Patents by Inventor James E. PILLERS

James E. PILLERS 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: 11717873
    Abstract: A driven member of a metal peening machine is disclosed. The metal peening machine is configured to drive the driven member into contact with a work surface of a metal workpiece to deform the metal workpiece. The driven member includes a shaft with an impact end. The driven member includes least one of a plurality of impact features, an impact feature with a non-flat impact surface, a non-round impact feature, and an asymmetrical impact feature that is coupled to and protrudes from the impact end of the shaft. The at least one of the plurality of impact features, the impact feature with a non-flat impact surface, the non-round impact feature, and the asymmetrical impact feature define at least one impact surface to be driven into contact with the work surface of the metal workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. Lundquist, David G. Jensen, McKay A. Kunz, Gregory L. Ramsey, Michael Delos McGraw, James E. Pillers, Nate Speer
  • Patent number: 11455737
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital image correlation. A camera system is used to obtain larger scale images of a larger scale dot pattern on a surface of a workpiece and smaller scale images of a smaller scale dot pattern on the surface of the same workpiece. The smaller scale dot pattern forms a larger dot in the larger scale dot pattern in the larger scale images. The larger scale images and the smaller scale images may be used to determine a measurement of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Grossnickle, James E. Pillers, Kevin Earl McCrary
  • Patent number: 11100657
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital image correlation. A camera system is used to obtain larger scale images of a larger scale dot pattern on a surface of a workpiece and smaller scale images of a smaller scale dot pattern on the surface of the same workpiece. The smaller scale dot pattern forms a larger dot in the larger scale dot pattern in the larger scale images. The larger scale images and the smaller scale images may be used to determine a measurement of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A. Grossnickle, James E. Pillers, Kevin Earl McCrary
  • Publication number: 20200164422
    Abstract: A driven member of a metal peening machine is disclosed. The metal peening machine is configured to drive the driven member into contact with a work surface of a metal workpiece to deform the metal workpiece. The driven member includes a shaft with an impact end. At least one of a plurality of impact features, an impact feature with a non-flat impact surface, a non-round impact feature, and an asymmetrical impact feature is coupled to and protrudes from the impact end of the shaft. The at least one of the plurality of impact features, the impact feature with a non-flat impact surface, the non-round impact feature, and the asymmetrical impact feature defining at least one impact surface to be driven into contact with the work surface of the metal workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Lauren K. Lundquist, David G. Jensen, McKay A. Kunz, Gregory L. Ramsey, Michael Delos McGraw, James E. Pillers, Nate Speer
  • Patent number: 10576523
    Abstract: A driven member of a metal peening machine is disclosed. The metal peening machine is configured to drive the driven member into contact with a work surface of a metal workpiece to deform the metal workpiece. The driven member includes a shaft with an impact end. At least one of a plurality of impact features, an impact feature with a non-flat impact surface, a non-round impact feature, and an asymmetrical impact feature is coupled to and protrudes from the impact end of the shaft. The at least one of the plurality of impact features, the impact feature with a non-flat impact surface, the non-round impact feature, and the asymmetrical impact feature defining at least one impact surface to be driven into contact with the work surface of the metal workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. Lundquist, David G. Jensen, McKay A. Kunz, Gregory L. Ramsey, Michael Delos McGraw, James E. Pillers, Nate Speer
  • Patent number: 9539690
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for processing and changing the physical characteristics of a metal workpiece into a final metal component. Predetermined processing parameters are established for achieving a final metal component. The metal workpiece is positioned securely on a support during the changing of the physical characteristics. Impacts are applied to a surface of the workpiece multiple times for achieving the final metal component while controlling the impacting with the predetermined processing parameters. A sensor is provided for continuously sensing the currently existing physical conditions of the workpiece during impacting. The predetermined processing parameters are changed into adjusted processing parameters and the impacts are changed in reaction to the currently existing physical conditions of the workpiece from the sensing and processing of the workpiece until the final metal component has been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. Lundquist, McKay A. Kunz, James E. Pillers, James B. Castle, John Z. Lin, Sebastian Nervi
  • Publication number: 20160253796
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital image correlation. A camera system is used to obtain larger scale images of a larger scale dot pattern on a surface of a workpiece and smaller scale images of a smaller scale dot pattern on the surface of the same workpiece. The smaller scale dot pattern forms a larger dot in the larger scale dot pattern in the larger scale images. The larger scale images and the smaller scale images may be used to determine a measurement of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Grossnickle, James E. Pillers, Kevin Earl McCrary
  • Patent number: 8997545
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for changing physical characteristics of a workpiece which may have been pre-loaded before being further processed. The workpiece is supported in a fixed position during processing. A driven member applies multiple impacts to one surface of the workpiece. The driven member is operated within adjustable parameters. A controller, having the adjustable parameters, is operatively connected to the driven member for causing the driven member to apply multiple impacts against a surface of the workpiece while under the control of the pre-adjustable parameters for changing physical characteristics of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. Lundquist, James E. Pillers, McKay A. Kunz, Michael Delos McGraw, Gregory L. Ramsey, Nate Speer
  • Publication number: 20150075240
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for processing and changing the physical characteristics of a metal workpiece into a final metal component. Predetermined processing parameters are established for achieving a final metal component. The metal workpiece is positioned securely on a support during the changing of the physical characteristics. Impacts are applied to a surface of the workpiece multiple times for achieving the final metal component while controlling the impacting with the predetermined processing parameters. A sensor is provided for continuously sensing the currently existing physical conditions of the workpiece during impacting. The predetermined processing parameters are changed into adjusted processing parameters and the impacts are changed in reaction to the currently existing physical conditions of the workpiece from the sensing and processing of the workpiece until the final metal component has been achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. LUNDQUIST, McKay A. KUNZ, James E. PILLERS, James B. CASTLE, John Z. LIN, Sebastian NERVI
  • Publication number: 20150075248
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for changing physical characteristics of a workpiece which may have been pre-loaded before being further processed. The workpiece is supported in a fixed position during processing. A driven member applies multiple impacts to one surface of the workpiece. The driven member is operated within adjustable parameters. A controller, having the adjustable parameters, is operatively connected to the driven member for causing the driven member to apply multiple impacts against a surface of the workpiece while under the control of the pre-adjustable parameters for changing physical characteristics of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. LUNDQUIST, James E. PILLERS, McKay A. KUNZ, Michael Delos MCGRAW, Gregory L. RAMSEY, Nate SPEER