Patents by Inventor Alistair BUCHANAN

Alistair BUCHANAN 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: 20200324346
    Abstract: According to an aspect of this disclosure, an ultrasonic machining apparatus may include a machining head disposed at an angle, a machining platform for mounting a component, and one or more actuators for imparting ultrasonic vibration on the component wherein the angled machining head operates on the component according to the angle of the machining head, a position of the component, and the ultrasonic vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Alistair Buchanan, Craig A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10589392
    Abstract: A fixture for locating a straight edge of a curved surface of a part and holding the part in a fixed position during performance of a machining operation on the straight edge is described. The fixture includes: one or more supports for seating a convex curved surface of the part, one or more detachable end stops arranged to extend in a plane orthogonal to that in which the supports sit and against which, in use, the straight edge can be aligned, and a clamp arranged, in use, to push the convex curved surface against the supports such that the straight edge contacts the supports without obstruction of the straight edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: George Durrant, Alistair Buchanan, Christopher P. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20170334029
    Abstract: A fixture for locating a straight edge of a curved surface of a part and holding the part in a fixed position during performance of a machining operation on the straight edge is described. The fixture includes: one or more supports for seating a convex curved surface of the part, one or more detachable end stops arranged to extend in a plane orthogonal to that in which the supports sit and against which, in use, the straight edge can be aligned, and a clamp arranged, in use, to push the convex curved surface against the supports such that the straight edge contacts the supports without obstruction of the straight edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: George DURRANT, Alistair BUCHANAN, Christopher P. GIBSON
  • Patent number: 9498847
    Abstract: Method for determining an adaptive tool path: provides an aerofoil with deposition plane; determines deposition plane points corresponding to leading and trailing edges and circle center constrained by suction and pressure surfaces at their greatest distance apart; determines circle center point edge position passing through deposition plane points; determines trailing and leading edge reference lines extending from the circle center point through trailing and leading edge points, respectively and mid-reference line(s) extending from the circle center point through mid-reference point(s) between leading and trailing edge points; trims and determines each mid reference line to the bounds of the suction and pressure surfaces; applies an adaptive factor to each mid reference line providing an adaptive point for each mid-reference line; determines an spline extending through the leading and trailing edge points and each adaptive point; and traverses a tool along the spline or offset path from the spline by a fact
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Alistair Buchanan, Christopher Paul Heason
  • Publication number: 20140316555
    Abstract: Method for determining an adaptive tool path: provides an aerofoil with deposition plane; determines deposition plane points corresponding to leading and trailing edges and circle centre constrained by suction and pressure surfaces at their greatest distance apart; determines circle centre point edge position passing through deposition plane points; determines trailing and leading edge reference lines extending from the circle centre point through trailing and leading edge points, respectively and mid-reference line(s) extending from the circle centre point through mid-reference point(s) between leading and trailing edge points; trims and determines each mid reference line to the bounds of the suction and pressure surfaces; applies an adaptive factor to each mid reference line providing an adaptive point for each mid-reference line; determines an spline extending through the leading and trailing edge points and each adaptive point; and traverses a tool along the spline or offset path from the spline by a fact
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Alistair BUCHANAN, Christopher Paul HEASON