Patents by Inventor John S. Killian

John S. Killian 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: 6496745
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for orienting or assembling a detailed part in a predetermined orientation in which the detailed part is made up of a plurality of component parts. First, a location and alignment are defined by a virtual assembly tool. Next, a unique combination of self-locating features are disposed on the individual component parts in which the unique combination corresponds to the location and alignment defined by the virtual assembly tool. Thus, the virtual assembly tool is integrated into the assembled detailed part. In practice the individual component parts are engaged with predetermined corresponding component parts using the self-locating features. The act of engaging the individual component-parts is repeated until all component parts are engaged with each respective corresponding component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Killian