The Boeing Company

Darryl F Garrigus

Anna L Baker

Michael E Rorabaugh

Juris Verzemnieks

Thomas S Luhman

Michael Strasik

Kay Youngdahl Blohowiak

Michael Robert Chapman

Tuan Nguyen

Karl Edward Nelson

James D Cotton

Karl A Hansen, Deceased

Kevin Earl McCrary

Darrell M Storvick

John R Barton

Andrea C Saunders

Corrie B Martin

By John deJong, Executor

Fatih Dogan

Harlow G Ahlstrom

Ilhan Aksay

David A Pimentel

William C Hicks

A latching system for removably securing a first structure to a second structure. The system includes at least one magnetically permeable latch bar pivotally coupled to the first structure, and a biasing spring that pivots the latch bar to a latched position within a recess in the second structure, thereby securing the first structure to the second structure. Additionally, the system includes an unlatching tool that includes an embedded magnetized bar that generates a magnetic field around the unlatching tool. The unlatching tool can be used to pivot the latch bar to an unlatched position by placing the unlatching tool in close proximity to the latch bar such that the magnetic field exerts a rotational force on the latch bar, thereby pivoting the latch bar to the unlatched position.

Magnetically reactive pivot latch system

A surface treatmentfor application to an aircraft wing surfaceis provided, including at least one reflective metallic filmbonded at least one hollow cell structureto provide a thermal barrier that inhibits non-environmental frost formation.

Aircraft surface ice inhibitor

Rare earth metal switched magnetic devices that comprise one or more magnets, a rare earth metal element positioned in the magnetic field produced by the magnet(s) and a system for controlling the temperature of the rare earth metal element are disclosed. The rare earth metal element is formed of a rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy having magnetic properties that change from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic when heated above the Curie temperature of the chosen rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy. Preferably the Curie temperature of the chosen rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy is at or below the ambient temperature in which the rare earth metal switched magnetic device is to be used&mdash;approximately room temperature (70&deg; F.) in the case of devices intended for use in a factory. Tailored Curie temperatures can be obtained by alloying rare earth metals together and/or with conventional switchable &ldquo;soft&rdquo; magnetic metals&mdash;iron, nickel, and cobalt. Three suitable rare earth metals are gadolinium, terbium, and dysprosium. Switching is produced by controlling the temperature of the rare earth metal element. When the temperature of the rare earth metal element is reduced below the Curie temperature of the rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy, the ferromagnetic properties of the rare earth metal element cause the element to interact with the magnetic field produced by the magnet(s). When the temperature of the rare earth metal element is raised above the Curie temperature of the rare earth metal or rare earth metal alloy, the loss of ferromagnetism substantially reduces, if not entirely eliminates, the interaction between the rare earth metal element and the magnetic field produced by the magnet(s). Disclosed are clamps, lifters, riveters, valves, and actuators.

Method of riveting

A fibrous ceramic mat is molded from a slurry of ceramic fibers and/or ceramic micropartides and/or a metal. The mat is impregnated with a sol prior to drying. A catalyst for the sol is introduced into the mat to cause the sol to gel. The sol-gel binder forms bonds so that the mat is dimensionally stabilized. The mat is dried to produce the desired ceramic insulation that has preferably a consistent microstructure and a fully gelled sol-gel binder through its entire thickness. If we use a metal, it corrodes (i.e., oxidizes) or otherwise reacts to form a refractory binder that augments the sol and reduces the need to infuse sol incrementally to achieve strength. Using metal powder significantly reduces the cost of manufacture.

Ceramic insulation

Processes are provided for forming composites comprising a LaMnO,perovskite coatings (or a related perovskite) on a mat of ceramic particles (e.g., fibers, microballoons, or mixtures thereof) or LaMnO,-family sol-gel binders infused into the mat to form the connecting, rigidifying bridges.

Process for making LaMnO3-coated ceramics

A method and apparatus for detection of rare earth metal oxide inclusions in non-magnetic metal. The method utilizes a D.C. magnetic search field coupled with a magnetic field sensor for detecting the response of a rare earth metal oxide casting fragment inclusion through the bending and amplification of the ambient magnetic field at the defect location.

Method for detection of rare earth metal oxide inclusions in titanium and other non-magnetic or metal alloy castings

A flywheel system suitable for storing energy when demand for energy from a power plant is low, and from which energy can be retrieved when energy demand increases. The flywheel includes (a) a circular composite or metallic glass ring with a radial width limited to less than about 30 percent of the ring's outer radius, and (b) at least one spoke extending along a diameter of the ring, and attached to the ring at either end. The spoke has sufficient radial extendability due to either bending and elastic radial elongation, or only elastic elongation so that, when the flywheel rotates at operating speed, the spoke extends radially to match the radial growth of the ring, without subjecting the flywheel to significant tension at points of attachment of the spoke to the ring. In one embodiment, both flywheel ring and spoke are made of oriented high strength fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin. Also provided are a magnetic bearing and motor/generator system that are of an axial-gap design so that magnets are held in a substantially fixed position relative to each other, as the flywheel expands radially under centrifugal forces. Further, both motor/generator and flywheel bearings utilize a system of permanent magnets alternating with a high magnetic permeability composition in order to produce highly uniform magnetic fields in the bearing to reduce magnetic drag and improve efficiency, and to produce high torque in the motor generator. The flywheel bearing assembly includes a bulk high temperature superconductive magnet that provides lateral stability to the flywheel.

Magnetic systems for energy storage flywheels

Refractory fibrous ceramic insulation and process of making same

Riveter

Rare earth metal switched magnetic devices

We make large (in excess of 2 cm in diameter), single crystal YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x [123 YBCO] crystals, where x.ltoreq.0.6, in a seventeen step process or some variant thereof from finely ground and well mixed 123 YBCO and 211 YBCO powders with a small amount of Pt by controlling the rate of cooling from within a compact of the powders using a temperature gradient in the radial and axial planes (independently) of about 1-1.degree. C./inch diameter of compact to nucleate the crystal growth. We promote crystal growth as well using a samarium oxide seed crystal, preferably SmBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.(7-y), where y.ltoreq.1.6. After nucleation we cool the compact slowly at a rate from about 0.1-1.degree. C./hr to promote the single crystal development.

Making large, single crystal, 123 YBCO superconductors

Magnetic flux trapping clamps are provided that trap or pin the magnetic flux of ring shaped superconductive magnets in a high permeability metallic core located in the bore of the ring. Preferably, the superconductive magnets comprise a single crystal cut into a ring shape. Multiples of the flux-pinned magnets, having high magnetic strength, can be arranged in a variety of arrays for a range of applications. The devices offer several advantages over permanent or electromagnets. The devices easily activated by charging with a cryogenic fluid, to induce the superconductive effect, and deactivated by draining the fluid.

High temperature superconductor magnetic clamps

A method and apparatus for temperature activated protection of electronic components from interfering electromagnetic radiation comprising the step of shielding of a component with a thin film of superconducting material characterized by a critical temperature of at least 93.degree.K, and exposing the film to a temperature below the critical temperature. To allow transmissions to and from the component, the shield is converted to a window by heating the film to a temperature above the critical temperature.

Superconducting windows for electromagnetic screening

A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers, glass microballoons and/or diatoms, bound together with a ceramic reinforcing cloth with a sol-gel ceramic binder. The composite is particularly useful as a high strength, high temperature insulation material.

Microform composite with intermediate reinforcing fiber cloth

A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Growing community of inventors

Issaquah, WA, United States of America

Darryl F Garrigus