The Boeing Company

Theboeing Company

Jonathan Christopher Heath

Robert James Schumann

Dwight L Engwall

Gary Eugene Jones

Frederick C Edman

Richard Lynn Hopkins

Basilio Penuelas

Stephen Doyle

Diana Dujunco Dan Larrabee

Richard R Fengler

Thomas G Klingler

Peter K Bilitsis

Richard D Tuzzolino

John-Isaac Suttles

Erwin R Kuhn

Lawrence M Apodaca

Robert J Schumann

Systems and methods for dispensing a viscous fluid using an apparatus that may include: a housing; an applicator coupling on the housing that can releasably couple an applicator that contains a viscous fluid; a gas supply coupling that receives a pressurized gas from a gas supply; a valve having a first open position in which the valve can be gradually and controllably opened to adjustably control the delivery of pressurized gas to the applicator coupling, and a second closed position where the pressurized gas delivered to the applicator coupling is vented; and a valve actuator configured to permit a user to gradually and controllably open the valve to controllably dispense the viscous fluid from the applicator, where ceasing to depress the valve actuator vents the applicator coupling and immediately discontinues the dispensing of viscous fluid from the applicator.

Apparatus for controlled application of a viscous fluid

A system for controlling an environment within a fuel tank is provided. The system includes a conduit with a plurality of vents, wherein the conduit defines a path through the fuel tank, and wherein the conduit is configured to direct a flow of air along the path and out the plurality of vents.

Systems and methods for controlling an environment within a volume

A liquid sealant applicator system that may include a liquid sealant applicator having a coupling to reversibly connect to a source of liquid sealant, a sidewall extending from the coupling and defining a sealant flow path, a flow restrictor that restricts the sealant flow path to an annular pattern of apertures in the flow restrictor, a porous matrix that fills at least a portion of the sealant flow path downstream of the flow restrictor, a matrix retainer configured to retain the porous matrix within the sealant flow path, and a fastener socket connected to the sidewall and having a distal end configured to be placed over and at least substantially enclose the head of a preselected fastener. The applicator is configured to provide a uniform application of sealant from the source of the liquid sealant to the head of the fastener enclosed by the fastener socket.

Method and applicator for applying sealant to fasteners

A method of making a preformed seal includes coupling first and second sections of a mold to define a mold cavity. A cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the preformed seal. The method also includes providing a reservoir that has a port in flow communication with a reservoir cavity that extends to a parting surface. The method further includes filling the reservoir cavity with wet sealant such that the wet sealant is flush with the parting surface and a bead of wet sealant protrudes from the port. Additionally, the method includes coupling the reservoir to the first and second sections such that the reservoir cavity is in flow communication with the mold cavity at the parting surface, injecting wet sealant from a nozzle through the reservoir into the mold cavity, and curing the wet sealant in the mold cavity to make the preformed seal.

Apparatus for making preformed seals

An apparatus, system and method for isolating a controlled environment for cure process control of application and cure of one or more curable compounds to a structure. The apparatus has an end effector of an involute conformal mold having a mold body shaped to provide a shroud over an area covered with the one or more curable compounds on the structure, to isolate the area and the controlled environment. The mold body has an exterior surface, and an interior surface with a cavity profile corresponding to a desired curable compound shape. The mold body has one or more ports, and a plurality of involute channels with spiral flow paths. The involute channels include outer channel(s) having an outer path profile for regenerative heat transfer to the curable compound(s), and include inner channel(s) having an inner path profile for convective and radiative heat transfer to the curable compound(s).

Apparatus, system and method for isolating a controlled environment for cure process control

Systems and methods for controlling a fuel tank environment

Method and apparatus for making preformed seals

A lift mechanism includes a balance structure configured to hold an object, wherein the balance structure is rotateably connected to an arm structure at a pivot point. The pivot point is configured, and the object is positioned, such that the pivot point is substantially coincident with the center-of-mass of the object being moved. Weights may be selectively attached to the balance structure to adjust the center-of-mass. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism includes a base and an arm configured to rotate with respect to the base, wherein the arm is attached to the balance structure at the pivot point. In this way, heavy objects may be lifted, translated, and rotated into place safely in an efficient manner.

Center-of-mass lift mechanism

A mobile storage and work cart is described that includes a reconfigurable frame, a plurality of casters extending from the reconfigurable frame and operable for moving the cart, and a work surface attached to the reconfigurable frame and forming a top of the cart. The reconfigurable frame is operable to adjust a height of the work surface.

Multiple use, transformable cart

Growing community of inventors

Charleston, SC, United States of America

Jonathan Christopher Heath