The Boeing Company

W Forrest Frantz

Martin R Grether

Raymond R Reed

Gina C Pischke

Paul R Fortado

Douglas W Hackett

Bryan K Bergsma

Todd Evan Jones

Tom Courrier

John Hennessy

Kelly L Morgan

Douglas Dean Maben

Jayant Dahyabhai Patel

Clifford John Petersen

David V Algas

Apparatus and methods described herein provide for the management of noise associated with a duct. A sound-dampening apparatus is provided consisting of a duct through which a fluid flows, such as an air duct. A flexuous cord is helically wound around the inner or outer surface of the duct at a pitch corresponding to a selected acoustical frequency range associated with the fluid flow through the duct.

Acoustic management of fluid flow within a duct

There are provided apparatuses and related methods for forming sheets. The formed sheets can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape using one or more rollers, shapers, longitudinal members, and/or support members.

Thermoplastic sheet forming apparatus and method

Apparatus and methods for situating and securing payloads to support structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a support structure, a floor assembly, and a payload assembly. The floor assembly includes a plurality of elongated engagement members coupled to the support structure, the engagement members being spaced apart and mostly parallel, each engagement member including an engagement surface. The payload assembly includes a payload component positioned proximate the floor assembly, and at least one payload support coupled to the payload component and engaged with at least some of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to beam loads from the payload component to the floor assembly and being moveable with the payload component relative to the floor assembly.

Adaptable payload enabling architecture

Apparatus and methods for beaming some or all payload component loads out to surrounding support structure and adaptably coupling payload assemblies to a support structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a payload assembly includes a payload member and at least one payload support. The payload member is adapted to be positioned proximate the support structure, and the at least one payload support is coupled to the payload member and is adapted to operatively engage at least one of the elongated supports of the support structure. The at least one payload support is further adapted to beam loads from the payload member to the at least one elongated support, and to be moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure. In one particular embodiment, the payload support includes an end portion adapted to engage with a top surface of the elongated support.

Adaptable payload apparatus and methods

Processes for positioning, securing, and repositioning payload assemblies onto floor assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that includes a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to at least one engagement member, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; and removeably coupling the payload support to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members. In an alternate embodiment, the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure.

Adaptable payload processes

Growing community of inventors

North Bend, WA, United States of America

W Forrest Frantz