Patents by Inventor Rodney H. Jones
Rodney H. Jones 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).
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Patent number: 10306984Abstract: Provided are toroidal support structures and assemblies comprising these structures. A toroidal support structure comprises one or more side panels forming a tubular ring and one or more floor panels forming a planar ring. These rings define the toroidal shape of the structure. The structure also comprises multiple isolating linear support components connected to a top edge of the tubular ring. During installation of the structure, the isolating linear support components are attached to a mounting base for supporting the structure relative to the base, while providing thermal isolation to the rings and preventing their mechanical distortion. As such, a toroidal support structure can be attached to various types of mounting bases, such as a cryogenic tank of a spacecraft. Both rings provide supporting and mounting surfaces for equipment, cables, and pipes, while the toroidal opening allows external components to protrude through the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Rodney H. Jones, Zachary S. Hopkins, Murray S. Edmondson, James B. Weathers, Shawn E. Mills
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Publication number: 20180055227Abstract: Provided are toroidal support structures and assemblies comprising these structures. A toroidal support structure comprises one or more side panels forming a tubular ring and one or more floor panels forming a planar ring. These rings define the toroidal shape of the structure. The structure also comprises multiple isolating linear support components connected to a top edge of the tubular ring. During installation of the structure, the isolating linear support components are attached to a mounting base for supporting the structure relative to the base, while providing thermal isolation to the rings and preventing their mechanical distortion. As such, a toroidal support structure can be attached to various types of mounting bases, such as a cryogenic tank of a spacecraft. Both rings provide supporting and mounting surfaces for equipment, cables, and pipes, while the toroidal opening allows external components to protrude through the support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Rodney H. Jones, Zachary S. Hopkins, Murray S. Edmondson, James B. Weathers, Shawn E. Mills
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Patent number: 9347473Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first member and a second member includes fasteners for joining the first member and the second member, a shear transfer layer for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the fasteners for joining the first member and the second member. An assembly includes a first member, a second member, and fasteners for joining the first member and the second member. The assembly further includes a shear transfer layer for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the fasteners for joining the first member and the second.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones, Carl A. May
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Publication number: 20140023431Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first member and a second member includes means for joining the first member and the second member, means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member, and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member. An assembly includes a first member, a second member, and means for joining the first member and the second member. The assembly further includes means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones, Carl A. May
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Patent number: 8632712Abstract: An internal stiffening member of varying configurations in which the stiffening elements support the skin using a compression-only load path is disclosed. A rib can be inserted into an assembled structural box beam, and a filler material can be used to fill any gaps between the slip-in rib and the interior surface of the structural box beam. The filler material is preferably an expandable material, such as an expandable foam-type material. However, in situations where a slip-in rib forms a primary structural rib, the filler material is preferably a structural adhesive or liquid shim material. A solid adhesive or filler would not crush under the clamping forces from fasteners or bolts at localized fitting attachments.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James Donn Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones
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Patent number: 8540453Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first member and a second member includes means for joining the first member and the second member, means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member, and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member. An assembly includes a first member, a second member, and means for joining the first member and the second member. The assembly further includes means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones, Carl A. May
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Publication number: 20120199269Abstract: An internal stiffening member of varying configurations in which the stiffening elements support the skin using a compression-only load path is disclosed. A rib can be inserted into an assembled structural box beam, and a filler material can be used to fill any gaps between the slip-in rib and the interior surface of the structural box beam. The filler material is preferably an expandable material, such as an expandable foam-type material. However, in situations where a slip-in rib forms a primary structural rib, the filler material is preferably a structural adhesive or liquid shim material. A solid adhesive or filler would not crush under the clamping forces from fasteners or bolts at localized fitting attachments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.Inventors: James Donn Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones
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Patent number: 8156711Abstract: An internal stiffening member of varying configurations in which the stiffening elements support the skin using a compression-only load path is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the stiffening element has a peripheral edge that is adapted to be press fit into contact with the skin. The stiffening member may be held in place by various retention devices. Another configuration is a slip-in rib having a flange with a peripheral channel in which a filler material is disposed. The rib is inserted into an assembled structural box beam, and the filler material is used to fill any gaps between the slip-in rib and the interior surface of the structural box beam. The filler material is preferably an expandable material, such as an expandable foam-type material. However, in situations where a slip-in rib forms a primary structural rib, the filler material is preferably a structural adhesive or liquid shim material.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Donn Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones
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Patent number: 7731817Abstract: An improved method of joining fiber composite laminates is disclosed. Two fiber composite laminates may be joined together end-to-end. The bonding is done through the thickness of the fiber composite laminates. There are two ways to form the bond: (1) non-interlocking; and (2) interlocking.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: James Donn Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones
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Publication number: 20090232591Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first member and a second member includes means for joining the first member and the second member, means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member, and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between first member and the second member. An assembly includes a first member, a second member, and means for joining the first member and the second member. The assembly further includes means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining a the first member and the second member and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2006Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: James D. Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones, Carl A. May