Patents by Inventor Philip C. Fairhall

Philip C. Fairhall 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).

  • Forming elongate structural components
    Patent number: 4972696
    Abstract: A system for forming components to have a predetermined contour includes a manipulator having four manipulating heads 44, 52, 56, 58 which engage longitudinally spaced portions of the component. The system uses the manipulator to determine the initial contour of an increment of the length of the component, compares the measured contour with the required contour to determine the contour or shape error and then controls the manipulator to apply one or more permanent set deflections in accordance with the required contour. The manipulator is then advanced relative to the component and further measuring and deflections steps are performed until the component has the required contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Howard R. Apps, Adrian D. Lucas, Philip C. Fairhall
  • Apparatus for forming elongate structural components
    Patent number: 4878369
    Abstract: A system for forming components to have a predetermined contour includes a manipulator having four manipulating heads 44, 52, 56, 58 which engage longitudinally spaced portions of the component. The system uses the manipulator to determine the initial contour of an increment of the length of the component, compares the measured contour with the required contour to determine the contour or shape error and then controls the manipulator to apply one or more permanent set deflections in accordance with the required contour. The manipulator is then advanced relative to the component and further measuring and deflections steps are performed until the component has the required contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Howard R. Apps, Adrian D. Lucas, Philip C. Fairhall