Patents by Inventor Andrew Elmer Modin
Andrew Elmer Modin 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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Patent number: 11951698Abstract: A method of positioning a composite charge onto a forming tool using a composite charge positioning assembly. The composite charge is placed onto a first surface of a first charge support arm of the composite charge positioning assembly and a second surface of a second charge support arm of the composite charge positioning assembly. The composite charge is placed in contact with a portion of a forming surface of the forming tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 11760040Abstract: A tool for making contoured composite hat stringers allows control of stringer wrinkling. The tool includes a set of first openings that allow the tool to flex during contouring of the stringer, and a set of second openings into which portions of the composite charge may strain during the contouring.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Paul Chace Wilcoxson
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Publication number: 20220080683Abstract: A tool is configured to form a composite charge into a stringer having a net shape with at least one out-of-place feature. The out-of-plane feature is formed by a shim removably attached to the tool. A family of the shims may be used to form a range of out-of-plane features having varying characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi, Megan E. Bliss
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Publication number: 20220080680Abstract: A tool for making contoured composite hat stringers allows control of stringer wrinkling. The tool includes a set of first openings that allow the tool to flex during contouring of the stringer, and a set of second openings into which portions of the composite charge may strain during the contouring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Paul Chace Wilcoxson
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Publication number: 20210291467Abstract: A method of positioning a composite charge onto a forming tool using a composite charge positioning assembly. The composite charge is placed onto a first surface of a first charge support arm of the composite charge positioning assembly and a second surface of a second charge support arm of the composite charge positioning assembly. The composite charge is placed in contact with a portion of a forming surface of the forming tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 11046032Abstract: A composite charge positioning assembly configured to position a composite charge onto a forming tool is presented. The composite charge positioning assembly comprises a base; a first charge support arm associated with the base and movable in a first direction towards or away from the base; and a second charge support arm associated with the base and movable in the first direction. The first charge support arm has a first surface configured to contact a portion of a composite charge. The second charge support arm has a second surface configured to contact a second portion of the composite charge.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 11014315Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method. A composite charge is placed over a forming and cure mandrel, a first radius filler, and a second radius filler. Mechanical pressure is applied to shape the composite charge to the forming and cure mandrel and a rigid base to form a stringer layup having a hat-shaped cross-section. Vacuum pressure is applied to the stringer layup to form a compacted stringer package.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Richard Heath, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 10974464Abstract: A composite prepreg laminate such as a hat type-stringer is formed on a contoured mandrel using a combination of mechanical sweeping and vacuum forming.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Andrew Elmer Modin, Alexander Edward Petkus
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Patent number: 10926435Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a composite structure. A composite material having a closed cross-section or a partially closed cross-section is cured to form the composite structure, wherein the composite material is in contact with a foam mandrel assembly when curing begins. A supportive foam mandrel in the foam mandrel assembly is collapsed during curing.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard E. Heath, Andrew Elmer Modin, Richard Alexander Prause
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Patent number: 10730249Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for bi-directional cutters for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machines. One embodiment includes a bi-directional cutter for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) manufacturing. The cutter includes a cutter body that has an upper edge and a lower edge, and has an opening placed between the upper edge and the lower edge that is dimensioned to enable passage of a tow of fiber through the cutter body. The cutter also includes a first blade disposed on the lower edge of the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven downward, and a second blade disposed on an edge of the opening in the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven upward.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Andrew Elmer Modin, Allen Halbritter, Tu N. Hoang
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Publication number: 20200180239Abstract: A composite charge positioning assembly configured to position a composite charge onto a forming tool is presented. The composite charge positioning assembly comprises a base; a first charge support arm associated with the base and movable in a first direction towards or away from the base; and a second charge support arm associated with the base and movable in the first direction. The first charge support arm has a first surface configured to contact a portion of a composite charge. The second charge support arm has a second surface configured to contact a second portion of the composite charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 10532828Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for placing a part may automatically self-align the part relative to a target along multiple axes of movement, such as along the width of the part, and normal to one or more target surfaces of the target. Devices may include one or more installation heads each having a respective retaining portion configured to selectively support and retain the part in association with the respective installation head as the device moves the part from a first location located apart from the target, towards the target. The installation head may be configured to automatically align the part with the target, in response to engagement between one or more part surfaces of the part and one or more target surfaces of the target. The retaining portion may be configured to selectively release the part once the part is automatically aligned with and operatively at the target.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Allen James Halbritter, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 10399284Abstract: A composite laminate such as a hat-type stringer is formed on a contoured mandrel using a combination of mechanical sweeping and vacuum forming.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 10293552Abstract: A film tube installed and sealed in a hollow composite part acts as an internal vacuum bag that eliminates the need for an internal mandrel to react compaction forces applied by autoclave pressure during curing of the part.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard Heath, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Publication number: 20190002132Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for placing a part may automatically self-align the part relative to a target along multiple axes of movement, such as along the width of the part, and normal to one or more target surfaces of the target. Devices may include one or more installation heads each having a respective retaining portion configured to selectively support and retain the part in association with the respective installation head as the device moves the part from a first location located apart from the target, towards the target. The installation head may be configured to automatically align the part with the target, in response to engagement between one or more part surfaces of the part and one or more target surfaces of the target. The retaining portion may be configured to selectively release the part once the part is automatically aligned with and operatively at the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Allen James Halbritter, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Publication number: 20180319051Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a composite structure. A composite material having a closed cross-section or a partially closed cross-section is cured to form the composite structure, wherein the composite material is in contact with a foam mandrel assembly when curing begins. A supportive foam mandrel in the foam mandrel assembly is collapsed during curing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Richard E. Heath, Andrew Elmer Modin, Richard Alexander Prause
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Publication number: 20180319050Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method. A composite charge is placed over a forming and cure mandrel, a first radius filler, and a second radius filler. Mechanical pressure is applied to shape the composite charge to the forming and cure mandrel and a rigid base to form a stringer layup having a hat-shaped cross-section. Vacuum pressure is applied to the stringer layup to form a compacted stringer package.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Richard Alexander Prause, Richard Heath, Andrew Elmer Modin
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Patent number: 10059041Abstract: Within examples, methods and systems for a multi-state bladder or elastomeric apparatus for manufacture of composite material are provided. The elastomeric apparatus includes a housing having a flexible surface state and a rigid surface state, a rod within the housing extending along a length of the housing, and a plurality of components mounted to the rod, such that in an engaged position of the rod the plurality of components cause the housing to have the rigid surface state, and in a disengaged position of the rod the plurality of components enable the housing to have the flexible surface state.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Edward Heath, Andrew Elmer Modin, Paul D. Shaw, Raviendra Suriyaarachchi
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Publication number: 20180215108Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for bi-directional cutters for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machines. One embodiment includes a bi-directional cutter for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) manufacturing. The cutter includes a cutter body that has an upper edge and a lower edge, and has an opening placed between the upper edge and the lower edge that is dimensioned to enable passage of a tow of fiber through the cutter body. The cutter also includes a first blade disposed on the lower edge of the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven downward, and a second blade disposed on an edge of the opening in the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven upward.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Andrew Elmer Modin, Allen Halbritter, Tu N. Hoang
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Patent number: 9950477Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for bi-directional cutters for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machines. One embodiment includes a bi-directional cutter for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) manufacturing. The cutter includes a cutter body that has an upper edge and a lower edge, and has an opening placed between the upper edge and the lower edge that is dimensioned to enable passage of a tow of fiber through the cutter body. The cutter also includes a first blade disposed on the lower edge of the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven downward, and a second blade disposed on an edge of the opening in the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven upward.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Andrew Elmer Modin, Allen Halbritter, Tu N. Hoang