Patents by Inventor Jim E. Gardiner

Jim E. Gardiner 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: 9862096
    Abstract: Automated dynamic manufacturing systems may provide for alignment of multiple components with respect to one another, such as an apparatus, a robot, and a supply of parts. The alignment may initially be performed roughly, using a global metrology device configured to track the apparatus, robot, and supply of parts, each of which may be movable with respect to the others, such as by being positioned on a respective automated guided vehicle. Alignment may then be performed to closer tolerances using a local metrology device coupled to the robot and configured to accurately position an end effector, such that the end effector may perform a manufacturing task on the apparatus, such as a pick-and-place process involving transporting an individual part from the supply of parts, transferring it to the apparatus, and coupling it thereto. Such systems and methods may be used to perform manufacturing processes on large apparatus, such as aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lorrie Sivich, Thomas K. Williams, Jim E. Gardiner, Farshad Forouhar
  • Publication number: 20160288331
    Abstract: Automated dynamic manufacturing systems may provide for alignment of multiple components with respect to one another, such as an apparatus, a robot, and a supply of parts. The alignment may initially be performed roughly, using a global metrology device configured to track the apparatus, robot, and supply of parts, each of which may be movable with respect to the others, such as by being positioned on a respective automated guided vehicle. Alignment may then be performed to closer tolerances using a local metrology device coupled to the robot and configured to accurately position an end effector, such that the end effector may perform a manufacturing task on the apparatus, such as a pick-and-place process involving transporting an individual part from the supply of parts, transferring it to the apparatus, and coupling it thereto. Such systems and methods may be used to perform manufacturing processes on large apparatus, such as aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lorrie Sivich, Thomas K. Williams, Jim E. Gardiner, Farshad Forouhar