Patents by Inventor Walter Forrest Frantz
Walter 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: 10654111Abstract: Disclosed is the shape of a curvature of two or more pathways for a device having moving parts that cause movement of an object along those pathways, such that the device can locate or hold the object. In the embodiment, an apparatus is described that centers and optionally locks an object at a desired location. The applications for such a device are varied and can range from chucking a workpiece of varying diameters in a lathe, to centering a drone on a landing zone, to medical and scientific devices to capture and center objects to study, to moving atomic level objects using an electromagnetic field. The scope of this disclosure is the mathematics that defines the mirrored curvatures of each curved pathway and the positioning of the curvatures relative to each other, and the relative movement of the mirrored curvatures to cause the desired effect.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Inventor: Walter Forrest Frantz
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Patent number: 10647074Abstract: An aerospace vessel including a fuselage, a means for causing the fuselage to fly coupled to the fuselage, and an environmental control system within the fuselage. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Jayant D. Patel, Douglas Dean Maben, Bruce Whitman, Douglas E. Freeman
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Publication number: 20180272437Abstract: Disclosed is the shape of a curvature of two or more pathways for a device having moving parts that cause movement of an object along those pathways, such that the device can locate or hold the object. In the embodiment, an apparatus is described that centers and optionally locks an object at a desired location. The applications for such a device are varied and can range from chucking a workpiece of varying diameters in a lathe, to centering a drone on a landing zone, to medical and scientific devices to capture and center objects to study, to moving atomic level objects using an electromagnetic field. The scope of this disclosure is the mathematics that defines the mirrored curvatures of each curved pathway and the positioning of the curvatures relative to each other, and the relative movement of the mirrored curvatures to cause the desired effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventor: Walter Forrest Frantz
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Patent number: 9669593Abstract: An aerospace vessel including a fuselage, a means for causing the fuselage to fly coupled to the fuselage, and an environmental control system within the fuselage. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Jayant D. Patel, Douglas Dean Maben, Bruce Whitman, Douglas E. Freeman
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Publication number: 20170082314Abstract: An aerospace vessel including a fuselage, a means for causing the fuselage to fly coupled to the fuselage, and an environmental control system within the fuselage. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Jayant D. Patel, Douglas Dean Maben, Bruce Whitman, Douglas E. Freeman
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Patent number: 9168708Abstract: A method of forming a closed cell thermoplastic foam duct and a method of forming a duct and attaching it to an aircraft environmental control system. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Jayant D. Patel, Douglas Dean Maben, Bruce Whitman, Douglas E. Freeman
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Publication number: 20130276959Abstract: An aerospace vessel including a fuselage, a means for causing the fuselage to fly coupled to the fuselage, and an environmental control system within the fuselage. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Jayant D. Patel, Douglas Dean Maben, Bruce Whitman, Douglas E. Freeman
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Patent number: 7846287Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for preforming sheets to form preforms for forming ducts. The preforms 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 of the duct. For example, rollers, rods, tubes, or a funnel can be used to bend the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bryan K. Bergsma, Joseph P. Canavan, Thomas J. Courrier, Walter Forrest Frantz, Harvey T. Jones, Denis J. Klein, Matthew K. Lum, Mark L. Younie
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Patent number: 7798447Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Cory M. Hitchcock, Gina C. Pischke, Todd Evan Jones, Paul R. Fortado
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Patent number: 7607613Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seat track configured for use with an interface assembly includes at least one elongated support. The seat track also includes an engagement member coupled to the elongated support and having a plurality of coupling apertures disposed therethrough. Each coupling aperture may be configured to receive at least one of a clamp arm and a fastener of the interface assembly and further configured to be engaged with the at least one of the clamp arm and the fastener in an unsecured position. The clamp arm may be extractable from the coupling aperture in a first position and may not be extractable from the coupling aperture in a second position.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
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Publication number: 20090236471Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Cory M. Hitchcock, Gina C. Pischke, Todd Evan Jones, Paul R. Fortado
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Patent number: 7553388Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for consolidation joining a thermoplastic preform to form a duct. The apparatus includes first and second longitudinally extending support structures. The first support structure at least partially defines a cavity for supporting the preform in a desired configuration of the duct. The second support structure extends in the cavity such that the preform can be supported between the first and second support structures. The second support structures can include an elastomeric device that is configured to adjust radially and urge the interface of the preform against the first support structure. A heater is configured to heat an interface of the preform to above a glass transition temperature. The resulting duct is has a longitudinal consolidation joint and defines a passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Matthew K. Lum, Mark L. Younie
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Patent number: 7506855Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Gina C. Pischke, Martin R. Grether, Todd Evan Jones, Cory M. Hitchcock, Paul R. Fortado
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Publication number: 20080308674Abstract: An aerospace vessel including a fuselage, a means for causing the fuselage to fly coupled to the fuselage, and an environmental control system within the fuselage. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Jayant D. Patel, Douglas Dean Maben, Bruce Whitman, Douglas E. Freeman
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Publication number: 20080277528Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seat track configured for use with an interface assembly includes at least one elongated support. The seat track also includes an engagement member coupled to the elongated support and having a plurality of coupling apertures disposed therethrough. Each coupling aperture may be configured to receive at least one of a clamp arm and a fastener of the interface assembly and further configured to be engaged with the at least one of the clamp arm and the fastener in an unsecured position. The clamp arm may be extractable from the coupling aperture in a first position and may not be extractable from the coupling aperture in a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
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Patent number: 7413143Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interface assembly includes a base, a support arm, and a lug member. The base has a pair of clamp arms projecting outwardly therefrom. Each clamp arm is adapted to be disposed through an associated coupling aperture disposed in the engagement member. The clamp arms are moveable relative to the engagement member between an unsecured position in which the clamp arms are extractable from the coupling apertures, and a secured position wherein the clamp arms are not extractable from the coupling apertures. The support arm is coupled to the base and to a component (e.g. a payload). The lug member that locks the assembly in the secured position is moveable between a first position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the unsecured position, and a second position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the secured position.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
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Patent number: 7370832Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interface assembly includes a base, a support arm, and a lug member. The base has a pair of clamp arms projecting outwardly therefrom. Each clamp arm is adapted to be disposed through an associated coupling aperture disposed in the engagement member. The clamp arms are moveable relative to the engagement member between an unsecured position in which the clamp arms are extractable from the coupling apertures, and a secured position wherein the clamp arms are not extractable from the coupling apertures. The support arm is coupled to the base and to a component (e.g. a payload). The lug member that locks the assembly in the secured position, is moveable between a first position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the unsecured position, and a second position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the secured position.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
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Patent number: 7153124Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for preforming sheets to form preforms for forming ducts. The preforms 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 of the duct. For example, rollers, rods, tubes, or a funnel can be used to bend the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bryan K. Bergsma, Joseph P. Canavan, Thomas J. Courrier, Walter Forrest Frantz, Harvey T. Jones, Denis J. Klein, Matthew K. Lum, Mark L. Younie
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Patent number: 7112054Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for consolidation joining a thermoplastic preform to form a duct. The apparatus includes first and second longitudinally extending support structures. The first support structure at least partially defines a cavity for supporting the preform in a desired configuration of the duct. The second support structure extends in the cavity such that the preform can be supported between the first and second support structures. The second support structures can include an elastomeric device that is configured to adjust radially and urge the interface of the preform against the first support structure. A heater is configured to heat an interface of the preform to above a glass transition temperature. The resulting duct is has a longitudinal consolidation joint and defines a passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Matthew K. Lum, Mark L. Younie
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Patent number: 7097804Abstract: A duct formed of a thermoplastic material is lightweight, strong, flame and smoke resistant, and non-toxic. The duct is formed from a flat laminate and does not require a specialized, disposable mandrel for supporting conventional thermoset plies. Preferably, the duct is formed from a preform, which is cut according to the desired shape and size of the duct so that trimming after the duct has been formed is not required. Additionally, features such as holes and spud locations can be provided by cutting or marking the preform before forming the duct. Each duct can be formed of multiple articulated segments that are joined by connectors.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Danny A. Jorgenson, Denis J. Klein, Douglas D. Maben