Patents by Inventor John E. Inman
John E. Inman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10400808Abstract: A one-sided fastener assembly for use in coupling an assembly stack-up includes a sleeve comprising an outer cylindrical surface and an inner tapered surface oriented at a first angle with respect to the outer surface. The inner tapered defines an opening extending through the sleeve. The fastener assembly also includes a core extending along an axis and configured for insertion into the opening. The core includes an outer tapered surface oriented at a second angle with respect to the axis configured for engagement with the sleeve inner tapered surface such that insertion of the core into the sleeve causes radial expansion of the sleeve creating an interference fit with the assembly stack-up to complete installation of the one-sided fastener assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake Alexander Simpson, Mark A. Woods, John E. Inman
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Patent number: 10072694Abstract: A fastener insertion system, for use with an assembly stack-up, includes a fastener and an end effector. The end effector includes a drill bit for drilling a hole through the stack-up, a probe for determining a stack-up parameter, and a fastener feed head for installing the fastener into the hole and applying rotational torque to complete fastener installation. The fastener insertion system also includes a processing device and an angle sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device and to the end effector. The processing device is programmed to measure, with the rotation angle sensor, the angular displacement required to complete fastener installation and to transmit a signal representative of the measured angular displacement from the angle sensor to the processing device. The processing device is also programmed to compare the measurement of angular displacement required to complete fastener installation to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct fastener installation.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark A. Woods, John A. Davies, Jr., Edward E. Feikert, John E. Inman, Elizabeth Denise Blahut, Jeffry G. Bickford
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Patent number: 10031556Abstract: User experience adaptation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a connection portion configured to be removably physically and communicatively with a computing device, a housing physically connected to the connection portion and providing an outer surface having one or more characteristics that are viewable by a user, and memory disposed within the housing and configured to communicate data to the computing device via the connection portion, the data usable by the computing device to dynamically adapt a user interface displayable by a display device of the computing device to mimic the one or more physical characteristics of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Panos C. Panay, Sharon Drasnin, Michael D. McCormack, John E. Inman, Steve Seixeiro, Anthony Christian Reed, Ralf Groene, Jeffrey Jay Johnson
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Publication number: 20170261023Abstract: A one-sided fastener assembly for use in coupling an assembly stack-up includes a sleeve comprising an outer cylindrical surface and an inner tapered surface oriented at a first angle with respect to the outer surface. The inner tapered defines an opening extending through the sleeve. The fastener assembly also includes a core extending along an axis and configured for insertion into the opening. The core includes an outer tapered surface oriented at a second angle with respect to the axis configured for engagement with the sleeve inner tapered surface such that insertion of the core into the sleeve causes radial expansion of the sleeve creating an interference fit with the assembly stack-up to complete installation of the one-sided fastener assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Blake Alexander Simpson, Mark A. Woods, John E. Inman
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Publication number: 20150211566Abstract: A fastener insertion system, for use with an assembly stack-up, includes a fastener and an end effector. The end effector includes a drill bit for drilling a hole through the stack-up, a probe for determining a stack-up parameter, and a fastener feed head for installing the fastener into the hole and applying rotational torque to complete fastener installation. The fastener insertion system also includes a processing device and an angle sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device and to the end effector. The processing device is programmed to measure, with the rotation angle sensor, the angular displacement required to complete fastener installation and to transmit a signal representative of the measured angular displacement from the angle sensor to the processing device. The processing device is also programmed to compare the measurement of angular displacement required to complete fastener installation to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct fastener installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Mark A. Woods, John A. Davies, JR., Edward E. Feikert, John E. Inman, Elizabeth Denise Blahut, Jeffry G. Bickford
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Patent number: 9032602Abstract: A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark A. Woods, John A. Davies, Jr., Edward E. Feikert, John E. Inman, Elizabeth Denise Blahut, Jeffry G. Bickford
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Patent number: 9027216Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignees: Hi-Shear Corporation, The Boeing CompanyInventors: Edward E Beeles, David Hocking, Julie R. Jones, Stuart R. Seley, John E. Inman
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Patent number: 8775973Abstract: Various embodiments are described that are related to displaying search requests on an interactive display device. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method including receiving a search request input via a search request control displayed on the interactive display device, spawning a search result label spaced from the search request control, the search result label being a moveable element, and displaying the search result, the search result being spatially tethered to the search result label so that the search result moves to follow a movement of the search result label.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Luis Eduardo Cabrera-Cordon, John E. Inman, Darren David, Joshua Santangelo, Lon Charles Lundgren, Jr.
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Patent number: 8757937Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment for an integral seal for a drill template tool for a structure having an outside mold line surface fabricated according to a precise definition using computer aided design (CAD). The integral seal comprises an inner surface in contact with an interior portion of a continuous groove portion formed in a bottom surface of a vacuum housing of the drill template tool. The integral seal further comprises an outer surface in contact with the structure. The integral seal is formed in the groove portion on the bottom surface of the vacuum housing, and the groove portion is formed using one of selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, or stereolithography, during fabrication of the drill template tool. The integral seal prevents leakage of fluids and debris generated by a drilling process of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John E. Inman, David M. Dietrich, John G. Macke, Jr., Michael W. Hayes
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Publication number: 20130332628Abstract: User experience adaptation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a connection portion configured to be removably physically and communicatively with a computing device, a housing physically connected to the connection portion and providing an outer surface having one or more characteristics that are viewable by a user, and memory disposed within the housing and configured to communicate data to the computing device via the connection portion, the data usable by the computing device to dynamically adapt a user interface displayable by a display device of the computing device to mimic the one or more physical characteristics of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Panos C. Panay, Sharon Drasnin, Michael D. McCormack, John E. Inman, Steve Seixeiro, Anthony Christian Reed, Ralf Groene, Jeffrey Jay Johnson
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Publication number: 20130014368Abstract: A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Mark A. Woods, John A. Davies, JR., Edward E. Feikert, John E. Inman, Elizabeth Denise Blahut, Jeffry G. Bickford
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Publication number: 20120240376Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Edward E Beeles, David Hocking, Julie R. Jones, Stuart R. Seley, John E. Inman
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Patent number: 8275479Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a workpiece. Image information may be received from a camera system at a controller in which the camera system and the controller may be associated with a housing. The workpiece with a number of inconsistencies and a tool system may be moved relative to each other under a control of the controller in which the tool system may be associated with the housing. A number of operations may be performed on the number of inconsistencies on the workpiece holes using the image information under the control of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philip L. Freeman, Edward E. Feikert, John E. Inman
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Publication number: 20120201999Abstract: A method for joining a composite structure and a metallic structure is described. The method includes aligning the composite structure and the metallic structure, drilling a hole through the aligned structures creating an aligned hole, and inserting an interference fit fastener through the aligned hole such that the interference fit fastener engages a cylindrical wall in the composite structure formed by the drilling of the hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: Mark A. Woods, John E. Inman, Edward E. Feikert, Julie R. Jones, Elizabeth D. Blahut
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Publication number: 20120174011Abstract: Various embodiments are described that are related to displaying search requests on an interactive display device. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method including receiving a search request input via a search request control displayed on the interactive display device, spawning a search result label spaced from the search request control, the search result label being a moveable element, and displaying the search result, the search result being spatially tethered to the search result label so that the search result moves to follow a movement of the search result label.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Luis Eduardo Cabrera-Cordon, John E. Inman, Darren David, Joshua Santangelo, Lon Charles Lundgren, JR.
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Patent number: 8011076Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Hi-Shear CorporationInventors: Edward E. Beeles, David Hocking, Julie R. Jones, Stuart R. Seley, John E. Inman
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Publication number: 20110135411Abstract: A method of reducing foreign object debris (FOD) during drilling operations is provided. The method includes disposing a vacuum housing with a computer aided design (CAD) formed drill template in an operative position on a work piece, actuating a vacuum operatively connected to the vacuum housing, thereby creating negative pressure between the template and the work piece, the negative pressure acting on the debris resulting from the drilling operations, and enhancing the negative pressure without manipulating the vacuum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: John E. Inman, David Michael Dietrich, John G. Macke, JR., Michael W. Hayes
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Patent number: D659707Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren David, Joshua Santangelo, Luis Eduardo Cabrerra-Cordon, John E. Inman
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Patent number: D663313Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren David, Joshua Santangelo, Luis Eduardo Cabrerra-Condon, John E. Inman
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Patent number: D663314Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Darren David, Joshua Santangelo, Luis Eduardo Cabrerra-Condon, John E. Inman