Patents by Inventor Keith D. Humfeld
Keith D. Humfeld 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).
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Publication number: 20240085325Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 11860093Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 11703472Abstract: In an example, a method for accelerated conditioning of a composite core sandwich coupon is described. The method includes setting a first temperature and a first relative humidity level of the conditioning apparatus, wherein a combination of the first temperature and the first relative humidity level correspond to a desired relative humidity level of the plurality of cells of the core layer at room temperature. The method includes maintaining the first temperature and the first relative humidity for a first period, wherein during the first period a core humidity of the plurality of cells in the core layer approaches the first relative humidity level. The method includes determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level. The method includes, based on determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level, adjusting the first temperature to a second temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Joseph A. Bolton
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Publication number: 20220219411Abstract: Heating operation control includes obtaining sensor data indicating measured temperatures within a heating vessel during a heating operation; determining sets of thermal stack parameters. Each set of candidate thermal stack parameters is descriptive of a respective configuration of a thermal stack modeled by a first machine learning model to generate one or more estimated tool temperature values. The thermal stack includes the tool and a part coupled to the tool. Heating operation control also includes determining a temperature profile for the heating operation. The temperature profile is determined, via a second machine learning model, based on the plurality of sets of thermal stack parameters and one or more process specifications of the thermal stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Geoffrey A. Butler, Karl M. Nelson
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Publication number: 20220178823Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai
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Publication number: 20220136825Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultrasonic imaging of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes providing an object having multiple layers of fibers and resin, inducing ultrasonic waves at locations along the object, and attenuating the ultrasonic waves at the regions due to regions interspersed among the layers that each exhibit an elastic modulus distinct from an elastic modulus of the fibers and distinct from an elastic modulus of the matrix. The method further includes receiving the attenuated ultrasonic waves, and analyzing the attenuated ultrasonic waves to determine depths of the regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 11262302Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 11230072Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a composite structure includes a tape placement machine including a delivery head configured to dispose a composite tape and a backing plate coupled to the tape placement machine and selectively located relative to the delivery head to react to a placement force applied by the tape placement machine as the composite tape is being disposed.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Adam B. Lubchansky
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Patent number: 11110631Abstract: An example method for curing a composite part includes placing the composite part onto a topside of a cure tool, and a bottom surface of the composite part contacts the topside of the cure tool and a top surface of the composite part is opposite the bottom surface of the composite part. The method also includes placing the cure tool and the composite part into an autoclave, using the autoclave to apply external heat to the cure tool and the composite part so that air flows over the top surface of the composite part to heat the top surface, and applying additional heat to a backside of the cure tool via radiation provided by at least one heating source of the cure tool, so as to reduce a temperature difference between the backside of the cure tool and the top surface of the composite part being cured.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Joseph A. Bolton
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Patent number: 11085116Abstract: An engine shaft assembly for an engine is provided. The engine shaft assembly includes a shaft and a thermal distribution layer. The thermal distribution layer is provided on the shaft, and is configured to minimize the effect of distortion of the shaft caused by asymmetric cooling on shutdown of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Scott D. Hartshorn, Keith D. Humfeld
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Electrically conductive patch for indicating a compromised electrical discharge point in an aircraft
Patent number: 11053020Abstract: An electrically conductive patch for a sheet that is part of a skin of an aircraft is disclosed. The sheet includes an outermost surface constructed of an electrically conductive material and one or more electrical discharge points that are conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is disposed along the outermost surface of the sheet and is conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is constructed of a voltage responsive film configured to change from a first coloration and into a second coloration in response to experiencing a threshold voltage difference, where the first coloration substantially matches a coloration of the skin of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Joseph A. Bolton, Keith D. Humfeld -
Publication number: 20210181133Abstract: In an example, a method for accelerated conditioning of a composite core sandwich coupon is described. The method includes setting a first temperature and a first relative humidity level of the conditioning apparatus, wherein a combination of the first temperature and the first relative humidity level correspond to a desired relative humidity level of the plurality of cells of the core layer at room temperature. The method includes maintaining the first temperature and the first relative humidity for a first period, wherein during the first period a core humidity of the plurality of cells in the core layer approaches the first relative humidity level. The method includes determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level. The method includes, based on determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level, adjusting the first temperature to a second temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Joseph A. Bolton
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Patent number: 10942150Abstract: A composite material joined with a curable phenolic resin adhesive, with the phenolic resin adhesive comprising a stiffening agent precursor, and with the stiffening agent precursor selected to react with reaction by-products of the phenolic resin adhesive during curing to produce a reaction product stiffening agent in a cured bonding layer that is detectable by ultrasound, resins comprising the stiffening agent precursor, bonding layers comprising the reaction product stiffening agent, and methods for making the composite material joints and inspecting the composite material joints are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Eileen O. Kutscha, Morteza Safai
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ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE PATCH FOR INDICATING A COMPROMISED ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE POINT IN AN AIRCRAFT
Publication number: 20210047049Abstract: An electrically conductive patch for a sheet that is part of a skin of an aircraft is disclosed. The sheet includes an outermost surface constructed of an electrically conductive material and one or more electrical discharge points that are conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is disposed along the outermost surface of the sheet and is conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is constructed of a voltage responsive film configured to change from a first coloration and into a second coloration in response to experiencing a threshold voltage difference, where the first coloration substantially matches a coloration of the skin of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Joseph A. Bolton, Keith D. Humfeld -
Publication number: 20210001518Abstract: An example method for curing a composite part includes placing the composite part onto a topside of a cure tool, and a bottom surface of the composite part contacts the topside of the cure tool and a top surface of the composite part is opposite the bottom surface of the composite part. The method also includes placing the cure tool and the composite part into an autoclave, using the autoclave to apply external heat to the cure tool and the composite part so that air flows over the top surface of the composite part to heat the top surface, and applying additional heat to a backside of the cure tool via radiation provided by at least one heating source of the cure tool, so as to reduce a temperature difference between the backside of the cure tool and the top surface of the composite part being cured.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Joseph A. Bolton
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Patent number: 10882608Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The hydraulic system has a hydraulic rotary actuator assembly rotationally coupled to a road wheel of the vehicle. The hydraulic rotary actuator assembly has a first operating mode, wherein a rotation of the road wheel causes the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly to pump a fluid from a fluid supply system. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor assembly coupled to the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly in the vehicle. The variable restrictor assembly controls a flow of the fluid flowing from the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly, to brake the rotation of the road wheel on a ground surface. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor controller coupled to the variable restrictor assembly. The variable restrictor controller controls the variable restrictor assembly, so as to enable a variation of a rate of braking of the road wheel on the ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Joseph A. Bolton, Keith D. Humfeld
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Patent number: 10848189Abstract: A method of making a part comprising stacking a plurality of uncured composite sheets to form an uncured composite stack. The method also comprises interposing a resistor wire between an adjacent two of the uncured composite sheets of the uncured composite stack. The method further comprises applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally of the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. The method additionally comprises transmitting an electric current through the resistor wire to generate heat, from the resistor wire, internally within the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. Applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally and generating heat internally converts the plurality of uncured composite sheets into a plurality of cured composite sheets and converts the uncured composite stack into a cured composite stack.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Joseph A. Bolton, Keith D. Humfeld
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Patent number: 10801836Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultrasonic imaging of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes providing an object having multiple layers of fibers and resin, inducing ultrasonic waves at locations along the object, and attenuating the ultrasonic waves at the regions due to regions interspersed among the layers that each exhibit an elastic modulus distinct from an elastic modulus of the fibers and distinct from an elastic modulus of the matrix. The method further includes receiving the attenuated ultrasonic waves, and analyzing the attenuated ultrasonic waves to determine depths of the regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 10786955Abstract: A method for fabricating a composite structure includes steps of: (1) laying up, with a delivery head of a tape placement machine, a continuous segment of a composite tape on a composite panel to form a flange portion of an initial ply of a composite stiffener; (2) locating a backing plate, coupled to the delivery head, relative to the delivery head and the composite panel; and (3) further layup up, with the delivery head, the continuous segment of the composite tape on the backing plate to form a web portion of the initial ply of the composite stiffener.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Adam B. Lubchansky
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Publication number: 20200300759Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai