Patents by Inventor Gregory J.S. Hickman

Gregory J.S. Hickman 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).

  • Multifunction end effector apparatus and methods for assembling thermoplastic composite articles
    Patent number: 10800110
    Abstract: Multifunction end effector apparatus and methods for assembling thermoplastic composite articles are disclosed. An example apparatus for assembling a thermoplastic composite article includes a robot and an end effector coupled to the robot. The end effector includes a cutting head, a vacuum head, and a welding head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Randall D. Wilkerson, Camille D. Carter, Zachary L. Green, Nicole R. Williams, Eric Moyes, Gregory J. S. Hickman, Scott E. Martin
  • MULTIFUNCTION END EFFECTOR APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ASSEMBLING THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20180290393
    Abstract: Multifunction end effector apparatus and methods for assembling thermoplastic composite articles are disclosed. An example apparatus for assembling a thermoplastic composite article includes a robot and an end effector coupled to the robot. The end effector includes a cutting head, a vacuum head, and a welding head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Randall D. Wilkerson, Camille D. Carter, Zachary L. Green, Nicole R. Williams, Eric Moyes, Gregory J.S. Hickman, Scott E. Martin
  • Method and apparatus for forming tooling and associated materials therefrom
    Patent number: 9993946
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of forming tooling used to form a material. The method includes positioning a first susceptor made from a first susceptor material between first and second dies. At least one of the first and second dies includes a forming surface having a desired shape. The method further includes positioning a second susceptor made from a second susceptor material between the first and second dies such that the first susceptor is interposed between the second susceptor and the forming surface. Additionally, the method includes positioning a first bladder between the first and second dies such that the second susceptor is interposed between the first bladder and the first susceptor. Also, the method includes inflating the first bladder to concurrently deform the first susceptor and second susceptor into the desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Gregory J. S. Hickman, William C. Dykstra
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TOOLING AND ASSOCIATED MATERIALS THEREFROM
    Publication number: 20170036310
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of forming tooling used to form a material. The method includes positioning a first susceptor made from a first susceptor material between first and second dies. At least one of the first and second dies includes a forming surface having a desired shape. The method further includes positioning a second susceptor made from a second susceptor material between the first and second dies such that the first susceptor is interposed between the second susceptor and the forming surface. Additionally, the method includes positioning a first bladder between the first and second dies such that the second susceptor is interposed between the first bladder and the first susceptor. Also, the method includes inflating the first bladder to concurrently deform the first susceptor and second susceptor into the desired shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Gregory J.S. Hickman, William C. Dykstra