Patents by Inventor Jonathan Y. Ahn

Jonathan Y. Ahn 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: 12215806
    Abstract: Conduit coupling devices comprise a body configured to be selectively attached to engage an outer surface of a conduit; and an elongate connecting member extending from the body or configured to selectively extend from the body. Systems comprise at least two conduit coupling devices. Methods comprise attaching a first conduit coupling device to a first conduit; attaching a second conduit coupling device to a second conduit; operatively attaching the first conduit coupling device to the second conduit coupling device; translating the first conduit coupling device and the second conduit coupling device toward each other to operatively position the first conduit relative to the second conduit; and clamping the first conduit to the second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Austin B. Ball, Jonathan Y. Ahn, Christopher R. Brown, Shane E. Arthur, Joseph D. Anderson, Ricardo A. Fritzke
  • Patent number: 12188508
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a pin, and a visual indicator. The sleeve includes a tubular body. The pin includes a shank. At least a portion of the shank of the pin is configured to extend through the tubular body of the sleeve and to facilitate deformation of a portion of the tubular body into a bulb in response to a force applied to the tubular body of the sleeve by the shank of the pin. The visual indicator is configured to provide a visual verification of correct formation of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Joseph D. Anderson, Shane E. Arthur
  • Publication number: 20240326276
    Abstract: An ultrasonic cutting blade includes a first end, a second end, and a curved body. The curved body extends between the first end and the second end. The curved body includes a first edge that is configured to contact a workpiece for performing a cutting operation on the workpiece. The curved body includes a radius of curvature that varies between a minimum radius of curvature and a maximum radius of curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ricardo A. Fritzke, Austin B. Ball, Christopher R. Brown, Shane E. Arthur, Marianne E. Wilkinson, Jonathan Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 12090715
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating pick and placement of preforms. One embodiment is a method for picking and placing a preform. The method includes placing an inner surface of a first caul plate into contact with a first side of a stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the first caul plate forms a first plane that is uniform along a length of the stringer preform, placing an inner surface of a second caul plate into contact with a second side of the stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the second caul plate forms a second plane that is parallel to the first plane along a length of the stringer preform, grasping the caul plates at the first plane and the second plane along the length of the stringer preform, and lifting the stringer preform together with the caul plates while maintaining the grasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran
  • Publication number: 20240262638
    Abstract: A pick-and-place system includes a rigid elongate strongback, configured to be supported by a robotic arm of a robotic device. In addition, the pick-and-place system includes a plurality of actuator-clamp assemblies, mountable in spaced relation to each other on the strongback. Each actuator-clamp assembly includes one or more jaw assemblies, each configured to clamp onto a localized segment of a workpiece. Each actuator-clamp assembly also includes a multi-axis actuator, configured to couple the one or more jaw assemblies to the strongback and adjust an orientation of the localized segment prior to placement of the workpiece onto a mating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Sandra L. Zmeu, Jonathan Y. Ahn, Austin B. Ball, Ricardo A. Fritzke, Christopher R. Brown
  • Publication number: 20240255079
    Abstract: Conduit coupling devices comprise a body configured to be selectively attached to engage an outer surface of a conduit; and an elongate connecting member extending from the body or configured to selectively extend from the body. Systems comprise at least two conduit coupling devices. Methods comprise attaching a first conduit coupling device to a first conduit; attaching a second conduit coupling device to a second conduit; operatively attaching the first conduit coupling device to the second conduit coupling device; translating the first conduit coupling device and the second conduit coupling device toward each other to operatively position the first conduit relative to the second conduit; and clamping the first conduit to the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Austin B. Ball, Jonathan Y. Ahn, Christopher R. Brown, Shane E. Arthur, Joseph D. Anderson, Ricardo A. Fritzke
  • Publication number: 20240075697
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating pick and placement of preforms. One embodiment is a method for picking and placing a preform. The method includes placing an inner surface of a first caul plate into contact with a first side of a stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the first caul plate forms a first plane that is uniform along a length of the stringer preform, placing an inner surface of a second caul plate into contact with a second side of the stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the second caul plate forms a second plane that is parallel to the first plane along a length of the stringer preform, grasping the caul plates at the first plane and the second plane along the length of the stringer preform, and lifting the stringer preform together with the caul plates while maintaining the grasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran
  • Patent number: 11919261
    Abstract: There is provided an automated removal apparatus for selectively removing one or more trimmed portions of a laminated ply in a ply-by-ply fabrication process. The automated removal apparatus includes a rotatable reel having a plurality of retractable vacuum panels attached around the rotatable reel. Each retractable vacuum panel has one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies, and each retractable vacuum pad assembly has a vacuum pad with a vacuum port and a self-sealing valve. The automated removal apparatus further includes actuator assemblies attached to the plurality of retractable vacuum panels, friction reducing elements attached around the rotatable reel, a drive assembly attached to the rotatable reel, and a pneumatic system attached to the rotatable reel and including a valve manifold operable to control an air flow to the actuator assemblies and to one or more vacuum generators to generate a vacuum flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Chace Wilcoxson, Lisa C. Carlson, Gregory R. Klempel, Austin T. McAnelly, Deborah A. Fisher, Scott E. Krajca
  • Patent number: 11865798
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating pick and placement of preforms. One embodiment is a method for picking and placing a preform. The method includes placing an inner surface of a first caul plate into contact with a first side of a stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the first caul plate forms a first plane that is uniform along a length of the stringer preform, placing an inner surface of a second caul plate into contact with a second side of the stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the second caul plate forms a second plane that is parallel to the first plane along a length of the stringer preform, grasping the caul plates at the first plane and the second plane along the length of the stringer preform, and lifting the stringer preform together with the caul plates while maintaining the grasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran
  • Publication number: 20230279893
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a pin, and a visual indicator. The sleeve includes a tubular body. The pin includes a shank. At least a portion of the shank of the pin is configured to extend through the tubular body of the sleeve and to facilitate deformation of a portion of the tubular body into a bulb in response to a force applied to the tubular body of the sleeve by the shank of the pin. The visual indicator is configured to provide a visual verification of correct formation of the bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Joseph D. Anderson, Shane E. Arthur
  • Patent number: 11673692
    Abstract: Methods of forming a curvature into a composite stiffener and a forming tool are presented. The composite stiffener is positioned in a forming region created by a base assembly and an upper assembly. A first airflow is applied through the material of the base assembly. A second airflow is applied through the material of the upper assembly. A plurality of brackets of the upper assembly is moved relative to each other to change a curvature of the forming region along a length of the forming region to form the curvature into the composite stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran, Long Ly
  • Patent number: 11351658
    Abstract: An ergonomic frame-filler placement tool is manually operable to supply a vacuum fluid flow at a distal end of the tool that can be used by a worker to pick up and hold a piece of frame-filler material to the distal end of the tool, which enables the worker to manipulate the tool to position the piece of frame-filler material over a desired location of a fuselage mandrel and then manually stop the vacuum fluid flow at the distal end of the tool to position the piece of frame-filler material at the desired location on the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran, Silas L. Studley, Chace Wilcoxson, Long H. Ly, Darrell D. Jones, Robert Whiting
  • Patent number: 11279057
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for removing material from a surface of a carrier. The apparatus comprises a buckling mechanism that comprises a gripper configured to engage the material. When engaged with the material, the gripper is movable relative to the surface of the carrier to move the material relative to the surface of the carrier and to form a buckle in the material. The apparatus also comprises a separation mechanism that is coupled to the buckling mechanism and comprises a wedge that is movable relative to the surface of the carrier to be insertable into the buckle formed in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher R. Loesche, Jacob E. Koopmans, Jonathan Y. Ahn
  • Publication number: 20210394466
    Abstract: There is provided an automated removal apparatus for selectively removing one or more trimmed portions of a laminated ply in a ply-by-ply fabrication process. The automated removal apparatus includes a rotatable reel having a plurality of retractable vacuum panels attached around the rotatable reel. Each retractable vacuum panel has one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies, and each retractable vacuum pad assembly has a vacuum pad with a vacuum port and a self-sealing valve. The automated removal apparatus further includes actuator assemblies attached to the plurality of retractable vacuum panels, friction reducing elements attached around the rotatable reel, a drive assembly attached to the rotatable reel, and a pneumatic system attached to the rotatable reel and including a valve manifold operable to control an air flow to the actuator assemblies and to one or more vacuum generators to generate a vacuum flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Chace Wilcoxson, Lisa C . Carlson, Gregory R. Klempel, Austin T. McAnelly, Deborah A. Fisher, Scott E. Krajca
  • Publication number: 20210252809
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating pick and placement of preforms. One embodiment is a method for picking and placing a preform. The method includes placing an inner surface of a first caul plate into contact with a first side of a stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the first caul plate forms a first plane that is uniform along a length of the stringer preform, placing an inner surface of a second caul plate into contact with a second side of the stringer preform, such that an outer surface of the second caul plate forms a second plane that is parallel to the first plane along a length of the stringer preform, grasping the caul plates at the first plane and the second plane along the length of the stringer preform, and lifting the stringer preform together with the caul plates while maintaining the grasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran
  • Publication number: 20210187777
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for removing material from a surface of a carrier. The apparatus comprises a buckling mechanism that comprises a gripper configured to engage the material. When engaged with the material, the gripper is movable relative to the surface of the carrier to move the material relative to the surface of the carrier and to form a buckle in the material. The apparatus also comprises a separation mechanism that is coupled to the buckling mechanism and comprises a wedge that is movable relative to the surface of the carrier to be insertable into the buckle formed in the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher R. Loesche, Jacob E. Koopmans, Jonathan Y. Ahn
  • Publication number: 20210179292
    Abstract: Methods of forming a curvature into a composite stiffener and a forming tool are presented. The composite stiffener is positioned in a forming region created by a base assembly and an upper assembly. A first airflow is applied through the material of the base assembly. A second airflow is applied through the material of the upper assembly. A plurality of brackets of the upper assembly is moved relative to each other to change a curvature of the forming region along a length of the forming region to form the curvature into the composite stiffener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran, Long Ly
  • Patent number: 11028898
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for active vibration damping. One embodiment is a method for damping vibration in a mechanical system. The method includes detecting a vibration at a coupling of the mechanical system, generating a countervibration based on the detected vibration, and operating the mechanical system while generating the countervibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John D. Sailing, Sr., Jonathan Y. Ahn
  • Publication number: 20200384701
    Abstract: An ergonomic frame-filler placement tool is manually operable to supply a vacuum fluid flow at a distal end of the tool that can be used by a worker to pick up and hold a piece of frame-filler material to the distal end of the tool, which enables the worker to manipulate the tool to position the piece of frame-filler material over a desired location of a fuselage mandrel and then manually stop the vacuum fluid flow at the distal end of the tool to position the piece of frame-filler material at the desired location on the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Ahn, Davis Tran, Silas L. Studley, Chace Wilcoxson, Long H. Ly, Darrell D. Jones, Robert Whiting
  • Publication number: 20200224746
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for active vibration damping. One embodiment is a method for damping vibration in a mechanical system. The method includes detecting a vibration at a coupling of the mechanical system, generating a countervibration based on the detected vibration, and operating the mechanical system while generating the countervibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: John D. Sailing, SR., Jonathan Y. Ahn