Patents by Inventor Mathew A. Coffman

Mathew A. Coffman 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).

  • Publication number: 20230186698
    Abstract: A system for non-destructive testing (NDT) a surface of a vehicle includes a track that is securable to the surface, and a sensor that is movable along the track to perform a scan of a region of the surface. The system also includes a computer to generate a baseline image of the surface from the scan, and define a map of the surface from a computer model of the surface. The baseline image includes a matrix of baseline data points, and the map includes a matrix of locations on the surface. The computer correlates the baseline image and the map to produce a mapped baseline image including the matrix of baseline data points registered to the locations on the surface. The mapped baseline image is formatted for NDT of the surface, and may thereby serve as an analytical digital twin for the NDT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Publication number: 20230186563
    Abstract: A method is provided for generating a three-dimensional (3D) visually representative model of a vehicle. The method includes receiving images acquired from a number of viewpoints of different sections of the vehicle, and performing photogrammetry on the images to extract a profile of the vehicle. The method includes creating a wireframe mesh or point cloud from the profile, and generating the 3D model of the vehicle. The images are processed to determine areas on a surface of the vehicle in which a defect is detected, and markers are appended onto respective areas of the 3D model that correspond to the areas on the surface of the vehicle such that the defect is appended onto the 3D model. And the method includes generating a display of the 3D model of the vehicle including the markers that indicate the areas on the surface of the vehicle in which the defect is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Patent number: 10865776
    Abstract: A method and system for generating electrical energy from wind are described. In an example, a method includes capturing wind in an intake on an exterior surface of a structure. The method also includes directing, via a duct, the wind from the intake to a centrifugal fan and, while directing the wind from the intake to the centrifugal fan, compressing and accelerating the wind in the duct. The method further includes receiving, in the centrifugal fan, the wind from the duct and rotating, via the received wind, a fan blade assembly in the centrifugal fan. The method still further includes generating electrical energy, via a generator, based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Publication number: 20190390653
    Abstract: A method and system for generating electrical energy from wind are described. In an example, a method includes capturing wind in an intake on an exterior surface of a structure. The method also includes directing, via a duct, the wind from the intake to a centrifugal fan and, while directing the wind from the intake to the centrifugal fan, compressing and accelerating the wind in the duct. The method further includes receiving, in the centrifugal fan, the wind from the duct and rotating, via the received wind, a fan blade assembly in the centrifugal fan. The method still further includes generating electrical energy, via a generator, based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Patent number: 10443570
    Abstract: A method and system for generating electrical energy from wind are described. In an example, a method includes capturing wind in an intake on an exterior surface of a structure. The method also includes directing, via a duct, the wind from the intake to a centrifugal fan and, while directing the wind from the intake to the centrifugal fan, compressing and accelerating the wind in the duct. The method further includes receiving, in the centrifugal fan, the wind from the duct and rotating, via the received wind, a fan blade assembly in the centrifugal fan. The method still further includes generating electrical energy, via a generator, based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Publication number: 20170241406
    Abstract: A method and system for generating electrical energy from wind are described. In an example, a method includes capturing wind in an intake on an exterior surface of a structure. The method also includes directing, via a duct, the wind from the intake to a centrifugal fan and, while directing the wind from the intake to the centrifugal fan, compressing and accelerating the wind in the duct. The method further includes receiving, in the centrifugal fan, the wind from the duct and rotating, via the received wind, a fan blade assembly in the centrifugal fan. The method still further includes generating electrical energy, via a generator, based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Publication number: 20170232513
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for forming canted holes in materials. In one example, a forming angle and a central axis for a vent through a panel is determined. A vent is formed in the panel about the central axis along the forming angle. The angled vent is formed with a circular shape at a first opening of the vent on a first surface of the panel when viewed at an angle perpendicular to the first surface of the panel. Additional systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Patent number: 8380551
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and system for processing work requests, preferably prototype operations work requests (POWR). In one of the embodiments the method is an automated method to be performed in a computing environment for processing a work request. The method comprises the steps of receiving the work request, inputting the work request into an electronic database, creating electronic work request instructions, linking the electronic work request instructions to multiple networked computers, transmitting between the networked computers electronic notifications relating to the work request instructions, and providing service reports filtered on specific data of interest relating to history and completion of the work request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mathew A. Coffman, Timothi A. Purcell, Steven R. Estes, John M. Gerardi
  • Publication number: 20100114641
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and system for processing work requests, preferably prototype operations work requests (POWR). In one of the embodiments the method is an automated method to be performed in a computing environment for processing a work request. The method comprises the steps of receiving the work request, inputting the work request into an electronic database, creating electronic work request instructions, linking the electronic work request instructions to multiple networked computers, transmitting between the networked computers electronic notifications relating to the work request instructions, and providing service reports filtered on specific data of interest relating to history and completion of the work request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mathew A. Coffman, Timothi A. Purcell, Steven R. Estes, John M. Gerardi