The Boeing Company

David William Minteer

James Patrick Irwin

Benjamin A Johnson

Erik W Dowell

John Thomas Axtell

Arun Ayyagari

Andrew Michael Robb

Jason Philip Bommer

Richard Neal Bostwick

Richard J Nesting

Kevin O'brien Gaw

Diego A Velasco

Kevin O'Brien Gaw

Nathan Michael Kelley

Richard Neel Bostwick

A method and apparatus for reducing an intensity of an electrical discharge that occurs within a fluid transport system in an aerospace vehicle. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a transport member. The transport member is configured for use in the fluid transport system. The transport member includes a material configured to reduce voltages and currents, induced in response to an electromagnetic event, along the transport member.

Composite tubes for a fluid transport system

A method for generating sensor data is presented. A number of wireless power signals is sent to a group of sensor units. A number of wireless data collection signals is sent to the group of sensor units after the number of wireless power signals have been sent to the group of sensor units. Sensor data in a number of wireless response signals is received from the group of sensor units.

Wireless fuel sensor system

A bulkhead fitting assembly that includes a tube, a mounting flange attachable to a bulkhead, a thermal shell joining the mounting flange and the tube and having a portion spaced away from the tube forming an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell, a plurality of mounting studs extending from the mounting flange away from the thermal shell, and a plurality of bushings positioned between the mounting studs and the bulkhead. The plurality of bushings are each shaped to complete a current path from the tube to the plurality of mounting studs, from the plurality of mounting studs to the plurality of bushings, and from the plurality of bushings to the bulkhead. Nuts are threaded on the studs to secure the fitting assembly by sandwiching the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the bushings, which are retained by the nuts.

Bulkhead fitting assembly

A method of sealing an opening in a bulkhead with a fitting assembly having a tube, a mounting flange, a thermal shell, an adapter, a bushing, and a jam nut may include inserting the tube through the opening; placing the mounting flange against the bulkhead, the mounting flange attached to the thermal shell, the thermal shell attached to the tube, and the mounting flange attached to the adapter so that the adapter extends away from the mounting flange and from the thermal shell through the opening; forming an air pocket by spacing a portion of the thermal shell away from the tube; placing the bushing on the adapter; and tightening the jam nut on the adapter to sandwich the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the bushing to form a seal between the mounting flange and the bushing to seal the opening.

Bulkhead fitting assembly and method of sealing a bulkhead opening

A method of making a bulkhead fitting assembly may include joining a tube to a thermal shell of a mounting flange, the mounting flange shaped to be attached to a bulkhead and including an adapter; forming the thermal shell to have a portion spaced away from the tube to form an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell adjacent the mounting flange; and placing a bushing on the adapter such that the bushing completes a current path from the tube to the adapter, from the adapter to the bushing, and from the bushing to the bulkhead.

Bulkhead fitting assembly and method of making

A method and apparatus for conducting an electrical current between a first transport member and a second transport member. In one illustrative embodiment, a coupling assembly comprises a first fitting associated with a first end of a first transport member, a second fitting associated with a second end of a second transport member, and a seal. The seal is configured for placement around the first fitting and the second fitting when the first end of the first transport member is positioned relative to the second end of the second transport member. The seal is further configured to seal an interface between the first transport member and the second transport member. The seal is comprised of a material configured such that the seal has a level of conductivity within a selected range and such that a conductive pathway is formed between the first transport member and the second transport member.

Conductive coupling assembly

A method and apparatus for reducing an intensity of an electrical discharge that occurs within a fluid transport system in an aerospace vehicle. The aerospace vehicle is operated. The fluid transport system in the aerospace vehicle is comprised of materials selected such that the fluid transport system has an electrical configuration. The intensity of the electrical discharge that occurs within the fluid transport system during operation of the aerospace vehicle is reduced to within selected tolerances by the electrical configuration of the fluid transport system.

Fluid transport system for preventing electrical discharge

A bulkhead fitting assembly may include a tube, a mounting flange, and a thermal shell joining the mounting flange and the tube; the thermal shell may consist of a thin barrier and form an air gap between the tube and the mounting flange.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Tapps, WA, United States of America

David William Minteer