Patents by Inventor Mark Eduard Pflum

Mark Eduard Pflum 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).

  • Automated engagement of and disengagement from a fitting
    Patent number: 11434024
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated engagement of a fitting coupled to a structure. A first member of a first engagement device is moved relative to a base in a first direction substantially parallel to an x-axis such that a tapered end portion of the first member passes through a hole in the fitting and moves towards a channel within a second member of a second engagement device. The tapered end portion of the first member is secured within the channel of the second member to thereby engage the fitting between the first engagement device and the second engagement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kyle Lee Oberst, Mark Eduard Pflum, Henry Thomas Youngblood
  • Automated engagement and handling of a structure
    Patent number: 10870180
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated handling a structure. A handler system comprises a plurality of towers and a plurality of end effectors coupled to the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors is movably coupled to a tower of the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors comprises an arm coupled to the tower and a coupling device for use in automated engagement of a corresponding fitting coupled to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kyle Lee Oberst, Mark Eduard Pflum, Henry Thomas Youngblood
  • AUTOMATED ENGAGEMENT OF AND DISENGAGEMENT FROM A FITTING
    Publication number: 20200223559
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated engagement of a fitting coupled to a structure. A first member of a first engagement device is moved relative to a base in a first direction substantially parallel to an x-axis such that a tapered end portion of the first member passes through a hole in the fitting and moves towards a channel within a second member of a second engagement device. The tapered end portion of the first member is secured within the channel of the second member to thereby engage the fitting between the first engagement device and the second engagement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Lee Oberst, Mark Eduard Pflum, Henry Thomas Youngblood
  • AUTOMATED ENGAGEMENT AND HANDLING OF A STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20200223020
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated handling a structure. A handler system comprises a plurality of towers and a plurality of end effectors coupled to the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors is movably coupled to a tower of the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors comprises an arm coupled to the tower and a coupling device for use in automated engagement of a corresponding fitting coupled to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Lee Oberst, Mark Eduard Pflum, Henry Thomas Youngblood