Patents by Inventor Keith Willhite

Keith Willhite 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 for forming a metal beam or stringer
    Patent number: 11014135
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal beam may comprise: clamping first and second portions of the metal beam in a substantially fixed and in a position whereat the metal beam is rotatable about three axes; applying a net bending force to the clamped second portion of the metal beam at a predetermined angle; sensing twisting of the second portion of the metal beam resulting from the net bending force; and modulating the angle at which the net force is applied to reduce the twisting of the metal beam. As a result, the net bending force is moved toward the shear center and toward being along the principal axis of the metal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: NWI NASHVILLE, LLC
    Inventors: Harold M. Brewer, Jr., Steven McDonough, Charles Phy, David Rose, Brian Travis, Keith Willhite
  • METHOD FOR FORMING A METAL BEAM OR STRINGER
    Publication number: 20180345346
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal beam may comprise: clamping first and second portions of the metal beam in a substantially fixed and in a position whereat the metal beam is rotatable about three axes; applying a net bending force to the clamped second portion of the metal beam at a predetermined angle; sensing twisting of the second portion of the metal beam resulting from the net bending force; and modulating the angle at which the net force is applied to reduce the twisting of the metal beam. As a result, the net bending force is moved toward the shear center and toward being along the principal axis of the metal beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Harold M. Brewer, JR., Steven McDonough, Charles Phy, David Rose, Brian Travis, Keith Willhite
  • Stringer forming device and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 10052670
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending metal beams and methods of using the same are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Triumph Aerostructures, LLC
    Inventors: Harold M. Brewer, Jr., Steven McDonough, Charles Phy, David Rose, Brian Travis, Keith Willhite
  • Metal plate bending apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9908163
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending a metal work piece, the apparatus including a press support frame and a bending anvil disposed on the press support frame. A clamp press can be mounted to the press support frame, the clamp press positioned to selectively clamp the work piece over the bending anvil when the work piece is positioned on the bending anvil. A bending press unit can be mounted to the press support frame, the bending press unit including a bending roller oriented to engage the work piece during a bending operation when the work piece is clamped over the bending anvil. The bending press unit is operable to move the bending roller with respect to the press support frame in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being substantially perpendicular to the second direction. A method of bending a metal work piece with the bending apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Design & Fabrication, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bruce Rose, Billy Keith Willhite, William Brian Travis
  • STRINGER FORMING DEVICE AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20170072444
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending metal beams and methods of using the same are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Harold M. Brewer, JR., Steven McDonough, Charles Phy, David Rose, Brian Travis, Keith Willhite