Patents by Inventor Brian K. Sollenberger

Brian K. Sollenberger 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: 8620470
    Abstract: A system for assembling aircraft is disclosed. An example system for moving components of an airplane into assembly alignment includes a jacking system including assembly jacks for supporting and moving components of the airplane into assembly alignment; a measurement system independent of the jacking system for determining locations of a plurality of features the components of the airplane while the components are supported on the assembly jacks; and a computer system for determining the relative positions of the components in a coordinate system of the airplane and for controlling the movement of the assembly jacks to bring the components into assembly alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, John G. Barnes, Alan K. Jones, Brian K. Sollenberger, Patrick B. Stone
  • Patent number: 8606388
    Abstract: A system automatically moves large scale components of a vehicle such as an airplane, into final assembly alignment. A noncontact measurement system determines the locations of aerodynamically significant features on each of the components. The measured locations of the components are used to control an automated jacking system that includes assembly jacks for individually moving the components into assembly alignment. A system is provided for calculating the cruise configuration of the vehicle “as-built” and for transferring the cruise configuration into the vehicle where it is recorded in the form of a physical monument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, John G. Barnes, Alan K. Jones, Brian K. Sollenberger, Patrick B. Stone
  • Publication number: 20110276172
    Abstract: A system automatically moves large scale components of a vehicle such as an airplane, into final assembly alignment. A noncontact measurement system determines the locations of aerodynamically significant features on each of the components. The measured locations of the components are used to control an automated jacking system that includes assembly jacks for individually moving the components into assembly alignment. A system is provided for calculating the cruise configuration of the vehicle “as-built” and for transferring the cruise configuration into the vehicle where it is recorded in the form of a physical monument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, John G. Barnes, Alan K. Jones, Brian K. Sollenberger, Patrick B. Stone
  • Publication number: 20110270571
    Abstract: A system automatically moves large scale components of a vehicle such as an airplane, into final assembly alignment. A noncontact measurement system determines the locations of aerodynamically significant features on each of the components. The measured locations of the components are used to control an automated jacking system that includes assembly jacks for individually moving the components into assembly alignment. A system is provided for calculating the cruise configuration of the vehicle “as-built” and for transferring the cruise configuration into the vehicle where it is recorded in the form of a physical monument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, John G. Barnes, Alan K. Jones, Brian K. Sollenberger, Patrick B. Stone
  • Patent number: 8005563
    Abstract: A system automatically moves large scale components of a vehicle such as an airplane, into final assembly alignment. A noncontact measurement system determines the locations of aerodynamically significant features on each of the components. The measured locations of the components are used to control an automated jacking system that includes assembly jacks for individually moving the components into assembly alignment. A system is provided for calculating the cruise configuration of the vehicle “as-built” and for transferring the cruise configuration into the vehicle where it is recorded in the form of a physical monument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, John G. Barnes, Alan K. Jones, Brian K. Sollenberger, Patrick B. Stone
  • Publication number: 20090112349
    Abstract: A system automatically moves large scale components of a vehicle such as an airplane, into final assembly alignment. A noncontact measurement system determines the locations of aerodynamically significant features on each of the components. The measured locations of the components are used to control an automated jacking system that includes assembly jacks for individually moving the components into assembly alignment. A system is provided for calculating the cruise configuration of the vehicle “as-built” and for transferring the cruise configuration into the vehicle where it is recorded in the form of a physical monument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, John G. Barnes, Alan K. Jones, Brian K. Sollenberger, Patrick B. Stone