Patents by Inventor Eric Whinnem

Eric Whinnem 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: 9943889
    Abstract: A hole cleaning apparatus includes a member, a brush, and a vacuum source. The brush rotates around a longitudinal axis of the member, or translates in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. The vacuum source provides vacuum suction within the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Whinnem, Gary A. Lipczynski, Wesley E. Holleman, Daniel W. Barnett
  • Publication number: 20170144200
    Abstract: A hole cleaning apparatus includes a member, a brush, and a vacuum source. The brush rotates around a longitudinal axis of the member, or translates in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. The vacuum source provides vacuum suction within the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Eric WHINNEM, Gary A. LIPCZYNSKI, Wesley E. HOLLEMAN, Daniel W. BARNETT
  • Patent number: 9643260
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to a cutting tool for forming a final opening in a stack that includes at least two layers and a pilot opening having a pilot-opening dimension and extending through at least one of the at least two layers. The cutting tool includes a shank. The cutting tool also includes a first portion including at least one of a first coating or the first coating and a second coating, wherein the first coating at least partially covers the first portion. The cutting tool also includes a second portion between the shank and the first portion, wherein the second portion includes the second coating, and wherein the second coating at least partially covers the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary Lipczynski, Wesley E. Holleman, Eric Whinnem, William P. Zanteson
  • Patent number: 9545697
    Abstract: A method for performing operations on a structure. A moveable platform may be positioned in an area relative to the structure to define a working envelope. The moveable platform may be connected to a tool that may be moved around a plurality of axes within the working envelope using the moveable platform. The tool may be moved to a plurality of locations within the working envelope using the moveable platform. An operation may be performed with the tool through the working envelope at each of the plurality of locations using the moveable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Whinnem, Gary A. Lipczynski, John A. Baumann
  • Patent number: 9539624
    Abstract: A hole cleaning apparatus includes a member, a brush, and a vacuum source. The brush rotates around a longitudinal axis of the member, or translates in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. The vacuum source provides vacuum suction within the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric Whinnem, Gary A. Lipczynski, Wesley E. Holleman, Daniel W. Barnett
  • Publication number: 20150202696
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to a cutting tool for forming a final opening in a stack that includes at least two layers and a pilot opening having a pilot-opening dimension and extending through at least one of the at least two layers. The cutting tool includes a shank. The cutting tool also includes a first portion including at least one of a first coating or the first coating and a second coating, wherein the first coating at least partially covers the first portion. The cutting tool also includes a second portion between the shank and the first portion, wherein the second portion includes the second coating, and wherein the second coating at least partially covers the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary Lipczynski, Wesley E. Holleman, Eric Whinnem, William P. Zanteson
  • Patent number: 8714890
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a drill bit including a drill bit body having a central axis. A first cutting edge is disposed on the drill bit body at a first radial distance from the central axis as measured within a plane normal to the central axis. And a second cutting edge is disposed on the drill bit body at a second radial distance from the central axis as measured from within the plane. The first radial distance is less than the second radial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Angelica Davancens, Eric Whinnem
  • Publication number: 20130255723
    Abstract: A hole cleaning apparatus includes a member, a brush, and a vacuum source. The brush rotates around a longitudinal axis of the member, or translates in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. The vacuum source provides vacuum suction within the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric Whinnem, Gary A. Lipczynski, Wesley E. Holleman, Daniel W. Barnett
  • Patent number: 8057137
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Patent number: 7914242
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Patent number: 7901165
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Publication number: 20100254778
    Abstract: A method for performing operations on a structure. A moveable platform may be positioned in an area relative to the structure to define a working envelope. The moveable platform may be connected to a tool that may be moved around a plurality of axes within the working envelope using the moveable platform. The tool may be moved to a plurality of locations within the working envelope using the moveable platform. An operation may be performed with the tool through the working envelope at each of the plurality of locations using the moveable platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Whinnem, Gary A. Lipczynski, John A. Baumann
  • Publication number: 20100047029
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Patent number: 7627940
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing a hole in a work-piece having first and second layers of material. The first layer of material contains a full-sized hole through the first layer of material. The first layer of material is positioned adjacent the second layer of material. An orbital drill is secured to the first layer of material to position a cutting tool of the drill within the through-hole. During operation, when the cutting tool is used to cut a hole in the second layer of material, the alignment keeps the orbital drill stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David H. Amirehteshami, Eric Whinnem, Branko Sarh, Angelica Davancens
  • Patent number: 7611314
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Publication number: 20090035085
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Publication number: 20090035084
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Publication number: 20090035080
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a machine tool with a target location on a structure. A machine plate positionable on the structure has a plate bushing providing a hole through the plate. The apparatus also includes a nosepiece for guiding a distal end of the tool through the plate bushing to the target location. The nosepiece has a collet configured to be moved at least partly through and sideward in the plate bushing to center the nosepiece on an element projecting from the structure at the target location. The nosepiece can be attached to the plate bushing to establish normality of the tool relative to the projecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Lipczynski, Eric Whinnem
  • Publication number: 20080193234
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a drill bit including a drill bit body having a central axis. A first cutting edge is disposed on the drill bit body at a first radial distance from the central axis as measured within a plane normal to the central axis. And a second cutting edge is disposed on the drill bit body at a second radial distance from the central axis as measured from within the plane. The first radial distance is less than the second radial distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Angelica Davancens, Eric Whinnem
  • Publication number: 20070014645
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing a hole in a work-piece having first and second layers of material. The first layer of material contains a full-sized hole through the first layer of material. The first layer of material is positioned adjacent the second layer of material. An orbital drill is secured to the first layer of material to position a cutting tool of the drill within the through-hole. During operation, when the cutting tool is used to cut a hole in the second layer of material, the alignment keeps the orbital drill stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: David Amirehteshami, Eric Whinnem, Branko Sarh, Angelica Davancens