Patents by Inventor Blake A. Simpson
Blake A. Simpson 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: 11649845Abstract: A mechanical fastener system for EME protection, including at least one plated component, wherein the at least one plated component includes a base material, a bonding layer disposed over the base material, and a metal plating disposed over the bonding layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Darrin M. Hansen, Blake A. Simpson, Richard B. Tanner, Peter K. Augusciak
-
Patent number: 11396900Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fastener. The fastener includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The fastener also includes a head having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first end of the elongated body is coupled to the second surface of the head, and a diameter of the head is greater than a diameter of the elongated body. The fastener also includes a sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the elongated body and the second surface of the head. The fastener also includes a plurality of textured elements positioned on an exterior surface of the sleeve adjacent the second surface of the head. One or more of the plurality of textured elements extend from the exterior surface of the sleeve to the first surface of the head.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Blake A. Simpson
-
Patent number: 11313398Abstract: The present disclosure provides a blind tack fastener. The blind tack fastener includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The blind tack fastener also includes a collar surrounding a portion of the elongated body. The blind tack fastener also includes a sleeve surrounding the elongated body and positioned between the second end of the elongated body and the collar. A region of the sleeve is band annealed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A. Simpson, Sean D. Morden
-
Patent number: 11303047Abstract: Conductively coated fastening systems are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes a fastening system and a structural assembly. The structural assembly comprises a first structural element made of an electrically conductive fiber reinforced plastic and a second structural element. The first structural element comprises a first hole and the second structural element comprises a second hole. The first and second holes are separately pre-formed prior to assembly of the structural assembly. The structural assembly further comprises an electrically conductive gap filler applied to a first structural element sidewall of the first hole of the first structural element. The fastening system comprises a fastener comprising a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank is configured to be inserted into the first hole and the second hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Darrin M. Hansen, Blake A. Simpson
-
Patent number: 11168721Abstract: An assembly comprising first and second structural elements having aligned holes, a fastener that occupies at least respective portions of the holes without a surrounding sleeve, and a mating part that is coupled to the fastener. The fastener comprises: a head; a circular cylindrical shank extending from the head; a mating portion comprising external projections; and a transition portion disposed between the shank and the mating portion. The transition portion comprises a tapered lead-in section that meets the shank at a shank/lead-in intersection and a radiused lead-in section that meets the tapered lead-in section. The tapered lead-in section tapers gradually in a first axial direction toward the mating portion and has a first profile that is linear and a taper angle equal to or less than 20 degrees, while the radiused lead-in section curves abruptly in the first axial direction and has a second profile that is a circular arc having a radius.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A. Simpson, Tanni Sisco
-
Patent number: 11148188Abstract: A tool for installing a blind fastener. The tool includes a retention member and a gripping member that defines a longitudinal axis and is moveable relative to the retention member along the longitudinal axis, the gripping member further defining a receiving cavity that is elongated along the longitudinal axis, an axial opening into the receiving cavity, and a radial opening into the receiving cavity. The tool also includes a contact element at least partially received in the radial opening and a locking collar moveable relative to the gripping member along the longitudinal axis between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the locking collar engages the contact element and urges at least a portion of the contact element into the receiving cavity. In the second position the locking collar is disengaged from the contact element.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A. Simpson, David G. Ellsworth, Casey M. Cowell, Stephen G. Holley
-
Patent number: 11137014Abstract: A conductive fastening system, a fastened assembly, and a method of fastening an assembly composed of layers of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“CFRP”) and/or metallic material includes fasteners with an electrically conductive coating and electrically conductive gap filler materials between the fasteners and sidewalls of holes formed through the layers of the assembly. The sidewalls of the holes are coated with the electrically conductive gap filler material by abrading, injection or spraying. The fasteners with the electrically conductive coating are inserted through the holes. The conductive coating on the fasteners and electrically conductive gap filler material work together to enhance electrical conductivity between the fastener and assembly. The conductive coating also acts as a lubricant to reduce the amount of force required to insert the fastener into the hole thereby reducing damage to the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Darrin M. Hansen, Blake A. Simpson, Shahriar Khosravani
-
Publication number: 20210210873Abstract: Conductively coated fastening systems are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes a fastening system and a structural assembly. The structural assembly comprises a first structural element made of an electrically conductive fiber reinforced plastic and a second structural element. The first structural element comprises a first hole and the second structural element comprises a second hole. The first and second holes are separately pre-formed prior to assembly of the structural assembly. The structural assembly further comprises an electrically conductive gap filler applied to a first structural element sidewall of the first hole of the first structural element. The fastening system comprises a fastener comprising a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank is configured to be inserted into the first hole and the second hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Darrin M. Hansen, Blake A. Simpson
-
Publication number: 20210180636Abstract: A mechanical fastener system for EME protection, including at least one plated component, wherein the at least one plated component includes a base material, a bonding layer disposed over the base material, and a metal plating disposed over the bonding layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Darrin M. Hansen, Blake A. Simpson, Richard B. Tanner, Peter K. Augusciak
-
Patent number: 11000891Abstract: A blind fastener tool with pulling fingers is provided. One embodiment is a tool for installing a blind fastener in a hole. The tool includes stationary fingers having tips protruding from a front end of the housing to contact a rim of a sleeve of the blind fastener. The tool also includes pulling fingers in the housing arranged longitudinally in spaces between the stationary fingers. Ends of the pulling fingers proximate to the front end are configured to radially expand to receive a drive element of the blind fastener, and to radially collapse to grip a collar of the drive element. The pulling fingers are configured to translate inside the housing to pull the drive element away from the sleeve as the stationary fingers contact the rim of the sleeve to form a bulb with the sleeve at a blind side of the hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A Simpson, David G Ellsworth, Casey M Cowell, Stephen G Holley
-
Publication number: 20210121939Abstract: A tool for installing a blind fastener. The tool includes a retention member and a gripping member that defines a longitudinal axis and is moveable relative to the retention member along the longitudinal axis, the gripping member further defining a receiving cavity that is elongated along the longitudinal axis, an axial opening into the receiving cavity, and a radial opening into the receiving cavity. The tool also includes a contact element at least partially received in the radial opening and a locking collar moveable relative to the gripping member along the longitudinal axis between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the locking collar engages the contact element and urges at least a portion of the contact element into the receiving cavity. In the second position the locking collar is disengaged from the contact element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A. Simpson, David G. Ellsworth, Casey M. Cowell, Stephen G. Holley
-
Patent number: 10954991Abstract: An electromagnetic effect suppressing termination part for a fastener formed of a metallic material, the fastener having a head, a shank, and a male threaded portion opposite the head, has a metallic core coated by a layer of dielectric material. An internal bore of the termination part includes an inner wall, a counterbore hole, and a cavity disposed therebetween. An outer surface includes an outer wall, and a frustoconical wall positioned proximally relative to the outer wall, the frustoconical wall extending radially outwardly from the outer wall and having an included angle of less than approximately 90 degrees. A seal is disposed in the counterbore hole, and the frustoconical wall is configured so that a compressive force applied to the frustoconical wall deforms the inner wall to conform to the male threaded portion of the fastener and deforms the seal to fill the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Sean D. Morden, Blake A. Simpson, Tanni Sisco, Kwok-Tung Chan, Monica J. Brockway
-
Publication number: 20210054864Abstract: The present disclosure provides a blind tack fastener. The blind tack fastener includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The blind tack fastener also includes a collar surrounding a portion of the elongated body. The blind tack fastener also includes a sleeve surrounding the elongated body and positioned between the second end of the elongated body and the collar. A region of the sleeve is band annealed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Blake A. Simpson, Sean D. Morden
-
Publication number: 20200355212Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fastener. The fastener includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The fastener also includes a head having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first end of the elongated body is coupled to the second surface of the head, and a diameter of the head is greater than a diameter of the elongated body. The fastener also includes a sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the elongated body and the second surface of the head. The fastener also includes a plurality of textured elements positioned on an exterior surface of the sleeve adjacent the second surface of the head. One or more of the plurality of textured elements extend from the exterior surface of the sleeve to the first surface of the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventor: Blake A. Simpson
-
Patent number: 10808749Abstract: A fastening device for coupling an assembly includes a fastener comprising a head, a threaded portion, and a shank extending between the head and the threaded portion. The fastening device also includes a coating formed around the fastener, wherein the coating is electrically conductive and comprises a varying thickness along the shank.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Shahriar Khosravani, Darrin Michael Hansen, Blake A. Simpson, Junghyun Ahn
-
Publication number: 20200309173Abstract: An assembly comprising first and second structural elements having aligned holes, a fastener that occupies at least respective portions of the holes without a surrounding sleeve, and a mating part that is coupled to the fastener. The fastener comprises: a head; a circular cylindrical shank extending from the head; a mating portion comprising external projections; and a transition portion disposed between the shank and the mating portion. The transition portion comprises a tapered lead-in section that meets the shank at a shank/lead-in intersection and a radiused lead-in section that meets the tapered lead-in section. The tapered lead-in section tapers gradually in a first axial direction toward the mating portion and has a first profile that is linear and a taper angle equal to or less than 20 degrees, while the radiused lead-in section curves abruptly in the first axial direction and has a second profile that is a circular arc having a radius.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A. Simpson, Tanni Sisco
-
Patent number: 10774863Abstract: A blind fastener system including a sleeve and, optionally, a core bolt insertable into the sleeve, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the core bolt includes a lubricious metallic coating containing at least one of tin, bismuth, indium and aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A. Simpson, Dave G. Ellsworth, Stephen G. Holley, Michael Howard-Edward Ware, Casey M. Cowell
-
Publication number: 20200230691Abstract: A blind fastener tool with pulling fingers is provided. One embodiment is a tool for installing a blind fastener in a hole. The tool includes stationary fingers having tips protruding from a front end of the housing to contact a rim of a sleeve of the blind fastener. The tool also includes pulling fingers in the housing arranged longitudinally in spaces between the stationary fingers. Ends of the pulling fingers proximate to the front end are configured to radially expand to receive a drive element of the blind fastener, and to radially collapse to grip a collar of the drive element. The pulling fingers are configured to translate inside the housing to pull the drive element away from the sleeve as the stationary fingers contact the rim of the sleeve to form a bulb with the sleeve at a blind side of the hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Blake A Simpson, David G Ellsworth, Casey M Cowell, Stephen G Holley
-
Patent number: 10711814Abstract: An assembly comprising first and second structural elements having aligned holes, a fastener that occupies at least respective portions of the holes without a surrounding sleeve, and a mating part that is coupled to the fastener. The fastener comprises: a head; a circular cylindrical shank extending from the head; a mating portion comprising external projections; and a transition portion disposed between the shank and the mating portion. The transition portion comprises a tapered lead-in section that meets the shank at a shank/lead-in intersection and a radiused lead-in section that meets the tapered lead-in section. The tapered lead-in section tapers gradually in a first axial direction toward the mating portion and has a first profile that is linear and a taper angle equal to or less than 20 degrees, while the radiused lead-in section curves abruptly in the first axial direction and has a second profile that is a circular arc having a radius.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blake A. Simpson, Tanni Sisco
-
Publication number: 20200217349Abstract: A conductive fastening system, a fastened assembly, and a method of fastening an assembly composed of layers of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“CFRP”) and/or metallic material includes fasteners with an electrically conductive coating and electrically conductive gap filler materials between the fasteners and sidewalls of holes formed through the layers of the assembly. The sidewalls of the holes are coated with the electrically conductive gap filler material by abrading, injection or spraying. The fasteners with the electrically conductive coating are inserted through the holes. The conductive coating on the fasteners and electrically conductive gap filler material work together to enhance electrical conductivity between the fastener and assembly. The conductive coating also acts as a lubricant to reduce the amount of force required to insert the fastener into the hole thereby reducing damage to the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Darrin M. Hansen, Blake A. Simpson, Shahriar Khosravani