Patents by Inventor Robert A. Nowak

Robert A. Nowak 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: 7857252
    Abstract: A hub fairing system (12) for a stopped-rotor aircraft (10) having a fuselage (14) including a hub (16). The hub (16) is mechanically coupled to the fuselage (14) and to multiple blades (40) and is rotated by an engine (22). A retractable fairing (60, 64) covers a portion of the hub (16). An actuator (26) is coupled to the fairing (60, 64). A controller (28) is coupled to the actuator (26) and retracts the fairing (60, 64). A method of reducing drag on the aircraft includes transitioning between a rotary-wing mode and a fixed-wing mode. The fairing (60, 64) is deployed over a portion of the hub (16) upon the completion of the transition between flight modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric W. Walliser, Robert A. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20090321573
    Abstract: A hub fairing system (12) for a stopped-rotor aircraft (10) having a fuselage (14) including a hub (16). The hub (16) is mechanically coupled to the fuselage (14) and to multiple blades (40) and is rotated by an engine (22). A retractable fairing (60, 64) covers a portion of the hub (16). An actuator (26) is coupled to the fairing (60, 64). A controller (28) is coupled to the actuator (26) and retracts the fairing (60, 64). A method of reducing drag on the aircraft includes transitioning between a rotary-wing mode and a fixed-wing mode. The fairing (60, 64) is deployed over a portion of the hub (16) upon the completion of the transition between flight modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Eric W. Walliser, Robert A. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7517157
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector has a center component provided with opposite first and second ends into which first and second connector inserts holding ends of respective optical fiber bundles are to be inserted, an optical core element mounted in the center component having opposite ends against which the ends of the respective optical fiber bundles in the first and second connector inserts are to be abutted in alignment, and fastener elements provided with the first and second ends for securely holding the first and second connector inserts in abutting contact with the respective opposite ends of the optical core element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael R. McNiece, John V. Alexander, Robert A. Nowak, Rick Bomber, James L. Melquist
  • Patent number: 7434763
    Abstract: A hub fairing system (12) for a stopped-rotor aircraft (10) having a fuselage (14) including a hub (16). The hub (16) is mechanically coupled to the fuselage (14) and to multiple blades (40) and is rotated by an engine (22). A retractable fairing (60, 64) covers a portion of the hub (16). An actuator (26) is coupled to the fairing (60, 64). A controller (28) is coupled to the actuator (26) and retracts the fairing (60, 64). A method of reducing drag on the aircraft includes transitioning between a rotary-wing mode and a fixed-wing mode. The fairing (60, 64) is deployed over a portion of the hub (16) upon the completion of the transition between flight modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric W. Walliser, Robert A. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20080149759
    Abstract: A hub fairing system (12) for a stopped-rotor aircraft (10) having a fuselage (14) including a hub (16). The hub (16) is mechanically coupled to the fuselage (14) and to multiple blades (40) and is rotated by an engine (22). A retractable fairing (60, 64) covers a portion of the hub (16). An actuator (26) is coupled to the fairing (60, 64). A controller (28) is coupled to the actuator (26) and retracts the fairing (60, 64). A method of reducing drag on the aircraft includes transitioning between a rotary-wing mode and a fixed-wing mode. The fairing (60, 64) is deployed over a portion of the hub (16) upon the completion of the transition between flight modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric W. Walliser, Robert A. Nowak
  • Patent number: 4282544
    Abstract: A hybrid circuit including IC chips and discrete components wherein a substrate is connected to a lead frame and the lead frame is utilized for securing and positioning the substrate during the mounting and electrical connecting of IC chips and discrete components thereon. Once the entire circuit is connected the lead frame is utilized for securing and positioning the substrate in a transfer mold to encapsulate the substrate with epoxy or the like. In the present invention a pair of matching substrates having interconnected circuits thereon are constructed simultaneously and formed into two interconnected packages which can be tested before or after mounting in a receiving structure. Further, repairs may be made to the final assembly without destruction thereof, since the "component like" circuit package can be replaced without affecting other parts in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Nowak
  • Patent number: 4271588
    Abstract: A hybrid circuit including IC chips and discrete components wherein a substrate is connected to a lead frame and the lead frame is utilized for securing and positioning the substrate during the mounting and electrical connecting of IC chips and discrete components thereon. Once the entire circuit is connected the lead frame is utilized for securing and positioning the substrate in a transfer mold to encapsulate the substrate with epoxy or the like. In the present invention a pair of matching substrates having interconnected circuits thereon are constructed simultaneously and formed into two interconnected packages which can be tested before or after mounting in a receiving structure. Further, repairs may be made to the final assembly without destruction thereof, since the "component like" circuit package can be replaced without affecting other parts in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Nowak