Patents by Inventor Frederick M. Swanstrom
Frederick M. Swanstrom 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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Publication number: 20240158097Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a structure. The systems and method including micro pulsing a structure along a track in a process direction by less than a length of the structure. The structure is indexed to one or more work stations by mating indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the structure to complementary features at the work stations. The work stations would the perform work on the structure at the work stations while the structure is indexed to the work stations. Iteratively repeating the micro pulsing and indexing and working upon the structure until it is ready to advance to the next assembly process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2024Publication date: May 16, 2024Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom
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Patent number: 11926435Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a structure. The systems and method including micro pulsing a structure along a track in a process direction by less than a length of the structure. The structure is indexed to one or more work stations by mating indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the structure to complementary features at the work stations. The work stations would the perform work on the structure at the work stations while the structure is indexed to the work stations. Iteratively repeating the micro pulsing and indexing and working upon the structure until it is ready to advance to the next assembly process.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom
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Patent number: 11807395Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a wing panel. Methods include aligning a strongback over a wing panel, vacuum attaching a wing panel surface and pogos extending beneath the strongback, and adjusting the length of pogos to enforce a contour to the wing panel. Systems include a strongback to extend over a wing panel, adjustable-length pogos extending beneath the strongback, and vacuum couplers to attach to a wing panel surface. Other systems include a track, work stations along the track, a strongback to extend over the wing panel and move along the track, adjustable-length pogos extending beneath the strongback, and vacuum couplers to attach to a wing panel surface. Apparatus includes a shuttle having adapters that mate the shuttle with a track, adjustable-length carriers with vacuum couplers to couple with a wing panel surface, and indexing units that interact with indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the wing panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom, Monte D. Wright
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Patent number: 11639038Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing composite parts. One embodiment is a method for preparing a composite part for assembly. The method includes receiving a mandrel to which a composite part has been molded, and operating a work station to install an indexing feature into a manufacturing excess of the composite part.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Darrell D. Jones, Daniel R. Smith, Frederick M. Swanstrom, Monte D. Wright
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Publication number: 20220152955Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a wing panel. Methods include aligning a strongback over a wing panel, vacuum attaching a wing panel surface and pogos extending beneath the strongback, and adjusting the length of pogos to enforce a contour to the wing panel. Systems include a strongback to extend over a wing panel, adjustable-length pogos extending beneath the strongback, and vacuum couplers to attach to a wing panel surface. Other systems include a track, work stations along the track, a strongback to extend over the wing panel and move along the track, adjustable-length pogos extending beneath the strongback, and vacuum couplers to attach to a wing panel surface. Apparatus includes a shuttle having adapters that mate the shuttle with a track, adjustable-length carriers with vacuum couplers to couple with a wing panel surface, and indexing units that interact with indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the wing panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom, Monte D. Wright
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Publication number: 20220153434Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a structure. The systems and method including micro pulsing a structure along a track in a process direction by less than a length of the structure. The structure is indexed to one or more work stations by mating indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the structure to complementary features at the work stations. The work stations would the perform work on the structure at the work stations while the structure is indexed to the work stations. Iteratively repeating the micro pulsing and indexing and working upon the structure until it is ready to advance to the next assembly process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom
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Publication number: 20220153438Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a wing panel. Methods include aligning a strongback over a wing panel, vacuum attaching a wing panel surface and pogos extending beneath the strongback, and adjusting the length of pogos to enforce a contour to the wing panel. Systems include a strongback to extend over a wing panel, adjustable-length pogos extending beneath the strongback, and vacuum couplers to attach to a wing panel surface. Other systems include a track, work stations along the track, a strongback to extend over the wing panel and move along the track, adjustable-length pogos extending beneath the strongback, and vacuum couplers to attach to a wing panel surface. Apparatus includes a shuttle having adapters that mate the shuttle with a track, adjustable-length carriers with vacuum couplers to couple with a wing panel surface, and indexing units that interact with indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the wing panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom, Monte D. Wright
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Publication number: 20220152954Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing composite parts. One embodiment is a method for preparing a composite part for assembly. The method includes receiving a mandrel to which a composite part has been molded, and operating a work station to install an indexing feature into a manufacturing excess of the composite part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Darrell D. Jones, Daniel R. Smith, Frederick M. Swanstrom, Monte D. Wright
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Patent number: 8393578Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Pradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom
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Publication number: 20130000821Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Pradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom
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Patent number: 8282042Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Pradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom
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Publication number: 20100320325Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Pradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom