The Boeing Company

Thomas Allen Hogan

Thomas A Grandine

Christopher K Droney

Dino L Roman

Alan K Jones

Andrew James Booker

Michael David Huffman

Bruce C Andrews

Michael D Huffman

Andrew J Booker

A method and apparatus for inspecting a surface of an object. Data from measuring the surface of the object is obtained to form surface data for the object. A range of frequencies for features on the object is selected based on a range of distances between adjacent peaks for the features. The features are formed by a tool moving along a number of paths. Desired surface data for the features is obtained from the surface data using the range of frequencies selected. A determination is made as to whether the desired surface data for the features meets a policy specifying a desired surface for the object. In response to an absence of a determination that the desired surface data for the features meets the policy, the object is reworked.

Identifying features on a surface of an object using wavelet analysis

The advantageous embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for constructing a computer aided design model. User input is received that contains a callback function and a required accuracy. The callback function prescribes a procedurally defined geometry and the required accuracy specifies the degree of accuracy needed for the computer aided design model. The callback function is sampled at a number of points to form sampled points and a candidate curve is constructed that approaches the sampled points. A determination is made as to whether the candidate curve meets the required accuracy.

Constructing computer aided design models from procedurally defined curve and surface lofts

A required payload volume of a Blended Wing Body air vehicle is determined and analyzed for a list of corner points that is passed to a Loft Module as keep-out points to be enclosed by a body portion established using a faceted minimum volume. Trapezoidal wing shape and size are determined, a leading edge of the body portion and trapezoidal wing leading edge are trimmed and a trailing edge of the body portion and trapezoidal wing trailing edge are blended. A leading edge elevation is established and with leading edge radius as an input smoothly encloses the payload volume in a first set of defined aerodynamic sections. A second set of aerodynamic sections and transition sections between the body portion and the trapezoidal wing are defined. The blended wing body is then lofted based on the defined sections.

Parametric geometry model for a blended wing body

According to one aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for modeling a transition between adjoining surfaces. The method includes determining a curve of intersection of two adjoining surfaces, where the curve includes a plurality of points. For each of at least some of the points, the method includes selecting a point of the curve of intersection, and determining end points of a section of the transition located at the selected point, where each end point is located on a respective one of the adjoining surfaces. The method also includes determining a shape of the section of the transition, where the shape of the section for each of at least some of the points models the transition between the adjoining surfaces. The transition is curvature continuous with a first curvature at the end points and a second, different curvature at a portion therebetween.

System, method and computer program product for modeling a transition between adjoining surfaces

A system, method and computer program product are provided for modeling at least one section of a curve. Each section can be modeled by initially providing a pair of positions (f, f) of the section of the curve including associated directions (d, d) and curvatures (&#x3ba;, &#x3ba;). Then, points b, b, b, band bcan be identified based upon the pair of positions (f, f) and associated directions (d, d) and curvatures (&#x3ba;, &#x3ba;). Thereafter, a quartic interpolant p(t) can be determined over an interval (i&#x2266;t&#x2266;i+1) based upon points b, b, b, band bto thereby model the section of the curve. The quartic interpolant can be determined such that the interpolant p(t) has a position, direction and curvature equal to f, dand &#x3ba;, respectively, at t=i, and the interpolant p(t) has a position, direction and curvature equal to f, d, and &#x3ba;, respectively, at t=i+1.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Thomas Allen Hogan