The Boeing Company

Steven J Avila

John Patrick Baron

Daniel J Ellis

Charles R Reid

Antonio Sanchez

Ryan Kevin Torgerson

Kevin James Colligan

Timothy Allen Caviness

Michael B Diverde

Jared J Lucero

John P Baron

A system and method for attaching heat generating equipment to an exterior of an aircraft. The mounting system comprises a heat chamber formed by a number of conductive materials, the heat chamber having a recess open to an environment outside the aircraft, heat generating equipment secured within the recess, and a layer of insulation between the heat chamber and the aircraft, the layer of insulation positioned on an opposite side of the heat chamber than an opening of the recess.

System for attaching heat generating equipment to an exterior of an aircraft

An aircraft interface device comprising two or more data interface devices, an external data transceiver, a power module, a domain switch, and a controller is disclosed. The two or more data interface devices communicate data, the external data transceiver communicate to an external communication device, and the power module provides power to the two or more data interface devices and the external data transceiver. The two or more data interface devices comprise a first data interface device that communicates with avionics equipment when the first data interface device is powered and a second data interface device that communicates with non-avionics equipment when the second data interface device is powered. The domain switch selectively provides power from the power module to at least one of the two or more data interface devices. The controller provides a data communication path between the selectively powered data interface device and the external data transceiver for the external communication device.

Aircraft interface device

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for universal aircraft broadband control within an aircraft flight deck. In one example, a system includes a control panel and a switch coupled to the control panel. The system further includes a controller coupled to the switch and configured to determine a switch position based on a switch position signal associated with a position of the switch, receive a conditioned aircraft signal associated with parameters of an aircraft, and provide a controller control signal to control whether transmissions occur from an aircraft antenna based on at least one of the switch position signal and the conditioned aircraft signal.

Universal broadband control panel systems and methods

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for an aircraft flight crew secure communication path to multiple aircraft data domains. In one example, a system includes one or more data interface devices configured to communicate data. A power module is configured to provide power to the one or more data interface devices, and a switch coupled between the power module and each of the one or more data interface devices is configured to selectively provide power from the power module to at least one of the one or more data interface devices. A data transceiver is configured to couple to an external communication device, and a controller coupled between the one or more data interface devices and the data transceiver is configured to provide a data communication path between the selectively powered data interface device and the data transceiver for the external communication device.

Flight crew connectivity systems and methods

I achieve positive, accurate placement of Z-pins in resin composite parts using a tool to guide the pins from the foam preform into the part. The tool has a reciprocating piston for crushing the foam to insert the pins and uses a positive stop to control penetration depth and positioning of the Z-pins. The tool also includes a plurality of bores for guiding the individual pins from the foam preform to the part while separating the part from the foam preform.

Method for inserting Z-pins

Tooling for inserting Z-pins

An improvement to a friction stir welding tool having a rotating member, the improvement including an attachable cutting tool (30) having one or more radial cutting edges (32). A first embodiment of a cutting tool including one or more cutting inserts (42), each cutting insert having a lower end cutting edge; a like number of insert-engaging grooves (44); a collar (46) sized to closely engage around the rotating member with engaged inserts; a collar attachment arrangement for securing the collar (46) to the rotating member (38); and a number of set screws (48) for anchoring the cutting inserts (42) to the member (38). A second embodiment of a cutting tool including a cutting insert holder (60) having a lower end cutting edge; an insert holder hole (62) extending through the rotating member, the insert holder hole oriented angularly away from the rotating member axis of rotation (64); a threaded radial hole (66) formed in the rotating member (38); and a single screw fastener (68) for turning into the radial hole to press against the cutting insert holder. A third embodiment of a cutting tool including one or more tabs (80) extending radially from the rotating member (38). A cornered cutting insert (70) is removably attached to the lower end of each tab. The cornered cutting insert (70) includes one or more corners (72) to act as cutting edges. Additionally provided is an improved method of friction stir welding including attaching a cutting tool having a cutting edge to a conventional friction stir welding tool and providing liquid to the cutting edge as the weld is being formed in order to quickly cool the cutting edge surfaces so that the material will not adhere to the cutting edges, allowing the cutting tool to machine excess weld material away.

Friction stir welding

A precision radial arm saw includes a diamond saw blade for wet cutting a material. The radial arm saw is slidably coupled two shafts which extend in a horizontal plane above the cutting surface. The shafts are attached to a frame which is rotatably supported in a central rigid by a support beam. A lever arm is adjustable coupled to the support beam to ensure that the shafts remain horizontal as the radial arm saw is slid along them. The shafts are positioned sufficiently far apart that the saw is held in a stable position, without wobbling or tilting while cutting the material. The size of the material cut is precisely determined by using a spacer plate adjacent a precision set fence. Spacer bars may be placed between the spacer plate and the fence to provide precise cutting of specimens of different sizes.

Precision radial arm saw for composite materials

A method of preparing specimens of composite material for destructive testing is disclosed. A panel from which the specimens are to be cut is cut from a sheet of composite material. The panel is cut from the sheet by first cutting the sheet along a line to form an alignment edge. The alignment edge is placed against a fence and the panel is cut with a first saw blade to a predetermined width and length. A first set of pads is placed on a fitting, the pads being spaced apart by a predetermined distance by a plurality of pins extending from the fitting. The panel is placed on top of the pads. A second set of pads is placed on top of the panel. The fitting is clamped to a table. The table moves into the path of a second saw blade which cuts the panel in a first direction. The fitting is rotated and the table is moved into the path of the second saw blade again to cut the specimens. The smoothness of the surface cut by the second saw blade is significantly smoother than the smoothness of the first saw blade. Providing smooth surfaces on the specimen aids in ensuring that destructive testing of the specimen provides an accurate measure of the quality of the material.

Growing community of inventors

Renton, WA, United States of America

Steven J Avila