Patents by Inventor Luis F. Velasquez
Luis F. Velasquez 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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Publication number: 20240116255Abstract: A method for shaping a composite structure includes steps of: (1) holding a composite member in an initial contour along a length of the composite member; and (2) forming a final contour along the length of the composite member by: (3) sequentially shaping formed portions of the composite member while holding unformed portions of the composite member in the initial contour to form portions of the final contour; and (4) sequentially shaping the unformed portions of the composite member to form other portions of the final contour.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Luis F. Velasquez, Edward R. Duncan
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Patent number: 11938690Abstract: A pliable structure includes a first impermeable layer, a second impermeable layer opposed from the first impermeable layer to at least partially define an internal volume between the first impermeable layer and the second impermeable layer, and a flow media layer disposed in the internal volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Allen Halbritter, Luis F. Velasquez
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Patent number: 11890849Abstract: A method for initiating separation of a first layer from a second layer of a multilayer composite structure having a free edge, the method includes steps of securing the multilayer composite structure to a work surface; and applying cyclic pressure to at least a portion of the free edge of the multilayer composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Luis F. Velasquez, Allen J. Halbritter
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Patent number: 11826904Abstract: Described herein is an end effector for picking up and placing an object on a rigid tool. The end effector comprises a plate and an internal seal attached to the plate. The internal seal comprises an internal permeable layer and an internal impermeable film. The end effector further comprises at least one vacuum port extending through the plate and open to the internal permeable layer. Additionally, the end effector may comprise an external seal attached to the plate. The external seal comprises an external permeable layer and an external impermeable film.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jennifer F. Branton, Daniel Johnson, Luis F. Velasquez, Caleb J. Handolescu, Charlie E. Branyon, III
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Publication number: 20230356481Abstract: A rotating manifold includes an axle, a hub rotatable relative to the axle about an axis of rotation, and a compressed air line in fluid communication housed in the axle. The rotating manifold further includes a vacuum line in fluid communication with the hub. The rotating manifold further includes a plurality of conduits connected to the hub. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the vacuum line and houses a compressed air line arm in fluid communication with the compressed air line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Allen J. Halbritter, Luis F. Velasquez
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Publication number: 20230311431Abstract: A method for configuring a shape of a tool from an initial shape to a reconfigured shape includes localized heating a portion of the tool to yield a heated portion of the tool and mechanically manipulating the heated portion of the tool to achieve the reconfigured shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Luis F. Velasquez, Allen J. Halbritter
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Patent number: 11753186Abstract: Described herein are flexible truss systems and methods of transferring flexible composite parts using these systems. A flexible truss system comprises a flexible truss mechanism and composite pick-and-place mechanisms supported on the flexible truss mechanism and designed to attach to various composite parts. The flexible truss mechanism comprises flexible elongated members and slidable ribs coupled to each flexible elongated member. Specifically, each rib is slidably coupled to at least one flexible elongated member. In some examples, each rib is also fixedly coupled to another flexible elongated member. The slidable coupling allows the flexible truss mechanism to bend and follow the shape of a supported part, such that the composite pick-and-place mechanisms are able to contact and support different areas of the composite part. As such, the same flexible truss mechanism is able to support flexible composite parts having different shapes.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Caleb J. Handolescu, Luis F. Velasquez, Allen James Halbritter
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Publication number: 20230219307Abstract: A method apparatus, and system method for manufacturing a composite part. A set of composite preforms is placed on a set of slip sheets. The set of slip sheets with the set of composite preforms is attached to a cure mandrel to form a composite preform assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: William L. Serencsits, Richard Alexander Prause, Luis F. Velasquez, Daniel Johnson, Adam D. Lee
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Publication number: 20230182412Abstract: A pliable structure includes a first impermeable layer, a second impermeable layer opposed from the first impermeable layer to at least partially define an internal volume between the first impermeable layer and the second impermeable layer, and a flow media layer disposed in the internal volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Allen Halbritter, Luis F. Velasquez
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Publication number: 20230010488Abstract: A work platform configured to support one or more workers in proximity to a workpiece. The work platform includes sliders that are aligned along the length of the workpiece. The sliders are laterally movable towards and away from the workpiece. The sliders are individually movable with a position of each of the sliders relative to the workpiece being a function of the rotational position of the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2021Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: William L. Serencsits, Luis F. Velasquez, Edward Ray Duncan
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Publication number: 20220161446Abstract: Described herein is an end effector for picking up and placing an object on a rigid tool. The end effector comprises a plate and an internal seal attached to the plate. The internal seal comprises an internal permeable layer and an internal impermeable film. The end effector further comprises at least one vacuum port extending through the plate and open to the internal permeable layer. Additionally, the end effector may comprise an external seal attached to the plate. The external seal comprises an external permeable layer and an external impermeable film.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Jennifer F. Branton, Daniel Johnson, Luis F. Velasquez, Caleb J. Handolescu, Charlie E. Branyon, III
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Publication number: 20210387747Abstract: Described herein are flexible truss systems and methods of transferring flexible composite parts using these systems. A flexible truss system comprises a flexible truss mechanism and composite pick-and-place mechanisms supported on the flexible truss mechanism and designed to attach to various composite parts. The flexible truss mechanism comprises flexible elongated members and slidable ribs coupled to each flexible elongated member. Specifically, each rib is slidably coupled to at least one flexible elongated member. In some examples, each rib is also fixedly coupled to another flexible elongated member. The slidable coupling allows the flexible truss mechanism to bend and follow the shape of a supported part, such that the composite pick-and-place mechanisms are able to contact and support different areas of the composite part. As such, the same flexible truss mechanism is able to support flexible composite parts having different shapes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Caleb J. Handolescu, Luis F. Velasquez, Allen James Halbritter
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Patent number: 11148373Abstract: A manufacturing system for laying up a stringer laminate includes a lamination surface and a plurality of lamination heads including a frame filler outer ply lamination head for laying up (e.g., laminating) frame filler bottom ply at a plurality of frame filler locations. Also included is at least one frame filler inner ply lamination head for laying up one or more frame filler inner plies over a protruding portion of the frame filler bottom ply at each frame filler location. Further included is at least one stringer body lamination head laying up one or more stringer body plies defining a stringer body portion extending along the lamination surface. A frame filler outer ply lamination head is configured to lay up a frame filler top ply at each frame filler location such that the frame filler inner plies are captured between a frame filler bottom ply and a frame filler top ply.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Samuel J. Knutson, Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi, Carla G. Smith, Luis F. Velasquez
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Publication number: 20210001573Abstract: A manufacturing system for laying up a stringer laminate includes a lamination surface and a plurality of lamination heads including a frame filler outer ply lamination head for laying up (e.g., laminating) frame filler bottom ply at a plurality of frame filler locations. Also included is at least one frame filler inner ply lamination head for laying up one or more frame filler inner plies over a protruding portion of the frame filler bottom ply at each frame filler location. Further included is at least one stringer body lamination head laying up one or more stringer body plies defining a stringer body portion extending along the lamination surface. A frame filler outer ply lamination head is configured to lay up a frame filler top ply at each frame filler location such that the frame filler inner plies are captured between a frame filler bottom ply and a frame filler top ply.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Samuel J. Knutson, Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi, Carla G. Smith, Luis F. Velasquez
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Publication number: 20110126929Abstract: In one example hydraulic ballast of the invention there is provided an input port and an output port through which a prespecified output flow rate is required. There is provided between the input and output ports a ballasting array of columns having a cross-sectional column extent, W, a column pitch, P, and an array length, L, selected based on the required output flow rate, to produce a prespecified pressure drop that enforces the required output flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2008Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Luis F. Velasquez-Garcia, Akintunde I. Akinwande
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Patent number: 7935923Abstract: A quadrupole mass filter (QMF) is provided. The QMF includes a plurality of rectangular shaped electrodes aligned in a symmetric manner to generate a quadrupole field. An aperture region is positioned in a center region parallel to and adjacent to each of the rectangular shaped electrodes. An incoming ion stream enters the aperture region so as to be controlled by the quadrupole field. A plurality of voltage sources provide a r.f. and d.c. signal to the electrodes for generating the quadrupole field. An auxiliary voltage source applies an auxiliary drive signal to the r.f. and d.c. signal to create new stability boundaries within the standard Mathieu stability regions with high-resolution around operating conditions where there are approximately no higher-order resonances.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Kerry Cheung, Luis F. Velásquez-García, Akintunde I. Akinwande
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Patent number: 7935924Abstract: A quadrupole mass filter (QMF) is provided. The QMF includes a plurality of rectangular shaped electrodes aligned in a symmetric manner to generate a quadrupole field. An aperture region is positioned in a center region parallel to and adjacent to each of the rectangular shaped electrodes. An incoming ion stream enters the aperture region so as to be controlled by the quadrupole field.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Kerry Cheung, Luis F. Velásquez-García, Akintunde I. Akinwande
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Publication number: 20090026367Abstract: A quadrupole mass filter (QMF) is provided. The QMF includes a plurality of rectangular shaped electrodes aligned in a symmetric manner to generate a quadrupole field. An aperture region is positioned in a center region parallel to and adjacent to each of the rectangular shaped electrodes. An incoming ion stream enters the aperture region so as to be controlled by the quadrupole field.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Kerry Cheung, Luis F. Velasquez-Garcia, Akintunde I. Akinwande
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Publication number: 20090026363Abstract: A quadrupole mass filter (QMF) is provided. The QMF includes a plurality of rectangular shaped electrodes aligned in a symmetric manner to generate a quadrupole field. An aperture region is positioned in a center region parallel to and adjacent to each of the rectangular shaped electrodes. An incoming ion stream enters the aperture region so as to be controlled by the quadrupole field. A plurality of voltage sources provide a r.f. and d.c. signal to the electrodes for generating the quadrupole field. An auxiliary voltage source applies an auxiliary drive signal to the r.f. and d.c. signal to create new stability boundaries within the standard Mathieu stability regions with high-resolution around operating conditions where there are approximately no higher-order resonances.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Kerry Cheung, Luis F. Velasquez-Garcia, Akintunde I. Akinwande