Patents by Inventor Jeffrey W. Weathers

Jeffrey W. Weathers 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).

  • Publication number: 20240066637
    Abstract: A friction weld plug includes a gasket and a stud. The stud includes a nose configured to be inserted into a first hole formed within a wall. The nose includes a cavity having female threads. The stud also includes a shoulder extending radially from the nose and including a groove configured to contain the gasket. The friction weld plug also includes a spacer including a second hole and a fastener including male threads. The fastener is configured to be inserted through the second hole, into the first hole, and into the cavity such that the male threads and the female threads form an attachment that presses the spacer against a first side of the wall and presses the gasket against a second side of the wall that is opposite the first side, thereby forming a seal between the gasket and the second side of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Weathers, James B. Weathers
  • Patent number: 11435730
    Abstract: A system and method include a simulation control unit configured to receive structural data regarding a structure to be formed. The simulation control unit performs a virtual forming simulation to determine a feasibility of forming the structure based on the structural data. In response to the simulation control unit determining that the structure can be feasibly formed based on the structural data, the simulation control unit outputs a forming plan for forming the structure based on the structural data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James B. Weathers, Jeffrey W. Weathers
  • Patent number: 11286067
    Abstract: A system includes a first component, a second component, a locking pin, and an interface assembly that is configured to selectively adjust a stiffness of a coupling interface between the first component and the second component. The interface assembly includes at least one support coupler secured to the first component. The support coupler(s) includes a main body, a first arm extending from a first side of the main body, a second arm extending from a second side of the main body, and a flange extending from the main body. The flange includes a locking pin hole that is configured to selectively receive the locking pin. The locking pin is selectively moveable between a retracted position in which the locking pin is out of the locking pin hole, and a deployed position in which the locking pin extends into the locking pin hole and a portion of the first component and locks the interface assembly to the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Weathers, Dustin Gregory Padgett
  • Publication number: 20210382468
    Abstract: A system and method include a simulation control unit configured to receive structural data regarding a structure to be formed. The simulation control unit performs a virtual forming simulation to determine a feasibility of forming the structure based on the structural data. In response to the simulation control unit determining that the structure can be feasibly formed based on the structural data, the simulation control unit outputs a forming plan for forming the structure based on the structural data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James B. Weathers, Jeffrey W. Weathers
  • Patent number: 11053030
    Abstract: A load-decoupling attachment system is configured to secure a component to a primary structure. The load-decoupling system includes a fore end coupling bracket that is configured to attach to a fore end of the component. A first tie rod is coupled to the fore end coupling bracket. The first tie rod is configured to couple to a first portion of the primary structure. A second tie rod is coupled to the fore end coupling bracket. The second tie rod configured to couple to a second portion of the primary structure. A universal joint mount assembly is configured to couple to an aft end of the component and a third portion of the primary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Weathers, Kraig A. Behel, Mark W. Ullom
  • Publication number: 20200108954
    Abstract: A load-decoupling attachment system is configured to secure a component to a primary structure. The load-decoupling system includes a fore end coupling bracket that is configured to attach to a fore end of the component. A first tie rod is coupled to the fore end coupling bracket. The first tie rod is configured to couple to a first portion of the primary structure. A second tie rod is coupled to the fore end coupling bracket. The second tie rod configured to couple to a second portion of the primary structure. A universal joint mount assembly is configured to couple to an aft end of the component and a third portion of the primary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Weathers, Kraig A. Behel, Mark W. Ullom
  • Publication number: 20200108955
    Abstract: A system includes a first component, a second component, a locking pin, and an interface assembly that is configured to selectively adjust a stiffness of a coupling interface between the first component and the second component. The interface assembly includes at least one support coupler secured to the first component. The support coupler(s) includes a main body, a first arm extending from a first side of the main body, a second arm extending from a second side of the main body, and a flange extending from the main body. The flange includes a locking pin hole that is configured to selectively receive the locking pin. The locking pin is selectively moveable between a retracted position in which the locking pin is out of the locking pin hole, and a deployed position in which the locking pin extends into the locking pin hole and a portion of the first component and locks the interface assembly to the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Weathers, Dustin Gregory Padgett