Patents by Inventor Caitlin E. Kerr

Caitlin E. Kerr 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: 10773529
    Abstract: A method of applying a surface treatment on a contoured surface includes attaching a surface treatment repair assembly to the contoured surface that includes a robotic unit and an array of applicator heads, each applicator head being configured to apply a repair treatment to the contoured surface. A location of the surface treatment relative to the surface treatment repair assembly is determined using an optical sensor configured to scan the contoured surface and generate an image data set of the contoured surface. A damaged portion of the surface treatment is identified and a target area for surface treatment repair is defined based on comparing the image data set generated by the optical sensor and a pristine image data set. The surface treatment repair assembly is positioned with the array of applicator heads adjacent to the surface treatment, and each applicator head is selectively operated to repair the surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Kerr, Justin T. Hoehn, Dhananjay B. Vasa, Shane E. Arthur, Bennett M. Moriarty, Matthew H. Mellin, Ryan M. Trumbo, John F. Spalding, Raymond C. Eng, Kyle S. Biondich
  • Publication number: 20190176482
    Abstract: A method of applying a surface treatment on a contoured surface includes attaching a surface treatment repair assembly to the contoured surface that includes a robotic unit and an array of applicator heads, each applicator head being configured to apply a repair treatment to the contoured surface. A location of the surface treatment relative to the surface treatment repair assembly is determined using an optical sensor configured to scan the contoured surface and generate an image data set of the contoured surface. A damaged portion of the surface treatment is identified and a target area for surface treatment repair is defined based on comparing the image data set generated by the optical sensor and a pristine image data set. The surface treatment repair assembly is positioned with the array of applicator heads adjacent to the surface treatment, and each applicator head is selectively operated to repair the surface treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Kerr, Justin T. Hoehn, Dhananjay B. Vasa, Shane E. Arthur, Bennett M. Moriarty, Matthew H. Mellin, Ryan M. Trumbo, John F. Spalding, Raymond C. Eng, Kyle S. Biondich
  • Patent number: 10226944
    Abstract: A surface treatment repair assembly for applying a surface treatment to a contoured surface includes an attachment device configured to removably attach to the contoured surface and a robotic unit is coupled to the attachment device. Furthermore, a treating unit is operably mounted on the robotic unit and including a plurality of applicator heads forming a treatment array and each applicator head is configured to apply a surface repair treatment. At least one sensor is mounted on the treating unit and configured to identify a target area for the surface repair treatment and a controller is operably coupled to the robotic unit and the treating unit. The controller is programmed to control a movement of the robotic unit to position the treatment array adjacent to the target area and to selectively operate the treatment array to apply the surface repair treatment on the target area of the contoured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Kerr, Justin T. Hoehn, Dhananjay B. Vasa, Shane E. Arthur, Bennett M. Moriarty, Matthew H. Mellin, Ryan M. Trumbo, John F. Spalding, Raymond C. Eng, Kyle S. Biondich
  • Publication number: 20180056670
    Abstract: A surface treatment repair assembly for applying a surface treatment to a contoured surface includes an attachment device configured to removably attach to the contoured surface and a robotic unit is coupled to the attachment device. Furthermore, a treating unit is operably mounted on the robotic unit and including a plurality of applicator heads forming a treatment array and each applicator head is configured to apply a surface repair treatment. At least one sensor is mounted on the treating unit and configured to identify a target area for the surface repair treatment and a controller is operably coupled to the robotic unit and the treating unit. The controller is programmed to control a movement of the robotic unit to position the treatment array adjacent to the target area and to selectively operate the treatment array to apply the surface repair treatment on the target area of the contoured surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Kerr, Justin T. Hoehn, Dhananjay B. Vasa, Shane E. Arthur, Bennett M. Moriarty, Matthew H. Mellin, Ryan M. Trumbo, John F. Spalding, Raymond C. Eng, Kyle S. Biondich