Patents by Inventor Jerald Hull

Jerald Hull 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: 11794352
    Abstract: A bore metrology method includes aligning a first structure, which defines an initial bore, with a second structure, which defines a pilot bore, such that the initial bore is partially obstructed by the second structure and the pilot bore is superimposed with the initial bore. The initial bore includes a bore locating target assembly within the initial bore, the bore locating target assembly having an optical target, the optical target having a reflector and an optical absorbing feature, the optical absorbing feature defining a pattern on the optical target. At least a portion of the reflector and at least a portion of the pattern are visible through the pilot bore. The method further includes imaging the portion of the reflector and the portion of the pattern that are visible through the pilot bore. The method further includes determining a centerline of the initial bore based on the imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Branko Lakic
  • Patent number: 11754390
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are provided in accordance with example embodiments for optically measuring workpiece features, and more particularly, to optically measure internal surfaces of round bores and countersinks. Methods include: advancing a probe through a bore and a countersink; and measuring dimensions of the bore and the countersink using a bore laser cone and a countersink laser cone, where the bore laser cone is received at the bore camera lens in response to reflecting from a first reflective surface of the probe to a surface of the bore to a third reflective surface of the probe and to the bore camera lens, and where the countersink laser cone is received at the countersink camera lens in response to the countersink laser cone reflecting from a second reflective surface of the probe to a surface of the countersink to a countersink beam reflector and to the countersink camera lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Patent number: 11472138
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for identifying processing locations in composite layups. An optical magnetic marker is magnetically supported by a layup tool at a target position, such that a portion of the marker protrudes above the tool processing surface. When a composite layup is placed onto that surface, the protruding portion extends into the layup at a processing location. When the layup is cured, the marker is permanently embedded into the layup. Separating the cured layup from the tool removes the marker from the tool and allows an additional marker to advance into the target position for processing another layup. The embedded marker or, more specifically, marker's reflective surface is used during optical inspection of the layup surface to precisely determine the processing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Publication number: 20220228855
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are provided in accordance with example embodiments for optically measuring workpiece features, and more particularly, to optically measure internal surfaces of round bores and countersinks. Methods include: advancing a probe through a bore and a countersink; and measuring dimensions of the bore and the countersink using a bore laser cone and a countersink laser cone, where the bore laser cone is received at the bore camera lens in response to reflecting from a first reflective surface of the probe to a surface of the bore to a third reflective surface of the probe and to the bore camera lens, and where the countersink laser cone is received at the countersink camera lens in response to the countersink laser cone reflecting from a second reflective surface of the probe to a surface of the countersink to a countersink beam reflector and to the countersink camera lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Jerald A. HULL
  • Publication number: 20220212347
    Abstract: A bore metrology method includes aligning a first structure, which defines an initial bore, with a second structure, which defines a pilot bore, such that the initial bore is partially obstructed by the second structure and the pilot bore is superimposed with the initial bore. The initial bore includes a bore locating target assembly within the initial bore, the bore locating target assembly having an optical target, the optical target having a reflector and an optical absorbing feature, the optical absorbing feature defining a pattern on the optical target. At least a portion of the reflector and at least a portion of the pattern are visible through the pilot bore. The method further includes imaging the portion of the reflector and the portion of the pattern that are visible through the pilot bore. The method further includes determining a centerline of the initial bore based on the imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Branko Lakic
  • Patent number: 11370563
    Abstract: A method includes making a first structure with a first plurality of pre-drilled holes at pre-defined locations, making a second structure with a second plurality of pre-drilled holes at pre-defined locations, making a third structure without pre-drilled full-size holes, measuring the location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structures, determining the location of a third plurality of holes to be drilled in the third structure that correspond to first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes measured in the first and second structures, creating a program to drill the third plurality of holes in the third structure that align with the measured location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structures based on the measure location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structure, drilling the third plurality of holes in the third structu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Craig A. Charlton, Branko Lakic, Jerald A. Hull, Christopher A. Greer, Justin H. Pratt
  • Patent number: 11248896
    Abstract: A hole location target includes a self-centering insert having a centerline and a laser beam emitter attached to the self-centering insert. The axis of the emitted laser beam is concentric to the centerline of the self-centering insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Philip L. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20210276287
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for identifying processing locations in composite layups. An optical magnetic marker is magnetically supported by a layup tool at a target position, such that a portion of the marker protrudes above the tool processing surface. When a composite layup is placed onto that surface, the protruding portion extends into the layup at a processing location. When the layup is cured, the marker is permanently embedded into the layup. Separating the cured layup from the tool removes the marker from the tool and allows an additional marker to advance into the target position for processing another layup. The embedded marker or, more specifically, marker's reflective surface is used during optical inspection of the layup surface to precisely determine the processing location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Patent number: 11060844
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring edge features of a work piece includes an optical sensor assembly and a reference device. The reference device includes a contact surface configured to contact a surface of the work piece adjacent to an edge of the work piece and a marked surface including a plurality of markings indicating positions relative to the contact surface. The reference device is configured to be coupled to a portion of the optical sensor assembly such that the optical sensor assembly is positioned to capture an image representing a portion of the marked surface and an edge feature of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Jiaqin Liu, Stuart G. Lambert
  • Patent number: 11046033
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for identifying processing locations in composite layups. An optical magnetic marker is magnetically supported by a layup tool at a target position, such that a portion of the marker protrudes above the tool processing surface. When a composite layup is placed onto that surface, the protruding portion extends into the layup at a processing location. When the layup is cured, the marker is permanently embedded into the layup. Separating the cured layup from the tool removes the marker from the tool and allows an additional marker to advance into the target position for processing another layup. The embedded marker or, more specifically, marker's reflective surface is used during optical inspection of the layup surface to precisely determine the processing location. In some examples, the marker is consumed while the layup is processed at that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Patent number: 11017559
    Abstract: A hole location target includes a self-centering insert having a centerline and an optical target attached to the self-centering insert at a fixed position relative to the centerline of the self-centering insert. The optical target surface includes a two-dimensional pattern thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Philip L. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20210130010
    Abstract: A method includes making a first structure with a first plurality of pre-drilled holes at pre-defined locations, making a second structure with a second plurality of pre-drilled holes at pre-defined locations, making a third structure without pre-drilled full-size holes, measuring the location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structures, determining the location of a third plurality of holes to be drilled in the third structure that correspond to first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes measured in the first and second structures, creating a program to drill the third plurality of holes in the third structure that align with the measured location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structures based on the measure location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structure, drilling the third plurality of holes in the third structu
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Craig A. Charlton, Branko Lakic, Jerald A. Hull, Christopher A. Greer, Justin H. Pratt
  • Patent number: 10989671
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for position and orientation measurement using a camera system having an optical boresight centerline. Methods may include: receiving at an aperture a collimated input beam; splitting the input beam at a first surface including a beam splitter into a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam; receiving at a first sensor the first sub-beam; receiving at a second sensor the second sub-beam; and determining one or more offsets of the input beam from the centerline based on data received from the first sensor and the second sensor. Methods may include: determining a location and irradiance of the first sub-beam of the input beam received by the first sensor; and determining a location and irradiance of the second sub-beam of the input beam received by the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Publication number: 20210107240
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems for identifying processing locations in composite layups. An optical magnetic marker is magnetically supported by a layup tool at a target position, such that a portion of the marker protrudes above the tool processing surface. When a composite layup is placed onto that surface, the protruding portion extends into the layup at a processing location. When the layup is cured, the marker is permanently embedded into the layup. Separating the cured layup from the tool removes the marker from the tool and allows an additional marker to advance into the target position for processing another layup. The embedded marker or, more specifically, marker's reflective surface is used during optical inspection of the layup surface to precisely determine the processing location. In some examples, the marker is consumed while the layup is processed at that location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Publication number: 20210080405
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for position and orientation measurement using a camera system having an optical boresight centerline. Methods may include: receiving at an aperture a collimated input beam; splitting the input beam at a first surface including a beam splitter into a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam; receiving at a first sensor the first sub-beam; receiving at a second sensor the second sub-beam; and determining one or more offsets of the input beam from the centerline based on data received from the first sensor and the second sensor. Methods may include: determining a location and irradiance of the first sub-beam of the input beam received by the first sensor; and determining a location and irradiance of the second sub-beam of the input beam received by the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Jerald A. HULL
  • Patent number: 10934020
    Abstract: A method includes making a first structure with a first plurality of pre-drilled holes at pre-defined locations, making a second structure with a second plurality of pre-drilled holes at pre-defined locations, making a third structure without pre-drilled full-size holes, measuring the location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structures, determining the location of a third plurality of holes to be drilled in the third structure that correspond to first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes measured in the first and second structures, creating a program to drill the third plurality of holes in the third structure that align with the measured location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structures based on the measure location and orientation of the first and second plurality of pre-drilled holes in the first and second structure, drilling the third plurality of holes in the third structu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Craig A. Charlton, Branko Lakic, Jerald A. Hull, Christopher A. Greer, Justin H. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20200408501
    Abstract: A hole location target includes a self-centering insert having a centerline and a laser beam emitter attached to the self-centering insert. The axis of the emitted laser beam is concentric to the centerline of the self-centering insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Philip L. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20200410711
    Abstract: A hole location target includes a self-centering insert having a centerline and an optical target attached to the self-centering insert at a fixed position relative to the centerline of the self-centering insert. The optical target surface includes a two-dimensional pattern thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Philip L. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10783659
    Abstract: A hole location target includes a self-centering insert having a centerline and an optical target attached to the self-centering insert at a fixed position relative to the centerline of the self-centering insert. The optical target includes a light-emitting display. The light-emitting display includes a two-dimensional pattern thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Philip L. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10393504
    Abstract: An optical coordinate measuring system (OCMS) for manufactured components having build variations that require splices for accurate integration of the components. The OCMS includes manufacturing the components that include integral three dimensional optical reticle image arrays affixed to predetermined surfaces of the components, such that those surfaces can be optically captured in three dimensional composite measurements associated with various 3-D scanned poses. Each pose includes an orthogonal pair of grid lines, and each pose involves a single field of view. A plurality of poses can then be collated to form composite measurements that extend out-of-range of any single pose. The three dimensional optical reticle image arrays can be concave or convex, ideally formed as an integral part of each as-manufactured component. The three dimensional aspect enhances scanning clarity of each scanned pose, thus assuring greater accuracies of composite measurements that result from any plurality of collated poses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull