The Boeing Company

Gregory M Garriss

Joe R Long

Daniel A Clayton

A robust optic fiber coupler which connects to an optic fiber cable via a quick disconnect optic fiber connector. The robust coupler contains a GRIN lens positioned in a bore through the coupler axially aligned with the optic fiber. The GRIN lens acts to expand and collimate input/output optic signals which are then passed through a protective window in the axial bore and emitted from the end plate face of the robust coupler. The optic signals are coupled between two optic fiber cables, each fitted with a subject robust coupler, when the coupler end plate faces are positioned adjacent to each other with each axial bore and associated GRIN lens and optic fiber commonly and axially aligned through a process such as a robotic arm and end effector connection.

Fiber optic coupler/connector with GRIN lens

A method and apparatus for monitoring characteristics of strips that are laid on a surface are disclosed. The method determines gaps and overlaps between adjacent strips on a surface by determining and analyzing the centerline skew and/or width of the strips near a common point of the surface. The method can be carried out during the strip lay-up process. The apparatus includes a sensor component and a controller. The sensor is positionable in close proximity to the point at which a strip is laid on a surface. Further, the sensor can be positioned on one side of the surface. The controller is in signal communication with said sensor component. The controller includes means for causing the sensor component to gather and transmit edge image signals. The controller receives the edge image signals and determines characteristics of the strip, such as centerline skew and width, as the strip appears on the surface. The characteristic information is analyzed to identify gaps or overlaps between adjacent strips.

Strip lay-up verification system with width and centerline skew

A strobe light provides uniformly intense, monochromatic illumination of an object photographed by a video camera. The strobe light includes a circuit board having a central aperture and a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the circuit board and generally surrounding the aperture. The circuit board is attached to the camera with the aperture positioned in front of the camera lens such that the video camera views the object through the aperture as the diodes illuminate the object. The strobe light further includes an oscillator providing an output square wave signal of adjustable frequency and duty cycle. A transistor switch controlled by the square wave signal periodically connects a constant voltage across the diodes, thereby causing the diodes simultaneously to generate flashes of light with a frequency and duty cycle determined by the square wave signal.

Growing community of inventors

Federal Way, WA, United States of America

Gregory M Garriss