Patents by Inventor John P. McPherson

John P. McPherson 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).

  • Method and tooling for manufacture of co-cured composite structures
    Patent number: 8460502
    Abstract: A method and part forming apparatus configured for forming an aircraft stringer. The part forming apparatus may comprise a forming tool, a rigid plate, and a hollow bladder. The forming tool may comprise a material trough, a bladder extension trough laterally aligned with and open to the material trough, and a recessed pocket extending from either side of the bladder extension trough and adjacent to the material trough. The method comprises placing composite material into the material trough, placing the bladder onto the composite material and through the bladder extension trough, placing the rigid plate into the recessed pocket and over the bladder, and then placing skin laminate over the bladder and the composite material. Once each of these components is in place, the forming tool may be vacuum bagged and the composite material and skin laminate may be co-cured to form the stringer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaise F. Bergmann, Dwight D. Spaulding, John P. McPherson
  • METHOD AND TOOLING FOR MANUFACTURE OF CO-CURED COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20120261057
    Abstract: A method and part forming apparatus configured for forming an aircraft stringer. The part forming apparatus may comprise a forming tool, a rigid plate, and a hollow bladder. The forming tool may comprise a material trough, a bladder extension trough laterally aligned with and open to the material trough, and a recessed pocket extending from either side of the bladder extension trough and adjacent to the material trough. The method comprises placing composite material into the material trough, placing the bladder onto the composite material and through the bladder extension trough, placing the rigid plate into the recessed pocket and over the bladder, and then placing skin laminate over the bladder and the composite material. Once each of these components is in place, the forming tool may be vacuum bagged and the composite material and skin laminate may be co-cured to form the stringer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaise F. Bergmann, Dwight D. Spaulding, John P. McPherson