The Boeing Company

Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

The Boeing Campany

Raymond J Slesinski

James Darryl Gamboa

James William Fonda

Richard J Steckel

William Paul Zanteson

Leslie A Hoeckelman

Jeffery J Luner

Mike P Matlack

Kurt A Burton

David L Fritsche

John A Baumann

Thomas O Blankenship

Curtis M Ashford

Bryan G Dods

Jolynnetta Aisha Neal

Allen H Fischer

Robert W Scott

Hieu Trung Le

Jerry R Harmon

Lynn Braunschweig

Christian E Schaefer

James D Gamboa

James W Fonda

An apparatus including a pneumatic system; an energy harvesting unit configured to generate electrical energy from a compressed gas in the pneumatic system; a battery connected to the energy harvesting unit; a sensor disposed to detect a first parameter regarding operation of the energy harvesting unit; and a controller connected to the sensor and the energy harvesting unit. The sensor and the controller are powered by the energy harvesting unit. The controller is configured to control the energy harvesting unit and to process measurements for the first parameter detected by the sensor. The controller is further programmed with a learning system configured to diagnose an operational condition of the energy harvesting unit based on the measurements for the first parameter, and to issue a command to the controller based on the operational condition.

Pneumatic energy harvesting and monitoring

Apparatuses include first and second monolithic members that are coupled together, that are configured to move relative to each other, and that are configured so that they cannot be decoupled from each other without destruction of one or both of the two monolithic members. Apparatuses further include a third monolithic member configured to be selectively coupled to at least one of the first monolithic member and the second monolithic member. Methods of forming and using such apparatuses also are disclosed. Some monolithic members are formed utilizing an additive manufacturing process so that they are restricted from being decoupled from each other. Some apparatuses define clamps. Some clamps are used to precisely align laser projection alignment targets for use with laser projection alignment systems.

Clamps and methods of forming clamps

A system is provided that includes a laser projection apparatus and a fastener installation apparatus. The laser projection apparatus is configured to project an identifier of an instruction set including one or more instructions for installing a fastener or fastener collar on a structure, with the laser projection apparatus being configured to project the identifier onto the structure about a location at which the respective fastener or fastener collar is to be installed. The fastener installation apparatus is configured to capture an image of the projected identifier from the structure, determine the identifier from the captured image, and retrieve the instruction set based on the determined identifier. The fastener installation apparatus includes a tool for installing the respective fastener or fastener collar, and the fastener installation apparatus is configured to program the tool according to the retrieved instruction set.

System, an apparatus and a method for laser projection-assisted fastener installation

A method and apparatus for monitoring a pneumatic system. A number of parameters are monitored using a monitoring device connected to the pneumatic system, an energy harvesting unit configured to generate electrical energy from a gas in the pneumatic system, and a controller. The monitoring device comprises a number of sensors configured to detect the number of parameters. The controller is in communication with the number of sensors and the energy harvesting unit and is configured to process measurements for the number of parameters detected by the number of sensors and control operation of the energy harvesting unit. The number of sensors and the controller are powered by the energy harvesting unit. The monitoring device is powered using the electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting unit.

Apparatuses include two monolithic members that are coupled together, that are configured to move relative to each other, and that are configured so that they cannot be decoupled from each other without alteration of one or both of the two monolithic members. Methods of forming and using such apparatuses also are disclosed. Some monolithic members are formed utilizing an additive manufacturing method so that they are restricted from being decoupled from each other. Some apparatuses define clamps. Some clamps are used to precisely align laser projection alignment targets for use with laser projection alignment systems.

A method and apparatus are used to visually recognize and install fasteners on a structure. An electronic image of the fastener is recorded, and is processed by a computer operated image recognition program to identify the fastener. The computer provides installation instructions and an installation tool based on the identity of the fastener.

Intelligent fastener system

The advantageous embodiments comprise an apparatus to manage a current. An alternating current is received from an energy harvesting device configured to generate the alternating current. The alternating current received from the energy harvesting device is converted to a direct current. A voltage of the alternating current is increased. The direct current is adjusted to a desired current.

Energy harvesting circuit

An apparatus may include a housing, a spindle system located in the housing, a tool guide associated with the housing, and a magnetic unit associated with the housing. The spindle system may be capable of rotating a tool about an axis of rotation. The tool guide may be capable of engaging a receptacle at a location on a workpiece. The magnetic unit may be capable of securing the tool guide in the receptacle when the tool guide is engaged with the receptacle.

Method and apparatus for drilling operations

A method and apparatus for processing a fastener system. A fastener installation tool may be placed on a surface of an object. An elongate structure may be attached to the fastener installation tool and may have a length. A camera may be associated with the fastener installation tool in which the camera may be configured with a focal length corresponding to the length of the elongate structure. The camera also may be configured to capture an image at least a portion of the fastener system when the elongate structure is placed against the surface of the object on which the fastener system is located. The image of the at least a portion of fastener system may be captured.

Method and apparatus for establishing a camera focal length for installing fasteners

A hydraulic subassembly is preassembled outside the vehicle into which it is later installed, using an assembly tool. The components of the subassembly are fastened in predetermined positions on the assembly tool, following which hydraulic connections are made between the components. The completed subassembly is fastened to a pickup tool and then disconnected from the assembly tool, allowing an assembly operator to lift the subassembly away from the assembly tool and carry it to the vehicle for installation. The pickup tool is also used to position and hold the subassembly within the vehicle while the subassembly is being connected to hydraulic systems on the vehicle. Following installation of the subassembly, the pickup tool is unfastened from the subassembly and removed from the vehicle.

Method of preassembling and installing hydraulic subassemblies

Systems and methods for verifying a materials processing path on a work piece are described. In one embodiment, a system for verifying a material process path on a work piece includes a processing unit operable to receive processing instructions to control a motion of a machine tool device relative to a work piece. A tool holder of the machine tool device retains a tool path tracing assembly that applies a mark to a surface of the work piece as the assembly is moved along the material process path.

Systems and methods for verifying a pre-programmed materials processing path

An adjustable drill template has a base plate and a plurality of drill blocks. The drill blocks are movably coupled to the base plate. The drill blocks can move along the length of the base plate so that the drill blocks can be configured to conform to a desired hole pattern. A locking device coupled to each drill block will hold each drill block in a desired position.

Adjustable drill template

A system for certifying laser projection beam accuracy includes a certification fixture having a test pattern and a color background. The certification fixture is configured so that any portion of the laser projection beam reflected from the color background is reflected with a color contrasting to that of the laser beam or of the test pattern. Contrast can be further enhanced by making the pattern of a material that absorbs the laser beam color. Failure of the test is indicated by the presence of any of the laser beam light reflecting from the background. Passage of the test is indicated by the laser beam striking only the test pattern. A functional test pattern tests for both laser beam width and positioning accuracy. A method is provided to use a calibration test pattern to test laser beam width and length projection accuracy independently of one another.

Method for calibration and certifying laser projection beam accuracy

A method is disclosed for aligning a laser projection device with a subject article. The method comprises the utilization of specially adapted mounts to secure reflective targets to specific geometric features of such a subject article. By mounting the laser target devices to the subject article itself, tooling jigs are not necessary and the targets can be easily positioned at various locations to avoid laser beam obstruction concerns and to ensure accurate alignment.

Growing community of inventors

Arnold, MO, United States of America

Raymond J Slesinski