Patents by Inventor Mark D. Higgins

Mark D. Higgins 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 of operating a production line
    Patent number: 7992278
    Abstract: A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin E. McCrary, Arthur C. Day, John Edwards, Richard A. Hawkins, Mark D. Higgins, Philip E. Johnson, John A. Mittleider, James R. Schindler, Michael Strasik
  • SUPERCONDUCTING CRAWLER SYSTEM FOR A PRODUCTION LINE
    Publication number: 20100028123
    Abstract: A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin E. McCrary, Arthur C. Day, John Edwards, Richard A. Hawkins, Mark D. Higgins, Philip E. Johnson, John A. Mittleider, James R. Schindler, Michael Strasik
  • Superconducting crawler system for a production line
    Patent number: 7461711
    Abstract: An equipment-carrying crawler (20) includes a rolling track (44) and a structural support (70). The structural support (70) supports equipment (16). Lifting magnets (72) are coupled to the rolling track (44) and to the structural support (70). The lifting magnets (72) are configured to oppose each other, lift the structural support (70), and aid in the translation of the rolling track (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin E. McCrary, Arthur C. Day, John Edwards, Richard A. Hawkins, Mark D. Higgins, Philip E. Johnson, John A. Mittleider, James R. Schindler, Michael Strasik