Patents by Inventor Andrew Levers

Andrew Levers 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: 9604413
    Abstract: A method of assembling and shaping a laminate panel. An intermediate member is mounted on a lay-up table and a lay-up is assembling by laying a series of plies onto the intermediate member on the lay-up table. The intermediate member and the lay-up are then removed from the lay-up table and placed them on a shaped surface. The lay-up is then forced against the shaped surface, via the intermediate member, in a manner that modifies the shape of the lay-up to form a shaped laminate panel. Finally the shaped laminate panel is removed from the intermediate member. The lay-up table can thus support the flexible intermediate member during assembly, and can be relatively flat to enable the lay-up to assembled by an automated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONA LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Levers, Gary Wiles
  • Publication number: 20140238610
    Abstract: A method of assembling and shaping a laminate panel. An intermediate member is mounted on a lay-up table and a lay-up is assembling by laying a series of plies onto the intermediate member on the lay-up table. The intermediate member and the lay-up are then removed from the lay-up table and placed them on a shaped surface. The lay-up is then forced against the shaped surface, via the intermediate member, in a manner that modifies the shape of the lay-up to form a shaped laminate panel. Finally the shaped laminate panel is removed from the intermediate member. The lay-up table can thus support the flexible intermediate member during assembly, and can be relatively flat to enable the lay-up to assembled by an automated process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew LEVERS, Gary WILES
  • Patent number: 8715561
    Abstract: A method of assembling and shaping a laminate panel. An intermediate member is mounted on a lay-up table and a lay-up is assembling by laying a series of plies onto the intermediate member on the lay-up table. The intermediate member and the lay-up are then removed from the lay-up table and placed them on a shaped surface. The lay-up is then forced against the shaped surface, via the intermediate member, in a manner that modifies the shape of the lay-up to form a shaped laminate panel. Finally the shaped laminate panel is removed from the intermediate member. The lay-up table can thus support the flexible intermediate member during assembly, and can be relatively flat to enable the lay-up to assembled by an automated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Levers, Gary Wiles
  • Patent number: 8303729
    Abstract: A creep forming tool modifies the shape of an aircraft component in the form of a wing skin portion. The tool includes a shaped surface defined by removable rib boards. The component is forced against the shaped surface, via a reusable intermediate plate. The shape of the shaped surface may be adjusted, if necessary, by replacing the rib boards with boards of a different shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Levers
  • Publication number: 20110143100
    Abstract: A method of assembling and shaping a laminate panel. An intermediate member is mounted on a lay-up table and a lay-up is assembling by laying a series of plies onto the intermediate member on the lay-up table. The intermediate member and the lay-up are then removed from the lay-up table and placed them on a shaped surface. The lay-up is then forced against the shaped surface, via the intermediate member, in a manner that modifies the shape of the lay-up to form a shaped laminate panel. Finally the shaped laminate panel is removed from the intermediate member. The lay-up table can thus support the flexible intermediate member during assembly, and can be relatively flat to enable the lay-up to assembled by an automated process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Levers, Gary Wiles
  • Patent number: 7322223
    Abstract: A method of creep forming a metallic component is provided. The method includes the steps of applying static loading and cyclic loading and/or vibration to the component during the creep forming thereof to act as a source of additional energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus UK Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Levers
  • Publication number: 20070120013
    Abstract: A creep forming tool modifies the shape of an aircraft component in the form of a wing skin portion. The tool includes a shaped surface defined by removable rib boards. The component is forced against the shaped surface, via a reusable intermediate plate. The shape of the shaped surface may be adjusted, if necessary, by replacing the rib boards with boards of a different shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew Levers
  • Publication number: 20060042347
    Abstract: A creep forming tool modifies the shape of an aircraft component in the form of a wing skin portion. The tool includes a shaped surface defined by removable rib boards. The component is forced against the shaped surface, via a reusable intermediate plate. The shape of the shaped surface may be adjusted, if necessary, by replacing the rib boards with boards of a different shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventor: Andrew Levers
  • Publication number: 20040154369
    Abstract: A method of creep forming a metallic component is provided. The method includes the steps of applying static loading and cyclic loading and/or vibration to the component during the creep forming thereof to act as a source of additional energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew Levers