Patents by Inventor Rick A. Luepke
Rick A. Luepke 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).
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Patent number: 9676126Abstract: An open-face molding apparatus for use in open-face injection molding operations to more accurately control the thickness of coatings applied to workpiece surfaces of slightly varying contour profiles. A conformable tool face is carried by a rigid tool backing and a perimeter seal releasably seals the conformable tool face around its perimeter to the workpiece surface. The conformable tool face and perimeter seal define a mold cavity together with the workpiece surface. An array of actuators are connected between the rigid tool backing and the conformable tool face to provide a desired tool face contour and desired spacings between the conformable tool face and a workpiece surface by deflecting the conformable tool face relative to the rigid tool backing.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Rick A. Luepke, Matthew A. Sodergren, Matt McKee
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Publication number: 20150367550Abstract: An open-face molding apparatus for use in open-face injection molding operations to more accurately control the thickness of coatings applied to workpiece surfaces of slightly varying contour profiles. A conformable tool face is carried by a rigid tool backing and a perimeter seal releasably seals the conformable tool face around its perimeter to the workpiece surface. The conformable tool face and perimeter seal define a mold cavity together with the workpiece surface. An array of actuators are connected between the rigid tool backing and the conformable tool face to provide a desired tool face contour and desired spacings between the conformable tool face and a workpiece surface by deflecting the conformable tool face relative to the rigid tool backing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Rick A. Luepke, Matthew A. Sodergren, Matt McKee
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Patent number: 8863398Abstract: A method and system for creating a feature-based coordinate reference is provided. In one aspect, a system comprises a first, second, and third feature location block configured to engage a first, second, and third feature of an object, respectively. Each feature location block has a means for attachment to the object and a target placement feature. The target placement feature of each feature location block is configured to receive a respective target and guide placement of the respective target on the object. A target measuring system measures the locations of the targets on the object, and a coordinate system creates a coordinate reference based on the locations of the targets.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Rick A. Luepke, Matthew A. Sodergren
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Patent number: 8439663Abstract: A mold apparatus comprising a release liner removably securable to a mold tool face by a liner vacuum system configured to hold the release liner in place against the tool face, the liner vacuum system comprising at least one liner vacuum port extending and providing fluid communication between the mold face and a vacuum source. The liner vacuum system is actuable to hold the release liner in place against the tool face in advance of and during material injection and during curing and may be further actuable to subsequently release the tool from the liner, leaving the release liner to be peeled from the cured material.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Rick A. Luepke, Matthew A. Sodergren
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Patent number: 8365428Abstract: A system for determining the grip length of a hole extending through a stack of panels so that a fastener of appropriate length can be selected for insertion into the hole. A shaft carrying an array of probes is inserted into the hole and the array generates signals indicating which probes of the array are contacting an inner wall of the hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Russell L. Miller, Rick A. Luepke
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Publication number: 20120273985Abstract: A mold apparatus comprising a release liner removably securable to a mold tool face by a liner vacuum system configured to hold the release liner in place against the tool face, the liner vacuum system comprising at least one liner vacuum port extending and providing fluid communication between the mold face and a vacuum source. The liner vacuum system is actuable to hold the release liner in place against the tool face in advance of and during material injection and during curing and may be further actuable to subsequently release the tool from the liner, leaving the release liner to be peeled from the cured material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Rick A. Luepke, Matthew A. Sodergren
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Publication number: 20120246904Abstract: A method and system for creating a feature-based coordinate reference is provided. In one aspect, a system comprises a first, second, and third feature location block configured to engage a first, second, and third feature of an object, respectively. Each feature location block has a means for attachment to the object and a target placement feature. The target placement feature of each feature location block is configured to receive a respective target and guide placement of the respective target on the object. A target measuring system measures the locations of the targets on the object, and a coordinate system creates a coordinate reference based on the locations of the targets.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Rick A. LUEPKE, Matthew A. SODERGREN
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Patent number: 8209865Abstract: A temporary fastener and a method of attaching an aircraft skin to a frame using the temporary fastener during a step of the skin to frame assembly process. The fastener secures the skin to the structure while holes for permanent fasteners are drilled through the skin and frame; the fastener is flush mounted so that an automatic drill can drill the holes without interference. The temporary fastener can be removed after the permanent fastener holes are drilled, and before or after permanent fasteners are inserted within their respective holes.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: James A. Kelley, Rick A. Luepke, Lisa M. Vestal, Elizabeth J. Kush, Michael Loren Hestness, Eric C. Patty, Jeff Langevin
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Publication number: 20120151788Abstract: A system for determining the grip length of a hole extending through a stack of panels so that a fastener of appropriate length can be selected for insertion into the hole. A shaft carrying an array of probes is inserted into the hole and the array generates signals indicating which probes of the array are contacting an inner wall of the hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Russell L. Miller, Rick A. Luepke
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Publication number: 20100308171Abstract: A temporary fastener and a method of attaching an aircraft skin to a frame using the temporary fastener during a step of the skin to frame assembly process. The fastener secures the skin to the structure while holes for permanent fasteners are drilled through the skin and frame; the fastener is flush mounted so that an automatic drill can drill the holes without interference. The temporary fastener can be removed after the permanent fastener holes are drilled, and before or after permanent fasteners are inserted within their respective holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: James A. Kelley, Rick A. Luepke, Lisa M. Vestal, Elizabeth J. Kush, Michael Loren Hestness, Eric C. Patty, Jeff Langevin