The Boeing Company

Naveed Moayyed Hussain

John Jian Dong

Mark Nicholas Simpson

Roland Hinton

Michael J Duffy

Jeffrey H Hunt

Rongsheng Li

Jian Dong

Douglas Conrad Cameron, Jr

Frederick Theodore Calkins

James Henry Mabe

Justin David Kearns

Edward Andrew Whalen

Christopher L Davis

Alan Douglas Byar

Matthew Aaron Novick

Mohammed Humayun Kabir

Jack S Hagelin

Michael James Duffy

Doughlas C Cameron

Lawrence E Pado

Kayode T Ariwodola

A method is provided for monitoring a machine that is operable to perform a task. The method includes accessing a smart digital twin (SDT) of an instance of the machine, the SDT including discrete modules for storage of data and logic including models of the machine, requirements of the machine, and maintenance actions for the machine. The method includes performing data analytics on values of operating conditions of the machine to determine a state of the machine, using a model from the models of the machine and the logic. The state of the machine is compared to the requirements, and a maintenance action is identified based on the comparison and to cause a change in the state to maintain the requirements. The data of the SDT is updated to include identification of the maintenance action, and an indication of the maintenance action is output for performance on the machine.

Smart digital twin for monitoring a machine

Methods and systems are provided that facilitate the maintenance of levered landing gears by monitoring the condition of the stop pads of such landing gears. One embodiment provides for calibrating a sensor for measuring a condition of a stop joint formed by a first stop pad and a second stop pad of a levered landing gear against a nominal condition of at least one of the first stop pad and the second stop pad; monitoring, by the sensor, a current condition of the at least one of the first stop pad and the second stop pad from the nominal condition; determining whether a non-conformance from the nominal condition of the at least one of the first stop pad and the second stop pad has been detected by the sensor for the current condition; and in response to determining that the non-conformance has been detected, generating an alert.

Health monitoring of aircraft landing gear mechanical structures

Apparatus for controlling multi-rotor vehicle vibrations and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a vibration level detector to determine a vibration level of a frame of a vehicle based on data received from a sensor of the vehicle, the vehicle including a rotor. The apparatus includes a rotor operation analyzer to determine an operational parameter of the rotor based on the vibration level. The apparatus includes a communicator to transmit an instruction including the operational parameter to a controller of the rotor.

Apparatus for controlling multi-rotor vehicle vibrations and related methods

A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for estimating material properties. Training data comprising results of testing samples for a set of materials over a range of loads applied to the samples is identified by a computer system. A machine learning model is trained by the computer system to output the material properties for materials in structures using the training data.

Material characterization system and method

A multi-rotor vehicle includes a plurality of electric motors and edge computing systems (ECSs). The electric motors are operatively coupled to respective rotors, and cause the respective rotors to rotate relative to the airframe. The ECSs are independent, distinct and distributed to the electric motors, each operatively coupled to a respective electric motor and thereby a respective rotor. Each ECS is configured to acquire and process sensor data for the respective rotor to determine rotor status information, and execute motor commands to control the respective electric motor and thereby the respective rotor. Each ECS is configured as an integrated flight computer and motor controller.

Multi-rotor vehicle with edge computing systems

A multi-rotor vehicle includes a plurality of electric motors and edge computing systems (ECSs). The electric motors are operatively coupled to respective rotors, and cause the respective rotors to rotate relative to the airframe. The ECSs are independent, distinct and distributed to the electric motors, each operatively coupled to a respective electric motor and thereby a respective rotor. Each ECS is configured to acquire and process sensor data for the respective rotor to determine rotor status information, and execute motor commands to control the respective electric motor and thereby the respective rotor. The ECSs are configured according to a model in which any of the ECSs is selectable as a primary ECS, and others of the ECSs are operable as secondary ECSs, the secondary ECSs configured to communicate respective rotor status information to the primary ECS, and the primary ECS configured to provide the motor commands to the secondary ECSs.

A method and apparatus for processing fuselage sections. A first fuselage section is held in a cradle system. A current shape of the first fuselage section in the cradle system is measured. Forces to change the current shape of the first fuselage section to a desired shape for connecting the first fuselage section to a second fuselage section are identified. The forces identified are applied using a system to change the current shape of the first fuselage section towards the desired shape.

Fuselage manufacturing system

A multi-functional composite structure has a modular design that can be altered depending on an extreme environment in which the structure will be exposed such as hazardous radiation, micro-meteoroid and orbital debris impacts, extreme temperature changes, etc. The material combinations employed in the multi-functional composite structure provide a supporting structure with low weight and maximum protection from radiation, debris impacts and temperature variations.

Multi-functional composite structure for extreme environments

An example method for predictive take-off rejection (TOR) of an aircraft includes receiving, at a computing device on the aircraft and at a time before the aircraft takes off for a current flight, outputs from a plurality of sensors positioned on the aircraft, comparing the outputs received from the plurality of sensors for the current flight to reference flight data, based on comparing the outputs received from the plurality of sensors for the current flight to the reference flight data the computing device making a determination of whether to initiate a TOR procedure before the aircraft reaches a takeoff speed on a runway, and based on determining to initiate the TOR procedure, the computing device sending a signal to a control device on the aircraft to initiate the TOR procedure.

Methods and systems for intelligent predictive aircraft takeoff rejection decision making

A thermal energy harvesting system employs a hot flow conduit and a cold flow conduit with a flow routing device interruptibly interconnecting the hot flow conduit and cold flow conduit with a flow casing. At least one shape memory actuator (SMA) tube is in fluid contact with the flow casing and fixed at a first end. The flow routing device sequentially supplies hot flow from the hot flow conduit and cold flow from the cold flow conduit inducing rotation of the at least one SMA tube at a second end. A generator or alternator is operably connected to the second end of the at least one SMA tube.

Aircraft thermal energy harvesting using rotary shape memory alloy apparatus

A system is configured to shield an interior chamber of a structure. The system may include a power source, an outer shield assembly operatively connected to the power source and coupled to an outer wall of the structure, and an inner shield assembly surrounding the internal chamber. The outer shield assembly generates a magnetic field through and around the structure. The inner shield assembly deflects radiation particles away from the interior chamber and re-directs portions of the magnetic field around the interior chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA, United States of America

Naveed Moayyed Hussain