Patents by Inventor Michael Robert Chapman
Michael Robert Chapman 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: 20240089741Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for assigning and managing RF communication links between ground-based stations and airborne assets. In one or more examples, a pilot or other user of the systems and methods described herein can generate and transmit a flight plan to a spectrum management system. Additionally, or alternatively, the pilot or use can also transmit additional information to the spectrum management system such as the type of aircraft/radio configuration that they will be using during a flight, and a request for a certain amount of data throughput that they want to have access to during the flight. In one or more examples, upon receiving the flight plan and/or information from the pilot, the spectrum management system can proceed to match the user's desired flight plan with one or more RF spectrum resources for the airborne radio of the pilot's UAV to use during their planned flight.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Osama Hussein TARRAF, Alistair Charles Peter BRADEN, Tamara Lynne CASEY, Shane David CHAPMAN, Michael Robert GAGNE
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Patent number: 11370159Abstract: A flexible punch and die are used to form a flat composite laminate charge into a stiffener having a desired cross sectional shape. A desired contour is formed in the stiffener by bending the punch and die. Ply wrinkling is avoided during contouring by maintaining those portions of the stiffener subject to wrinkling in tension as the contouring is being performed. Bridging of the plies during the contouring process is avoided by first contouring those sections of the stiffener that are subject to wrinkling, and then contouring the remaining sections of the stiffener.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Gordon Dale Davis
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Patent number: 11247383Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented. A layer of composite material is laid up on a forming tool. A bend is formed in the layer on the forming tool to form a bent layer. A laminate stack and the bent layer are assembled to form the composite filler.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Khanh M. Pham
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Patent number: 11161282Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson
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Patent number: 11117332Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jose L. Encinosa, Samuel F. Zambrana, Daniel M. Rotter, Michael Robert Chapman, Stephen K. Halladin, Benjamin Bowen Lee, Joshua Dee Little, Douglas Alan McCarville, Jason A. Medenciy, Russell D. Chiupka, Marcin Artur Rabiega, Andrey F. Yurchik, Martin W. Hansen, Thomas P. Harper
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Publication number: 20200401290Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented. A layer of composite material is laid up on a forming tool. A bend is formed in the layer on the forming tool to form a bent layer. A laminate stack and the bent layer are assembled to form the composite filler.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2017Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Khanh M. Pham
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Publication number: 20200368977Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Jose L. Encinosa, Samuel F. Zambrana, Daniel M. Rotter, Michael Robert Chapman, Stephen K. Halladin, Benjamin Bowen Lee, Joshua Dee Little, Douglas Alan McCarville, Jason A. Medenciy, Russell D. Chiupka, Marcin Artur Rabiega, Andrey F. Yurchik, Martin W. Hansen, Thomas P. Harper
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Patent number: 10800111Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jose L. Encinosa, Samuel F. Zambrana, Daniel M. Rotter, Michael Robert Chapman, Stephen K. Halladin, Benjamin Bowen Lee, Joshua Dee Little, Douglas Alan McCarville, Jason A. Medenciy, Russell D. Chiupka, Marcin Artur Rabiega, Andrey F. Yurchik, Martin W. Hansen, Thomas P. Harper
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Patent number: 10717242Abstract: A compaction device for use with an automated fiber placement machine includes multiple compaction rollers mounted for independent displacement on a supporting frame. The attitude of the compaction rollers change relative to each other when fiber tows are laid up at an angle over an edge of a tool in order to maintain compaction pressure on the tows and thereby reduce non-compacted areas of the tows.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Stephen Howard Williams
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Publication number: 20200016797Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson
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Publication number: 20200001516Abstract: A flexible punch and die are used to form a flat composite laminate charge into a stiffener having a desired cross sectional shape. A desired contour is formed in the stiffener by bending the punch and die. Ply wrinkling is avoided during contouring by maintaining those portions of the stiffener subject to wrinkling in tension as the contouring is being performed. Bridging of the plies during the contouring process is avoided by first contouring those sections of the stiffener that are subject to wrinkling, and then contouring the remaining sections of the stiffener.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Gordon Dale Davis
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Patent number: 10456960Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson
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Patent number: 10369740Abstract: A flexible punch and die are used to form a flat composite laminate charge into a stiffener having a desired cross sectional shape. A desired contour is formed in the stiffener by bending the punch and die. Ply wrinkling is avoided during contouring by maintaining those portions of the stiffener subject to wrinkling in tension as the contouring is being performed. Bridging of the plies during the contouring process is avoided by first contouring those sections of the stiffener that are subject to wrinkling, and then contouring the remaining sections of the stiffener.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Gordon Dale Davis
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Patent number: 10105940Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for divergent laminates. A method comprises providing a layup tool having a first upper face and a second upper face that rise to intersect each other at a ridge line, the layup tool further having a protrusion on top of a portion of the ridge line, and laying up a laminate onto the upper faces and the protrusion. The method also comprises placing a cure tool on top of the layup tool, the cure tool having a lower face that is dimensioned to mate with the upper faces along a portion of the ridge line that is not covered by the protrusion, thereby leaving a divergent flange of the laminate on top of the protrusion exposed, and sweeping the divergent flange of the laminate upward from the layup tool onto a vertical side the cure tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Lisa Christina Carlson
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Publication number: 20180117860Abstract: A compaction device for use with an automated fiber placement machine includes multiple compaction rollers mounted for independent displacement on a supporting frame. The attitude of the compaction rollers change relative to each other when fiber tows are laid up at an angle over an edge of a tool in order to maintain compaction pressure on the tows and thereby reduce non-compacted areas of the tows.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 25, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Stephen Howard Williams
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Patent number: 9849635Abstract: A compaction device for use with an automated fiber placement machine includes multiple compaction rollers mounted for independent displacement on a supporting frame. The attitude of the compaction rollers change relative to each other when fiber tows are laid up at an angle over an edge of a tool in order to maintain compaction pressure on the tows and thereby reduce non-compacted areas of the tows.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Stephen Howard Williams
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Publication number: 20170297317Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for divergent laminates. A method comprises providing a layup tool having a first upper face and a second upper face that rise to intersect each other at a ridge line, the layup tool further having a protrusion on top of a portion of the ridge line, and laying up a laminate onto the upper faces and the protrusion. The method also comprises placing a cure tool on top of the layup tool, the cure tool having a lower face that is dimensioned to mate with the upper faces along a portion of the ridge line that is not covered by the protrusion, thereby leaving a divergent flange of the laminate on top of the protrusion exposed, and sweeping the divergent flange of the laminate upward from the layup tool onto a vertical side the cure tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Lisa Christina Carlson
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Publication number: 20170262152Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented. A layer of composite material is laid up on a forming tool. A bend is formed in the layer on the forming tool to form a bent layer. A laminate stack and the bent layer are assembled to form the composite filler.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Khanh M. Pham
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Patent number: 9662842Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented. A layer of composite material is laid up on a forming tool. A bend is formed in the layer on the forming tool to form a bent layer. A laminate stack and the bent layer are assembled to form the composite filler.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Khanh M. Pham
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Publication number: 20170021534Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally forming a composite part are disclosed herein. The systems include a forming mandrel, which includes a forming surface, and a forming machine. The forming machine includes a forming bladder, a pressure-regulating device, and a positioning device. The forming bladder is configured to be inflated to a forming pressure and to press the ply of composite material against the forming surface. The methods include placing a ply of composite material on a forming surface of a forming mandrel and pressing a forming bladder against the ply of composite material at a selected location to press a selected portion of the ply of composite material against the forming surface and conform the selected portion of the ply of composite material to a surface profile of the forming surface. The methods further include repeating the pressing a plurality of times at a plurality of selected locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Charles M. Richards, Jeffrey M. Hansen, Robert L. Anderson