The Boeing Company patent applications published on November 30th, 2023

Patent applications for The Boeing Company on November 30th, 2023

Threat-Based Fire Suppression Apparatus, System, and Method (17825002)

Main Inventor

Brandon W. Freyling

Brief explanation

- The patent application is about fire suppression systems designed for contained environments within large structures.

- These systems are able to detect different types of fire threat conditions and their locations within the contained environment. - In response to a detected fire threat condition, the system delivers a specific fire suppressant flow. - The systems are capable of communicating with multiple types of fire suppressants that can be released from centralized supplies.

Abstract

Fire suppression systems are disclosed for contained environments within large structures, with the systems configured to detect one or more fire threat condition types at one or more fire threat locations with the system delivering a selected fire suppressant flow in response to a detected fire threat condition at a detected fire threat location within the contained environment. communication with a plurality of fire suppressant types that are releasable from centralized supplies

METHODS OF APPLYING BOND PRIMER COMPOSITIONS FOR BONDED AEROSPACE STRUCTURES (17828291)

Main Inventor

Eileen O. Kutscha

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a method for applying a bond primer composition to a metal surface of an aerospace part. 

• The method involves creating a multilayer bond primer structure by applying multiple layers of the bond primer composition onto the metal surface.
• A foam applicator is used to apply the first sublayer of the bond primer composition.
• The first sublayer is then heated before applying the second sublayer.
• The second sublayer is also heated before applying the final sublayer.
• The final sublayer is applied onto an underlying sublayer of the multilayer bond primer structure.
• The multilayer bond primer structure is then cured to form a bond primer coating that adheres to the metal surface.

Abstract

Methods of applying a bond primer composition to a metal surface of an aerospace part are provided which may comprise forming a multilayer bond primer structure by (a) applying a first sublayer of a bond primer composition onto a metal surface of an aerospace part using a foam applicator comprising the bond primer composition; (b) heating the first sublayer; (c) applying a second sublayer of the bond primer composition onto the first sublayer; (d) heating the second sublayer; (e) applying a final sublayer of the bond primer composition onto an underlying sublayer of the multilayer bond primer structure; and curing the multilayer bond primer structure to form a bond primer coating adhered to the metal surface.

MODEL BASED SUPPORTING SPOKES ACTIVATION TO AID 3D PRINTING (17824763)

Main Inventor

Sijo VARGHESE

Brief explanation

- The patent application describes a printing bed for a 3D printer that is designed to support the printing of 3D objects with overhangs.

- The printing bed has an upper surface where droplets land to form the first layer of the 3D object. - The printing bed also includes a support structure that can be activated when the 3D object has an overhang with an angle that exceeds a certain threshold. - The support structure moves from a first position to a second position to provide support for the overhang during the printing process. - This innovation helps to prevent the collapse or distortion of overhanging parts of 3D objects during printing, improving the overall quality and accuracy of the printed objects.

Abstract

A printing bed for a three-dimensional (3D) printer includes an upper surface configured to have a plurality of droplets land thereon to form a first layer of a 3D object. The printing bed also includes a support structure. In response to the 3D object having an overhang with an angle that exceeds a predetermined threshold, the support structure is configured to actuate from a first position into a second position to support the overhang.

FLAPERON ACTUATION SYSTEMS FOR AIRCRAFT (17829249)

Main Inventor

Kevin Raylin Tsai

Brief explanation

- The patent application is about flaperon actuation systems for aircraft.

- The aircraft described in the application has a wing with a fixed wing portion and a flaperon. - The actuation system of the aircraft includes a first actuator that can move the flaperon along a first degree of freedom. - The first actuator can move the flaperon between a stowed position, where it is aligned with the fixed wing portion, and a deployed position, where it is moved downward relative to the fixed wing portion. - The actuation system also includes a linkage assembly that connects the fixed wing portion and the flaperon. - The linkage assembly includes a second actuator that can move the flaperon along a second degree of freedom. - The second actuator can pitch the flaperon between an upward position and a downward position.

Abstract

Flaperon actuation systems for aircraft are disclosed herein. An example aircraft includes a wing including, a fixed wing portion, a flaperon, and an actuation system. The actuation system includes a first actuator coupled to the fixed wing portion. The first actuator is operable to move the flaperon along a first degree of freedom between a stowed position in which the flaperon is aligned with the fixed wing portion and a deployed position in which the flaperon is moved downward relative to the fixed wing portion. The actuation system also includes a linkage assembly coupled between the fixed wing portion and the flaperon. The linkage assembly includes a second actuator operable to move the flaperon along a second degree of freedom to pitch the flaperon between an upward position and a downward position.

Dual Track Light-Limiting Header Assembly (17825091)

Main Inventor

Timothy D. Rittenhouse, JR.

Brief explanation

The abstract describes a header assembly for an aircraft cabin that includes multiple tracks and movable panels made from an opaque material. 

• The header assembly is designed to create an enclosed space within the aircraft cabin by deploying the movable panels within the tracks.
• The movable panels are made from an opaque material, which prevents light from entering an adjacent region of the aircraft cabin interior.
• The purpose of the invention is to provide a means of blocking light and creating privacy within the aircraft cabin.
• The header assembly is specifically designed for use in aircraft cabins.
• The use of separate movable panels allows for flexibility in adjusting the size and shape of the enclosed space.
• The opaque material used for the movable panels ensures that no light can pass through, providing complete privacy.
• The invention may improve the comfort and experience of passengers by allowing them to control the amount of light entering their designated area within the aircraft cabin.

Abstract

A header assembly for an aircraft cabin comprises a plurality of track, each track configured to engage with separate movable panel made from an opaque material, with the separate movable panels deployed within the header assembly tracks to form an enclosed space defined by the deployed moveable panels, and with the movable panels made from an opaque material to block light from entering an adjacent region of an aircraft cabin interior.

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT LINKS FOR AIRCRAFT (17752450)

Main Inventor

Jonathan P. Boas

Brief explanation

The patent application describes adjustable support links for aircraft.

• The adjustable support link includes a first rod end with external threads, a second rod end with internal threads, and a barrel nut.
• The barrel nut is partially inserted into the bore of the second rod end and has external threads that engage with the internal threads of the second rod end.
• The barrel nut has a channel where the first shaft of the first rod end is partially inserted.
• The channel has internal threads that engage with the external threads of the first rod end.
• Rotating the barrel nut in one direction causes the first and second rod ends to move closer to each other.
• Rotating the barrel nut in the opposite direction causes the first and second rod ends to move farther away from each other.

Abstract

Adjustable support links for aircraft are disclosed herein. An adjustable support link includes a first rod end including a first shaft with first external threads, a second rod end including a second shaft with a bore having first internal threads, and a barrel nut at least partially disposed in the bore of the second rod end. The barrel nut has second external threads engaged with the first internal threads. The barrel nut having a channel. The first shaft is at least partially disposed in the channel. The channel has second internal threads engaged with the first external threads of the first rod end, such that rotation of the barrel nut in a first direction causes the first and second rod ends to move toward each other and rotation of the barrel nut in a second direction causes the first and second rod ends to move away from each other.

NONAQUEOUS SOL-GEL FOR ADHESION ENHANCEMENT OF WATER-SENSITIVE MATERIALS (18362225)

Main Inventor

James A. MOORE

Brief explanation

The patent application describes sol-gel films and substrates with sol-gel films. 

• Sol-gel formulations used in the invention have low water content (10 wt % or less).
• The sol-gel formulations consist of organosilane, metal alkoxide, acid stabilizer, and organic solvent.
• Vehicle components are coated with a sol-gel system, which includes a metal substrate and the sol-gel formulation.
• The sol-gel formulation on the vehicle components also has low water content (10 wt % or less).

Abstract

The present disclosure provides sol-gel films and substrates, such as vehicle components, having a sol-gel film disposed thereon. At least one sol-gel formulation has about 10 wt % or less water content based on the total weight of the sol-gel formulation and comprises an organosilane, a metal alkoxide, an acid stabilizer, and an organic solvent. At least one vehicle component comprises a sol-gel coating system comprising a metal substrate and a sol-gel formulation disposed on the metal substrate. The sol-gel formulation has about 10 wt % or less water content based on the total weight of the sol-gel formulation and comprises an organosilane, a metal alkoxide, an acid stabilizer, and an organic solvent.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLD SPRAY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURE WITH SUPERPLASTIC FORMATION DIFFUSION BONDING (18363890)

Main Inventor

Bruno Zamorano Senderos

Brief explanation

This patent application describes a method for fabricating a finished workpiece with a shaped portion using superplastic formation diffusion bonding (SPFDB) and cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM).

• The method involves using a mold with a concavity to shape the workpiece.
• The workpiece is first cold sprayed with an additive material using the CSAM component.
• Then, superplastic forming is performed on the workpiece using the SPFDB component and the mold, resulting in the desired shape.
• The cold spraying process increases the thickness of the finished workpiece in a specific region, providing structural reinforcement.
• The increased thickness can also create a tapered edge in the shaped portion.
• The workpiece can be made of various materials, such as titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, or others.

Abstract

Implementations are provided for fabricating a finished workpiece having a shaped portion. One implementation includes: a superplastic formation diffusion bonding (SPFDB) component; a cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) component; and a mold having a concavity. Various configurations can operate on a workpiece with the SPFDB and CSAM components in different orders. An implementation is configured to cold spray (with the CSAM component) an additive material onto the workpiece; and perform superplastic forming (with the SPFDB component) on the workpiece with the mold, thereby rendering the workpiece into the finished workpiece having the shaped portion. The shaped portion conforms to a shape defined by the concavity. Cold spraying results in an increased thickness of the finished workpiece in a target region, which can provide structural reinforcement, and which can have a tapered edge. The workpiece can be a metal substrate made of titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, or another material.

SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR ANALYZING VEHICLE SYSTEM LOGS (17826285)

Main Inventor

Mingyan Li

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a system that connects with a vehicle's onboard system and collects an activity log generated by the onboard system.

• The system extracts a feature list from the activity log, which includes select information from log messages indicating the activity of the onboard system.
• An episode is then extracted from the feature list, representing the activity of the onboard system.
• The system classifies the episode with an episode classification, indicating an event that occurred during the activity.

Abstract

A system includes a processor and a storage device containing instructions. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to: (1) connect with an onboard system of a vehicle, wherein the onboard system is connectable to a network; (2) collect an activity log generated by the onboard system, wherein the activity log includes log messages indicative of an activity of the onboard system; (3) extract a feature list from the activity log, wherein the feature list includes features and each one of the features includes select information from a corresponding one of the log messages; (4) extract an episode from the feature list, wherein the episode is indicative of the activity of the onboard system; and (5) classify the episode with an episode classification, wherein the episode classification is indicative of an event that occurred during the activity.

AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS (17825195)

Main Inventor

Samantha Schwartz

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a system and method for rerouting aircraft based on various factors.

• The system includes a rerouting control unit that generates reroute options for an aircraft.
• The reroute options are determined by analyzing the current position and predicted future position of the aircraft.
• The analysis also takes into account the current position and predicted future position of any in-flight hazards.
• Additionally, the system considers the flight path of other aircraft within the airspace.
• The reroute options may also be based on the minimum amount of fuel or minimum weight of the aircraft at its destination location.

Abstract

A system and a method include a rerouting control unit configured to generate one or more reroute options for an aircraft based on an analysis of a current position of the aircraft, a predicted future position of the aircraft, a current position of an in-flight hazard, a predicted future position of the in-flight hazard, and one or both of: (i) a flight path of one or more other aircraft within an airspace, or (ii) one or both of a minimum amount of fuel of the aircraft or a minimum weight of the aircraft at a destination location.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INFERRED INFORMATION PROPAGATION FOR AIRCRAFT PROGNOSTICS (18366294)

Main Inventor

Charles Eugene Martin

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a method and system for analyzing data from aircraft components to identify potential issues before they occur. 

• The method involves dividing the data into subsets using a time-window and calculating Mutual Information (MI) values for each pair of variables within each subset.
• Relationship graphs are then constructed using the MI values, and these graphs are clustered to group similar relationships together.
• The time-ordered sequence of clustered relationship graphs is analyzed to identify features or patterns in the component that may indicate potential problems.

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for inferred information propagation for aircraft prognostics. The method includes receiving, by a processor, an original time-series of data points for a component as an input; preprocessing the input to divide the original time-series of data into subsets of data by applying a time-window over the original time-series of data points; and computing, by the processor, a Mutual Information (MI) value for each pair of variables within each subset of data. The method also includes constructing, by the processor, a sequence of relationship graphs using the computed MI values; clustering, by the processor, each relationship graph; and analyzing, by the processor, the time-ordered sequence of clustered relationship graphs to identify features in the component.