Patents by Inventor Phillip John Crothers

Phillip John Crothers 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: 8010226
    Abstract: A method for conforming components may include a measuring operation and a modifying operation. The method may comprise measuring a first component using a conforming tool that includes a measuring member, and recording position data for the first component based on the measuring. A path for the conforming tool may be provided using the position data, and a second component may be modified with a modifying member by moving the same conforming tool based on the provided path. The measuring member may include a sleeve configured so as to surround the modifying member when measuring, and to be removed from the modifying member so as to allow the modifying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Phillip John Crothers
  • Publication number: 20110200245
    Abstract: A manufacturing control system comprises a vision system for viewing operations within a manufacturing area and for producing vision data representing the viewed operations. A systems control analyzes the vision data, and controls at least two control functions related to the manufacturing operations based on the analyzed vision data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Phillip John Crothers
  • Patent number: 7983790
    Abstract: A method for modifying a component may comprise measuring the component using a modifying tool, and recording position data for the component based on the measuring. A path for the modifying tool may be provided using the position data, and the component may be modified by moving the same modifying tool based on the provided path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Phillip John Crothers, Robert Coulter Fraser
  • Publication number: 20110119919
    Abstract: A Method and apparatus may be present for processing parts. A first part may be positioned in a first position. A first number of features may be formed on the first part using a feature forming system at a number of points for attachment to a second part. The second part may be positioned in a second position relative to the first position for assembly of the first part with the second part. A second number of features may be formed on the second part at the number of points for attachment to the first part using the feature forming system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Phillip John Crothers
  • Publication number: 20100161100
    Abstract: A method for modifying a component may comprise measuring the component using a modifying tool, and recording position data for the component based on the measuring. A path for the modifying tool may be provided using the position data, and the component may be modified by moving the same modifying tool based on the provided path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Phillip John Crothers, Robert Coulter Fraser
  • Publication number: 20100161094
    Abstract: A method for conforming components may comprise measuring a first component using a conforming tool, and recording position data for the first component based on the measuring. A path for the conforming tool may be provided using the position data, and a second component may be modified by moving the same conforming tool based on the provided path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Phillip John Crothers
  • Publication number: 20100153058
    Abstract: A method and apparatus may be present for inspecting an object. A plurality of locations associated with a plurality of operations performed by a tool on the object may be tracked. The plurality of locations is tracked while the plurality of operations is performed on the object. A path for the tool may be mapped using the plurality of locations to form a tool path. The tool path may be compared to a model of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Phillip John Crothers, Peter Nathan Steele, Geoffrey King Shun Lam