Patents by Inventor Thu A. Nguyen
Thu A. Nguyen 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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Publication number: 20230295550Abstract: Provided are inserts (100) for preparing a cell culture chamber(s), or array of chambers, inside of histology cassettes that are suitable for three-dimensional multicellular growth of a cell or cells into spheroids, organoids, or other 3D structures, such that the resulting 3D multi-cellular structures are ready and suitable for histology processing without transfer to a different receptacle or container. Further embodiments of the invention provide methods of preparing at least one cell culture chamber using the inserts, systems for growing three-dimensional multicellular spheroids comprising culturing cells within a cell culture chamber prepared using the inserts, and systems for analyzing at least one cultured cell in vitro comprising culturing cells within a cell culture chamber prepared using the inserts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: The United States of America,as represented by the Secretary,Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Ralph E. Parchment, Thu A. Nguyen
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Patent number: 10574018Abstract: A conductive sleeved fastener assembly includes an electrically-conductive fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank extending from the fastener head and an electrically-conductive fastener sleeve receiving the fastener shank of the fastener and a fastener sleeve flange provided on the fastener sleeve and disposed in direct contact with the fastener head of the fastener. A method of preparing a conductive sleeved fastener for use is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Thu A. Nguyen, Michael G. Parent, Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Publication number: 20190030684Abstract: A depressed center grinding wheel comprises an abrasive disc. The abrasive disc comprises a working layer, an intermediate layer, a back layer, and at least two reinforcing scrims. The working layer comprises first abrasive particles retained in a first binder material. The first abrasive particles include from 40 to 100 weight percent of first shaped abrasive particles. The back layer comprises second abrasive particles retained in a second binder material. The second abrasive particles include first crushed abrasive particles and are essentially free of shaped abrasive particles. The intermediate layer is disposed between the working layer and the back layer. The intermediate layer comprises third abrasive particles retained in a third binder material. The third abrasive particles include 25 to 75 weight percent of second shaped abrasive particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Loc X. Van, Thu A. Nguyen
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Patent number: 10186788Abstract: A conductive fastener assembly, system, and method are described. The fastener assembly includes a nut having a counterbore formed therein. The counterbore is formed to maintain a sufficient gap between the nut and the protruding end of a fastener sleeve. The nut with the counterbore improves the conductive fastener system such that the need for a solid copper grid and a cap seal is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Russell J. Heeter, Thu A. Nguyen, John A. Ward, John R. Porter, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Patent number: 10014593Abstract: A conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly includes a fastener, a fastener sleeve, a nut, and a lubricant coating. The lubricant coating is deposited on a distal portion of a fastener shank and is omitted from the rest of the fastener. To overcome the stresses placed on the fastener sleeve by the insertion of the fastener shank largely devoid of a lubricant coating, the fastener sleeve is reinforced by one or more of an increased thickness, a high-strength alloy, and a soft metal coating.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Russell J. Heeter, Thu A. Nguyen, John A. Ward, John R. Porter, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Publication number: 20160261052Abstract: A conductive fastener assembly, system, and method are described. The fastener assembly includes a nut having a counterbore formed therein. The counterbore is formed to maintain a sufficient gap between the nut and the protruding end of a fastener sleeve. The nut with the counterbore improves the conductive fastener system such that the need for a solid copper grid and a cap seal is reduced or eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Thu A. Nguyen, John A. Ward, John R. Porter, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Publication number: 20160240939Abstract: A conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly includes a fastener, a fastener sleeve, a nut, and a lubricant coating. The lubricant coating is deposited on a distal portion of a fastener shank and is omitted from the rest of the fastener. To overcome the stresses placed on the fastener sleeve by the insertion of the fastener shank largely devoid of a lubricant coating, the fastener sleeve is reinforced by one or more of an increased thickness, a high-strength alloy, and a soft metal coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Russell J. HEETER, Thu A. NGUYEN, John A. WARD, John R. PORTER, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Patent number: 9343824Abstract: The present disclosure describes a conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a nut having a counterbore formed therein. The counterbore is formed to maintain a sufficient gap between the nut and the protruding end of a fastener sleeve. The nut with the counterbore improves the conductive fastener system such that the need for a solid copper grid and a cap seal is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Russell J Heeter, Thu A Nguyen, John A Ward, John R Porter, Jeffrey A Wilkerson
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Patent number: 9331402Abstract: The present disclosure describes a conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a fastener, a fastener sleeve, a nut, and a lubricant coating. The lubricant coating is deposited on a distal portion of a fastener shank and is omitted from the rest of the fastener. To overcome the stresses placed on the fastener sleeve by the insertion of the fastener shank largely devoid of a lubricant coating, the fastener sleeve is reinforced by one or more of an increased thickness, a high-strength alloy, and a soft metal coating.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Russell J Heeter, Thu A Nguyen, John A Ward, John R Porter, Jeffrey A Wilkerson
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Patent number: 9321149Abstract: A composite abrasive wheel comprises primary and secondary abrasive portions. The primary abrasive portion comprises shaped ceramic abrasive particles retained in a first organic binder. The secondary abrasive portion is bonded to the primary abrasive portion, and comprises secondary crushed abrasive particles retained in a second organic binder. The primary abrasive portion comprises a larger volume percentage of the shaped ceramic abrasive particles than the secondary abrasive portion. A central aperture extends through the composite abrasive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Loc X. Van, Thu A. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20150200517Abstract: A conductive sleeved fastener assembly includes an electrically-conductive fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank extending from the fastener head and an electrically-conductive fastener sleeve receiving the fastener shank of the fastener and a fastener sleeve flange provided on the fastener sleeve and disposed in direct contact with the fastener head of the fastener. A method of preparing a conductive sleeved fastener for use is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Thu A. Nguyen, Michael G. Parent, Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Patent number: 9003650Abstract: A conductive sleeved fastener assembly includes an electrically-conductive fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank extending from the fastener head and an electrically-conductive fastener sleeve receiving the fastener shank of the fastener and a fastener sleeve flange provided on the fastener sleeve and disposed in direct contact with the fastener head of the fastener. A method of preparing a conductive sleeved fastener for use is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Thu A Nguyen, Michael G Parent, Russell Joe Heeter, Jeffrey A Wilkerson
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Publication number: 20140256238Abstract: A composite abrasive wheel comprises primary and secondary abrasive portions. The primary abrasive portion comprises shaped ceramic abrasive particles retained in a first organic binder. The secondary abrasive portion is bonded to the primary abrasive portion, and comprises secondary crushed abrasive particles retained in a second organic binder. The primary abrasive portion comprises a larger volume percentage of the shaped ceramic abrasive particles than the secondary abrasive portion. A central aperture extends through the composite abrasive wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Loc X. Van, Thu A. Nguyen
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Patent number: 8382413Abstract: A conductive sleeved fastener assembly includes an electrically-conductive fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank extending from the fastener head and an electrically-conductive fastener sleeve receiving the fastener shank of the fastener and a fastener sleeve flange provided on the fastener sleeve and disposed in direct contact with the fastener head of the fastener. A method of preparing a conductive sleeved fastener for use is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Thu A. Nguyen, Michael G. Parent, Joe Heeter, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Patent number: 7969706Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
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Publication number: 20100124472Abstract: A conductive sleeved fastener assembly includes an electrically-conductive fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank extending from the fastener head and an electrically-conductive fastener sleeve receiving the fastener shank of the fastener and a fastener sleeve flange provided on the fastener sleeve and disposed in direct contact with the fastener head of the fastener. A method of preparing a conductive sleeved fastener for use is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Thu A. Nguyen, Michael G. Parent, Joe Heeter, Jeffrey A. Wilkerson
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Publication number: 20100020461Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
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Patent number: 7599164Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend
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Publication number: 20080137259Abstract: A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Russell J. Heeter, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Kevin D. Pate, John R. Porter, Darrin M. Hansen, Steven C. Steckmyer, Thu A. Nguyen, Dale B. Winter, Daniel Smith, Harry E. Townsend