The Boeing Company

John E Yestrau

Roger J Ledet

Arnold J Lauder

Adrian Stanescu

Antonio M Ferreira

David Boonstra

Trevor M McDonald

Kyle C Advent

Dan Davis

Larry Schneider, Jr

Joseph B LaBelle

Kevin C Barrett

Richard D Stokes, Jr

Richard D Stokes Jr

Nacelle inlet structures comprise an inlet inner barrel, an inlet outer barrel at least substantially enclosing the inlet inner barrel, an aft bulkhead extending between and operatively coupled to each of the inlet inner barrel and the inlet outer barrel, and an annular load absorber that is operatively coupled to each of the aft bulkhead and the inlet inner barrel. The aft bulkhead is operatively coupled to the inlet inner barrel via the annular load absorber, and the annular load absorber has a U-shaped cross-section that is open toward the inlet outer barrel.

Nacelle inlet structures, engine assemblies and vehicles including the same, and related methods

Nacelle inlet structures, engine assemblies and vehicles including the same, and related methods. A nacelle inlet structure of an engine assembly includes an inlet outer barrel and an inlet inner barrel with a tubular portion and an inlet attachment flange. The tubular portion of the inlet inner barrel extends at least partially along a direction parallel to the engine axis, while the inlet attachment flange extends from the tubular portion. The inlet attachment flange is integrally formed with at least a portion of the tubular portion of the inlet inner barrel. The inlet attachment flange is configured to be operatively coupled to an engine case of the engine assembly to operatively couple the nacelle inlet structure to the engine case. In examples, a method of manufacturing an inlet inner barrel includes forming a composite laminate with a composite manufacturing process.

A re-useable, easily removable tool pin features a non-stick outer surface with a harder inner core configured to be gripped by a removal tool for extraction of the tool pin, without damage, from a mold and from composite plies that may have cured in contact with the tool pin. The tool pin prevents insertion into the mold such that the extractor tool is not attachable to the tool pin. A system includes the tool pin, a mold for forming a molded part, the mold having holes for insertion of tool pins, and an extractor tool adapted to grip the tool pin for removal from the mold and molded part. The extractor tool can be ergonomically designed for easy removal of the tool pin by hand. Such tool pins are adapted for production of parts from composite materials in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, transportation, agricultural, and energy.

Hybrid tool pins

A component-removal tool assembly is configured to remove a component from a mandrel assembly, and may include a main frame, and a plurality of rotational input devices extending from the main frame. Each rotational input device may be operatively coupled to a respective plunger that is configured to be actuated against a portion of the mandrel assembly. A synchronizing link synchronously couples the rotational input devices together. The synchronizing link operates to synchronize movement of the plurality of rotational input devices. Movement of one or more of the rotational input devices causes the plungers coupled thereto to exert a uniform and consistent disconnecting force against the mandrel assembly.

System, method, and tool assembly for removing a component from a mandrel assembly

A method of guiding a vehicle comprises sensing a position of a laser beam using a laser sensor and receiving a signal from the laser sensor wherein the signal is representative of the position of the laser beam. The method further includes interpreting the signal, generating a control signal in response to the laser beam being greater than a predetermined distance from a predetermined reference position and wherein the control signal is configured to control the vehicle to track the position of the laser beam. The method additionally comprises sending the control signal to a drive actuator.

Optical laser guidance system and method

A method of fabricating a composite part comprises generating a partial vacuum between a ply material and a form, advancing the partial vacuum and the ply material along the form, sensing an edge of a previously applied course of the ply material and cutting a profile on the ply material in response to the sensed edge.

Machine assisted laminator and method

A system to fabricate a composite item includes an end effector, robotic vehicle, sensor, and cutting system. The end effector applies a course to a layup form. The robotic vehicle positions the end effector. The sensor senses an edge of a previously applied course. The cutting system cuts a profile on the course in response to the sensed edge.

An optical laser guidance system includes a laser sensor, a controller and a plurality of actuators. The laser sensor detects a projected laser beam and sends an electrical signal representative of the position of the laser beam to the controller. The controller interprets the representative signal and uses the position of the laser beam relative to a predetermined reference position to generate a control signal to control an actuator in order to control the direction of travel of a vehicle or robot with respect to a predetermined guidepath. The laser sensor may also receive additional control messages that result in the controller generating additional control signals to control additional actuators in order to perform additional functions. The optical laser guidance system may also include a laser projection system capable of projecting a two- or three-dimensional guidepath and additional control messages.

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Winnipeg, Canada

John E Yestrau