The Boeing Company

Mark Douglas Fuller

Jerry A James

David M Konyndyk

Timothy P Huang

Wesley Edward Holleman

Kane M Mordaunt

Andrew Perry Newton

David Keith Farnsworth

Jeffrey W Hamilton

Jr Paul N Stavig

Systems and methods for optically measuring a position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position. The system is a wireless network comprising a centrally located data acquisition computer and a multiplicity of remotely located sensor modules mounted at different locations within wireless communication range of a central receiver. Each sensor module is mounted to a clamp that is made specific to a control surface location and embedded with an RFID tag to denote clamp location. The optical components of the sensor modules are selected to enable indication of the linear position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position and then broadcast the measurement results. The broadcast results are received by the central receiver and processed by the data acquisition computer, which hosts human interface software that displays measurement data.

Method and apparatus for remote optical measurement of the position of a surface

A leak detection system configured to be attached on an exterior of a conduit to detect a leak in a non-pressurized conduit. The leak detection system includes a first fluid section and a second fluid section that each includes the same or similar fluid volumes. The first fluid section includes a testing chamber configured be attached to the conduit. With the testing chamber positioned on the conduit, a pressure sensor connected to each of the first and second fluid sections senses a difference in the fluid pressure between the first and second fluid sections to detect a leak.

External leak detection system to detect a leak in a conduit

Provided are methods for verifying sequences of different operations and controlling processing order in accordance with these sequences. Also provided are apparatuses for executing these methods. A method may involve determining a current configuration of an indicator positioned on a part. This operation may be performed using a tester coupled to a processing portion. If the current configuration of the indicator corresponds to this particular processing portion, then the part is processed using this processing portion. The indicator is then changed to a new configuration corresponding to another processing portion for performing the next operation in the sequence. The processing is only performed if the indicator has the current configuration corresponding to the processing portion. Otherwise, the operation is not performed, and the current configuration of the indicator not changed retained. The indicator may be a mechanical device or an electronic device.

Methods and systems for controlling processing sequences

An aero-contouring apparatus is provided. The aero-contouring apparatus has a housing assembly and a motor assembly disposed therein. The motor assembly has a motor unit and a drive unit. The aero-contouring apparatus further has an engagement force/tilt limiting member coupled to the housing assembly, which has a central opening and a bottom end configured to contact a surface to be aero-contoured of an aerodynamically functional coating applied to a structure. The aero-contouring apparatus further has an abrading unit coupled to the drive unit and inserted through the central opening in non-contact communication with the engagement force/tilt limiting member. The abrading unit is driven by the drive unit in a random orbit motion on the surface. The engagement force/tilt limiting member mechanically limits both an engagement force and any tilting motion of the abrading unit with respect to the surface.

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Snohomish, WA, United States of America

Mark Douglas Fuller