Patents by Inventor Michael Andrew Epton

Michael Andrew Epton 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).

  • Ply blending and stacking sequence
    Patent number: 10315783
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ply blending. A desired thickness and a desired stiffness distribution for a composite structure are received. A model of the composite structure is split into a plurality of panels. Lamination parameters and a quantity of plies for each panel of the plurality of panels are determined using the desired thickness and the desired stiffness distribution for the composite structure. Ply shapes for each ply of the plurality of panels are determined using an objective function. A fiber angle is determined for each ply of the plurality of panels. Each ply of a first half of a panel of the plurality of panels has a different fiber angle value than each other ply of the first half of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Adriana Willempje Blom, Laura Sumi Kang, Michael Andrew Epton
  • Ply blending and stacking sequence
    Patent number: 10195812
    Abstract: A composite laminate is presented. The composite laminate comprises a plurality of plies having non-traditional angles. Each of the plurality of plies has a respective shape configured to minimize a total length of the ply boundary over all of the plurality of plies. The composite laminate has a stiffness equal to a desired stiffness of a traditional composite laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Adriana Willempje Blom, Laura Sumi Kang, Michael Andrew Epton
  • Ply Blending and Stacking Sequence
    Publication number: 20170057195
    Abstract: A composite laminate is presented. The composite laminate comprises a plurality of plies having non-traditional angles. Each of the plurality of plies has a respective shape configured to minimize a total length of the ply boundary over all of the plurality of plies. The composite laminate has a stiffness equal to a desired stiffness of a traditional composite laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Adriana Willempje Blom, Laura Sumi Kang, Michael Andrew Epton
  • Ply Blending and Stacking Sequence
    Publication number: 20170057666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ply blending. A desired thickness and a desired stiffness distribution for a composite structure are received. A model of the composite structure is split into a plurality of panels. Lamination parameters and a quantity of plies for each panel of the plurality of panels are determined using the desired thickness and the desired stiffness distribution for the composite structure. Ply shapes for each ply of the plurality of panels are determined using an objective function. A fiber angle is determined for each ply of the plurality of panels. Each ply of a first half of a panel of the plurality of panels has a different fiber angle value than each other ply of the first half of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Adriana Willempje Blom, Laura Sumi Kang, Michael Andrew Epton