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).
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Patent number: 11450441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 10734120Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 10643752Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Publication number: 20200135344Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 10593432Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 10580536Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 9916932Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Publication number: 20170221589Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Publication number: 20170200513Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: July 13, 2017Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 9633751Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Publication number: 20170069401Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Publication number: 20170069400Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 9589678Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 9472309Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 9297708Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Charles E. Morris, Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Patent number: 8788127Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dale F. Waldo, David Ray Riley, Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Publication number: 20120307951Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
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Publication number: 20120250812Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver