The Boeing Company

Jeffrey Edward Polus

David J Sundquist

Carlos Angelo Fracchia

Karen M Jost

Dylan Edward Polus

V Blake Slaughter

Jeffrey D Brehm

James A Thomas

Danny Heineman

Michael S Heuschober

Danny E Heineman

Cargo containers are disclosed herein. A cargo container for carrying one or more delivery items to respective delivery destinations may include a container body configured to at least partially enclose and support the delivery item(s) and to be selectively and operatively coupled to a vehicle. The cargo container additionally may include a programmable device supported by the container body that stores manifest information regarding each delivery item. The cargo container further may include a container communication device supported by the container body and configured to convey delivery information to a vehicle communication device of the vehicle to direct the vehicle to the delivery destination(s) of the delivery item(s). The manifest information may include item destination information that represents the delivery destination of each delivery item, and the delivery information may be at least partially based upon the item destination information.

Cargo containers

Cargo aerial delivery systems for delivering one or more delivery items and related methods. A cargo aerial delivery system may include a cargo container configured to carry the delivery item(s) and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to carry the cargo container to delivery destinations of the delivery items. The cargo container may include a programmable device that stores manifest information regarding the delivery item(s) and a local communication mode configured to convey delivery information from the cargo container to the UAV. A method of utilizing a cargo aerial delivery system may include loading delivery item(s) into a container body of a cargo container, entering manifest information into a programmable device, operatively engaging the cargo container with a UAV, generating a delivery itinerary, transporting the cargo container with the UAV according to the delivery itinerary, and unloading each delivery item at the respective delivery destination.

Cargo aerial delivery systems and related methods

Systems, methods, and apparatus for multifunctional battery packaging and insulation are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack further comprises a block comprising a plurality of recesses formed within the block. In one or more embodiments, each of the recesses respectively houses one of the battery cells within the block. In at least one embodiment, the block comprises a low density ceramic fiber reinforced foam that is porous such that a gas or liquid may pass through the block to cool the battery pack. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the block is covered with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material comprising a ceramic slurry composite pre-impregnated (prepreg) with fibers. In some embodiments, the CMC material is cured via kiln firing the block.

Multifunctional battery packaging and insulation

Methods and systems, and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to improved methods for fabricating resin-containing composite prepreg materials, wherein the prepreg plies are treated with a particulate material to achieve predetermined spatially variable shear and tack values at a predetermined location on at least one prepreg ply surface of at least one prepreg ply.

Particulate prepreg forming aid

A core-stiffened composite product has an interior core and layers of composite laminates sandwiched together about the core. The core-stiffened composite product includes at least one layer of adhesive film containing a visual target spatially scanned by an automated tracking system to produce a dimensionally corrected reference volume to collate successive layers of film as applied to the interior core. The visual target is positioned to assure an as-designed alignment of each applied layer of laminate onto the core to minimize cumulative tolerance build-ups during a laminate layering process. At least one layer of adhesive film remains within the completed composite product.

Spatial reference film in core-stiffened composite

Systems and methods for controlling an overhead gantry crane are provided. One overhead gantry crane includes an X-axis drive motor, a Y-axis drive motor, and a hoist member operable to be moved into a plurality of positions by the X-axis drive motor and the Y-axis drive motor to move an object. The overhead gantry crane further includes a controller operable to control operation of the X-axis motor and the Y-axis motor and define a local axis coordinate system for the overhead gantry crane based on a reference point determined from an X-axis location and Y-axis location of the hoist member and a desired movement path for the object, as well as cause movement of the object by concurrently controlling the X-axis motor and the Y-axis motor using the local axis coordinate system.

Systems and methods for controlling an overhead gantry crane

Systems and methods of reproducing images onto surfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an image file that digitally produces a planar surface normal to a surface of a master model. The planar surfaces are referenced to a coordinate system of the master model through a series of points. A tracker surfacing system, comprising a tracking instrument, generates and emits a signal as the tracking instrument crosses the planar surface. An output device is actuated by the tracking device as it crosses the planar surface, reproducing the series of points as an image onto a surface, including a flat, curved or compound surface. Both the spatial position and orientation of the output device are detected and adjustments are made so that the image is precisely applied to intended locations on the surface being imaged.

System and method for reproducing images onto surfaces

A method for making a honeycomb composite structure wherein the method allows for fluid flow from cells of a honeycomb core during a cure process. More specifically, the method involves forming one or more vents in a skin of the structure, which are preferably filled with venting wicks, to allow for fluid flow before being sealed by the polymer matrix during a skin bonding process. Additionally, the structure preferably comprises a scrim that allows for fluid flow between multiple cells of the honeycomb core. The honeycomb composite structure produced according to this process comprises, among other things, a sealed venting region that comprises a polymer matrix and fibers that are transverse to the skin.

Low temperature, vacuum cure fabrication process for large, honeycomb core stiffened composite structures

The present application is directed to systems for controlling the direction of thermal expansion of a composite part during thermal processing. The systems may comprise at least one guiding mechanism capable of being attached to a surface of a tool for fabricating composites and at least one moveable composite insert capable of being attached to a composite part. The moveable composite insert has an opening for receiving the at least one guiding mechanism. The opening is capable of controlling movement of the at least one moveable composite insert in a desired direction during thermal expansion of the composite part, when the guiding mechanism is received by the opening. Methods for controlling the direction of thermal expansion of a composite part during thermal processing are also disclosed.

System for fabricating composite parts and aircraft composite part

System and method for fabricating composite parts

An annular core cutting apparatus includes a cutting head including a generally cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cutting edge, and wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of openings having at least one sharpened edge. A spindle is coaxially and rigidly coupled to the second end of the cylindrical sidewall, and the spindle configured to rotate about a rotational axis. In a further embodiment, a generally conical member is disposed within the cutting apparatus to assist with grinding and removal of waste material.

Growing community of inventors

Hillsboro, IL, United States of America

Jeffrey Edward Polus