Patents by Inventor Vincenzo M. LE BOFFE

Vincenzo M. LE BOFFE 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).

  • Pressure-assisted linear seal
    Patent number: 10836515
    Abstract: An inflatable pressure structure includes an airtight flexible membrane having collapsed and inflated configurations. The inflatable pressure structure includes an elongated pressure-assisted seal that is configured to selectively seal an opening in the airtight flexible membrane. The pressure-assisted seal includes first and second seal components that sealingly engage one another and prevent escape of gas from inside the airtight flexible membrane. The airtight flexible membrane, when inflated, generates a force transverse to the pressure-assisted seal tending to pull the first and second seal components apart. Pressurized gas inside the airtight flexible membrane causes the first and second seal components to more securely engage one another whereby a force transverse to the pressure-assisted seal does not disengage the first and second seal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINSTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: William R. Doggett, Timothy S. Roach, Jerry E. Warren, Judith J. Watson, Thomas C. Jones, Richard K Bird, Vincenzo M. Le Boffe, William M. Langford, Lana P. Hicks-Olson, Samuel James, Clarence E. Stanfield, Alberto Makino, Bryan C. Yount, Khadijah I. Shariff, Molly M. Selig, Douglas A. Litteken, Winfred S. Kenner, David F. Moore, Danny J. Lovaglio, Laura A. Leybold, Earl T. Hall, James E. Phelps, Arlon B. Sullivan, Fred M. Whitehead
  • Pressure-Assisted Linear Seal
    Publication number: 20190009932
    Abstract: An inflatable pressure structure includes an airtight flexible membrane having collapsed and inflated configurations. The inflatable pressure structure includes an elongated pressure-assisted seal that is configured to selectively seal an opening in the airtight flexible membrane. The pressure-assisted seal includes first and second seal components that sealingly engage one another and prevent escape of gas from inside the airtight flexible membrane. The airtight flexible membrane, when inflated, generates a force transverse to the pressure-assisted seal tending to pull the first and second seal components apart. Pressurized gas inside the airtight flexible membrane causes the first and second seal components to more securely engage one another whereby a force transverse to the pressure-assisted seal does not disengage the first and second seal components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: William R. DOGGETT, Timothy S. ROACH, Jerry E. WARREN, Judith J. WATSON, Thomas C. JONES, Richard K. BIRD, Vincenzo M. LE BOFFE, William M. LANGFORD, Lana P. HICKS-OLSON, Samuel JAMES, Clarence E. STANFIELD, Alberto MAKINO, Bryan C. YOUNT, Khadijah I. SHARIFF, Molly M. SELIG, Douglas A. LITIEKEN, Winfred S. KENNER, David F. MOORE, Danny J. LOVAGLIO, Laura A. LEYBOLD, Earl T. HALL, James E. PHELPS, Arlon B. SULLIVAN, Fred M. WHITEHEAD