Patents Assigned to SPIRITS
  • Fastener insertion gun for installing fasteners in vehicle structures
    Patent number: 11491533
    Abstract: A system and method for drilling a hole in a vehicle structure and installing a fastener in the hole. A drill plate having openings and associated machine-readable elements is positioned on the structure. A drill gun is positioned in a particular opening and reads hole information from the associated element, and a computer determines whether the drill gun is properly set-up to drill the hole. A fastener insertion gun is positioned in the particular opening and reads fastener information from the element, and the computer determines whether the hole has been drilled and, if so, whether the fastener insertion gun is properly set-up to insert the fastener. A fastener delivery subsystem stores, tracks, and delivers fasteners to the fastener insertion gun. A system computer monitors the drilling of every hole, the insertion of every fastener, and the overall operation of the fastener delivery subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd B. Jaramillo, John Robert Dye, III
  • Cap for temporary fastener
    Patent number: 11466719
    Abstract: A cap for a temporary fastener comprises a hollow, cup-shaped body and an inwardly tapered neck. The hollow body fits over a workpiece-engaging portion of the temporary fastener, and the neck extends from the hollow body. The tapered neck terminates in a hollow tip that is sized and configured to fit over aligned holes in the joined workpieces and to contact a minimal surface area of the outermost workpiece to reduce surface damage to the workpieces such that any damage will be removed when the holes are countersunk in the normal course of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Michael Bodecker, Jennifer Lyn Wilson, Rodney Eugene Bahr
  • Textile cascade assembly
    Patent number: 11459979
    Abstract: A cascade assembly for a thrust reverser of an aircraft engine. The cascade broadly comprises a number of vanes formed of a pliable material and shiftable between a collapsed position when the thrust reverser is in a stowed configuration and a distended position when the thrust reverser is in a deployed configuration to redirect fan duct flow in a reverse thrust flow opening created by the thrust reverser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Randall Ray West
  • Method of fusing thermoplastic composite structures
    Patent number: 11459081
    Abstract: A method for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes placing a substructure on an inner surface of a skin that is laid up on a shaping surface of a tool configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The method further includes applying at least one insulation layer over a flange of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure, and applying a vacuum bag to at least partly enclose the skin and the substructure. The method yet still further includes applying heat to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wadsworth
  • Modular floor system for large vehicle construction
    Patent number: 11459122
    Abstract: A modular floor system with an integral utility for temporary installation in an unfinished aircraft fuselage to facilitate construction. The system includes multiple floor modules, each including a catch pan defining a pan volume, a grid top surface supported on the catch pan over the pan volume, and a utility manifold carrying a utility across the module and to the next module. The modules may be sized and shaped to conform to different installation locations within the vehicle body. The grid top surface is openable to access the pan volume to remove debris or items. Adjacent modules are coupled together with connectors. The utility may be vacuum, air, electricity, or water, and one manifold may carry air and another manifold may carry vacuum. A fixture may be connected to the vacuum manifold and receive an end of a drill so as to remove debris resulting from operation of the drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Todd Brian Jaramillo
  • Method and apparatus for curing a composite article
    Patent number: 11453148
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of curing a composite article and associated curing apparatus. A heat source is provided for heating the composite article. A temperature related property is detected proximal to the heat source and the heat output is regulated to a predetermined temperature vs. time profile. Heat output vs time data is acquired and functionalised and the curing completion time is determined based on the functionalised heat output vs time data. The method provides for heating a composite article so as to follow a predetermined temperature vs. time profile (i.e. a cure profile) and avoid excessively high temperatures. The required heat output vs time has also been found to be broadly reproducible, and the curing completion time can be more readily determined from functionalised heat output vs time data, for example by identifying reproducible characteristics of the functionalised data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS (EUROPE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew W. Hamilton, Christos Tachtatzis
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRILLING HOLES AND INSTALLING FASTENERS IN VEHICLE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20220288730
    Abstract: A system and method for drilling a hole in a vehicle structure and installing a fastener in the hole. A drill plate having openings and associated machine-readable elements is positioned on the structure. A drill gun is positioned in a particular opening and reads hole information from the associated element, and a computer determines whether the drill gun is properly set-up to drill the hole. A fastener insertion gun is positioned in the particular opening and reads fastener information from the element, and the computer determines whether the hole has been drilled and, if so, whether the fastener insertion gun is properly set-up to insert the fastener. A fastener delivery subsystem stores, tracks, and delivers fasteners to the fastener insertion gun. A system computer monitors the drilling of every hole, the insertion of every fastener, and the overall operation of the fastener delivery subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Schroeder, Todd B. Jaramillo, John Adam Price, John Robert Dye, III, Kaleb Aaron Kimball
  • METHOD OF JOINING MOLDED OR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTED PARTS TO THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20220288873
    Abstract: A method for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes placing a thermoplastic substructure on an inner surface of a skin that is laid up on a shaping surface of a tool configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The method further includes applying at least one metal layer over the substructure and applying an insulation layer over edge portions of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure and applying a vacuum bag that at least partly encloses the skin, the substructure, and the metal layer. The method yet still further includes applying heat to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wadsworth
  • Peen-forming of thermoplastic composite material
    Patent number: 11433624
    Abstract: A system for peen-forming of thermoplastic composite material is provided. The system includes a tool, a heater, and a peen-forming device. The thermoplastic composite material is positioned on the tool, which supports the thermoplastic composite material as it is being process. The tool has a surface to which a portion of the thermoplastic composite material is intended to conform. The heater is configured to heat the thermoplastic composite material while it is positioned on the tool to make the thermoplastic composite material more malleable. The peen-forming device directs particles against the thermoplastic composite material positioned on the tool so that the portion of the thermoplastic composite material conforms to the surface of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wadsworth
  • MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR AIRCRAFT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20220274712
    Abstract: A system for mounting an engine on an aircraft. The system includes a lower forward element, lateral linkages, an upper forward element, and an aft element. The lower forward element couples a forward portion of an engine core with a lower forward portion of a pylon. The linkages extend laterally between the lower forward element and the forward portion of the engine core. The upper forward element couples an outer portion of the fan case with an upper portion of the pylon. The aft element is spaced aftwardly apart from the lower and upper forward elements, and couples an aft portion of the engine core to an aft portion of the pylon. The system reacts all major moments acting on the engine, and the system does not extend beyond an outer periphery of the fan case, which eliminates the need for or minimizes the height of an aerodynamic fairing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Ray West
  • System and method employing active thermal buffer element for improved joule heating
    Patent number: 11420278
    Abstract: A system and method for more consistent joule heating of a material blank to a desired temperature. An electrical terminal delivers a current to an end portion of the blank. The terminal has a heat sink effect which would otherwise prevent the end portion from reaching the desired temperature. An active thermal buffer element is interposed between the terminal and the end portion. The buffer element includes a first surface which abuts the end portion and a second surface which abuts the terminal. The buffer element is joule heated with the blank, and a temperature gradient is created across the buffer element such that the first surface is at the desired temperature and the second surface is at a lower temperature due to the heat sink effect of the terminal. The buffer element thereby compensates for the heat sink effect and allows the end portion to reach the desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Michael Wagner, Jr.
  • TEXTILE CASCADE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20220243681
    Abstract: A cascade assembly for a thrust reverser of an aircraft engine. The cascade broadly comprises a number of vanes formed of a pliable material and shiftable between a collapsed position when the thrust reverser is in a stowed configuration and a distended position when the thrust reverser is in a deployed configuration to redirect fan duct flow in a reverse thrust flow opening created by the thrust reverser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Randall Ray West
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING INTER-PLY SLIPPAGE
    Publication number: 20220227078
    Abstract: A composite part forming system for shaping a composite material blank having a plurality of plies, the composite part forming system comprising opposing tools including shape-forming features, an actuator, and a composite tensioning system. The composite tensioning system is connectable to a periphery of the composite material blank to apply tension to the composite material blank the first and second tools are moved together to cause the composite material blank to conform to the shape-forming features. The composite tensioning system is configured to apply more tension to wrinkle prone plies of the composite material blank than to non-wrinkle prone plies as the composite material blank is caused to conform to the shape-forming features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wadsworth
  • RESISTANCE WELDING METHODS AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20220227066
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicants: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Stichting TPRC
    Inventors: Kerrick Robert Dando, Andrea Christine Meyer, Ulrich Sachs, Thibault Hernandez
  • First-in-class of SHMT2 and MTHFD2 inhibitors as antitumor agents
    Patent number: 11384084
    Abstract: A compound of the Formula I and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided: Formula I, wherein, R is one selected from the group consisting of H and CH3; n is an integer 4 when X is —CH2— and Ar is 1,4-phenyl, or n is an integer ranging from 1 to 4 when X is —CH2— and Ar is either 2?-fluoro-1,4-phenyl or 2,5-thienyl, or n is an integer ranging from 1 to 4 when X is one selected from the group consisting of O, S, —NH—, —NHCHO—, —NHCOCH3—, and —NHCOCF3— and Ar is one selected from the group consisting of (a) 1,4-phenyl, (b) 2?-fluoro-1,4-phenyl, and (c) 2,5-thienyl, or n is an integer 3 when X is —CH2—, R is CH3 and Ar is 1,4-phenyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Aleem Gangjee, Larry H. Matherly
  • System and method for drilling holes and installing fasteners in vehicle structures
    Patent number: 11370073
    Abstract: A system and method for drilling a hole in a vehicle structure and installing a fastener in the hole. A drill plate having openings and associated machine-readable elements is positioned on the structure. A drill gun is positioned in a particular opening and reads hole information from the associated element, and a computer determines whether the drill gun is properly set-up to drill the hole. A fastener insertion gun is positioned in the particular opening and reads fastener information from the element, and the computer determines whether the hole has been drilled and, if so, whether the fastener insertion gun is properly set-up to insert the fastener. A fastener delivery subsystem stores, tracks, and delivers fasteners to the fastener insertion gun. A system computer monitors the drilling of every hole, the insertion of every fastener, and the overall operation of the fastener delivery subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Schroeder, Todd B. Jaramillo, John Adam Price, John Robert Dye, III, Kaleb Aaron Kimball
  • CONTINUOUS MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR COMPOSITE PARTS
    Publication number: 20220194040
    Abstract: Tooling assembly and pressure vessel thereof for forming composite components such as aircraft stringers and the like. In addition to the pressure vessel, the tooling assembly may include a conveying apparatus and a forming tool for stacking plies on the forming tool and conveying the plies and the forming tool through the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel includes an entrance opening and an exit opening, which are sized and shaped to permit the forming tool supporting the plies to pass through the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel may further include an interior chamber housing multiple spheres. The spheres press against the plies as the forming tool is conveyed through the pressure vessel, thereby pressure treating the plies and forming the composite part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wadsworth
  • Integrated pick, place and forming apparatus and method for composite charges over complex geometries
    Patent number: 11364692
    Abstract: An apparatus for picking, placing, and forming a composite charge over a complex geometry tool comprises a first frame, a second frame, and a plurality of dynamic mechanisms. The first frame is formed from rigid material and includes a first frame member that forms at least a rectangular perimeter. The second frame is formed from flexible material and includes a second frame member that forms at least a rectangular perimeter. Each dynamic mechanism is connected to the first frame and the second frame and located along the perimeters of the first frame and the second frame. Each dynamic mechanism includes a length-variable component positioned between the first frame and the second frame, with at least a portion of the dynamic mechanisms configured to vary a length of the length-variable component for the second frame member to conform to the shape of the complex geometry tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher James Padovano, Blaise Francis Bergmann, Christopher John Morrow, Allison Lynne Horner, Benjamin Wayne Ferrell
  • Bottle stopper
    Patent number: D955218
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: CINCO SPIRITS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Smith, Michael Jordan
  • Cover
    Patent number: D963616
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Spirit LLC
    Inventor: Alberto Susterman