Patents by Inventor Robert DiChiara

Robert DiChiara 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: 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.
  • 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.
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11524467
    Abstract: A method of dissipating heat from a surface of a first thermoplastic composite (TPC) being inductively welded with a second thermoplastic composite (TPC) includes flexing a heat sink during placement to conform to the surface of the first TPC, cooling the heat sink, applying inductive heat to a weld interface area between the first TPC and the second TPC, and drawing off heat via the heat sink from the surface of the first TPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara
  • Patent number: 11458691
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, Creed Ernest Blevins
  • Patent number: 11364688
    Abstract: A method of induction welding a first thermoplastic composite (TPC) to a second thermoplastic composite (TPC) includes inductively heating a weld interface area between the first TPC and the second TPC, and cooling a surface of the first TPC opposite the weld interface area while inductively heating the weld interface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, Francis J. Samalot Rivera, Richard W. Burns
  • Patent number: 11358344
    Abstract: A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a number of tiles, where the tiles are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive, a joint flexibly joining the tiles together, and a fluid path formed through the heat sink for communicating a coolant therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeiog Company
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara
  • Patent number: 11351738
    Abstract: A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a flexible backing and a number of tiles disposed on the flexible backing in a single layer, wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A DiChiara, Francis J. Samalot Rivera, Creed 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: 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.
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11292204
    Abstract: A method of induction welding a first thermoplastic composite (TPC) to a second thermoplastic composite (TPC) using an induction coil includes forming a weld interface area between the first TPC and the second TPC, cooling the first TPC with a cooling apparatus before heating by the induction coil, and inductively heating the weld interface area with the induction coil after cooling the first TPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara
  • Patent number: 11268560
    Abstract: A high temperature fastener including a bolt and a nut, where the bolt and the nut are constructed of an aluminum oxide ceramic material reinforced with silicon-carbide crystal whiskers or silicon nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. DiChiara
  • Patent number: 11230066
    Abstract: A method of induction welding a first carbon fiber thermoplastic composite (TPC) to a second carbon fiber thermoplastic composite (TPC) using an induction coil includes aligning the first TPC with the second TPC to form a weld interface area, flexing a heat sink onto a surface of the first TPC between the weld interface area and the induction coil, and inductively heating the weld interface area with the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, Richard W. Burns, Francis J. Samalot Rivera
  • Publication number: 20210039326
    Abstract: A heat sink for use in induction welding includes a flexible backing and a number of tiles disposed on the flexible backing in a single layer, wherein the tiles are electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Robert A. DiChiara, Francis J. Samalot Rivera, Creed Blevins