Patents by Inventor Richard C. Krotzer

Richard C. Krotzer 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: 9010684
    Abstract: A system and method that allow inspection of hollow structures made of composite material, such as an integrally stiffened wing box of an aircraft. A wing box comprises top and bottom skins connected by a plurality of spaced spars. The system employs a plurality of scanners for inspecting different portions of each spar. The system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to connect an external drive tractor to computer-controlled scanners that carry respective sensors, e.g., linear ultrasonic transducer arrays. A system operator can control the various components by means of a graphical user interface comprising multiple interaction regions that represent the individual scanner motion paths and are associated with respective motion script files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William P. Motzer, James C. Kennedy, Michael C. Hutchinson, Martin L. Freet, Ronald E. VonWahlde, Steven Ray Walton, Jeffry J. Garvey, Scott W. Lea, James J. Troy, Daniel James Wright, Hien T. Bui, Michael Joseph Duncan, Mark L. Little, William Joseph Tapia, Barry A. Fetzer, Richard C. Krotzer
  • Patent number: 7690259
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which permit inspection of uniquely shaped structures such as fuselage frames and shear ties. Probes may be constructed from rapid prototyping. Inspection may be performed manually and may use a portable function support system for delivering fluid couplant, controlling transmit and receive functions of the inspection sensors, and delivering immediate visual analysis for an operator. Integrated ultrasonic inspection apparatus, systems, and methods facilitate fast and efficient custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hien T. Bui, Fred D. Young, Mark A. Lee, Richard C. Krotzer, Clyde T. Uyehara, Barry A. Fetzer
  • Publication number: 20090133500
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which permit inspection of uniquely shaped structures such as fuselage frames and shear ties. Probes may be constructed from rapid prototyping. Inspection may be performed manually and may use a portable function support system for delivering fluid couplant, controlling transmit and receive functions of the inspection sensors, and delivering immediate visual analysis for an operator. Integrated ultrasonic inspection apparatus, systems, and methods facilitate fast and efficient custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Hien T. Bui, Fred D. Young, Mark A. Lee, Richard C. Krotzer, Clyde T. Uyehara, Barry A. Fetzer
  • Patent number: 7464596
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which permit inspection of uniquely shaped structures such as fuselage frames and shear ties. Probes may be constructed from rapid prototyping. Inspection may be performed manually and may use a portable function support system for delivering fluid couplant, controlling transmit and receive functions of the inspection sensors, and delivering immediate visual analysis for an operator. Integrated ultrasonic inspection apparatus, systems, and methods facilitate fast and efficient custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hien T. Bui, Fred D. Young, Mark A. Lee, Richard C. Krotzer, Clyde T. Uyehara, Barry A. Fetzer
  • Patent number: 5930891
    Abstract: A device that automatically engages a contact, having a tip portion and a barrel portion, to a stripped end of an insulated wire. The apparatus includes a crimping gun having at least a pair of opposing jaws, and a push rod having a distal end that engages the tip portion of the contact and moves the contact to a pre-determined position between the jaws of the crimping gun. The device also includes a detector that sends out a signal upon sensing that the stripped end of the insulated wire has made contact with a rear most portion inside of the barrel portion of the contact, and a CPU in communication with the crimping gun and the detector. The CPU directs the crimping gun to crimp the contact to the stripped end of the insulated wire upon receipt of the signal from the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Darryl K. Loving, Sr., Ronald E. Novak, Steve Frediani, Richard C. Krotzer, Hans Tittel, Franklin D. Harsch