Patents by Inventor Patrick Shephard

Patrick Shephard 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).

  • Patent number: 11820081
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling elongate composite structures are disclosed. The systems include a first rigid elongate cure tool defining a first elongate support surface for supporting a first elongate charge of composite material (FEC), a second rigid elongate cure tool defining a second elongate support surface for supporting a second elongate charge of composite material (SEC), and a flexible elongate caul plate. The systems further include a vacuum compaction film, a translation structure, and a vacuum source. Methods according to the present disclosure include positioning a vacuum compaction film, positioning a flexible elongate caul plate, and positioning an FEC. The methods further include positioning an SEC, contacting a region of the FEC with a region of the SEC, sealing the vacuum compaction film, evacuating the enclosed volume to generate an elongate composite assembly, and heating the elongate composite assembly to define the elongate composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel M. Rotter, Brad A. Coxon, Gabriel Zane Forston, Jake Adam Reeves, Khanh Mai Pham, Stephen Lee Metschan, Patrick Shephard, John Dempsey Morris, Steven Philip Hansen, Brian Dodgson
  • Publication number: 20210362481
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling elongate composite structures are disclosed. The systems include a first rigid elongate cure tool defining a first elongate support surface for supporting a first elongate charge of composite material (FEC), a second rigid elongate cure tool defining a second elongate support surface for supporting a second elongate charge of composite material (SEC), and a flexible elongate caul plate. The systems further include a vacuum compaction film, a translation structure, and a vacuum source. Methods according to the present disclosure include positioning a vacuum compaction film, positioning a flexible elongate caul plate, and positioning an FEC. The methods further include positioning an SEC, contacting a region of the FEC with a region of the SEC, sealing the vacuum compaction film, evacuating the enclosed volume to generate an elongate composite assembly, and heating the elongate composite assembly to define the elongate composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel M. Rotter, Brad A. Coxon, Gabriel Zane Forston, Jake Adam Reeves, Khanh Mai Pham, Stephen Lee Metschan, Patrick Shephard, John Dempsey Morris, Steven Philip Hansen, Brian Dodgson
  • Patent number: 11104113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling elongate composite structures are disclosed. The systems include a first rigid elongate cure tool defining a first elongate support surface for supporting a first elongate charge of composite material (FEC), a second rigid elongate cure tool defining a second elongate support surface for supporting a second elongate charge of composite material (SEC), and a flexible elongate caul plate. The systems further include a vacuum compaction film, a translation structure, and a vacuum source. Methods according to the present disclosure include positioning a vacuum compaction film, positioning a flexible elongate caul plate, and positioning an FEC. The methods further include positioning an SEC, contacting a region of the FEC with a region of the SEC, sealing the vacuum compaction film, evacuating the enclosed volume to generate an elongate composite assembly, and heating the elongate composite assembly to define the elongate composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel M. Rotter, Brian Dodgson, Brad A. Coxon, Gabriel Zane Forston, Jake Adam Reeves, Khanh Mai Pham, Stephen Lee Metschan, Patrick Shephard, John Dempsey Morris, Steven Philip Hansen
  • Publication number: 20180304606
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling elongate composite structures are disclosed. The systems include a first rigid elongate cure tool defining a first elongate support surface for supporting a first elongate charge of composite material (FEC), a second rigid elongate cure tool defining a second elongate support surface for supporting a second elongate charge of composite material (SEC), and a flexible elongate caul plate. The systems further include a vacuum compaction film, a translation structure, and a vacuum source. Methods according to the present disclosure include positioning a vacuum compaction film, positioning a flexible elongate caul plate, and positioning an FEC. The methods further include positioning an SEC, contacting a region of the FEC with a region of the SEC, sealing the vacuum compaction film, evacuating the enclosed volume to generate an elongate composite assembly, and heating the elongate composite assembly to define the elongate composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel M. Rotter, Brad A. Coxon, Gabriel Zane Forston, Jake Adam Reeves, Khanh Mai Pham, Stephen Lee Metschan, Patrick Shephard, John Dempsey Morris, Steven Philip Hansen, Brian Dodgson