The Boeing Company

The Beoing Company

John Richard Porter

Jeffrey A Wilkerson

Russell Joe Heeter

Harry E Townsend

Thu A Nguyen

Darrell Darwin Jones

Paul Elfes Nelson

David Paul Banks

James Niemann Buttrick

Ronald W Outous

Charles H Glaisyer

Mark C Boberg

Terrence J Rowe

Laurance N Hazlehurst

John A Ward

Kostadinos D Papanikolaou

Bobby C Philpott, Jr

Darrin Michael Hansen

Damien O Martin

Lars Eric Blacken

Kevin Darrell Pate

Keith M Cutler

Jeffrey Denys Morgan

Dale Winter

Steven C Steckmyer

Daniel R Smith

Eerik J Helmick

Mark Frederick Gabriel

Lisa Ann Cardon

Stephen Thomas Johnson

Bradley James Mitchell

James N Buttrick, Jr

Raymond C Eng

Daniel Thomas Long

Antonio Carlos Rufin

Stephen M Braden

Nick I Tavernarakis

David Bruce Marshall

Richard Philip Whitlock

Peter Apolonio Coronado

Sean Dennis Morden

Grace L Duncan

Julie M Drexler

Kevin Michael Bell

Randall A Rogers

Jeffry Glen Bickford

Min Zhou Berbon

John A Davies, Jr

Bruce J Hanninen

Randall Vincent Fraker

Alexey Meerov

Kostandinos D Papanikolaou

Randy Fraker

Jeffrey Sutton

James F Huffaker

Bobby C Philpott

Peter A Coronado

Richard P Whitlock

Russell J Heeter

Laurence N Hazelhurst

Darrel D Jones

In wire processing systems and methods, a wire channel receives a wire. One or more fluid guides flow the fluid into the wire channel to move, along the wire, a component (e.g. a solder sleeve) positioned at least partially in the wire channel and coupled to the wire. Other features are also provided.

Automated wire processing system and methods

Systems and methods for designing and assembling form boards with attached wire routing devices for use in wire bundle assembly. The assembly method comprises: (a) establishing a coordinate system of a form board having a multiplicity of holes; (b) using a computer system to determine locations of form board devices of different types with reference to the coordinate system of the form board based on engineering data specifying a wire bundle configuration; and (c) fastening the form board devices of different types to respective holes of the form board having centers closest to respective locations determined in step (b). The form board devices may be inserted robotically or manually.

Form board preparation for wire bundling

A system is provided for wire processing. The wire processing system may include a wire transport, a processing station that may provide wire to the wire transport, a processing station that may move an electrical component threaded onto the wire, and a processing station that may move the electrical component to a position on the wire for further processing.

Automated wire processing system

Methods and apparatus to assemble cable mounts are disclosed. A disclosed example mount to be inserted into a formboard includes a spine, first and second opposing clamp surfaces on first and second ends, respectively, of the spine, and a pocket to receive a fastener, the fastener to be disposed between the first and second opposing clamp surfaces, the fastener to have a contractible engaging portion to be received by the formboard.

Apparatus to assemble cable mounts

A collar fastening system that includes a collar fastening tool, and a collar loading assembly coupled to the collar fastening tool. The collar loading assembly includes a loading arm that rotates into multiple positions and a holding member coupled to the loading arm. The loading arm positions the holding member between a loading position and an unloading position. The holding member includes an arcuate side wall and a vacuum opening defined in the arcuate side wall. The holding member receives a collar when at the loading position, and selectively holds the collar against the arcuate side wall with a retaining force provided by a vacuum applied via the vacuum opening. The loading arm provides the collar to the collar fastening tool when at the unloading position.

Collar fastening system and method of operating

An apparatus () for processing a metal ribbon () comprising a main portion () and a sacrificial portion () adjoining the main portion () of the metal ribbon (), is disclosed. The apparatus () comprises a heater (), configured to heat the main portion () of the metal ribbon () to a first temperature, a first cooler (), configured to cool the main portion () of the metal ribbon () from the first temperature to a third temperature lower than the first temperature, a second cooler (), configured to cool the main portion () of the metal ribbon () at a first rate from the third temperature to a fourth temperature lower than the third temperature, a drive system (), configured to successively advance the main portion () of the metal ribbon () from the heater () to the second cooler () through the first cooler (), and a guide system () configured to route the metal ribbon () from the heater () to the second cooler () through the first cooler ().

Apparatuses and methods for processing a metal ribbon

A pallet, manufacturing system, and method for transporting and assembling different electrical connectors are provided. The pallet includes first and second jaw assemblies spaced apart from a connector support. The jaw assemblies include jaw plates with gripping edges that form a contoured opening therebetween. As the jaw assemblies move toward one another, dimensions of the contoured opening decrease such that the gripping edges contact and grip an electrical connector placed in the contoured opening. The jaw assemblies are connected to each other by a synchronization device that synchronizes motion of the jaw assemblies and centers the jaw assemblies about an alignment point on the pallet. The pallet accommodates a number of different sizes and/or types of electrical connectors.

Pallet for transporting electrical connectors

Systems and methods are provided for a rotational wire transport. In certain examples, the rotational wire transport may be a part of a wire processing system. The rotational wire transport may include a winding spool, a linear actuator, a cam, and a gripping tab. The rotational wire transport may be configured to wind wire into a coil and move between a plurality of different stations within the wire processing system.

Rotational wire transport for automated wire processing system and methods

A conductive fastener assembly, system, and method are described. The fastener assembly includes a nut having a counterbore formed therein. The counterbore is formed to maintain a sufficient gap between the nut and the protruding end of a fastener sleeve. The nut with the counterbore improves the conductive fastener system such that the need for a solid copper grid and a cap seal is reduced or eliminated.

Sleeved fastener assembly

In one aspect, a vacuum alignment tool for holding and aligning a first fastener with a second fastener is provided. The vacuum alignment tool includes a main body including an end wall having an aperture disposed therein configured to receive at least a portion of the first fastener. The vacuum alignment tool also includes a vacuum receiving portion coupled to the main body. The vacuum receiving portion including a vacuum bore disposed therein, wherein a vacuum channel extends within the main body and within the vacuum receiving portion between the aperture and the vacuum bore.

Fastening system with vacuum alignment tool and methods of operating same

A conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly includes a fastener, a fastener sleeve, a nut, and a lubricant coating. The lubricant coating is deposited on a distal portion of a fastener shank and is omitted from the rest of the fastener. To overcome the stresses placed on the fastener sleeve by the insertion of the fastener shank largely devoid of a lubricant coating, the fastener sleeve is reinforced by one or more of an increased thickness, a high-strength alloy, and a soft metal coating.

Conductive sleeved fastener assembly

The present disclosure describes a conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a nut having a counterbore formed therein. The counterbore is formed to maintain a sufficient gap between the nut and the protruding end of a fastener sleeve. The nut with the counterbore improves the conductive fastener system such that the need for a solid copper grid and a cap seal is reduced or eliminated.

Growing community of inventors

Edgewood, WA, United States of America

John Richard Porter