Patents by Inventor James N. Buttrick
James N. Buttrick 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: 20230259104Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium are provided for laser ablation of a structural part. The method includes accessing a digital model of the structural part, and tiling the digital model into tiles that correspond to respective regions of the structural part. The method includes determining discrete tool paths of a machine tool for respective ones of the tiles for laser ablation of the respective regions of the structural part. And the method includes generating instructions for the machine tool to perform the laser ablation of the structural part according to the discrete tool paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Fei Cai, Paul Z. Thunemann, James N. Buttrick, Thomas A. Grandine, Natalie G. Murray
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Publication number: 20230191505Abstract: A drill spindle accessory is disclosed. The drill spindle accessory includes a fixed plate, a drive shaft, a pivot plate, and a working shaft. The drive shaft is mounted to the fixed plate. The drive shaft has a longitudinal axis that extends through a center of the fixed plate. The drive shaft is configured to be rotated by a drill motor. The pivot plate is pivotally coupled to the fixed plate at a pivot point offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The working shaft is mounted to the pivot plate. The working shaft has a longitudinal axis that extends through a center of the pivot plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventor: James N. Buttrick
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Patent number: 11534989Abstract: A forming module for forming a composite laminate part over a tool is provided. The forming module comprises a base, a ply carrier control assembly adapted for controlling the position of a flexible ply carrier on which composite resin plies are mounted, and a head section mounted on the base and adapted for automatically forming the composite resin plies from the ply carrier onto the tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James N. Buttrick, Dennis Wayne Stewart, Andrew E. Modin, David Paul Banks, Edoardo Depase, Jesus Sanchez
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Patent number: 11235432Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, James N. Buttrick, Darrell Darwin Jones, Dan Dresskell Day, Paul Reed Stone
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Patent number: 11180264Abstract: A mobile fixture configured to move a structure in a manufacturing environment may include a motorized base configured to move on a surface and a support system connected to the motorized base, the support system being configured to support the structure, the support system being configured to position the structure along at least one of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, the support system being configured to position the structure about the Z-axis, and the support system being configured to provide free rotation of the structure about at least one of the X-axis and the Y-axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Steven Best, Eric Reid, James N. Buttrick, Daniel M. McDonagh, Matthew DesJardien
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Patent number: 10875260Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite part. The method comprises positioning a prepreg material relative to a composite forming tool. The composite forming tool comprises a frame associated with a shaping system, a base comprising at least one mold, and the shaping system associated with the frame and configured to move relative to the frame, the base, and the prepreg material. The method also lowers the shaping system of the composite forming tool towards the prepreg material. The method applies pressure to the prepreg material with a centerline presser of the shaping system. The method also applies a force to the prepreg material using a number of compliant elongate members of the shaping system to uniformly apply the prepreg material to the at least one mold of the base of the composite forming tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Silas Lawton Studley, Matthew Ray DesJardien, James N. Buttrick
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Patent number: 10828846Abstract: Apparatus for forming composite plies on a contoured tool includes a forming head for forming the composite plies on the tool. The forming head is mounted on a manipulator and includes a compliant nosepiece adapted to conform to the contoured tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Anderson, Daniel M. McDonagh, Ryan Christopher Lucas, Mark Klewiada, James N. Buttrick
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Publication number: 20200039154Abstract: A forming module for forming a composite laminate part over a tool is provided. The forming module comprises a base, a ply carrier control assembly adapted for controlling the position of a flexible ply carrier on which composite resin plies are mounted, and a head section mounted on the base and adapted for automatically forming the composite resin plies from the ply carrier onto the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: James N. Buttrick, Dennis Wayne Stewart, Andrew E. Modin, David Paul Banks, Edoardo Depase, Jesus Sanchez
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Patent number: 10464265Abstract: A plurality of identical fabrication modules are linked together and configurable to fabricate any of a plurality of differing laminate structures in a family of structures having common features. Each of the fabrication modules is locally adapted to fabricate a section of the laminate structure on a corresponding tool. A controller controls and coordinates automated operation of the fabrication modules.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James N. Buttrick, Dennis Wayne Stewart, Andrew E. Modin, David Paul Banks, Edoardo Depase, Jesus Sanchez
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Patent number: 10363640Abstract: A system and method are provided to automate the assembly of a wing panel, such as utilized by commercial aircraft. In the context of a system, a tacking cell is provided that is configured to tack one or more stringers to a skin plank. The system also includes a riveting cell configured to receive a tacked plank from the tacking cell and to rivet the one or more stringers to the skin plank. The system also includes a splicing cell configured to receive a plurality of riveted planks from the riveting cell and to attach one or more splice stringers to the plurality of riveted planks. Further, the system includes a side of body cell configured to receive a spliced panel from the splicing cell and to attach a side of body chord thereto to produce a wing panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Farahnaz Tanni Sisco, Daniel R. Smith, Jayson J. Aquino, Edward John Batt, James N. Buttrick, Antonio C. Micale, Darrell D. Jones, Clayton L. Munk, Chris G. Couevas, Azita N. Namdaran, Noman S. Noor, Donald A. Mottaz
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Publication number: 20180281318Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite part. The method comprises positioning a prepreg material relative to a composite forming tool. The composite forming tool comprises a frame associated with a shaping system, a base comprising at least one mold, and the shaping system associated with the frame and configured to move relative to the frame, the base, and the prepreg material. The method also lowers the shaping system of the composite forming tool towards the prepreg material. The method applies pressure to the prepreg material with a centerline presser of the shaping system. The method also applies a force to the prepreg material using a number of compliant elongate members of the shaping system to uniformly apply the prepreg material to the at least one mold of the base of the composite forming tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Silas Lawton Studley, Matthew Ray DesJardien, James N. Buttrick
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Patent number: 10011080Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite part. The method comprises positioning a prepreg material relative to a composite forming tool. The composite forming tool comprises a frame associated with a shaping system, a base comprising at least one mold, and the shaping system associated with the frame and configured to move relative to the frame, the base, and the prepreg material. The method also lowers the shaping system of the composite forming tool towards the prepreg material. The method applies pressure to the prepreg material with a centerline presser of the shaping system. The method also applies a force to the prepreg material using a number of compliant elongate members of the shaping system to uniformly apply the prepreg material to the at least one mold of the base of the composite forming tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Silas Lawton Studley, Matthew Ray DesJardien, James N. Buttrick
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Publication number: 20180169807Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, James N. Buttrick, Darrell Darwin Jones, Dan Dresskell Day, Paul Reed Stone
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Patent number: 9943937Abstract: A system and method are provided to automate the assembly of a wing panel, such as utilized by commercial aircraft. In the context of a system, a tacking cell is provided that is configured to tack one or more stringers to a skin plank. The system also includes a riveting cell configured to receive a tacked plank from the tacking cell and to rivet the one or more stringers to the skin plank. The system also includes a splicing cell configured to receive a plurality of riveted planks from the riveting cell and to attach one or more splice stringers to the plurality of riveted planks. Further, the system includes a side of body cell configured to receive a spliced panel from the splicing cell and to attach a side of body chord thereto to produce a wing panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Farahnaz Tanni Sisco, Daniel R. Smith, Jayson J. Aquino, Edward John Batt, James N. Buttrick, Antonio C. Micale, Darrell D. Jones, Clayton L. Munk, Chris G. Couevas, Azita N. Namdaran, Noman S. Noor, Donald A. Mottaz
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Patent number: 9925629Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, Eric M. Reid, James N. Buttrick, Darrell Darwin Jones, Dan Dresskell Day, Paul Reed Stone
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Patent number: 9914187Abstract: A system and method are provided to automate the assembly of a wing panel, such as utilized by commercial aircraft. In the context of a system, a tacking cell is provided that is configured to tack one or more stringers to a skin plank. The system also includes a riveting cell configured to receive a tacked plank from the tacking cell and to rivet the one or more stringers to the skin plank. The system also includes a splicing cell configured to receive a plurality of riveted planks from the riveting cell and to attach one or more splice stringers to the plurality of riveted planks. Further, the system includes a side of body cell configured to receive a spliced panel from the splicing cell and to attach a side of body chord thereto to produce a wing panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Farahnaz Tanni Sisco, Daniel R. Smith, Jayson J. Aquino, Edward John Batt, James N. Buttrick, Antonio C. Micale, Darrell D. Jones, Clayton L. Munk, Chris G. Couevas, Azita N. Namdaran, Noman S. Noor, Donald A. Mottaz
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Patent number: 9889610Abstract: A composite ply is compacted around a radius edge of the tool by a rolling former that rolls over the radiused edge and conforms to any contours along the length of the edge. The rolling former includes a compliant tubular member rotatably held in spaced apart roller assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, James N. Buttrick
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Patent number: 9873230Abstract: A mobile vehicle is used to place, compact and inspect composite plies at selected locations on a tool. The vehicle includes an on-board supply of composite plies, a transfer platen for transferring plies to the tool, a compactor for compacting plies on the tool, and an inspection device for inspecting plies on the tool, each operated and manipulated by an on-board manipulator such as a robot.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, James N. Buttrick, Terrence J. Rowe, Daniel Mark McDonagh, Silas Lawton Studley, Tracy E. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20170327246Abstract: A mobile fixture configured to move a structure in a manufacturing environment may include a motorized base configured to move on a surface and a support system connected to the motorized base, the support system being configured to support the structure, the support system being configured to position the structure along at least one of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, the support system being configured to position the structure about the Z-axis, and the support system being configured to provide free rotation of the structure about at least one of the X-axis and the Y-axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Steven Best, Eric Reid, James N. Buttrick, Daniel M. McDonagh, Matthew DesJardien
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Patent number: 9745081Abstract: A mobile fixture configured to move a structure in a manufacturing environment may include a motorized base configured to move on a surface and a support system connected to the motorized base, the support system being configured to support the structure, the support system being configured to position the structure along at least one of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, the support system being configured to position the structure about the Z-axis, and the support system being configured to provide free rotation of the structure about at least one of the X-axis and the Y-axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Steven Best, Eric Reid, James N. Buttrick, Daniel M. McDonagh, Matthew DesJardien