Patents by Inventor Zak Charles Eckel

Zak Charles Eckel 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).

  • System and method for making pin reinforced sandwich panel and resulting panel structure
    Patent number: 11135829
    Abstract: A system for forming a structural member which includes a first collimated light source and a reservoir containing a volume of photo-monomer resin wherein the first collimated light source is positioned spaced apart from the photo-monomer resin. The system further includes a first face sheet structure defining at least one bore which extends through the first face sheet structure wherein a portion of the first face sheet structure is positioned under a surface of the volume of photo-monomer resin such that photo-monomer resin is positioned within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sophia Yang, Matthew H. Cawthorne, Edward W. Brouwers, Jacob Michael Hundley, Zak Charles Eckel, Scott Biesboer, Kenneth Cante
  • Integrated fastener insert for open cellular sandwich structure and method to install
    Patent number: 11104096
    Abstract: A sandwich structure configured to be secured with a mechanical fastener includes a core assembly, which includes a polymer component configured for supporting a mechanical fastener connector insert. The core assembly further includes an open cellular component formed from a plurality of self-propagating photopolymer waveguides positioned around the polymer component, wherein a first portion of the plurality of self-propagating photopolymer waveguides is secured to and extends from the polymer component. Further included is a first face sheet secured to a first side of the core assembly, wherein the first portion of the plurality of self-propagating photopolymer waveguides has a distal end spaced apart from the polymer component and secured to the second face sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jacob Michael Hundley, Mark R. O'Masta, Zak Charles Eckel, Alvin Escobar, Kenneth Cante, Tony Koung
  • INTEGRATED FASTENER INSERT FOR OPEN CELLULAR SANDWICH STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO INSTALL
    Publication number: 20200070465
    Abstract: A sandwich structure configured to be secured with a mechanical fastener includes a core assembly, which includes a polymer component configured for supporting a mechanical fastener connector insert. The core assembly further includes an open cellular component formed from a plurality of self-propagating photopolymer waveguides positioned around the polymer component, wherein a first portion of the plurality of self-propagating photopolymer waveguides is secured to and extends from the polymer component. Further included is a first face sheet secured to a first side of the core assembly, wherein the first portion of the plurality of self-propagating photopolymer waveguides has a distal end spaced apart from the polymer component and secured to the second face sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Jacob Michael Hundley, Mark R. O'Masta, Zak Charles Eckel, Alvin Escobar, Kenneth Cante, Tony Koung
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING PIN REINFORCED SANDWICH PANEL AND RESULTING PANEL STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20180093428
    Abstract: A system for forming a structural member which includes a first collimated light source and a reservoir containing a volume of photo-monomer resin wherein the first collimated light source is positioned spaced apart from the photo-monomer resin. The system further includes a first face sheet structure defining at least one bore which extends through the first face sheet structure wherein a portion of the first face sheet structure is positioned under a surface of the volume of photo-monomer resin such that photo-monomer resin is positioned within the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Sophia Yang, Matthew H. Cawthorne, Edward W. Brouwers, Jacob Michael Hundley, Zak Charles Eckel, Scott Biesboer, Kenneth Cante