Patents by Inventor Thomas K. Williams

Thomas K. Williams 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: 20240079916
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a rotor and a stator formed by a plurality of stator phases. The stator phases include coils that extend fully about the motor axis of the motor. The stator phases further includes flux rings disposed on opposite axial sides of the coil and that are joined by axial returns. The stator phases electromagnetically drive rotation of the rotor on the motor axis. Stator segments are formed by one or more stator phases grouped together. Rotor segments are formed by one or more rotor phases grouped together. Motor segments are formed by one or more stator segments and one or more associated rotor segments. Motor segments are stacked along a shaft to form the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Tyler K. Williams, Thomas F. Janecek
  • Publication number: 20240079929
    Abstract: A fluid moving apparatus includes an electric motor having a rotor and a stator and a propeller. The rotor rotates relative to the stator on an axis to generate a rotational output. The rotational output is provided to the propeller to power the marine propulsion apparatus. The stator includes one or more coils configured to power rotation of the rotor. The one or more coils extend circumferentially around and can be coaxial on the axis. A portion of a housing of the motor extends into the aquatic environment to facilitate heat dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas F. Janecek, Jeremy Scott Reynolds, Robert J. Lind, Timothy S. Roman, Tyler K. Williams
  • Patent number: 9862096
    Abstract: Automated dynamic manufacturing systems may provide for alignment of multiple components with respect to one another, such as an apparatus, a robot, and a supply of parts. The alignment may initially be performed roughly, using a global metrology device configured to track the apparatus, robot, and supply of parts, each of which may be movable with respect to the others, such as by being positioned on a respective automated guided vehicle. Alignment may then be performed to closer tolerances using a local metrology device coupled to the robot and configured to accurately position an end effector, such that the end effector may perform a manufacturing task on the apparatus, such as a pick-and-place process involving transporting an individual part from the supply of parts, transferring it to the apparatus, and coupling it thereto. Such systems and methods may be used to perform manufacturing processes on large apparatus, such as aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lorrie Sivich, Thomas K. Williams, Jim E. Gardiner, Farshad Forouhar
  • Patent number: 9463500
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending an elongate member. A plastic force may be applied to the elongate member. The plastic force may be configured to cause the elongate member to bend with a plastic deformation. The plastic force may be reduced to an elastic force that is applied to the elongate member after the plastic force causes the elongate member to bend with the plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas K. Williams, John Willard Dorsey-Palmateer, Mike Majid Moodi, Melissa McQueen
  • Publication number: 20160288331
    Abstract: Automated dynamic manufacturing systems may provide for alignment of multiple components with respect to one another, such as an apparatus, a robot, and a supply of parts. The alignment may initially be performed roughly, using a global metrology device configured to track the apparatus, robot, and supply of parts, each of which may be movable with respect to the others, such as by being positioned on a respective automated guided vehicle. Alignment may then be performed to closer tolerances using a local metrology device coupled to the robot and configured to accurately position an end effector, such that the end effector may perform a manufacturing task on the apparatus, such as a pick-and-place process involving transporting an individual part from the supply of parts, transferring it to the apparatus, and coupling it thereto. Such systems and methods may be used to perform manufacturing processes on large apparatus, such as aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lorrie Sivich, Thomas K. Williams, Jim E. Gardiner, Farshad Forouhar
  • Publication number: 20110030476
    Abstract: Techniques for ultrasonic determination of the interfacial relationship of multi-component systems are discussed. In implementations, a laser energy source may be used to excite a multi-component system including a first component and a second component at least in partial contact with the first component. Vibrations resulting from the excitation may be detected for correlation with a resonance pattern indicating if discontinuity exists at the interface of the first and second components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Williams, Kenneth Telschow
  • Patent number: 7876453
    Abstract: Techniques for ultrasonic determination of the interfacial relationship of multi-component systems are discussed. In implementations, a laser energy source may be used to excite a multi-component system including a first component and a second component at least in partial contact with the first component. Vibrations resulting from the excitation may be detected for correlation with a resonance pattern indicating if discontinuity exists at the interface of the first and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas K. Williams, Kenneth Telschow