Patents by Inventor William Henderson Ball

William Henderson Ball 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: 4012013
    Abstract: An inlet for a supersonic aircraft capable of varying capture area. The inlet is of a rectangular shape, and has a ramp attached to the top and bottom of its fore end. The ramps are positioned to maximize air capture area during supersonic flight. At subsonic speeds, the ramps are moved to a position which slightly reduces the capture area. The ramps may have a blunt edge or sharp edge, and are controlled by an actuator located within the aircraft and connected to the ramps by suitable linkage. The ramps have a smooth contour provided by a flexible outer skin to reduce aerodynamic drag during operation of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Henderson Ball, Kichio Keith Ishimitsu