Patents by Inventor Frank Charles Mestemacher

Frank Charles Mestemacher 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).

  • Compound contour vacuum track for automation of final assembly from the interior of a fuselage
    Patent number: 11511887
    Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, John Hartmann, Scott Charles Tomchick, Frank Charles Mestemacher
  • COMPOUND CONTOUR VACUUM TRACK FOR AUTOMATION OF FINAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE INTERIOR OF A FUSELAGE
    Publication number: 20200299000
    Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, John Hartmann, Scott Charles Tomchick, Frank Charles Mestemacher
  • Automated fastening machine using a compound contour vacuum track for automation of final assembly from the interior of a fuselage
    Patent number: 10723484
    Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, John Hartmann, Scott Charles Tomchick, Frank Charles Mestemacher, Riley HansonSmith
  • Compound contour vacuum track for automation of final assembly from the interior of a fuselage
    Patent number: 10710747
    Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, Tanni Sisco, John Hartmann, Scott Charles Tomchick, Frank Charles Mestemacher
  • AUTOMATED FASTENING MACHINE USING A COMPOUND CONTOUR VACUUM TRACK FOR AUTOMATION OF FINAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE INTERIOR OF A FUSELAGE
    Publication number: 20180148196
    Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, JR., Tanni Sisco, John Hartmann, Scott Charles Tomchick, Frank Charles Mestemacher, Riley HansonSmith
  • COMPOUND CONTOUR VACUUM TRACK FOR AUTOMATION OF FINAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE INTERIOR OF A FUSELAGE
    Publication number: 20180148195
    Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kwok Tung Chan, JR., Tanni Sisco, John Hartmann, Scott Charles Tomchick, Frank Charles Mestemacher