The Boeing Company

Theboeing Company

Daniel Joseph Perron

Jeffrey Hayden Olberg

Weidong Song

Stephen G Moore

Jamie J Childress

Michael Walter Evens

Stephen Lee Metschan

Richard V Phillips

Timothy Leroy Williams

Jamie J Langabeer

Eldon C Rogers

Jonathan D Robbins

Darrell M Storvick

Dennis Yee

D'Arcy R Chadwick

Mark Alan Negley

Shane Edward Arthur

James Johnathan Childress

John Cleveland Waldrop, Iii

Alan G Burg

Ryan Christopher Lucas

Laura Sullivan Riegel

Richard P McDermott

Mark Daniel Olson

Stephen Moore

A method for pelletizing an extruded material with an extruding nozzle includes inserting the extruded material into the extruding nozzle so that the extruded material flows through at least one material-flow channel, extending through a radiator of the extruding nozzle. Heat is transferred between the extruded material, flowing through the at least one material-flow channel, and the radiator. At least a portion of the radiator is located within a housing of the extruding nozzle.

Extruding nozzle, system, and method therefor

A system for depositing a composite filler material into a channel of a composite structure includes an end-effector configured to extrude a bead of the filler material into the channel. The filler material can comprise a first group of relatively long fibers, a second group of relatively short fibers and a resin. A drive system is configured to move the end-effector relative to the channel, and a position sensor is configured to detect the position of the bead relative to the channel. A controller is configured to operate the drive system in response to the detected position and to operate the end-effector to heat and compress the filler material so as to orient the longer fibers in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the channel and the shorter fibers in substantially random directions relative to the channel when the bead is extruded into the channel.

Systems and methods for making composite structures

An extruding nozzle is provided. The extruding nozzle includes a housing and a radiator. The radiator is at least partially disposed within the housing. The extruding nozzle also includes at least one material flow channel. The at least one material flow channel is at least partially disposed within the housing and extends through the radiator.

A tooling assembly is provided, for use with a panel defining a tool-side surface and the tool-side surface defining a profile. The tooling assembly includes a base, a plurality of support members fixedly attached to the base, a plurality of frames, and a securing system. The frames each define an upper surface, where each support member is releasably coupled to a corresponding frame by a fastening system. The upper surfaces of the frames are each shaped to correspond with a portion of the profile of the tool-side surface of the panel. The securing system is for providing a suction force configured to releasably secure the panel against the upper surface of the frames.

Modular tooling fixture with interchangeable panel defining a tooling surface

A trash compactor system includes a receptacle defining a retaining chamber that is configured to receive and retain trash, a compaction plate moveably secured within the retaining chamber, and a foot pedal operatively coupled to the compaction plate. Engagement of the foot pedal moves the compaction plate within the retaining chamber to compact the trash retained within the retaining chamber. A flap may cover an opening into the retaining chamber. The foot pedal may also be operatively coupled to the flap, such that the engagement of the foot pedal moves the flap into an open position that exposes the opening.

Trash compactor systems and methods

An installation tool and method are provided to apply a patch to a structure while controlling the porosity in the bond line. An installation tool is provided that includes a frame defining an internal cavity. The installation tool also includes a flexible membrane that divides the internal cavity into a first chamber proximate the surface and a second chamber separated from the surface by the first chamber and the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is releasably attached to the patch such that the patch faces the surface. The frame includes first and second vacuum ports into the first and second chambers, respectively, such that pressure therewithin is separately controllable. The pressure within the first and second chambers is controlled such that the adhesive is degassed while the patch remains spaced from the surface and the flexible membrane is thereafter caused to be stretched to urge the patch toward the surface.

Installation tool and associated method for applying a patch to a surface

Systems and methods to launch an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system to launch an aircraft comprises a launch arm comprising at least one load cell, an aircraft coupled to the launch arm, and a release mechanism in communication with the at least one load cell, wherein the release mechanism releases the aircraft when the at least one load cell indicates that a load on the launch arm is below a predetermined threshold. Other embodiments may be described.

Systems and methods to launch aircraft

An aircraft launch system includes a riser coupleable to an aircraft. The riser includes an actuator and a tether coupled to the actuator. The aircraft launch system further includes a sky crane coupled to the tether. The actuator is operable to retract the tether and draw together the sky crane and the aircraft.

Apparatus, system, and method for flying an aircraft

A vacuum attachment comprises a base having an upper face and a lower face, and an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a first flow passage between the upper face and the lower face. The lower face provides a smooth contact surface. A single orifice extends through the base from the outer surface to the inner surface. The orifice is spaced apart from the lower face.

Vacuum attachment

A method and apparatus for sealing a fastener that extends through a surface. The apparatus comprises a housing having a base and cap, wherein the cap is configured to cover a portion of a fastener extending through a surface, and wherein the housing is configured to apply suction to the surface.

Sealing system for fasteners

A method and apparatus comprising a structure and a connector. The structure may have a number of walls forming a channel with a first opening and a second opening. The connector may be associated with the first opening. The connector may be configured to change a size of the first opening.

Fastener retrieval system

A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly is fabricated by forming inner and outer mold elements having apertures to receive casting blocks. A tread having an inner wall is prepared for casting and fill apertures are machined in a rim of a metal wheel. The tread, the outer mold element, the wheel, the inner mold element and the rubber casting blocks are assembled and an elastomer is introduced into the mold assembly through fill tubes inserted in the fill apertures of the wheel. The elastomer is allowed to cure at room temperature to form a tire body element and the rubber casting blocks and inner and outer mold elements are disassembled. A post-cure of the disassembled tire body element is accomplished at a high temperature.

Method for fabrication of a non-pneumatic survivable tire and wheel assembly

An automated apparatus for use in selectively cutting side walls of a honeycomb core is provided. The apparatus includes an end effector, a cutting tool coupled to the end effector, wherein the end effector is configured to position the cutting tool in an initial cutting position based on a schematic geometry of the honeycomb core. The automated apparatus also includes an adaptive vision system configured to direct the end effector to modify the initial cutting position based on an actual geometry of the honeycomb core acquired by the adaptive vision system.

Growing community of inventors

Federal Way, WA, United States of America

Daniel Joseph Perron