Patents by Inventor W. Forrest Frantz
W. Forrest Frantz 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: 8061477Abstract: Apparatus and methods described herein provide for the management of noise associated with a duct. A sound-dampening apparatus is provided consisting of a duct through which a fluid flows, such as an air duct. A flexuous cord is helically wound around the inner or outer surface of the duct at a pitch corresponding to a selected acoustical frequency range associated with the fluid flow through the duct.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jayant Dahyabhai Patel, W. Forrest Frantz, Douglas Dean Maben, Clifford John Petersen, David V. Algas
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Publication number: 20100044149Abstract: Apparatus and methods described herein provide for the management of noise associated with a duct. A sound-dampening apparatus is provided consisting of a duct through which a fluid flows, such as an air duct. A flexuous cord is helically wound around the inner or outer surface of the duct at a pitch corresponding to a selected acoustical frequency range associated with the fluid flow through the duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Jayant Dahyabhai Patel, W. Forrest Frantz, Douglas Dean Maben, Clifford John Petersen, David V. Algas
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Patent number: 7608213Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for forming sheets. The formed sheets can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape using one or more rollers, shapers, longitudinal members, and/or support members.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bryan Bergsma, Tom Courrier, W. Forrest Frantz, John Hennessy
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Publication number: 20080179789Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing airflow within an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a clamshell component, including: providing first and second spaced-apart mold members; forming first and second half-body portions, including forming at least one sheet of formable material between the first and second mold members; and coupling the first and second half-body portions to form the clamshell component. The method also includes coupling the clamshell component to a source of air; and operating the source of air to provide an airflow through the clamshell component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: W. Forrest Frantz, Douglas D. Maben, Bryan Bergsma, Danny Jorgenson
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Patent number: 7195201Abstract: Apparatus and methods for situating and securing payloads to support structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a support structure, a floor assembly, and a payload assembly. The floor assembly includes a plurality of elongated engagement members coupled to the support structure, the engagement members being spaced apart and mostly parallel, each engagement member including an engagement surface. The payload assembly includes a payload component positioned proximate the floor assembly, and at least one payload support coupled to the payload component and engaged with at least some of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to beam loads from the payload component to the floor assembly and being moveable with the payload component relative to the floor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, W. Forrest Frantz, Gina C. Pischke, Kelly L. Morgan, Paul R. Fortado, Todd Evan Jones, Douglas W. Hackett
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Patent number: 7093797Abstract: Apparatus and methods for beaming some or all payload component loads out to surrounding support structure and adaptably coupling payload assemblies to a support structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a payload assembly includes a payload member and at least one payload support. The payload member is adapted to be positioned proximate the support structure, and the at least one payload support is coupled to the payload member and is adapted to operatively engage at least one of the elongated supports of the support structure. The at least one payload support is further adapted to beam loads from the payload member to the at least one elongated support, and to be moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure. In one particular embodiment, the payload support includes an end portion adapted to engage with a top surface of the elongated support.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, W. Forrest Frantz
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Patent number: 7051978Abstract: Processes for positioning, securing, and repositioning payload assemblies onto floor assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that includes a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to at least one engagement member, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; and removeably coupling the payload support to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members. In an alternate embodiment, the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Raymond R. Reed, Martin R. Grether, W. Forrest Frantz, Gina C. Pischke, Kelly L. Morgan, Paul R. Fortado, Todd Evan Jones, Douglas W. Hackett
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Patent number: 7014450Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for forming sheets. The formed sheets can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape using one or more rollers, shapers, longitudinal members, and/or support members.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bryan Bergsma, Tom Courrier, W. Forrest Frantz, John Hennessy
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Publication number: 20040026826Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for forming sheets. The formed sheets can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape using one or more rollers, shapers, longitudinal members, and/or support members.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bryan Bergsma, Tom Courrier, W. Forrest Frantz, John Hennessy