Patents by Inventor Darin Clay Wiley

Darin Clay Wiley 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: 11292578
    Abstract: A monolithic skin for an aerodynamic structure is provided. The skin comprises a root end defining a root opening; a tip end opposite to the root end; a trailing-edge portion defining a slot opening extending from the root opening toward the tip end; a leading-edge portion extending spanwise from the root end to the tip end; and a middle portion extending between the trailing edge and the leading-edge portion and at least partially defining an open slot in fluid communication with the slot opening and root opening. The middle portion comprises an interior surface facing the open slot that is graded so that the middle portion decreases in thickness spanwise toward the root end. The middle portion also comprises a first integrated spar section extending from the interior surface to the tip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Sellmeyer, Blaise Francis Bergmann, Darin Clay Wiley, Roger Edmund Kornfeld, Walter A. Chappelle, Aaron Rae Heitmann
  • Publication number: 20210147064
    Abstract: A monolithic skin for an aerodynamic structure is provided. The skin comprises a root end defining a root opening; a tip end opposite to the root end; a trailing-edge portion defining a slot opening extending from the root opening toward the tip end; a leading-edge portion extending spanwise from the root end to the tip end; and a middle portion extending between the trailing edge and the leading-edge portion and at least partially defining an open slot in fluid communication with the slot opening and root opening. The middle portion comprises an interior surface facing the open slot that is graded so that the middle portion decreases in thickness spanwise toward the root end. The middle portion also comprises a first integrated spar section extending from the interior surface to the tip end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Sellmeyer, Blaise Francis Bergmann, Darin Clay Wiley, Roger Edmund Kornfeld, Walter A. Chappelle, Aaron Rae Heitmann
  • Patent number: 10933596
    Abstract: A system and method for splicing multiple plies of material together during the construction of a stringer sheet. A first ply layer is laid onto a portion of a surface of a tool having a contour which defines a stringer, and the first ply layer is pressed down such that an edge of the first ply layer is located on the contour. A second ply layer is laid onto an adjacent portion of the surface, and the second ply layer is pressed down such that the edge of the second ply layer is located on the contour and overlaps the edge of the first ply layer. This process may be repeated for additional ply layers. The system may include an end-effector having a dispenser of the plies of material and a roller for pressing the plies, and a movement mechanism for moving the end-effector over the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Johnathan Scott Klincik, James Edward Westerman, Tobias DiGennaro, Darin Clay Wiley, Blaise Francis Bergmann
  • Patent number: 10807699
    Abstract: An aircraft panel assembly including a panel, a number of open-ended composite stringers, and a number of stringer end caps. Each stringer end cap covers an open end of one of the stringers and includes a base, a vertically extending wall, and an overlap section. The base is bonded to the panel near the open end of the stringer. The vertically extending wall is angled upward from the base and includes an upper periphery. The overlap section extends horizontally from the upper periphery and is bonded to the stringer near the open end of the stringer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Stuckey, Brian Charles Clapp, Aaron Rae Heitmann, Darin Clay Wiley, James Edward Westerman, Blaise Francis Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20190389151
    Abstract: A system and method for splicing multiple plies of material together during the construction of a stringer sheet. A first ply layer is laid onto a portion of a surface of a tool having a contour which defines a stringer, and the first ply layer is pressed down such that an edge of the first ply layer is located on the contour. A second ply layer is laid onto an adjacent portion of the surface, and the second ply layer is pressed down such that the edge of the second ply layer is located on the contour and overlaps the edge of the first ply layer. This process may be repeated for additional ply layers. The system may include an end-effector having a dispenser of the plies of material and a roller for pressing the plies, and a movement mechanism for moving the end-effector over the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Johnathan Scott Klincik, James Edward Westerman, Tobias DiGennaro, Darin Clay Wiley, Blaise Francis Bergmann
  • Patent number: 9925697
    Abstract: A system and method of a method of sealing a leak in an internal bladder within a hollow uncured composite part during cure thereof. The method may include placing a rescue bladder within the internal bladder and sealing an impermeable membrane and/or rigid forming tool to the rescue bladder, such that the uncured composite part is sealed within a chamber cooperatively formed by the impermeable membrane, the rigid forming tool, and the outer surface of the rescue bladder. A vent opening of the rescue bladder and/or a vent opening of the end fitting may remain located outward of the chamber. The method may also include curing the hollow uncured composite part, introducing a pressure differential causing the rescue bladder to inflate and press the internal bladder against an inner surface of the hollow uncured composite part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard F. Spexarth, Darin Clay Wiley
  • Publication number: 20160176073
    Abstract: A system and method of a method of sealing a leak in an internal bladder within a hollow uncured composite part during cure thereof. The method may include placing a rescue bladder within the internal bladder and sealing an impermeable membrane and/or rigid forming tool to the rescue bladder, such that the uncured composite part is sealed within a chamber cooperatively formed by the impermeable membrane, the rigid forming tool, and the outer surface of the rescue bladder. A vent opening of the rescue bladder and/or a vent opening of the end fitting may remain located outward of the chamber. The method may also include curing the hollow uncured composite part, introducing a pressure differential causing the rescue bladder to inflate and press the internal bladder against an inner surface of the hollow uncured composite part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard F. Spexarth, Darin Clay Wiley