Patents by Inventor Darrell Darwin Jones

Darrell Darwin Jones 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).

  • Publication number: 20180169807
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, James N. Buttrick, Darrell Darwin Jones, Dan Dresskell Day, Paul Reed Stone
  • Patent number: 9925629
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, James N. Buttrick, Darrell Darwin Jones, Dan Dresskell Day, Paul Reed Stone
  • Patent number: 9878450
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning one component relative to another component. First metrology data may be identified for a first component and second metrology data may be identified for a second component. First locations of first features may be identified on the first component using the first metrology data. Second locations of second features on the second component may be identified using the second metrology data. A transformation may be computed based on the first locations identified and the second locations identified for use in modifying a movement plan of a robotic system for positioning the second component relative to the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Monica Joy Brockway, Tanni Sisco, Daniel Richard Smith, Jr., Victor Joseph Bolton, Fei Cai, Eric Scott Patton, Thomas Dee Hall, Clayton Lynn Munk, James C. Murphy, Darrell Darwin Jones, Paul Reed Stone
  • Patent number: 9839996
    Abstract: A tool configured to install and torque multiple fasteners, such as nuts and/or bolts, positioned in confined and/or hard to reach areas. The tool includes a body portion, a plurality of fastener retainers, and a structure which permits both the remote tightening and torquing of such fasteners. The tool also provides an actuator for the remote release of torque loads which may build up in the fastener retainers during such torquing of the fasteners. The actuator includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the body portion and a cam that is rotatable between a first position and a second position. A linkage is engaged by the cam and urges the lever arm to a torquing position upon the cam being in the first position and to a torque release position upon the cam being in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James Albert DeLand, Roger A. Gage, Darrell Darwin Jones
  • Patent number: 9776330
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a fastener in a surface of a structure. A crawler robot may comprise a first movement system and a second movement system. The first movement system may be configured to move the crawler robot and a track system along the surface. The second movement system may be configured to move the crawler robot along the track system on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Dan Dresskell Day, Kenneth P. Zaballos, Paul C. Chang, Darrell Darwin Jones, David P. Banks, Paul G. Kostenick, Kerri L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20170252882
    Abstract: A system for processing a workpiece, including a rotary drive having a path along which a flow of a fluid is established during operation, a sensor in communication with the path, to generate a signal responsive to the flow of the fluid and not to generate the signal responsive to an absence of the flow, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to enable the operation of the rotary drive subsequent to a termination of the signal if a duration interval thereof is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and to prevent the operation if the duration interval of the signal is less than the predetermined value. The rotary drive may include a drill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James Albert DeLand, Darrell Darwin Jones
  • Patent number: 9700978
    Abstract: A system for processing a workpiece, including a rotary drive having a path along which a flow of a fluid is established during operation, a sensor in communication with the path, to generate a signal responsive to the flow of the fluid and not to generate the signal responsive to an absence of the flow, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to enable the operation of the rotary drive subsequent to a termination of the signal if a duration interval thereof is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and to prevent the operation if the duration interval of the signal is less than the predetermined value. The rotary drive may include a drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James Albert DeLand, Darrell Darwin Jones
  • Patent number: 9649817
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for forming a joggle and a longitudinal ridge in a multi-ply composite charge are disclosed. Charges may be formed in a forming press that comprises a joggled die, with a longitudinal ridge and a joggle that crosses the longitudinal ridge, and a conforming die, with a series of longitudinally-spaced die fingers. The die fingers include pairs of die members configured to move laterally between a closed position and an open position, with each die member configured to tilt longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Gregory Robins, Silas Lawton Studley, Darrell Darwin Jones, Brad Andrew Coxon
  • Patent number: 9486917
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a surface of a structure. An assembly system may comprise a motion platform and a mobile platform. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned below the surface of the structure to perform the operation on the surface. The mobile platform may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric M. Reid, Darrell Darwin Jones, Clayton Lynn Munk, Steven A. Best, Matthew Ray DesJardien, Carlos Daniel Crespo
  • Publication number: 20160158940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning one component relative to another component. First metrology data may be identified for a first component and second metrology data may be identified for a second component. First locations of first features may be identified on the first component using the first metrology data. Second locations of second features on the second component may be identified using the second metrology data. A transformation may be computed based on the first locations identified and the second locations identified for use in modifying a movement plan of a robotic system for positioning the second component relative to the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Monica Joy Brockway, Tanni Sisco, Daniel Richard Smith, JR., Victor Joseph Bolton, Fei Cai, Eric Scott Patton, Thomas Dee Hall, Clayton Lynn Munk, James C. Murphy, Darrell Darwin Jones, Paul Reed Stone
  • Patent number: 9266687
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivery of device along a transport path are provided. One system includes a transport tube having a feed end and a point of use end and a plurality of device carriers operable to move through the transport tube from the feed end to the point of use end. The plurality of device carriers has a common external surface for operation in the transport tube to allow transport through the transport tube. At least some of the plurality of device carriers has a different internal configuration than at least some of other ones of the plurality of device carriers, wherein the internal configuration is determined based on at least one physical characteristic of a device to be inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Stepan, Darrell Darwin Jones, Kenneth Paul Zaballos
  • Publication number: 20160016366
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for forming a joggle and a longitudinal ridge in a multi-ply composite charge are disclosed. Charges may be formed in a forming press that comprises a joggled die, with a longitudinal ridge and a joggle that crosses the longitudinal ridge, and a conforming die, with a series of longitudinally-spaced die fingers. The die fingers include pairs of die members configured to move laterally between a closed position and an open position, with each die member configured to tilt longitudinally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Gregory Robins, Silas Lawton Studley, Darrell Darwin Jones, Brad Andrew Coxon
  • Publication number: 20150314446
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a fastener in a surface of a structure. A crawler robot may comprise a first movement system and a second movement system. The first movement system may be configured to move the crawler robot and a track system along the surface. The second movement system may be configured to move the crawler robot along the track system on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Dan Dresskell Day, Kenneth P. Zaballos, Paul C. Chang, Darrell Darwin Jones, David P. Banks, Paul G. Kostenick, Kerri L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20150314436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a surface of a structure. An assembly system may comprise a motion platform and a mobile platform. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned below the surface of the structure to perform the operation on the surface. The mobile platform may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Eric M. Reid, Darrell Darwin Jones, Clayton Lynn Munk, Steven A. Best, Matthew Ray DesJardien, Carlos Daniel Crespo
  • Publication number: 20150314888
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a structure. The apparatus may comprise the end effector and a sensor system. The end effector may be configured to perform an operation on the structure. The sensor system may have a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Eric M. Reid, David Paul Banks, Darrell Darwin Jones
  • Publication number: 20150266174
    Abstract: A tool configured to install and torque multiple fasteners, such as nuts and/or bolts, positioned in confined and/or hard to reach areas. The tool includes a body portion, a plurality of fastener retainers, and a structure which permits both the remote tightening and torquing of such fasters. The tool also provides an actuator for the remote release of torque loads which may build up in the fastener retainers during such torquing of the fasteners. The actuator includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the body portion and a cam that is rotatable between a first position and a second position. A linkage is engaged by the cam and urges the lever arm to a torquing position upon the cam being in the first position and to a torque release position upon the cam being in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: James Albert DeLand, Roger A. Gage, Darrell Darwin Jones
  • Publication number: 20150209927
    Abstract: A system for processing a workpiece, including a rotary drive having a path along which a flow of a fluid is established during operation, a sensor in communication with the path, to generate a signal responsive to the flow of the fluid and not to generate the signal responsive to an absence of the flow, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to enable the operation of the rotary drive subsequent to a termination of the signal if a duration interval thereof is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and to prevent the operation if the duration interval of the signal is less than the predetermined value. The rotary drive may include a drill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James Albert DeLand, Darrell Darwin Jones
  • Patent number: 9056376
    Abstract: A tool configured to install and torque multiple fasteners, such as nuts and/or bolts, positioned in confined and/or hard to reach areas. The tool includes a body portion, a plurality of fastener retainers, and a structure which permits both the remote tightening and torquing of such fasters. The tool also provides an actuator for the remote release of torque loads which may build up in the fastener retainers during such torquing of the fasteners. The actuator includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the body portion and a cam that is rotatable between a first position and a second position. A linkage is engaged by the cam and urges the lever arm to a torquing position upon the cam being in the first position and to a torque release position upon the cam being in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James Albert DeLand, Roger A Gage, Darrell Darwin Jones
  • Publication number: 20140353894
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, James N. Buttrick, Darrell Darwin Jones, Dan Dresskell Day, Paul Reed Stone
  • Publication number: 20120324749
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a space between parts having restricted access is disclosed. An apparatus may comprise an elongate member, a flange, and a measurement system. An end of the elongate member is configured to move through a hole in a first structure into a space located between the first structure and a second structure. The flange extends from the elongate member. The elongate member is configured to expand after the flange exits the hole in the first structure such that the flange is unable to pass back through the hole. The measurement system is configured to measure movement of the end of the elongate member to identify a length of the space between the first structure and the second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Gregory Kostenick, JR., Darrell Darwin Jones, Tracy Edward Zimmerman