Spirit Aerosystems, Inc.

The Boeing Company

W Robert Nelson

C Tim Harbaugh

Adam Joseph Donar

Michael C Dowling

Mark K Stephen

Raymond L Royal

Jennifer Lyn Wilson

Gregorio Balandran

Gus A Hohlios

C Timothy Harbaugh

Patrick William Daley

Teddy Lee Kellums

A sealant tube for use in a pneumatic sealant gun for reducing or eliminating air bubbles in the sealant being dispensed. The sealant tube may fit within a hollow sleeve of the pneumatic sealant gun and contains sealant and a slidable plunger. The tube body may include an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a first opening, a second opening opposite the first opening, and pressure release openings formed through the tube body, such that air from a pressurized air source flows into the tube body and between the tube body and the hollow sleeve during use of the pneumatic sealant gun, equalizing pressure on the inner surface and the outer surface of the tube body. A seal or gasket may also be located proximate the second opening of the tube body, for forming an airtight seal between the hollow sleeve and the tube body.

System and method for reducing air ingression into sealant tubes

An apparatus for inspecting a curved portion of a manufactured part comprises a frame, a sensor, a plunger, and a linking mechanism. The frame may include a first contact wall and an opposing second contact wall. Each contact wall may contact a planar portion of the part adjacent to the curved portion and may be oriented at an angle corresponding to an angle of the planar portions of the part adjacent to the curved portion. The sensor may transmit at least one signal to and receive at least one signal from the part. The plunger may contact the surface of the part and move as a radius of curvature of the part changes. The linking mechanism may couple to the plunger and may adjust the height of the sensor above a surface of the part in response to motion of the plunger.

Self adjusting corner scanner

An apparatus for laminating a fabric material to a part broadly comprises a cutting element, a heating system, a vertical pressure unit, and a compaction roller assembly. The cutting element may cut scrap material from the sides of the fabric material. The heating system may heat the fabric material after the material exits the vacuum conveyor assembly. The vertical pressure unit may apply a downward force on the compaction roller assembly, which may receive the fabric material and press the fabric material against a surface of the part. The compaction roller assembly may include a roller operable to have a variable curvature along its longitudinal axis and an actuating device operable to apply a variable torque to opposing ends of the roller to vary the curvature of the roller.

Modular head automated fabric laminating apparatus

A controller for use with a nondestructive inspection system communicates with the nondestructive inspection system and with a robot for moving an inspection probe of the nondestructive inspection system relative to an object under inspection. The controller is configured to periodically generate estimated position information of the probe moving relative to the object under inspection and communicate the estimated position information to the nondestructive inspection system as the nondestructive inspection system collects inspection data from the probe. The controller receives actual position information from the robot, the actual position information indicating an actual position of the probe, and corrects the estimated position information based on the actual position information.

Nondestructive inspection system controller with dynamic position correction

An apparatus for inspecting samples that may include a curvature that varies from sample to sample comprises a scanning element, a feed mechanism, and a pivot mechanism. The scanning element transmits and receives a signal to and from the sample as the sample passes by, thereby building an image or profile of the sample. The feed mechanism includes a drive motor coupled to a series of pulleys and belts that form an open-ended chain. The pulleys rotate when driven by the drive motor and are coupled to an array of rollers that rotate as well to propel a inspection sample past the scanning element. The pivot mechanism includes a series of primary and secondary links that also form an open-ended chain. The primary links are coupled to the rollers and the combination pivots in unison to form an arc that matches the curvature of the sample in order to maintain a fixed distance between the sample and the scanning element.

Mechanism for adaptive contour compliance

To apply a resin impregnated fabric to a substrate, a device includes a surface having a layer of material and a first edge. The surface moves relative to the substrate and to conform to the substrate. The layer of material is compatible for use with the resin. The first edge is disposed at the front of the surface relative to the movement of the device to the fabric. The first edge is curved with a center portion of the first edge being relatively forward of a pair of side portions of the first edge.

Automated fabric layup system and method

An apparatus for automated fabric lay-up of composite laminatesis provided, including an automatic dispensing assemblydispensing pre-preg fabricin a dispensing directionThe apparatusfurther includes a roller elementhaving a contact surfacein communication with the pre-preg fabricThe roller elementrotates such that the contact surfaceinduces lateral tension in the pre-preg fabricover which it rolls such that wrinkles are removed.

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Wichita, KS, United States of America

W Robert Nelson