Patents by Inventor Gregory MacLean

Gregory MacLean 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: 11167504
    Abstract: A method and system for assisting in the manufacture of composite parts such as those used for various high-strength assemblies such as aircraft wings, vertical stabilizers, racing car shells, boat hulls, and other parts which are required to have a very high strength to weight ratio. The system uses laser technology to measure the resultant surfaces of a first manufactured composite part. A computer system analyzes and compares the as-built dimensions with the required production specifications. Supplemental composite filler plies are designed including shape and dimensions. These plies are nested together into a single composite sheet and manufactured to minimize wasted material. The plies are then cut out and applied to the first part guided by a laser projection system for locating the plies on the part. The part is then re-cured. The final assembly is then re-measured for compliance with production dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Spellman, Jeff Godfrey, Gregory MacLean
  • Patent number: 10990711
    Abstract: A system and method for designing and manufacturing of composite parts wherein the planner can design the part on a computer and analyze the entire work flow process from design to manufacture so as to determine the most efficient design and method of manufacture including resource costs including time, machines, material, labor and expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory MacLean
  • Patent number: 10310487
    Abstract: A novel method designs and analyzes composite parts including optimal manufacturing strategies. The invention analyzes part design including curvatures and other surface topology to formulate an optimal strategy for material layup, number of plies, initial orientation angle, and towpath steering vectors. The method computes an optimum starting point for each fiber path and a stagger offset for each successive fiber path to as to eliminate or minimize gaps and overlaps between adjacent plies. Intermediate surfaces are generated by a polynomial discretization method which generates large computational time savings and enhances blending of adjacent zones to control surface smoothness. The method further calculates a variable steering path for the layer taking into account material parameters and limitations such that plies originating in the same location have a variable orientation angle and follow any reference curve generated by the method to maximize strength and minimize weight of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Moruzzi, Michael Spellman, Gregory MacLean
  • Publication number: 20190155252
    Abstract: A novel method designs and analyzes composite parts including optimal manufacturing strategies. The invention analyzes part design including curvatures and other surface topology to formulate an optimal strategy for material layup, number of plies, initial orientation angle, and towpath steering vectors. The method computes an optimum starting point for each fiber path and a stagger offset for each successive fiber path to as to eliminate or minimize gaps and overlaps between adjacent plies. Intermediate surfaces are generated by a polynomial discretization method which generates large computational time savings and enhances blending of adjacent zones to control surface smoothness. The method further calculates a variable steering path for the layer taking into account material parameters and limitations such that plies originating in the same location have a variable orientation angle and follow any reference curve generated by the method to maximize strength and minimize weight of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Moruzzi, Michael Spellman, Gregory MacLean
  • Patent number: 10286614
    Abstract: A method and system for assisting in the manufacture of composite parts such as those used for various high-strength assemblies such as aircraft wings, vertical stabilizers, racing car shells, boat hulls, and other parts which are required to have a very high strength to weight ratio. The system uses laser technology to measure the resultant surfaces of a first manufactured composite part. A computer system analyzes and compares the as-built dimensions with the required production specifications. Supplemental composite filler plies are designed including shape and dimensions. These plies are nested together into a single composite sheet and manufactured to minimize wasted material. The plies are then cut out and applied to the first part guided by a laser projection system for locating the plies on the part. The part is then re-cured. The final assembly is then re-measured for compliance with production dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Spellman, Jeff Godfrey, Gregory MacLean
  • Publication number: 20190118494
    Abstract: A method and system for assisting in the manufacture of composite parts such as those used for various high-strength assemblies such as aircraft wings, vertical stabilizers, racing car shells, boat hulls, and other parts which are required to have a very high strength to weight ratio. The system uses laser technology to measure the resultant surfaces of a first manufactured composite part. A computer system analyzes and compares the as-built dimensions with the required production specifications. Supplemental composite filler plies are designed including shape and dimensions. These plies are nested together into a single composite sheet and manufactured to minimize wasted material. The plies are then cut out and applied to the first part guided by a laser projection system for locating the plies on the part. The part is then re-cured. The final assembly is then re-measured for compliance with production dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Spellman, Jeff GODFREY, Gregory MacLean
  • Publication number: 20180284724
    Abstract: A novel method designs and analyzes composite parts including optimal manufacturing strategies. The invention analyzes part design including curvatures and other surface topology to formulate an optimal strategy for material layup, number of plies, initial orientation angle, and towpath steering vectors. The method computes an optimum starting point for each fiber path and a stagger offset for each successive fiber path to as to eliminate or minimize gaps and overlaps between adjacent plies. Intermediate surfaces are generated by a polynomial discretization method which generates large computational time savings and enhances blending of adjacent zones to control surface smoothness. The method further calculates a variable steering path for the layer taking into account material parameters and limitations such that plies originating in the same location have a variable orientation angle and follow any reference curve generated by the method to maximize strength and minimize weight of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Moruzzi, Michael Spellman, Gregory MacLean
  • Patent number: 9996634
    Abstract: A system and method for designing and manufacturing of composite parts wherein the planner can design the part on a computer and analyze the entire work flow process from design to manufacture so as to determine the most efficient design and method of manufacture including resource costs including time, machines, material, labor and expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory MacLean
  • Publication number: 20160121556
    Abstract: A method and system for assisting in the manufacture of composite parts such as those used for various high-strength assemblies such as aircraft wings, vertical stabilizers, racing car shells, boat hulls, and other parts which are required to have a very high strength to weight ratio. The system uses laser technology to measure the resultant surfaces of a first manufactured composite part. A computer system analyzes and compares the as-built dimensions with the required production specifications. Supplemental composite filler plies are designed including shape and dimensions. These plies are nested together into a single composite sheet and manufactured to minimize wasted material. The plies are then cut out and applied to the first part guided by a laser projection system for locating the plies on the part. The part is then re-cured. The final assembly is then re-measured for compliance with production dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Spellman, Jeff Godfrey, Gregory MacLean
  • Patent number: 9186849
    Abstract: A method and system for assisting in the manufacture of composite parts such as those used for various high-strength assemblies such as aircraft wings, vertical stabilizers, racing car shells, boat hulls, and other parts which are required to have a very high strength to weight ratio. The system uses laser technology to measure the resultant surfaces of a first manufactured composite part. A computer system analyzes and compares the as-built dimensions with the required production specifications. Supplemental composite filler plies are designed including shape and dimensions. These plies are nested together into a single composite sheet and manufactured to minimize wasted material. The plies are then cut out and applied to the first part guided by a laser projection system for locating the plies on the part. The part is then re-cured. The final assembly is then re-measured for compliance with production dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Spellman, Jeff Godfrey, Gregory MacLean
  • Publication number: 20150165674
    Abstract: A method and system for assisting in the manufacture of composite parts such as those used for various high-strength assemblies such as aircraft wings, vertical stabilizers, racing car shells, boat hulls, and other parts which are required to have a very high strength to weight ratio. The system uses laser technology to measure the resultant surfaces of a first manufactured composite part. A computer system analyzes and compares the as-built dimensions with the required production specifications. Supplemental composite filler plies are designed including shape and dimensions. These plies are nested together into a single composite sheet and manufactured to minimize wasted material. The plies are then cut out and applied to the first part guided by a laser projection system for locating the plies on the part. The part is then re-cured. The final assembly is then re-measured for compliance with production dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Spellman, Jeff Godfrey, Gregory MacLean
  • Publication number: 20140330420
    Abstract: A system and method for designing and manufacturing of composite parts wherein the planner can design the part on a computer and analyze the entire work flow process from design to manufacture so as to determine the most efficient design and method of manufacture including resource costs including time, machines, material, labor and expenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Gregory MacLean