Patents by Inventor Thomas Andrew Dean

Thomas Andrew 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).

  • Forming method for a honeycomb structure
    Patent number: 9764539
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a ribbon configured for use in forming a honeycomb structure when the ribbon is in a folded state. The ribbon comprises a first edge and a second edge. At least one portion of the first edge is not parallel to at least one portion of the second edge when the ribbon is in an unfolded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Dean, Brenda Catherine Benedetti
  • Forming Method for a Honeycomb Structure
    Publication number: 20160193819
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a ribbon configured for use in forming a honeycomb structure when the ribbon is in a folded state. The ribbon comprises a first edge and a second edge. At least one portion of the first edge is not parallel to at least one portion of the second edge when the ribbon is in an unfolded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Dean, Brenda Catherine Benedetti
  • Honeycomb structure
    Patent number: 9221230
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a ribbon configured for use in forming a honeycomb structure when the ribbon is in a folded state. The ribbon comprises a first edge and a second edge. At least one portion of the first edge is not parallel to at least one portion of the second edge when the ribbon is in an unfolded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Dean, Brenda Catherine Benedetti
  • Repair of acoustically treated structures
    Patent number: 8696843
    Abstract: A method of repairing an acoustically treated area of a composite honeycomb sandwich structure restores the acoustic performance of the structure. An impaired section of the honeycomb core is removed and replaced with a honeycomb repair plug. Cell walls of the repair plug are bonded to cell walls of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas Andrew Dean
  • Thick curved honeycomb core with minimal forming
    Patent number: 8481143
    Abstract: A ribbon for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, a honeycomb structure and a method of manufacturing a curved honeycomb structure having a plurality of honeycomb cells, a curved geometry and an inner and outer surface with minimal forming. The ribbon comprises a continuous series of foldable sections arranged in sequence along the length of the ribbon, and top and bottom edges curved along the length of the ribbon when the ribbon is in a flat, unfolded state. Each section may have a top edge and a bottom edge, at least one top edge or bottom edge of at least one section in said continuous series of foldable sections being curved to conform to said curved geometry of said honeycomb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Dean, Brenda C. Benedetti
  • THICK CURVED HONEYCOMB CORE WITH MINIMAL FORMING
    Publication number: 20130052396
    Abstract: A ribbon for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, a honeycomb structure and a method of manufacturing a curved honeycomb structure having a plurality of honeycomb cells, a curved geometry and an inner and outer surface with minimal forming. The ribbon comprises a continuous series of foldable sections arranged in sequence along the length of the ribbon, and top and bottom edges curved along the length of the ribbon when the ribbon is in a flat, unfolded state. Each section may have a top edge and a bottom edge, at least one top edge or bottom edge of at least one section in said continuous series of foldable sections being curved to conform to said curved geometry of said honeycomb structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Dean, Brenda Catherine Benedetti
  • Honeycomb Structure and a Forming Method Thereof
    Publication number: 20130052398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a ribbon configured for use in forming a honeycomb structure when the ribbon is in a folded state. The ribbon comprises a first edge and a second edge. At least one portion of the first edge is not parallel to at least one portion of the second edge when the ribbon is in an unfolded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Dean, Brenda Catherine Benedetti