Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Schaefer

Joseph D. Schaefer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240378326
    Abstract: A method for analysis of a fastened structure includes accessing an electronic design model of the fastened structure, embedding at least one sensor element model within the electronic design model, applying at least one simulated load to the electronic design model, monitoring the measurement parameters using the at least one sensor element model to detect load conditions at the corresponding select location based on the at least one simulated load; and comparing the detected load conditions to predetermined measurement thresholds for the monitored measurement parameters. A fastened structure management system includes a computing system and a storage device in operative communication with the computing system. An analytical computing system for analysis of a fastened structure includes at least one processor and associated memory, at least one electronic storage device and a network interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryan W. Lilley, Joseph D. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20240353272
    Abstract: A device for analysis of mechanical and thermal loading of structures can include: a first member comprising first material; a second member comprising second material; and a third member comprising the first material. The second member can be fastened at least partially between the first and third members. The device can be configured to mechanically load the first, second, and third members by applying equal and opposite force to protruding ends of the first, second, and third members. A device for analysis of mechanical and thermal loading of structures can include: a first member comprising first material; and a second member comprising second material. The first member can be fastened at least partially between portions of the second member. The device can be configured to mechanically load the first and second members by applying equal and opposite force to protruding ends of the first and second members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryan W. LILLEY, Joseph D. SCHAEFER, Keith G. RACKERS, Paul B. DUFOUR, Matthew J. MOLITOR
  • Publication number: 20240241009
    Abstract: A method for determining fatigue properties of a structure includes mounting the structure in a load frame. The structure has a crack with a crack size. The method includes applying repeatedly an adjustable stimulus to the structure over multiple cycles. The adjustable stimulus is an adjustable load or an adjustable displacement applied to the structure. The method further includes storing the crack size at a start of the cycles, measuring a response of the structure subjected to the adjustable stimulus in each cycle, updating the crack size based on the response in each cycle, and updating the adjustable stimulus in each cycle. The adjustable stimulus as updated maintains a strain energy release rate approximately constant based on the crack size. The method includes calculating a growth rate of a crack propagation in the structure based on the response in each cycle, and storing the growth rate in a file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson
  • Patent number: 11966671
    Abstract: A computer is configured to generate a computer model predicting the progressive creation, density, and spacing of a plurality of cracks in a filler material, such as a “noodle,” for example, disposed at a connection interface between a load-bearing composite structural component, such as a stringer or a spar, for example, and the structural framework of a vehicle on which those structural components are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson
  • Patent number: 11846055
    Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a computing system, a dry thickness of a fabric preform. The method also includes determining, by the computing system, a debulked thickness of the fabric preform using the dry thickness of the fabric preform. In addition, the method includes determining, by the computing system, a stitch tension using the dry thickness of the fabric preform and the debulked thickness of the fabric preform. And the method includes causing, by the computing system, a stitching machine to apply a through-the-thickness stitch having the stitch tension to the fabric preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Justusson, Joseph D. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20230342514
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method facilitates receiving, by a computing system, one or more parameters that specify attributes associated with a bonded joint and, in particular, a type of bonded joint. The computing system selects from a model template repository one or more bonded joint model templates associated with the type of bonded joint. The computing system generates a bonded joint model based on the bonded joint model templates and the parameters. The bonded joint model facilitates the performance of finite element analysis (FEA). FEA logic of the computing system simulates the application of stress to the bonded joint model. The FEA logic of the computing system determines a change in a size of a defect that results from the application of stress to the bonded joint model. The computing system determines, based on the change in the size of the defect, the life expectancy of the bonded joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson, Mainak Bhattacharya
  • Publication number: 20230341303
    Abstract: A tension load fixture for applying tension or loading forces to a specimen comprises a pair of tension arms and an imaging device. The pair of tension arms are configured to releasably couple to opposite end regions of a specimen and to apply tension or loading forces to the specimen. The specimen is configured to be positioned between the pair of tension arms and defines a notch between the opposite end regions of the specimen. The notch extends from a side of the specimen to a middle region of the specimen. The imaging device is configured to capture one or more images of the middle region of the specimen and is configured to rotate about a central axis of the tension load fixture that is proximate to the middle region of the specimen to facilitate generation of a three-dimensional image of the middle region of the specimen as the specimen is subjected to tension or loading forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson, Haozhong Gu
  • Publication number: 20230306147
    Abstract: An example method includes determining analytical material properties indicative of an effective fracture behavior of a through-thickness reinforcement. The method also includes obtaining data defining a cohesive formulation within a finite element analyzer. The cohesive formulation is representative of the through-thickness reinforcement, and the data defining the cohesive formulation is derived from the analytical material properties. The method further includes generating a finite element model for the composite structure. The composite structure includes the through-thickness reinforcement, and the finite element model represents the through-thickness reinforcement using the cohesive formulation. The method also includes analyzing a mechanical performance of the composite structure using the finite element analyzer and the finite element model, and outputting data indicative of the mechanical performance of the composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson
  • Publication number: 20230118613
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods provides for technology that generates a plurality of discrete and finite elements associated with a component, where a number of the plurality of discrete and finite elements corresponds to a size of an estimated process zone. The technology further identifies material input properties of the component, models crack propagation throughout the plurality of discrete and finite elements based on the material input properties and models a release response in the plurality of discrete and finite elements based on the material input properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson
  • Publication number: 20230049264
    Abstract: An example method includes determining, by a computing system, a dry thickness of a fabric preform. The method also includes determining, by the computing system, a debulked thickness of the fabric preform using the dry thickness of the fabric preform. In addition, the method includes determining, by the computing system, a stitch tension using the dry thickness of the fabric preform and the debulked thickness of the fabric preform. And the method includes causing, by the computing system, a stitching machine to apply a through-the-thickness stitch having the stitch tension to the fabric preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Brian P. Justusson, Joseph D. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11379628
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for managing a composite structure. A set of component models is created for a set of components in the composite structure. A set of embedded reinforcement element models is placed within the set of component models for the set of components in the composite structure to form a composite structure model for the composite structure. The set of embedded reinforcement element models is for a set of embedded reinforcements embedded within the set of components in the composite structure. A structural analysis of the composite structure is performed using the composite structure model formed by the set of component models and the set of embedded reinforcement element models, wherein the set of embedded reinforcement element models enables modeling at least one of a deformation or a failure of embedded reinforcements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Justusson, Joseph D. Schaefer, Bryan W. Lilley
  • Patent number: 10997330
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining failure initiation characteristics of a bonding layer of one or more bonded structures and determining, based on the failure initiation characteristics, a first characteristic dimension for each analysis element of a first portion of a finite element analysis model. The method includes obtaining failure propagation characteristics of the bonding layer and determining, based on the failure propagation characteristics, a second characteristic dimension for each analysis element of a second portion of the model. The method includes assigning a first set of material parameters to analysis elements of the first portion of the model and assigning a second set of material parameters to analysis elements of the second portion of the model. The method includes evaluating failure modes of the one or more bonded structures based on a solution to the model, the first set of material parameters, and the second set of material parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian P. Justusson, Joseph D. Schaefer, Matthew Jeffrey Molitor
  • Publication number: 20210097150
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for managing a composite structure. A set of component models is created for a set of components in the composite structure. A set of embedded reinforcement element models is placed within the set of component models for the set of components in the composite structure to form a composite structure model for the composite structure. The set of embedded reinforcement element models is for a set of embedded reinforcements embedded within the set of components in the composite structure. A structural analysis of the composite structure is performed using the composite structure model formed by the set of component models and the set of embedded reinforcement element models, wherein the set of embedded reinforcement element models enables modeling at least one of a deformation or a failure of embedded reinforcements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Brian P. Justusson, Joseph D. Schaefer, Bryan W. Lilley
  • Patent number: 10866175
    Abstract: A load frame for applying a tensile load to a test sample during a test or measurement includes a first gripper for gripping a first end of the test sample, a second gripper for gripping a second end of the test sample, and a tensioner for applying the tensile load to the test sample. The load frame further includes a first end tube that encircles the first gripper, a second end tube that encircles the second gripper, and a center tube that encircles a mid-portion of the test sample during the test or measurement. A system such as a wave-generating system may be used to measure the test sample through the center tube during a test or measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Roy Martin Gagnon, Dinu Tandareanu
  • Publication number: 20200257768
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining failure initiation characteristics of a bonding layer of one or more bonded structures and determining, based on the failure initiation characteristics, a first characteristic dimension for each analysis element of a first portion of a finite element analysis model. The method includes obtaining failure propagation characteristics of the bonding layer and determining, based on the failure propagation characteristics, a second characteristic dimension for each analysis element of a second portion of the model. The method includes assigning a first set of material parameters to analysis elements of the first portion of the model and assigning a second set of material parameters to analysis elements of the second portion of the model. The method includes evaluating failure modes of the one or more bonded structures based on a solution to the model, the first set of material parameters, and the second set of material parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Brian P. Justusson, Joseph D. Schaefer, Matthew Jeffrey Molitor
  • Publication number: 20200175127
    Abstract: A computer is configured to generate a computer model predicting the progressive creation, density, and spacing of a plurality of cracks in a filler material, such as a “noodle,” for example, disposed at a connection interface between a load-bearing composite structural component, such as a stringer or a spar, for example, and the structural framework of a vehicle on which those structural components are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson
  • Publication number: 20200175132
    Abstract: A computer is configured to generate a computer model to determine the progressive creation, density, and spacing of a plurality of cracks in a filler material, such as a “noodle,” for example, disposed at a connection interface between a load-bearing composite structural component, such as a stringer or a spar, for example, and the structural framework of a vehicle on which those structural components are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson
  • Publication number: 20200173881
    Abstract: A computer is configured to generate visual representations of a composite filler material, such as a noodle or a crossply laminate, for example, to determine the progressive creation, density, and spacing of a plurality of cracks in the filler material. The composite filler material is disposed at a connection interface between a load-bearing composite structural component, such as a stringer or a spar, for example, and the structural framework of a vehicle on which those structural components are utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson
  • Patent number: 10578528
    Abstract: A compression test fixture including a first specimen engagement member having a first channel, the first channel having a first depth; a second specimen engagement member having a second channel having a second depth that is different than the first depth; and at least one coupling member engaged to both the first specimen engagement member and the second specimen engagement member such that a gap is defined between the first specimen engagement member and the second specimen engagement member, where the first channel and the second channel support the test specimen within the gap such that at least one opposing major surface of the test specimen is visible within the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Schaefer, Brian P. Justusson, Brian Kasperson, David R. Barbee
  • Patent number: 10564130
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an acoustic sensing system and an analyzer module. The acoustic sensing system is positioned relative to an object, wherein the acoustic sensing system detects acoustic emissions and generates acoustic waveform data for the acoustic emissions detected. The analyzer module is implemented in a computer system that receives load data and the acoustic waveform data for the object, generates a plurality of frequency distribution functions using the acoustic waveform data, and generates a frequency distribution function time evolution image containing a plurality of points of each of the plurality of frequency distribution functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hong Hue Tat, Yuan-Jye Wu, Joseph D. Schaefer, Anne Kao, Mary J. Mathews, Matthew G. Pike, Victor P. Pauca, Rongzhong Li