Patents by Inventor Bruce Harman

Bruce Harman 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: 8286323
    Abstract: An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Chin H. Toh, Edward Bruce Harman, Branko Sarh
  • Publication number: 20120030926
    Abstract: An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Chin H. Toh, Edward Bruce Harman, Branko Sarh
  • Patent number: 8051547
    Abstract: An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Chin H. Toh, Edward Bruce Harman, Branko Sarh
  • Publication number: 20080155807
    Abstract: An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Chin H. Toh, Edward Bruce Harman, Branko Sarh
  • Patent number: 7003860
    Abstract: A fastener delivery and installation method is provided that comprises an end effector mounted on an automated machine and operable to drill a hole through a workpiece and insert a fastener through the hole, and a fastener feed unit and method operable with the automated machine to deliver the fasteners through the end effector and into the workpiece. Further, a hand-held tool is positioned against a second surface of the workpiece and is aligned with the end effector. Once the hand-held tool is positioned properly, a magnetic field is generated and the workpiece is clamped to enable the end effector to drill a hole through the workpiece and insert a fastener therethrough. Additionally, a detector is located on the hand-held tool for generating guidance information to inform an operator where to move the hand-held tool so as to align the hand-held tool with the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Branko Sarh, Bruce Harman
  • Patent number: 6772508
    Abstract: A fastener delivery and installation system is provided that comprises an end effector mounted on an automated machine and operable to drill a hole through a workpiece and insert a fastener through the hole, and a fastener feed unit operable with the automated machine to deliver the fasteners through the end effector and into the workpiece. Further, a hand-held tool is operable against a second surface of the workpiece and is aligned with the end effector. Once the hand-held tool is positioned properly, a magnetic field is generated and the workpiece is clamped to enable the end effector to drill a hole through the workpiece and insert a fastener therethrough. Additionally, a detector is located on the hand-held tool for generating guidance information to inform an operator where to move the hand-held tool so as to align the hand-held tool with the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Branko Sarh, Bruce Harman
  • Publication number: 20040117962
    Abstract: A fastener delivery and installation system is provided that comprises an end effector mounted on an automated machine and operable to drill a hole through a workpiece and insert a fastener through the hole, and a fastener feed unit operable with the automated machine to deliver the fasteners through the end effector and into the workpiece. Further, a hand-held tool is operable against a second surface of the workpiece and is aligned with the end effector. Once the hand-held tool is positioned properly, a magnetic field is generated and the workpiece is clamped to enable the end effector to drill a hole through the workpiece and insert a fastener therethrough. Additionally, a detector is located on the hand-held tool for generating guidance information to inform an operator where to move the hand-held tool so as to align the hand-held tool with the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Branko Sarh, Bruce Harman
  • Publication number: 20040016097
    Abstract: A fastener delivery and installation system is provided that comprises an end effector mounted on an automated machine and operable to drill a hole through a workpiece and insert a fastener through the hole, and a fastener feed unit operable with the automated machine to deliver the fasteners through the end effector and into the workpiece. Further, a hand-held tool is operable against a second surface of the workpiece and is aligned with the end effector. Once the hand-held tool is positioned properly, a magnetic field is generated and the workpiece is clamped to enable the end effector to drill a hole through the workpiece and insert a fastener therethrough. Additionally, a detector is located on the hand-held tool for generating guidance information to inform an operator where to move the hand-held tool so as to align the hand-held tool with the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Branko Sarh, Bruce Harman