Patents by Inventor Bruce C. Blankinship

Bruce C. Blankinship 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: 8382037
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are herein. A composite aircraft panel manufacturing assembly comprises a skin, a stiffener, a tubular bladder, and at least one ply of fabric. The stiffener comprises first and second flange portions bonded to the skin. The stiffener further comprises an interior surface, spaced apart from the skin, and extending between the first and second flange portions. The tubular bladder extends longitudinally between the interior surface of the stiffener and the skin. The at least one ply of fabric extends around the bladder and is bonded to the interior surface of the stiffener and an adjacent portion of the skin between the first and second flange portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20120219764
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are herein. A composite aircraft panel manufacturing assembly comprises a skin, a stiffener, a tubular bladder, and at least one ply of fabric. The stiffener comprises first and second flange portions bonded to the skin. The stiffener further comprises an interior surface, spaced apart from the skin, and extending between the first and second flange portions. The tubular bladder extends longitudinally between the interior surface of the stiffener and the skin. The at least one ply of fabric extends around the bladder and is bonded to the interior surface of the stiffener and an adjacent portion of the skin between the first and second flange portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Patent number: 8182628
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are disclosed herein. A composite section configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The skin can include a plurality of unidirectional fibers forming a continuous surface extending 360 degrees about an axis. The first stiffener can include a first flange portion bonded to an interior surface of the skin and a first raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. The second stiffener can include a second flange portion bonded to the interior surface of the skin and a second raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. A method for manufacturing a section of a fuselage in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes positioning a plurality of uncured stiffeners on a mandrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Patent number: 8157212
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are disclosed herein. A composite section configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The skin can include a plurality of unidirectional fibers forming a continuous surface extending 360 degrees about an axis. The first stiffener can include a first flange portion bonded to an interior surface of the skin and a first raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. The second stiffener can include a second flange portion bonded to the interior surface of the skin and a second raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. A method for manufacturing a section of a fuselage in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes positioning a plurality of uncured stiffeners on a mandrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20110073708
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are disclosed herein. A composite section configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The skin can include a plurality of unidirectional fibers forming a continuous surface extending 360 degrees about an axis. The first stiffener can include a first flange portion bonded to an interior surface of the skin and a first raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. The second stiffener can include a second flange portion bonded to the interior surface of the skin and a second raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. A method for manufacturing a section of a fuselage in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes positioning a plurality of uncured stiffeners on a mandrel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Patent number: 7527222
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are disclosed herein. A composite section configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The skin can include a plurality of unidirectional fibers forming a continuous surface extending 360 degrees about an axis. The first stiffener can include a first flange portion bonded to an interior surface of the skin and a first raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. The second stiffener can include a second flange portion bonded to the interior surface of the skin and a second raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. A method for manufacturing a section of a fuselage in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes positioning a plurality of uncured stiffeners on a mandrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20080246175
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are disclosed herein. A composite section configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The skin can include a plurality of unidirectional fibers forming a continuous surface extending 360 degrees about an axis. The first stiffener can include a first flange portion bonded to an interior surface of the skin and a first raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. The second stiffener can include a second flange portion bonded to the interior surface of the skin and a second raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. A method for manufacturing a section of a fuselage in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes positioning a plurality of uncured stiffeners on a mandrel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20080230652
    Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are disclosed herein. A composite section configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The skin can include a plurality of unidirectional fibers forming a continuous surface extending 360 degrees about an axis. The first stiffener can include a first flange portion bonded to an interior surface of the skin and a first raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. The second stiffener can include a second flange portion bonded to the interior surface of the skin and a second raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. A method for manufacturing a section of a fuselage in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes positioning a plurality of uncured stiffeners on a mandrel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Robert D. Biornstad, Bruce C. Blankinship, Terry J. George, William H. Ingram
  • Patent number: 7166251
    Abstract: An aircraft barrel lay-up assembly is provided comprising a barrel mandrel assembly having a contiguous outer barrel lay-up surface. A minor barrel outer surface element is movable between a minor barrel engaged position and a minor barrel disengaged position and forms a minority portion of the contiguous outer barrel lay-up surface when in the engaged position. A major barrel outer surface element is movable between a major barrel engaged position and a major barrel disengaged position. The major barrel outer surface has a first major barrel surface end and a second major barrel surface end moving together to reduce an effective major barrel outer surface circumference when in the major barrel disengaged position. A composite ply assembly is formed around the barrel mandrel circumference and cured while coincident to form a composite barrel element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bruce C. Blankinship