The Boeing Company

Theboeing Company

Ashleigh Raoul Nesbit

Andrew Klimovski

Thomas Wilson

Peter N Steele

Phillip John Crothers

Martin Alexander Szarski

David Michael Bain

Peter J Lockett

Manning James Scarfe

Luke Fletcher

Richard James Bain

Dominic Wierzbicki

Johanna Austin

Shaun Mcfetridge

A pick and place system and methods of use are presented. The pick and place system comprises a backing plate, a porous facesheet, and a flow generator. The backing plate is configured to direct air flow within the pick and place system. The porous facesheet is secured to the backing plate. The flow generator is configured to provide an air flow between the backing plate and the porous facesheet.

Pick and place system

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a flow of a material through a vehicle component. In some embodiments, the methods include determining a first plurality of dimensions and a second plurality of dimensions associated with a flow medium based on one or more flow properties of the vehicle component, the flow medium including a plurality of baffle layers and a plurality of spacers. The methods may further include generating at least one baffle layer based on the first plurality of dimensions, and generating at least some of the plurality of spacers based on the second plurality of dimensions, the plurality of spacers being positioned on top of the at least one baffle layer.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for flow media associated with the manufacture of components

An actuatable flow media for controlling a flow rate of a liquid through the flow media, the actuatable flow media comprising a base having a plurality of base cavities formed therein, at least one aperture formed in each base cavity defining a liquid flow path for the entry of liquid into or exit of liquid from the flow media; a flexible membrane arranged in spaced relation with the base and defining a liquid flow path through the flow media; and an elastically deformable element arranged in each base cavity and extending between the base and the flexible membrane for actuation between at least a first configuration in which the element is substantially undeformed and the liquid flow path through the at least one aperture is open and a second configuration in which the element is substantially deformed and the liquid flow path through the at least one aperture is closed.

Actuatable flow media

An actuatable flow media for the control of a flow rate of a liquid through the flow media, the actuatable flow media comprising a base having at least one cavity formed therein, at least one aperture formed in the cavity defining a liquid flow path for the entry of liquid into or exit of liquid from the flow media; a flexible membrane arranged in spaced relation with the base and defining a liquid flow path through the flow media; and an elastically deformable element arranged in the cavity and extending between the base and the flexible membrane for actuation between at least a first configuration in which the element is substantially undeformed and the liquid flow path through the at least one aperture is open and a second configuration in which the element is substantially deformed and the liquid flow path through the at least one aperture is closed.

Disclosed herein is a method. The method includes identifying a first location on a first part to place a first shim tab to form a first portion of a compound shim. The method also includes applying the first shim tab to the first location on the first part with an end-effector. The method also includes identifying a second location directly adjacent to the first location on the first part to place a second shim tab. The method also includes applying the second shim tab to the second location on the first part with the end-effector to form a second portion of the compound shim. The method also includes applying a third shim tab to the second shim tab at the second location to increase a thickness of the second portion of the compound shim.

Compound shimming

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a flow of a material through a vehicle component. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a plurality of baffle layers, each baffle layer of the plurality of baffle layers having a contour, wherein at least one space between at least some of the plurality of baffle layers defines at least one flow path. The apparatus may also include a first plurality of spacers positioned in the at least one flow path, the first plurality of spacers having one or more hydrodynamic properties determined based on a first plurality of dimensions, the one or more hydrodynamic properties determining, at least in part, a second flow property of the at least one flow path.

Systems and methods are provided for utilizing enhanced vacuum gripping techniques. One embodiment is a method that includes locating an array of valves for an end effector, selectively switching valves within the array between open states and closed states based on a shape of a work piece that the end effector will transport, selectively applying vacuum through a plurality of valves in a shape that corresponds with the shape of the work piece, disposing the end effector at the work piece while the vacuum is applied to grip the work piece, and picking up the work piece by moving the end effector while the vacuum is applied.

High resolution vacuum grippers that utilize bi-stable flow valves

A method for drawing a flexible sleeve over an elongated mandrel includes placing a ring within a lumen of the sleeve. A first end of the sleeve is fixed against movement relative to a first end of the mandrel. A first end portion of the sleeve is inverted over a first end portion of the mandrel so as to define a circumferential cuff in the sleeve, and the ring is positioned concentrically within the circumferential cuff. Using, e.g., a magnet, the ring is then urged longitudinally along the mandrel and toward an opposite, second end thereof, such that the sleeve is inverted over at least an outer surface of the mandrel.

Automated braided sleeve placement and tensioning

A base assembly for coupling an end effector to a structure includes a first side and an opposite second side. The first side configured to couple to the end effector. The base assembly also includes at least one cavity disposed on the second side, and at least one pneumatic generator coupled in flow communication with the at least one cavity. The at least one pneumatic generator is operable in a suction mode and a blower mode. The second side having the at least one cavity is securely coupleable to a surface of the structure via a vacuum force induced by the at least one pneumatic generator in the suction mode, and the second side having the at least one cavity is movable substantially frictionlessly across the surface via an air cushion induced by the at least one pneumatic generator in the blower mode.

Growing community of inventors

Williamstown, Australia

Ashleigh Raoul Nesbit