comprises a ceramic tile having a surface coated with an alumina-mullite slurry. A ceramic matrix composite is disposed on the coated surface. The ceramic matrix composite comprises a first ply of a ceramic fiber impregnated with a ceramic matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Vann HENG, Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Elizabeth CHU, Dave ZORGER
  • Patent number: 7887937
    Abstract: Thermal insulation assemblies and methods for fabricating thermal insulation assemblies are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermal insulation assembly comprises a ceramic tile having a surface coated with an alumina-mullite slurry. A ceramic matrix composite is disposed on the coated surface. The ceramic matrix composite comprises a first ply of a ceramic fiber impregnated with a ceramic matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vann Heng, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr., Elizabeth Chu, Dave Zorger
  • Patent number: 7785544
    Abstract: A porous honeycomb substrate including a non-woven fibrous ceramic body is provided herein. The fibrous ceramic body is substantially composed of bonded ceramic fibers forming a rigid non-woven matrix. Washcoat and catalyst materials can be applied to at least partially coat the honeycomb channels. The porous honeycomb substrate provides an improved substrate for use in filtration applications such as exhaust particulate filtration of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GE02 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr., Bilal Zuberi
  • Publication number: 20100081556
    Abstract: An oxide-based ceramic matrix composite and a method of making oxide-based ceramic composite are provided. The oxide-based ceramic matrix composite comprises a ceramic fiber and a mullite-alumina impregnating the ceramic fiber, wherein the mullite-alumina ceramic matrix comprises of 10-70 wt % mullite-alumina mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Vann Heng, Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Susan Saragosa, Elizabeth Chu, Carlos G. Levi, Frank W. Zok
  • Publication number: 20090274602
    Abstract: The present invention in certain embodiments is directed to a catalytic substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a catalytic converter or a particulate filter. Another aspect of the present invention is a filtering substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a particulate filter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), or diesel particulate trap (DPT). The invention also provides an improved substrate for removing and/or eliminating pollutants from the exhaust of combustion engines. The catalytic substrate and filtering substrate provide, in certain embodiments, improvements in removing pollutants from an exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, JR., Bilal Zuberi
  • Patent number: 7578979
    Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7574796
    Abstract: A filtering catalytic substrate including a non-woven fibrous refractory body, a plurality of channels formed in the body, a washcoat layer at least partially coating the channels, and a catalyst material at least partially coating the washcoat. The body is substantially composed of interlocking fibers fabricated using methods of forming a rigid matrix of ceramic fibers to provide a porous substrate for filtration applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. Dichiara, Jr.