Patents by Inventor Eric M. Reid
Eric M. Reid 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: 11724346Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aircraft assembly. The method includes receiving a half barrel section of fuselage in an assembly line having a plurality of serially arranged work stations; advancing the half barrel section in a process direction through the assembly line such that the half barrel section extends across at least a portion of the work stations; and performing work on the half barrel section with the portion of the work stations simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Darrell D. Jones, Daniel R. Smith, Jeremy Evan Justice, Riley HansonSmith, Eric M. Reid, Parisa Nazaran
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Patent number: 11571735Abstract: A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, Jeffrey Martin Devlin, John Hartmann
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Patent number: 11364581Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an aircraft structure. A drivable support may be driven from a first location to a second location to bring the drivable support together with at least one other drivable support to form a drivable support system. A structure may be held in a desired position using the drivable support system.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: The Boeiog CompanyInventors: Dan Dresskell Day, Clayton Lynn Munk, Steven John Schmitt, Eric M. Reid
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Publication number: 20220153432Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying fasteners to a structure. One embodiment is a method that includes disposing a first set of end effectors along a fixed inner track that follows an Inner Mold Line (IML) of a structure, disposing a second set of end effectors along a fixed outer track that follows an Outer Mold Line (OML) of the structure, aligning a first end effector at the fixed inner track with a second end effector at the fixed outer track, clamping the structure between the first end effector and the second end effector, by pressing the first end effector and the second end effector into the structure, and applying a fastener to the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Farahnaz Sisco, Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Eric M. Reid, Riley HansonSmith
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Publication number: 20220152757Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aircraft assembly. The method includes receiving a half barrel section of fuselage in an assembly line having a plurality of serially arranged work stations; advancing the half barrel section in a process direction through the assembly line such that the half barrel section extends across at least a portion of the work stations; and performing work on the half barrel section with the portion of the work stations simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Darrell D. Jones, Daniel R. Smith, Jeremy Evan Justice, Riley HansonSmith, Eric M. Reid, Parisa Nazaran
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Patent number: 11235432Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, James N. Buttrick, Darrell Darwin Jones, Dan Dresskell Day, Paul Reed Stone
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Patent number: 11170495Abstract: A scanning apparatus for predictive shimming includes a scanning platform. The scanning apparatus also include a first scanner, coupled to the scanning platform, and a second scanner, coupled to the scanning platform. The scanning platform is configured to move the first scanner and the second scanner together along an X-axis and a Z-axis. The scanning platform is also configured to move the first scanner and the second scanner independent of and relative to each other along a Y-axis and a Z-axis. A first field of view of the first scanner and a second field of view of the second scanner at least partially overlap when the first scanner and the second scanner move in opposite directions along the Y-axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dario I. Valenzuela, Eric M. Reid
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Publication number: 20210170474Abstract: A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, Jeffrey Martin Devlin, John Hartmann
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Patent number: 11027378Abstract: A method for assembly manufacturing including positioning a workpiece in an assembly position within an operational cell, positioning a fastening machine relative to the workpiece, wherein the fastening machine includes a robot frame comprising a throat, an assembly end effector coupled to the frame about the throat, and a plurality of linear actuators coupled to the frame, moving, by the plurality of linear actuators, the fastening machine about at least one of six degrees of freedom to receive at least a portion of the workpiece within the throat and position the assembly end effector relative to the workpiece, and performing, by the fastening machine, a fastening operation on the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric M. Reid, Matthew R. Desjardien, Edward J. Batt, Antonio C. Micale
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Publication number: 20210118126Abstract: A scanning apparatus for predictive shimming includes a scanning platform. The scanning apparatus also include a first scanner, coupled to the scanning platform, and a second scanner, coupled to the scanning platform. The scanning platform is configured to move the first scanner and the second scanner together along an X-axis and a Z-axis. The scanning platform is also configured to move the first scanner and the second scanner independent of and relative to each other along a Y-axis and a Z-axis. A first field of view of the first scanner and a second field of view of the second scanner at least partially overlap when the first scanner and the second scanner move in opposite directions along the Y-axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dario I. Valenzuela, Eric M. Reid
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Patent number: 10926316Abstract: A method and system for installing a fastener system. A collar in the fastener system is automatically positioned on a hole on a first side of a structure prior to an insertion of a pin in the fastener system into the hole from a second side of the structure in which the pin has a pin tail. The pin with the pin tail is inserted through the collar in which the pin extends through the hole and the collar. A force is applied on at least one of the collar or the pin tail along a centerline extending centrally though the collar until the pin tail becomes separated from the pin such that the collar engages an engagement feature on the pin when the pin with pin tail is inserted into the hole from the second side.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, Jeffrey Martin Devlin, Skye Sutherland Jenkins
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Patent number: 10821496Abstract: A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, John Hartmann, Jeffrey Martin Devlin
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Patent number: 10773830Abstract: A method for installing a flexible track system is presented. At least one of a number of heights or a number of angles is selected for a variable height base system that connects a base attaching system and flexible tracks in the flexible track system to each other, wherein at least one of the number of heights or the number of angles for the variable height base system maintains at least one of a desired distance between the flexible tracks and a surface of a structure to which the base attaching system is attached to the flexible tracks in the flexible track system matching a contour of the surface of the structure. The flexible track system is attached to the surface of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, Jeffrey Martin Devlin
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Patent number: 10744555Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a magazine for a swage tool. The method includes selecting a cartridge that comprises a first serpentine channel dimensioned for conveying collars, and further comprises an entrance and an exit of the first serpentine channel. The method also includes disposing the cartridge at a swage tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, Jeff Devlin, Brendan Elmore
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Publication number: 20200094311Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a magazine for a swage tool. The method includes selecting a cartridge that comprises a first serpentine channel dimensioned for conveying collars, and further comprises an entrance and an exit of the first serpentine channel. The method also includes disposing the cartridge at a swage tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, Jeff Devlin, Brendan Elmore
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Publication number: 20200030925Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an aircraft structure. A drivable support may be driven from a first location to a second location to bring the drivable support together with at least one other drivable support to form a drivable support system. A structure may be held in a desired position using the drivable support system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Dan Dresskell Day, Clayton Lynn Munk, Steven John Schmitt, Eric M. Reid
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Patent number: 10501209Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure. Metrology data for a support system is received while the support system holds the structure. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is moved to move the structure held by the support system into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James M. Cobb, Clayton Lynn Munk, Dan Dresskell Day, Eric M. Reid, Matthew Ray DesJardien, Steven A. Best
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Publication number: 20190329905Abstract: A method for installing a flexible track system is presented. At least one of a number of heights or a number of angles is selected for a variable height base system that connects a base attaching system and flexible tracks in the flexible track system to each other, wherein at least one of the number of heights or the number of angles for the variable height base system maintains at least one of a desired distance between the flexible tracks and a surface of a structure to which the base attaching system is attached to the flexible tracks in the flexible track system matching a contour of the surface of the structure. The flexible track system is attached to the surface of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, Eric M. Reid, Jeffrey Martin Devlin
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Patent number: 10442555Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a structure. The apparatus may comprise a support, a load-balancing structure associated with the support, and a set of connection devices associated with the load-balancing structure. The set of connection devices may be configured to connect to the structure to form a set of control points. Each of the set of connection devices may be configured to independently control a location of a corresponding control point in the set of control points.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Matthew Ray DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, Steven A. Best, Jaeeun Shin
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Patent number: 10427254Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an aircraft structure. A drivable support may be driven from a first location to a second location to bring the drivable support together with at least one other drivable support to form a drivable support system. A structure may be held in a desired position using the drivable support system.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Dan Dresskell Day, Clayton Lynn Munk, Steven John Schmitt, Eric M. Reid