Patents by Inventor W. Dean Clingman

W. Dean Clingman 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: 8347747
    Abstract: A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform. Biasing forces may be applied to opposing portions of a torque transferring member that enable the torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium. A torque may be applied to one of the component and the torque transferring member such that the biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on the torque transferring member to assist in moving the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium. Motion of the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium may be used to assist in moving the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan J. Clingman, Robert T. Ruggeri, W. Dean Clingman
  • Publication number: 20100065679
    Abstract: A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform. Biasing forces may be applied to opposing portions of a torque transferring member that enable the torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium. A torque may be applied to one of the component and the torque transferring member such that the biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on the torque transferring member to assist in moving the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium. Motion of the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium may be used to assist in moving the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan J. Clingman, Robert T. Ruggeri, W. Dean Clingman
  • Patent number: 7516680
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a torque to an external member to assist in twisting or deforming the external member. In one implementation the apparatus is useful for providing a force to a torque tube to assist in rotating, bending or twisting a wing, an airfoil, or a rotorcraft blade. The apparatus includes at least one biasing member which provides a biasing force to a linkage assembly, where the linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to a torque tube. The torque tube is fixedly coupled to the structure which needs to be bent, twisted or flexed. The energy stored in the biasing member provides the great majority of mechanical force required to rotate the torque tube and bend, twist or deform the structure when the structure is urged back into an unflexed or un-deformed state, the energy stored in the structure is transferred back to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan J Clingman, Robert T Ruggeri, W. Dean Clingman