Patents by Inventor Charlie E. Branyon, III

Charlie E. Branyon, III 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: 11826904
    Abstract: Described herein is an end effector for picking up and placing an object on a rigid tool. The end effector comprises a plate and an internal seal attached to the plate. The internal seal comprises an internal permeable layer and an internal impermeable film. The end effector further comprises at least one vacuum port extending through the plate and open to the internal permeable layer. Additionally, the end effector may comprise an external seal attached to the plate. The external seal comprises an external permeable layer and an external impermeable film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jennifer F. Branton, Daniel Johnson, Luis F. Velasquez, Caleb J. Handolescu, Charlie E. Branyon, III
  • Patent number: 11535356
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead assembly support tool configured to hold a pressure bulkhead system is presented. The pressure bulkhead assembly support tool comprises a segmented frame having a substantially circular path. A plurality of circumferential force assemblies restrains the pressure bulkhead system such that a circumferential surface of the pressure bulkhead system with a nominal shape is formed. A plurality of alignment probes holds and positions the pressure bulkhead system relative to the segmented frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Patent number: 11459124
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a splice component for joining two or more workpieces includes a base plate and one or more bias assemblies. The base plate includes one or more passageways extending through the base plate and one or more barrier elements mounted proximate to the passageway(s). Each barrier element and associated passageway are configured to freely receive a protrusion of a splice component. The bias assembly includes a bias element that extends proximate to the passageway and is configured to move resiliently to urge the protrusion against the barrier element. The passageway, the barrier element, and the bias assembly are configured to allow movement of the splice component relative to the base plate transverse to a direction of force applied by the bias element on the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Howard Curry, III, David Raines, Scott L. Smotherman, Paul Gabriel Werntges, Dennis Ray Mathis, Charlie E. Branyon, III, Daniel B. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20220161446
    Abstract: Described herein is an end effector for picking up and placing an object on a rigid tool. The end effector comprises a plate and an internal seal attached to the plate. The internal seal comprises an internal permeable layer and an internal impermeable film. The end effector further comprises at least one vacuum port extending through the plate and open to the internal permeable layer. Additionally, the end effector may comprise an external seal attached to the plate. The external seal comprises an external permeable layer and an external impermeable film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Jennifer F. Branton, Daniel Johnson, Luis F. Velasquez, Caleb J. Handolescu, Charlie E. Branyon, III
  • Publication number: 20210323652
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead assembly support tool configured to hold a pressure bulkhead system is presented. The pressure bulkhead assembly support tool comprises a segmented frame having a substantially circular path. A plurality of circumferential force assemblies restrains the pressure bulkhead system such that a circumferential surface of the pressure bulkhead system with a nominal shape is formed. A plurality of alignment probes holds and positions the pressure bulkhead system relative to the segmented frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20210261231
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a splice component for joining two or more workpieces includes a base plate and one or more bias assemblies. The base plate includes one or more passageways extending through the base plate and one or more barrier elements mounted proximate to the passageway(s). Each barrier element and associated passageway are configured to freely receive a protrusion of a splice component. The bias assembly includes a bias element that extends proximate to the passageway and is configured to move resiliently to urge the protrusion against the barrier element. The passageway, the barrier element, and the bias assembly are configured to allow movement of the splice component relative to the base plate transverse to a direction of force applied by the bias element on the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Howard Curry, III, David Raines, Scott L. Smotherman, Paul Gabriel Werntges, Dennis Ray Mathis, Charlie E. Branyon, III, Daniel B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11077929
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead system is presented. The pressure bulkhead system comprises an aft pressure bulkhead having a bulkhead interface surface, skin splice angles positioned adjacent to one another and joined to the aft pressure bulkhead, and a plurality of shims between the flange surface and the bulkhead interface surface of the aft pressure bulkhead. The skin splice angles form a circumferential surface and a flange surface, wherein the circumferential surface has a nominal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20210031898
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead system is presented. The pressure bulkhead system comprises an aft pressure bulkhead having a bulkhead interface surface, skin splice angles positioned adjacent to one another and joined to the aft pressure bulkhead, and a plurality of shims between the flange surface and the bulkhead interface surface of the aft pressure bulkhead. The skin splice angles form a circumferential surface and a flange surface, wherein the circumferential surface has a nominal shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Patent number: 10124449
    Abstract: A method and temporary fastener for substantially simultaneously clamping a drill jig and a plurality of layers. The temporary fastener may comprise a first system and a second system. The first system may be configured to secure the temporary fastener to a drill jig. The second system may be configured to secure the temporary fastener to a plurality of layers of material beneath the drill jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Nicholas Wayne Fudela
  • Publication number: 20160363146
    Abstract: A method and temporary fastener for substantially simultaneously clamping a drill jig and a plurality of layers. The temporary fastener may comprise a first system and a second system. The first system may be configured to secure the temporary fastener to a drill jig. The second system may be configured to secure the temporary fastener to a plurality of layers of material beneath the drill jig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Nicholas Wayne Fudela