Patents by Inventor Thomas Lyman Weaver

Thomas Lyman Weaver 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: 11450441
    Abstract: A method of removing, from a fusion power reactor, a tile that comprises a tile-support tube, which is attached to a back portion of the tile and which comprises a coolant channel that is configured in a horizontal orientation, comprises rotating the tile, which is installed in a locked orientation in a manifold channel of a first wall of the fusion power reactor, until the tile is in an install/remove orientation. The method further comprises grasping, with a removal tool, the tile-support tube. The method additionally comprises lifting the tile away from the first wall of the fusion power reactor with the removal tool such that the tile is completely removed from the manifold channel of the first wall of the fusion power reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 10734120
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a complex shape structure for liquid lithium first walls of fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. The tile(s) is manufactured from a high-temperature resistant, porous open-cell material. The method further involves flowing liquid lithium into the tile(s). Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In addition, the method involves outputting the circulated liquid lithium from the tile(s). In one or more embodiments, the reactor chamber is employed in a fusion reactor. In some embodiments, the tile is manufactured from a ceramic material or a metallic foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 10643752
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for liquid lithium first walls for electromagnetic control of plasmas in fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one layer of at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. A portion of the tile(s) facing the interior of the reactor chamber includes a plurality of channels. The method further involves applying an electric charge to the liquid lithium. Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to flow into the channels and to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In some embodiments, the method also involves installing at least one magnetic coil between the tile(s) and the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Publication number: 20200135344
    Abstract: A method of removing, from a fusion power reactor, a tile that comprises a tile-support tube, which is attached to a back portion of the tile and which comprises a coolant channel that is configured in a horizontal orientation, comprises rotating the tile, which is installed in a locked orientation in a manifold channel of a first wall of the fusion power reactor, until the tile is in an install/remove orientation. The method further comprises grasping, with a removal tool, the tile-support tube. The method additionally comprises lifting the tile away from the first wall of the fusion power reactor with the removal tool such that the tile is completely removed from the manifold channel of the first wall of the fusion power reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 10593432
    Abstract: A method for removing a tile for a fusion power reactor comprises rotating the tile, which is installed in a locked orientation in a manifold channel of a first wall of the fusion power reactor, until the tile is in an install/removal orientation. The tile has a tile-support tube, attached to a back portion of the tile. The tile-support tube comprises at least one coolant channel that is perpendicular to the back portion of the tile. The method further comprises grasping the tile-support tube with a removal tool. Additionally, the method comprises lifting the tile away from the first wall of the fusion power reactor with the removal tool such that the tile is completely removed from the manifold channel of the first wall of the fusion power reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 10580536
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for machine-replaceable plasma-facing tiles for fusion power reactor environments. The apparatus and method involve a tile that is fish scale shaped, and a tile support tube that is attached to the back portion of the tile. The tile support tube includes at least one coolant channel and at least one guard vacuum channel. In one or more embodiments, the method for removing the tile comprises providing a tile that is installed in a manifold channel of a first wall of a fusion power reactor, rotating the tile such that it is in an install/removal orientation, inserting two tines of a removal tool between the outer edges of the tile and the first wall of the fusion power reactor, rotating the removal tool such that the two tines grasp the tile support tube, and lifting the tile away from the wall with the removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 9916932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing energy. An apparatus comprises a first plate, a second plate, and a spacer. The spacer comprises a material having a plurality of pores, being open pores. The spacer is located between the first plate and the second plate. The apparatus further includes an enclosure, the first plate, the second plate, and the spacer located within the enclosure, the enclosure defining a volume, wherein the enclosure further defines a wall, and further comprising a second spacer disposed between the wall and one of the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Publication number: 20170221589
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for liquid lithium first walls for electromagnetic control of plasmas in fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one layer of at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. A portion of the tile(s) facing the interior of the reactor chamber includes a plurality of channels. The method further involves applying an electric charge to the liquid lithium. Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to flow into the channels and to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In some embodiments, the method also involves installing at least one magnetic coil between the tile(s) and the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Publication number: 20170200513
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a complex shape structure for liquid lithium first walls of fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. The tile(s) is manufactured from a high-temperature resistant, porous open-cell material. The method further involves flowing liquid lithium into the tile(s). Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In addition, the method involves outputting the circulated liquid lithium from the tile(s). In one or more embodiments, the reactor chamber is employed in a fusion reactor. In some embodiments, the tile is manufactured from a ceramic material or a metallic foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 9633751
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for liquid lithium first walls for electromagnetic control of plasmas in fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one layer of at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. A portion of the tile(s) facing the interior of the reactor chamber includes a plurality of channels. The method further involves applying an electric charge to the liquid lithium. Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to flow into the channels and to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In some embodiments, the method also involves installing at least one magnetic coil between the tile(s) and the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Publication number: 20170069401
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for machine-replaceable plasma-facing tiles for fusion power reactor environments. The apparatus and method involve a tile that is fish scale shaped, and a tile support tube that is attached to the back portion of the tile. The tile support tube includes at least one coolant channel and at least one guard vacuum channel. In one or more embodiments, the method for removing the tile comprises providing a tile that is installed in a manifold channel of a first wall of a fusion power reactor, rotating the tile such that it is in an install/removal orientation, inserting two tines of a removal tool between the outer edges of the tile and the first wall of the fusion power reactor, rotating the removal tool such that the two tines grasp the tile support tube, and lifting the tile away from the wall with the removal tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Publication number: 20170069400
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for machine-replaceable plasma-facing tiles for fusion power reactor environments. The apparatus and method involve a tile that is fish scale shaped, and a tile support tube that is attached to the back portion of the tile. The tile support tube includes at least one coolant channel and at least one guard vacuum channel. In one or more embodiments, the method for removing the tile comprises providing a tile that is installed in a manifold channel of a first wall of a fusion power reactor, rotating the tile such that it is in an install/removal orientation, inserting two tines of a removal tool between the outer edges of the tile and the first wall of the fusion power reactor, rotating the removal tool such that the two tines grasp the tile support tube, and lifting the tile away from the wall with the removal tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 9589678
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a complex shape structure for liquid lithium first walls of fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. The tile(s) is manufactured from a high-temperature resistant, porous open-cell material. The method further involves flowing liquid lithium into the tile(s). Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In addition, the method involves outputting the circulated liquid lithium from the tile(s). In one or more embodiments, the reactor chamber is employed in a fusion reactor. In some embodiments, the tile is manufactured from a ceramic material or a metallic foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 9472309
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for machine-replaceable plasma-facing tiles for fusion-power reactor environments. The apparatus and method involve a tile that is fish-scale shaped, and a tile support tube that is attached to the back portion of the tile. The tile support tube includes at least one coolant channel and at least one guard vacuum channel. In one or more embodiments, the method for removing the tile comprises providing a tile that is installed in a manifold channel of a first wall of a fusion power reactor, rotating the tile such that it is in an install/removal orientation, inserting two tines of a removal tool between the outer edges of the tile and the first wall of the fusion power reactor, rotating the removal tool such that the two tines grasp the tile support tube, and lifting the tile away from the wall with the removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 9297708
    Abstract: Methods and systems for use in monitoring a physical interface between a structural opening and a medium. A system is provided comprising a medium operable to pass through a plurality of structural openings and a sensing system associated with the medium. The sensing system includes at least one physical interface positioned at locations where the medium passes through one of the plurality of structural openings. The at least one physical interface includes at least one waveguide for monitoring changes to the at least one physical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Morris, Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 8788127
    Abstract: A beacon receiving system on a pallet of a container cargo bundle is airdropped from a cargo airplane. The beacon receiving system comprises a sensor that detects during descent a beacon signal generated from a beacon placed at the target drop location. The sensor provides signals to a microcontroller that ascertains an angle at which the beacon signal is received. An inertial measurement unit provides signals indicating a tilt of the pallet during descent, which is used by the microcontroller to determine an offset angle of the received beacon signal. This information is used to steer the container cargo bundle during descent to achieve high precision in landing at the desired target drop location. The beacon signal may comprises a modulated light signal which can be distinguished by the sensor from other light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dale F. Waldo, David Ray Riley, Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Publication number: 20120307951
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for liquid lithium first walls for electromagnetic control of plasmas in fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one layer of at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. A portion of the tile(s) facing the interior of the reactor chamber includes a plurality of channels. The method further involves applying an electric charge to the liquid lithium. Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to flow into the channels and to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In some embodiments, the method also involves installing at least one magnetic coil between the tile(s) and the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Publication number: 20120250812
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a complex shape structure for liquid lithium first walls of fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. The tile(s) is manufactured from a high-temperature resistant, porous open-cell material. The method further involves flowing liquid lithium into the tile(s). Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In addition, the method involves outputting the circulated liquid lithium from the tile(s). In one or more embodiments, the reactor chamber is employed in a fusion reactor. In some embodiments, the tile is manufactured from a ceramic material or a metallic foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver