Patents by Inventor Derek D. Donaldson

Derek D. Donaldson 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).

  • System and method for forming contoured new and near-net shape titanium parts
    Patent number: 8652276
    Abstract: A system and method for shaping a net or near-net titanium part, the method comprising machining a piece of titanium into a titanium part having non-uniform thickness, heating the titanium part to a target temperature within a target temperature range between an auto-relief temperature of the titanium part and a minimum temperature required for super plastic forming of the titanium part, and lowering a die into the titanium part with sufficient force to shape the titanium part. The system for shaping the titanium part may comprise a multiple-axis machine, a die, electrical clamps, sensors, and a control system for adjusting heating temperatures based on information received from the sensors regarding the titanium part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahbar Nasserrafi, Darrell A. Wade, Thanh A. Le, Derek D. Donaldson, Gary W. Sundquist
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING CONTOURED NEW AND NEAR-NET SHAPE TITANIUM PARTS
    Publication number: 20110146854
    Abstract: A system and method for shaping a net or near-net titanium part, the method comprising machining a piece of titanium into a titanium part having non-uniform thickness, heating the titanium part to a target temperature within a target temperature range between an auto-relief temperature of the titanium part and a minimum temperature required for super plastic forming of the titanium part, and lowering a die into the titanium part with sufficient force to shape the titanium part. The system for shaping the titanium part may comprise a multiple-axis machine, a die, electrical clamps, sensors, and a control system for adjusting heating temperatures based on information received from the sensors regarding the titanium part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Rahbar Nasserrafi, Darrell A. Wade, Thanh A. Le, Derek D. Donaldson, Gary W. Sundquist