Patents by Inventor Tracy L. Tweet

Tracy L. Tweet 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).

  • Sealing bladderless system and method
    Patent number: 8505761
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize the escape of fuel out of a fuel tank when a tank wall is penetrated by a bullet. In one embodiment, a pressure differential may be maintained between a pressure within a fuel tank cavity and another pressure outside the fuel tank cavity in order to minimize the loss of fuel upon penetration of the fuel tank. In another embodiment, a compressed rubber layer of fuel-reactive rubber may be provided which is adapted to be attached to a fuel tank wall and to swell upon contact with fuel in order to substantially seal a penetrated hole in the fuel tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tracy L Tweet, Mark A Shelly
  • SEALING BLADDERLESS SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20110155741
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize the escape of fuel out of a fuel tank when a tank wall is penetrated by a bullet. In one embodiment, a pressure differential may be maintained between a pressure within a fuel tank cavity and another pressure outside the fuel tank cavity in order to minimize the loss of fuel upon penetration of the fuel tank. In another embodiment, a compressed rubber layer of fuel-reactive rubber may be provided which is adapted to be attached to a fuel tank wall and to swell upon contact with fuel in order to substantially seal a penetrated hole in the fuel tank wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tracy L. Tweet, Mark A. Shelly
  • Sealing bladderless system and method
    Patent number: 7900333
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize the escape of fuel out of a fuel tank when a tank wall is penetrated by a bullet. In one embodiment, a pressure differential may be maintained between a pressure within a fuel tank cavity and another pressure outside the fuel tank cavity in order to minimize the loss of fuel upon penetration of the fuel tank. In another embodiment, a compressed rubber layer of fuel-reactive rubber may be provided which is adapted to be attached to a fuel tank wall and to swell upon contact with fuel in order to substantially seal a penetrated hole in the fuel tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tracy L. Tweet, Mark A. Shelly
  • SEALING BLADDERLESS SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20080264951
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize the escape of fuel out of a fuel tank when a tank wall is penetrated by a bullet. In one embodiment, a pressure differential may be maintained between a pressure within a fuel tank cavity and another pressure outside the fuel tank cavity in order to minimize the loss of fuel upon penetration of the fuel tank. In another embodiment, a compressed rubber layer of fuel-reactive rubber may be provided which is adapted to be attached to a fuel tank wall and to swell upon contact with fuel in order to substantially seal a penetrated hole in the fuel tank wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tracy L. Tweet, Mark A. Shelly