Spirit Aerosystems, Inc.

General Electric Company

Benjamin Wayne Ferrell

Blaise Francis Bergmann

Christopher John Morrow

Christopher James Padovano

Allison Lynne Horner

Mark Ernest Vermilyea

Ming Xie

Bowden Kirkpatrick

Mitchell Harold Boyer

Elliott Keller Schulte

An apparatus for picking, placing, and forming a composite charge over a complex geometry tool comprises a first frame, a second frame, and a plurality of dynamic mechanisms. The first frame is formed from rigid material and includes a first frame member that forms at least a rectangular perimeter. The second frame is formed from flexible material and includes a second frame member that forms at least a rectangular perimeter. Each dynamic mechanism is connected to the first frame and the second frame and located along the perimeters of the first frame and the second frame. Each dynamic mechanism includes a length-variable component positioned between the first frame and the second frame, with at least a portion of the dynamic mechanisms configured to vary a length of the length-variable component for the second frame member to conform to the shape of the complex geometry tool.

Integrated pick, place and forming apparatus and method for composite charges over complex geometries

Integrated pick, place, and forming apparatus and method for composite charges over complex geometries

Growing community of inventors

Wichita, KS, United States of America

Benjamin Wayne Ferrell