Patents by Inventor Chris J. Erickson
Chris J. Erickson 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).
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Patent number: 11844420Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface includes steps of (1) positioning a brush in contact with the surface; (2) rotating the brush relative to a drum about a second axis; and (3) rotating the drum relative to a bracket, supporting the drum, about a first axis, parallel to the second axis, such that the brush orbitally revolves about the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 11678737Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface includes positioning a brush in contact with the surface. The method further includes rotating the brush about a second axis relative to a drum. The method also includes rotating the drum about a first axis relative to a bracket, connected to a handle and rotatably supporting the drum, such that the brush orbitally revolves about the first axis. The first axis is parallel to the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 11278110Abstract: A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a push-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 11279073Abstract: A method of depositing an extrudable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a push-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the extrudable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and out of a nozzle that is communicatively coupled with the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle, IV, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 11052589Abstract: A mold tool is provided that includes plural mold sub-volumes configured to receive a sealant, a mold channel in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, a sealant injection port in fluid communication with the mold channel, vacuum application ports in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, and an air control system. The air control system is operably coupled to the mold sub-volumes and the mold channel, and is configured to apply a vacuum to the mold sub-volumes via the vacuum application ports.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10987767Abstract: A receiver-fastener apparatus comprises a receiver-fastener housing, a receiver-fastener turret, an indexing-collet assembly, an anvil, a receiver-fastener delivery assembly, and a swager assembly. The receiver-fastener turret is selectively rotatable relative to the receiver-fastener housing about a receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The indexing-collet assembly is selectively movable relative to the receiver-fastener housing between an indexing-collet-assembly extended position and an indexing-collet-assembly retracted position along an indexing-collet-assembly axis (Y) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The anvil is selectively movable relative to the receiver-fastener turret along an anvil axis (X) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The receiver-fastener delivery assembly is configured to operatively position receiver fasteners for operative placement on shank fasteners, corresponding to the receiver fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John Walter Pringle, IV, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10987693Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a sealant to a structure. The method comprises scanning a surface of the structure with a vision system to form scanned data. The method further determines a sealant application path for the structure using the scanned data. The method also controls movement of an application tip along the sealant application path using a controller.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John Walter Pringle, IV, Chris J. Erickson, Martin Hanna Guirguis, Angelica Davancens, Frederick B. Frontiera
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Publication number: 20210112963Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface includes steps of (1) positioning a brush in contact with the surface; (2) rotating the brush relative to a drum about a second axis; and (3) rotating the drum relative to a bracket, supporting the drum, about a first axis, parallel to the second axis, such that the brush orbitally revolves about the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10981277Abstract: A shank-fastener apparatus comprises a shank-fastener housing, a shank-fastener turret, an indexing-pin assembly, a drill, and a shank-fastener delivery assembly. The shank-fastener turret is supported by the shank-fastener housing and is selectively rotatable relative to the shank-fastener housing about a shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The indexing-pin assembly is supported by the shank-fastener housing and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener housing between an indexing-pin-assembly extended position and an indexing-pin-assembly retracted position along an indexing-pin-assembly axis (B) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The drill is supported by the shank-fastener turret and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener turret along a drill axis (C) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The shank-fastener delivery assembly also supported by the shank-fastener turret.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John Walter Pringle, IV, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10905228Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a surface comprises a bracket and a drum, coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket about a first axis. The apparatus further comprises a brush motor, mounted to the drum, and a brush, rotatable by the brush motor relative to the drum about a second axis, parallel to the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle, IV, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10881192Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a handle (126) and a bracket (104), connected to the handle (126). The apparatus (100) further comprises a drum (108), rotatably coupled to the bracket (104), and an anti-rotation fixture (124), configured to prevent rotation of the drum (108) about a first axis (110) relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), which is parallel to the first axis (110).Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Publication number: 20200383464Abstract: A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a push-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Publication number: 20200376734Abstract: A method of depositing an extrudable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a push-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the extrudable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and out of a nozzle that is communicatively coupled with the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Publication number: 20200331183Abstract: A mold tool is provided that includes plural mold sub-volumes configured to receive a sealant, a mold channel in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, a sealant injection port in fluid communication with the mold channel, vacuum application ports in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, and an air control system. The air control system is operably coupled to the mold sub-volumes and the mold channel, and is configured to apply a vacuum to the mold sub-volumes via the vacuum application ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10792816Abstract: A portable work module includes a combination of prismatic and revolute joints for positioning and orienting a robotic end effector for performing a task within confined space. For example, the portable work module may include telescoping arm integrated with wrist having a plurality of degrees of freedom with respect to telescoping arm. The portable work module includes an insert that is secured with respect to an access port of confined space, said access port serving as a reference location for calculating the position of the robotic end effector within confined space. The portable work module is configured to have a compacted configuration for insertion into confined space, and an extended configuration for performing tasks within confined space. In some examples, the portable work module is modular, such that the robotic end effector or other components may be selectively removed and replaced.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John Walter Pringle, IV, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10791825Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a brushable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket about a first axis. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall. The cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall. Apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a brush-arm assembly, coupled to the sleeve, a linear actuator to control flow of the brushable substance from the valve, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall and movable along the first axis, and a push-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10786939Abstract: An apparatus for depositing an extrudable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall. The cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall. The apparatus also comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a nozzle, configured to be communicatively coupled with the valve, a linear actuator to control flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a push-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John W. Pringle-Iv, Raul Tomuta, Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10773829Abstract: A portable programmable machine enhances efficiency and ergonomics associated with conducting otherwise manual operations within confined spaces. A main body supports a programmable telescoping arm configured to extend through an access port to reach a confined space. The arm includes an articulating wrist for holding and manipulating tools for autonomously processing work parts. The machine can also act semi-autonomously to accommodate interventions of an operator for overriding and fine-tuning interaction of a tool with a work part for proper processing of the part. The arm communicates with a computer in the main body for processing numerical data, and the operator may use a reference camera to fine tune any particular process. The machine incorporates multiple processing functions, for example collar swaging, nut running, cleaning, and/or application of sealants, all through an aircraft wing access port. The main body has lockable wheels for securing the main body near the access port.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Chris J. Erickson
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Patent number: 10737423Abstract: A mold tool is provided that includes plural mold sub-volumes configured to receive a sealant, a mold channel in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, a sealant injection port in fluid communication with the mold channel, vacuum application ports in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, and an air control system. The air control system is operably coupled to the mold sub-volumes and the mold channel, and is configured to apply a vacuum to the mold sub-volumes via the vacuum application ports.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Chris J. Erickson
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Publication number: 20200189119Abstract: A shank-fastener apparatus (100) comprises a shank-fastener housing (170), a shank-fastener turret (102), an indexing-pin assembly (103), a drill (104), and a shank-fastener delivery assembly (105). The shank-fastener turret (102) is supported by the shank-fastener housing (170) and is selectively rotatable relative to the shank-fastener housing (170) about a shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The indexing-pin assembly (103) is supported by the shank-fastener housing (170) and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener housing (170) between an indexing-pin-assembly extended position and an indexing-pin-assembly retracted position along an indexing-pin-assembly axis (B) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The drill (104) is supported by the shank-fastener turret (102) and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener turret (102) along a drill axis (C) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: John Walter Pringle, IV, Chris J. Erickson