Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Shepherd
Thomas E. Shepherd 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: 20240103068Abstract: An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: AEHR TEST SYSTEMSInventors: Donald P. Richmond, II, Kenneth W. Deboe, Frank O. Uher, Jovan Jovanovic, Scott E. Lindsey, Thomas T. Maenner, Patrick M. Shepherd, Jeffrey L. Tyson, Mark C. Carbone, Paul W. Burke, Doan D. Cao, James F. Tomic, Long V. Vu
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Patent number: 8938315Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes obtaining location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell. The at least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. The method additionally includes, generating a virtual object locus based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. The method further includes, identifying one of a plurality of candidate features as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
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Publication number: 20140129025Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes obtaining location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell. The at least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. The method additionally includes, generating a virtual object locus based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. The method further includes, identifying one of a plurality of candidate features as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
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Patent number: 8630819Abstract: A method for generating an electronic quality record of a manufacturing operation that may involve generating inputs from a plurality of information sources located within a manufacturing environment. The plurality of information sources may provide information pertaining to at least a tool being used, an individual using the tool, and an operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. A locating system may be used that is in communication with the plurality of information sources to monitor a location and an operation of the tool. A processor may be in communication with the locating system to receive the generated inputs and to generate an electronic record upon completion of the operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. The electronic record may identify that the operation has been performed by the individual using the tool in accordance with a predefined standard.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kent L. English, Bryan G. Dods, Christopher K. Zuver, Thomas E. Shepherd, Douglas D. Trimble, Carl J. Hanks
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Patent number: 8630729Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task. Location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell are obtained. At least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. A virtual object locus is generated based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. One of a plurality of candidate features is identified as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
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Publication number: 20120271448Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task. Location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell are obtained. At least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. A virtual object locus is generated based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. One of a plurality of candidate features is identified as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K. Zuver
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Patent number: 8200354Abstract: A method for verifying completion of a task is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes obtaining location coordinates of at least one location sensor within a work cell. The at least one sensor is affixed to a tool used to operate on a feature of a structure to be assembled, fabricated or inspected. The method additionally includes, generating a virtual object locus based on the location coordinates of the at least one location sensor. The virtual object locus corresponds to a computerized schematic of the structure to be assembled and represents of all possible locations of an object end of the tool within the work cell. The method further includes, identifying one of a plurality of candidate features as the most likely to be the feature operated on by the tool. The identification is based on a probability calculation for each of the candidate features that each respective candidate feature is the feature operated on by the tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philip L. Freeman, Thomas E. Shepherd, Christopher K Zuver
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Publication number: 20090210083Abstract: A system and method for generating a real time electronic quality record of an assembly, test, and repair or maintenance operation. The method involves generating inputs from a plurality of information sources located within a manufacturing environment, the information sources providing information pertaining to at least a tool being used, an individual using the tool, and an operation that the tool is being used by the individual to perform. A locating system is in communication with the information sources to monitor a location and an operation of the tool. A processor is in communication with the locating system to receive the generated inputs, and to generate a real time electronic record upon completion of the operation that the tool is being used to perform. The electronic record shows that the operation has been performed by a given individual using the tool in accordance with a predefined standard.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kent L. English, Bryan G. Dods, Christopher K. Zuver, Thomas E. Shepherd, Douglas D. Trimble, Carl J. Hanks