Patents by Inventor Alan Ray

Alan Ray 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).

  • Patent number: 9573198
    Abstract: A double eccentric positioning apparatus uses two equal offset eccentric bushings to accurately position a tool in two dimensions. Miniature servo motors and precise gearing control the rotation of each eccentric bushing, which controls the direction of the offset vectors. The offset vectors are used to determine the final position of the drill bushing. The desired rotation angles can be mathematically calculated based on desired position. The inner eccentric bushing is located concentric to the offset of the outer eccentric bushing. This allows any position, within a radius of two times the eccentric offset, to be achieved. The use of worm gearing on the eccentric bushings prevents back-driving of the servo motors, due to the lead angle of the worm gears, and the friction between the worm wheel and worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephan J. Favilla, Alan Ray Merkley, Christie Dusty Lagally, Ronald J. Collins
  • Publication number: 20160377555
    Abstract: A wire inspection system is provided. The wire inspection system includes a mirror assembly including an odd number of sides arranged to form a pyramid structure configured to surround a wire segment, wherein a plurality of the sides include a mirror, a light source configured to illuminate the wire segment, and at least one camera configured to acquire a plurality of images of the wire segment that are reflected by the plurality of mirrors, wherein each image of the plurality of images shows a different side of the wire segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Alan Ray, Bentley Edwin Northon, Bradley J. Mitchell, James Ridgeway Gillis
  • Publication number: 20160348656
    Abstract: A support system for a pump having a plurality of pumping elements is disclosed. The support system may include a first flange, a second flange opposite the first flange, and a support member between and abutting the first and second flanges. The support system may further include a plurality of fasteners, each being coaxially aligned with a respective one of the plurality of pumping elements, wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is configured to draw the actuating and pressurizing ends against the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Raymond BALDWIN, Alan Ray STOCKNER
  • Publication number: 20160334212
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a magnetic target for generating a magnetic field that is uniform and concentric about a central axis of the target; an array of three-axis digital magnetic compasses for sensing the magnetic field; and a processor for finding intersection points of vectors from the compasses to the target. The vectors lie in a global X-Y plane that is normal to the central axis. Each vector indicates a direction of sensed magnetic field from one of the compasses to the magnetic target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephan Joel Favilla, Alan Ray Merkley
  • Publication number: 20160298622
    Abstract: A pump piston is disclosed. The pump piston may include a body having an actuating end, a pressurizing end opposite the actuating end, and an outer diameter that is greater at the pressurizing end than at the actuating end, wherein the outer diameter varies between the pressurizing end and the actuating end without increasing to form an outer diameter profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ray STOCKNER, Sana MAHMOOD, Joshua STEFFEN, Dane Ray COLDREN
  • Patent number: 9467317
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting signals. According to an embodiment, energy waves are received at a first receiver system and a second receiver system. The first receiver system generates first information using the energy waves received at the first receiver system. The first receiver system receives second information generated using the energy waves received at the second receiver system from the second receiver system. The first receiver system identifies desired information about a repetitive portion of a signal carried in the energy waves received at the first receiver system using the first information and the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary Alan Ray, James Bryan Baker, Daniel Stewart Summers
  • Patent number: 9435633
    Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a shim fittable between first and second bodies, comprising: (a) placing optical targets in respective sets of holes in the first and second bodies; (b) scanning respective surfaces of the first and second bodies using a three-dimensional scanner to acquire point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data; (c) processing the point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data to derive first deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the first body from a nominal surface of the first body and second deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the second body from a nominal surface of the second body; (d) correlating the first deviation values with the second deviation values based on a best fit position of the first body relative to the second body; and (e) computing shim gap values based on the correlated first and second deviation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christie Dusty Lagally, Alan Ray Merkley, Ronald J. Collins, Stephan J. Favilla
  • Publication number: 20160222959
    Abstract: A pump is disclosed. The pump may include at least one pumping mechanism. The at least one pumping mechanism may include a barrel formed of a substrate having a bore and a plunger formed of a substrate and slidably disposed within the bore in the barrel. The pump may further include a coating disposed on the plunger. The coating may include a main layer containing a tribological material and a sacrificial break-in layer disposed on the main layer, the break-in layer containing a tribological material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael CAMPION, John Jay TRUHAN, JR., Joshua STEFFEN, Shivangini Singh HAZARI, Steven Charles TAYLOR, Michael James POLLARD, Alan Ray STOCKNER
  • Publication number: 20160222949
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism includes a barrel assembly having a plunger bore. The plunger bore has a longitudinal axis. The pumping mechanism also includes a plunger configured to slide within the plunger bore parallel to the longitudinal axis. The pumping mechanism further includes a push rod separate from the plunger. The push rod is configured to move away from the plunger to be spaced from the plunger, and the push rod is further configured to move within the plunger bore to push the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Wayne STEFFEN, Dana Ray COLDREN, Alan Ray STOCKNER, Sana MAHMOOD, Robert Michael CAMPION, Sunil Jefferey BEAN
  • Publication number: 20160156382
    Abstract: A signal processing method is provided. The signal processing method includes receiving, at a signal processing system, a signal of interest, calculating, using the signal processing system, a power spectral density for the signal of interest, calculating, using the signal processing system, a basis vector based on the power spectral density shape, performing, using the signal processing system, a linear regression using the basis vector to generate an estimate for at least one parameter of the signal of interest, and transmitting, based on the at least one generated estimate, a signal that avoids interference with the signal of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Alan Ray, James Bryan Baker
  • Publication number: 20160115922
    Abstract: A port injection system for gaseous fuels may include an injector body defining a hydraulic fluid inlet chamber, a hydraulic fluid exit passageway, a hydraulic fluid actuation passageway, a check valve inlet passageway fluidly connected with the hydraulic fluid actuation passageway, a valve chamber, and a gaseous fuel inlet chamber. An electrical solenoid actuator may be mounted to the injector body, with the electrical solenoid actuator including a movable armature, and a poppet valve connected to the movable armature and disposed within the valve chamber. The poppet valve may be movable between a pressurized hydraulic fluid flow blocking position and a pressurized hydraulic fluid flow passing position. A check valve may be disposed within the check valve inlet passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Scott F. SHAFER, Dennis Henderson GIBSON, Lifeng WANG, Alan Ray STOCKNER
  • Patent number: 9325545
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing communications between communications systems is provided. A set of data channels available for use in exchanging data between a communications system and a set of communications systems is identified. A number of constraints for a modulation waveform are identified based on the set of data channels identified and environmental information about a communications environment for the communications between a radio and a set of radios. The modulation waveform that meets the number of constraints is identified. The modulation waveform is configured for use in exchanging the data between the communications system and the set of communications systems over the set of data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Gary Alan Ray
  • Publication number: 20160047883
    Abstract: A bistatic radar system may include a transmitter, a target at a first known position, a receiver at a second known position, and a transmitter position determination unit. The receiver is configured to receive one or more reflected radar signals transmitted from the transmitter and reflected off the target. The receiver is configured to receive one or more direct radar signals transmitted from the transmitter. The transmitter position determination unit is configured to determine a position of the transmitter based on a determination of a distance between the first and second known positions and a determination of a first angular difference between the reflected radar signal(s) and the direct radar signal(s) that are received by the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: James Bryan Baker, Gary Alan Ray
  • Publication number: 20150276376
    Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a shim fittable between first and second bodies, comprising: (a) placing optical targets in respective sets of holes in the first and second bodies; (b) scanning respective surfaces of the first and second bodies using a three-dimensional scanner to acquire point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data; (c) processing the point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data to derive first deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the first body from a nominal surface of the first body and second deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the second body from a nominal surface of the second body; (d) correlating the first deviation values with the second deviation values based on a best fit position of the first body relative to the second body; and (e) computing shim gap values based on the correlated first and second deviation values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christie Dusty Lagally, Alan Ray Merkley, Ronald J. Collins, Stephan J. Favilla
  • Publication number: 20150263872
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting signals. According to an embodiment, energy waves are received at a first receiver system and a second receiver system. The first receiver system generates first information using the energy waves received at the first receiver system. The first receiver system receives second information generated using the energy waves received at the second receiver system from the second receiver system. The first receiver system identifies desired information about a repetitive portion of a signal carried in the energy waves received at the first receiver system using the first information and the second information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Alan Ray, James Bryan Baker, Daniel Stewart Summers
  • Patent number: 9068809
    Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a shim fittable between first and second bodies, comprising: (a) placing optical targets in respective sets of holes in the first and second bodies; (b) scanning respective surfaces of the first and second bodies using a three-dimensional scanner to acquire point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data; (c) processing the point cloud scan data, measured hole vector data and other discrete feature data to derive first deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the first body from a nominal surface of the first body and second deviation values representing the deviation of the surface of the second body from a nominal surface of the second body; (d) correlating the first deviation values with the second deviation values based on a best fit position of the first body relative to the second body; and (e) computing shim gap values based on the correlated first and second deviation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christie Dusty Lagally, Alan Ray Merkley, Ronald J. Collins, Stephan J. Favilla
  • Patent number: 9046593
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting signals. According to an embodiment, energy waves are received at a first receiver system and a second receiver system. The first receiver system generates first information using the energy waves received at the first receiver system. The first receiver system receives second information generated using the energy waves received at the second receiver system from the second receiver system. The first receiver system identifies desired information about a repetitive portion of a signal carried in the energy waves received at the first receiver system using the first information and the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary Alan Ray, James Bryan Baker, Daniel Stewart Summers
  • Patent number: 9037282
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a tracking system and a controller in communication with the tracking system. The tracking system is configured to identify characteristics about a group of portable machines configured to perform a number of manufacturing operations on a workpiece. The controller is configured to control performance of the number of manufacturing operations on the workpiece using the characteristics about the group of portable machines identified using the tracking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric M. Reid, Alan Ray Merkley
  • Patent number: 9016264
    Abstract: A cryogenic fuel system having a priming circuit for a machine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a tank, configured to hold a cryogenic fluid, and a pump. A first passage may connect the tank and the pump, and a second passage may be configured to hold a cooling fluid and be located to cool the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Ray Stockner
  • Publication number: 20150047239
    Abstract: A flexible display member displays variable attributes of a user when the user is outdoors, such as at the beach or camping. The flexible display member is coupled to elongate grounding members that each having a bottom end for inserting into the ground (for example, with a corkscrew shape). The mounting members guide the user to mount the display member at the appropriate height to remain standing in the outdoor environment, and may convert the display member into a flag in some applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Alan Ray Scott