Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Dean

Thomas A. Dean 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: 20250314298
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing composite seals comprise applying a fluid barrier material to a fire barrier textile that is constructed of one or more materials, and forming the fire barrier textile into a profile. Composite seals comprise a fluid barrier material applied to a fire barrier textile. Assemblies comprise a first structure, a second structure, and a composite seal operatively engaged between the first structure and the second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2024
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Stewart, Bradley W. Kibbel, Shah Rifat Alam Bhuiyan, Jessica M. Ribble, Vanda L. Ngo, Kevin R. Lenihan, Thomas A. Dean, Catherine A. Baker
  • Patent number: 10941455
    Abstract: A sandwich structure forming method including the steps of (1) providing a sandwich structure comprising a core positioned between a first liner sheet and a second liner sheet; (2) positioning the sandwich structure into a cavity of a die assembly; and (3) pressurizing the core to expand the sandwich structure into engagement with the die assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas A. Dean
  • Patent number: 10625309
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method. The method includes applying a fluid to a perforated upper layer. The perforated upper layer forms an exposed surface of a multi-layer structure. The method also includes allowing the fluid to pass through the perforated upper layer and contact a contaminant within a core layer of the multi-layer structure. The core layer is disposed beneath the perforated upper layer, opposite the expose surface, and is coupled to the perforated upper layer. The method also includes applying ultrasonic energy to the exposed surface of the multi-layer structure using an ultrasonic generator to loosen the contaminant into the fluid. The method also includes removing the fluid with the loosened contaminant from the multi-layer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, David Michael Dembeck, Scot D. Fisher, Ieisha C. Hinson, Valerie R. Predmore
  • Publication number: 20190211409
    Abstract: A formed sandwich structure manufactured by a pressure-based forming method that includes steps of (1) positioning a sandwich structure into a cavity of a die assembly, the sandwich structure including a core positioned between a first liner sheet and a second liner sheet, the core including a honeycomb structure having a plurality of cells, and (2) after the positioning, pressurizing the core to expand the sandwich structure into engagement with the die assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas A. Dean
  • Publication number: 20190126327
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method. The method includes applying a fluid to a perforated upper layer. The perforated upper layer forms an exposed surface of a multi-layer structure. The method also includes allowing the fluid to pass through the perforated upper layer and contact a contaminant within a core layer of the multi-layer structure. The core layer is disposed beneath the perforated upper layer, opposite the expose surface, and is coupled to the perforated upper layer. The method also includes applying ultrasonic energy to the exposed surface of the multi-layer structure using an ultrasonic generator to loosen the contaminant into the fluid. The method also includes removing the fluid with the loosened contaminant from the multi-layer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, David Michael Dembeck, Scot D. Fisher, Ieisha C. Hinson, Valerie R. Predmore
  • Patent number: 10173248
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method. The method includes applying a fluid to a perforated upper layer. The perforated upper layer forms an exposed surface of a multi-layer structure. The method also includes allowing the fluid to pass through the perforated upper layer and contact a contaminant within a core layer of the multi-layer structure. The core layer is disposed beneath the perforated upper layer, opposite the expose surface, and is coupled to the perforated upper layer. The method also includes applying ultrasonic energy to the exposed surface of the multi-layer structure using an ultrasonic generator to loosen the contaminant into the fluid. The method also includes removing the fluid with the loosened contaminant from the multi-layer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, David Michael Dembeck, Scot D. Fisher, Ieisha C. Hinson, Valerie R. Predmore
  • Publication number: 20180264525
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method. The method includes applying a fluid to a perforated upper layer. The perforated upper layer forms an exposed surface of a multi-layer structure. The method also includes allowing the fluid to pass through the perforated upper layer and contact a contaminant within a core layer of the multi-layer structure. The core layer is disposed beneath the perforated upper layer, opposite the expose surface, and is coupled to the perforated upper layer. The method also includes applying ultrasonic energy to the exposed surface of the multi-layer structure using an ultrasonic generator to loosen the contaminant into the fluid. The method also includes removing the fluid with the loosened contaminant from the multi-layer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, David Michael Dembeck, Scot D. Fisher, Ieisha C. Hinson, Valerie R. Predmore
  • Publication number: 20170342516
    Abstract: A sandwich structure forming method including the steps of (1) providing a sandwich structure comprising a core positioned between a first liner sheet and a second liner sheet; (2) positioning the sandwich structure into a cavity of a die assembly; and (3) pressurizing the core to expand the sandwich structure into engagement with the die assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas A. Dean
  • Patent number: 9447810
    Abstract: A washer comprises a ring and a composite structure attached to the ring. The composite structure has a slotted shape and a hole that is centrally located with respect to an axis passing through the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Patent number: 9027223
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an insulating cover for fasteners. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a washer and a cover. The washer is capable of receiving a fastener. The cover is capable of being secured to the insulating washer, wherein an insulating volume is created with the cover secured to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Patent number: 8985513
    Abstract: Honeycomb cores for use in aerospace applications include two honeycomb core sections operably joined at a splice joint, the splice joint defined by a foam adhesive that is sandwiched between a sheet of film adhesive. Methods of assembling honeycomb cores also are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, Noel T. Gerken, Frederick Leonard Knoll, Kurt Walter Withnell
  • Publication number: 20140367512
    Abstract: Honeycomb cores for use in aerospace applications include two honeycomb core sections operably joined at a splice joint, the splice joint defined by a foam adhesive that is sandwiched between a sheet of film adhesive. Methods of assembling honeycomb cores also are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: THOMAS A. DEAN, NOEL T. GERKEN, FREDERICK LEONARD KNOLL, KURT WALTER WITHNELL
  • Patent number: 8835854
    Abstract: A method of non-destructively determining the condition of a material, said method including providing an elongated probe containing a plurality of optical fibers, said elongated probe coupled to an infrared spectrometer, said tip of said elongated probe positioned near said material, said elongated probe including said tip having a width of less than about 2.0 mm; and, making an infrared spectroscopy measurement of said material by providing infrared light from said infrared spectrometer through at least one of said plurality of optical fibers and collecting at least a portion of said infrared light reflected from a material juxtaposed near said tip through at least another of said plurality of optical fibers to provide said reflected light to said infrared spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, Paul H. Shelley
  • Publication number: 20120021843
    Abstract: A washer comprises a ring and a composite structure attached to the ring. The composite structure has a slotted shape and a hole that is centrally located with respect to an axis passing through the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Patent number: 8047753
    Abstract: A washer comprises a ring and a composite structure attached to the ring. The composite structure has a slotted shape and a hole that is centrally located with respect to an axis passing through the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Publication number: 20110088245
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an insulating cover for fasteners. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a washer and a cover. The washer is capable of receiving a fastener. The cover is capable of being secured to the insulating washer, wherein an insulating volume is created with the cover secured to the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Patent number: 7878747
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an insulating cover for fasteners. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a washer and a cover. The washer is capable of receiving a fastener. The cover is capable of being secured to the insulating washer, wherein an insulating volume is created with the cover secured to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Publication number: 20100034614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an insulating cover for fasteners. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a washer and a cover. The washer is capable of receiving a fastener. The cover is capable of being secured to the insulating washer, wherein an insulating volume is created with the cover secured to the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Publication number: 20100021268
    Abstract: A washer comprises a ring and a composite structure attached to the ring. The composite structure has a slotted shape and a hole that is centrally located with respect to an axis passing through the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, John George Kladouris
  • Publication number: 20090257046
    Abstract: A method of non-destructively determining the condition of a material, said method including providing an elongated probe containing a plurality of optical fibers, said elongated probe coupled to an infrared spectrometer, said tip of said elongated probe positioned near said material, said elongated probe including said tip having a width of less than about 2.0 mm; and, making an infrared spectroscopy measurement of said material by providing infrared light from said infrared spectrometer through at least one of said plurality of optical fibers and collecting at least a portion of said infrared light reflected from a material juxtaposed near said tip through at least another of said plurality of optical fibers to provide said reflected light to said infrared spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dean, Paul H. Shelley