Patents by Inventor Robert L. Braden

Robert L. Braden 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: 11072413
    Abstract: A method of generating a pressure wave proximate an airflow surface and altering airflow to promote a localized lowering of skin friction over the airflow surface is described herein. A series of pressure waves may be configured to create a virtual riblet to control turbulent vortices in a boundary layer adjacent to the airflow surface creating a virtual riblet. The pressure waves may be configured to prevent disruption of the flow of air relative to at least one of a step or a gap associated with the airflow surface. The pressure wave generating system may be comprised of at least one of a thermoacoustic material, a piezoelectric material and a semiconductor material, and a microelectric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa M. Kruckenberg, Vijay V. Pujar, Robert L. Braden
  • Publication number: 20180257756
    Abstract: A method of generating a pressure wave proximate an airflow surface and altering airflow to promote a localized lowering of skin friction over the airflow surface is described herein. A series of pressure waves may be configured to create a virtual riblet to control turbulent vortices in a boundary layer adjacent to the airflow surface creating a virtual riblet. The pressure waves may be configured to prevent disruption of the flow of air relative to at least one of a step or a gap associated with the airflow surface. The pressure wave generating system may be comprised of at least one of a thermoacoustic material, a piezoelectric material and a semiconductor material, and a microelectric circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Teresa M. Kruckenberg, Vijay V. Pujar, Robert L. Braden
  • Patent number: 10052723
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing laser-perforated nanoreinforced materials are disclosed. A honeycomb core may utilize a perforated top sheet and a microperforated overlay film coupled to the perforated top sheet. The perforated top sheet and/or the microperforated film may include thermally conductive nanomaterials. The perforations in the top sheet and the microperforations in the film may be laser drilled. The nanomaterials may dissipate heat generated by the laser drilling, allowing for increased perforation speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Rohr Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Braden, Vijay V. Pujar, Sean Tiwari, Teresa Kruckenberg
  • Patent number: 9994301
    Abstract: A method of generating a pressure wave proximate an airflow surface and altering airflow to promote a localized lowering of skin friction over the airflow surface is described herein. A series of pressure waves may be configured to create a virtual riblet to control turbulent vortices in a boundary layer adjacent to the airflow surface creating a virtual riblet. The pressure waves may be configured to prevent disruption of the flow of air relative to at least one of a step or a gap associated with the airflow surface. The pressure wave generating system may be comprised of at least one of a thermoacoustic material, a piezoelectric material and a semiconductor material, and a microelectric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Teresa M. Kruckenberg, Vijay V. Pujar, Robert L. Braden
  • Patent number: 9856030
    Abstract: An acoustic liner may include a core with a plurality of resonator chambers, a perforated top sheet coupled to the core, and a backskin coupled to the core. A thermoacoustic speaker including nanomaterials may be coupled to at least one of the core, the backskin, and the perforated top sheet. A voltage may be applied to the thermoacoustic speaker. The thermoacoustic carbon nanotube speaker may create a dynamic excitation within a resonator chamber in the core. The dynamic excitation may change the liner acoustic impedance to achieve optimum noise attenuation over a wide range of frequencies or engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Braden, Teresa M. Kruckenberg, Vijay V. Pujar, Hwa-Wan Kwan
  • Publication number: 20170001265
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing laser-perforated nanoreinforced materials are disclosed. A honeycomb core may utilize a perforated top sheet and a microperforated overlay film coupled to the perforated top sheet. The perforated top sheet and/or the microperforated film may include thermally conductive nanomaterials. The perforations in the top sheet and the microperforations in the film may be laser drilled. The nanomaterials may dissipate heat generated by the laser drilling, allowing for increased perforation speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Braden, Vijay V. Pujar, Sean Tiwari, Teresa Kruckenberg
  • Patent number: 9505200
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an acoustic structure is disclosed. An adhesive material and a septum forming material may be deposited on a first honeycomb ribbon. A second honeycomb ribbon may be adhered to the adhesive material and the septum forming material. The first honeycomb ribbon and the second honeycomb ribbon may be expanded to form a honeycomb structure. The septum forming material may stretch or expand to form a septum cap in a cell of the honeycomb structure. The septum forming material may be inherently porous, and/or the septum cap may be cured in order to introduce pores into the septum cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Braden, Ian F. Winfield
  • Patent number: 9463596
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing laser-perforated nanoreinforced materials are disclosed. A honeycomb core may utilize a perforated top sheet and a microperforated overlay film coupled to the perforated top sheet. The perforated top sheet and/or the microperforated film may include thermally conductive nanomaterials. The perforations in the top sheet and the microperforations in the film may be laser drilled. The nanomaterials may dissipate heat generated by the laser drilling, allowing for increased perforation speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Braden, Vijay V. Pujar, Sean Tiwari, Teresa Kruckenberg
  • Publication number: 20160146039
    Abstract: An acoustic liner may include a core with a plurality of resonator chambers, a perforated top sheet coupled to the core, and a backskin coupled to the core. A thermoacoustic speaker including nanomaterials may be coupled to at least one of the core, the backskin, and the perforated top sheet. A voltage may be applied to the thermoacoustic speaker. The thermoacoustic carbon nanotube speaker may create a dynamic excitation within a resonator chamber in the core. The dynamic excitation may change the liner acoustic impedance to achieve optimum noise attenuation over a wide range of frequencies or engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT L. BRADEN, TERESA M. KRUCKENBERG, VIJAY V. PUJAR, HWA-WAN KWAN
  • Publication number: 20150306815
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing laser-perforated nanoreinforced materials are disclosed. A honeycomb core may utilize a perforated top sheet and a microperforated overlay film coupled to the perforated top sheet. The perforated top sheet and/or the microperforated film may include thermally conductive nanomaterials. The perforations in the top sheet and the microperforations in the film may be laser drilled. The nanomaterials may dissipate heat generated by the laser drilling, allowing for increased perforation speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Braden, Vijay V. Pujar, Sean Tiwari, Teresa Kruckenberg
  • Publication number: 20150290920
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an acoustic structure is disclosed. An adhesive material and a septum forming material may be deposited on a first honeycomb ribbon. A second honeycomb ribbon may be adhered to the adhesive material and the septum forming material. The first honeycomb ribbon and the second honeycomb ribbon may be expanded to form a honeycomb structure. The septum forming material may stretch or expand to form a septum cap in a cell of the honeycomb structure. The septum forming material may be inherently porous, and/or the septum cap may be cured in order to introduce pores into the septum cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Braden, Ian F. Winfield
  • Patent number: 9127452
    Abstract: A passive noise attenuation system is described herein. The passive noise attenuation system may comprise an acoustic structure. The acoustic structure may comprise a perforated top sheet and a core accessible via the perforated top sheet. The core may comprise a cell having a plurality of interior walls. The acoustic structure may comprise a back skin. The acoustic structure may comprise an inherently porous material disposed between the top sheet and the back skin, wherein the porous material forms a plane or multiple planes coupled to each interior wall to tangentially subdivide the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Ian F. Winfield, Robert L. Braden
  • Publication number: 20150136909
    Abstract: A method of generating a pressure wave proximate an airflow surface and altering airflow to promote a localized lowering of skin friction over the airflow surface is described herein. A series of pressure waves may be configured to create a virtual riblet to control turbulent vortices in a boundary layer adjacent to the airflow surface creating a virtual riblet. The pressure waves may be configured to prevent disruption of the flow of air relative to at least one of a step or a gap associated with the airflow surface. The pressure wave generating system may be comprised of at least one of a thermoacoustic material, a piezoelectric material and a semiconductor material, and a microelectric circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Teresa M. Kruckenberg, Vijay V. Pujar, Robert L. Braden