Patents by Inventor Robert Kisch

Robert Kisch 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: 11577476
    Abstract: A composite manufacturing system is provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a fiber placement head, a compaction roller associated with the fiber placement head, and a temperature regulation system associated with the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system is configured to actively control a temperature of the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system comprises a number of temperature sensors, a cooling system, and a controller. The number of temperature sensors are configured to detect the temperature of the compaction roller. The cooling system is associated with the compaction roller and is configured to cool the compaction roller. The controller is in communication with the number of temperature sensors and the cooling system. The controller is configured to cool the compaction roller such that the temperature is below a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Brice A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220072815
    Abstract: A composite manufacturing system is provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a fiber placement head, a compaction roller associated with the fiber placement head, and a temperature regulation system associated with the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system is configured to actively control a temperature of the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system comprises a number of temperature sensors, a cooling system, and a controller. The number of temperature sensors are configured to detect the temperature of the compaction roller. The cooling system is associated with the compaction roller and is configured to cool the compaction roller. The controller is in communication with the number of temperature sensors and the cooling system. The controller is configured to cool the compaction roller such that the temperature is below a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Brice A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11214022
    Abstract: A composite manufacturing system is provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a fiber placement head, a compaction roller associated with the fiber placement head, and a temperature regulation system associated with the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system is configured to actively control a temperature of the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system comprises a number of temperature sensors, a cooling system, and a controller. The number of temperature sensors are configured to detect the temperature of the compaction roller. The cooling system is associated with the compaction roller and is configured to cool the compaction roller. The controller is in communication with the number of temperature sensors and the cooling system. The controller is configured to cool the compaction roller such that the temperature is below a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Brice A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200276774
    Abstract: A composite manufacturing system is provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a fiber placement head, a compaction roller associated with the fiber placement head, and a temperature regulation system associated with the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system is configured to actively control a temperature of the compaction roller. The temperature regulation system comprises a number of temperature sensors, a cooling system, and a controller. The number of temperature sensors are configured to detect the temperature of the compaction roller. The cooling system is associated with the compaction roller and is configured to cool the compaction roller. The controller is in communication with the number of temperature sensors and the cooling system. The controller is configured to cool the compaction roller such that the temperature is below a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Brice A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9694546
    Abstract: A method is provided to compensate for misplacement of tows by a fiber placement machine automatically controlled by programmed instructions. The method includes laying down a test layup of fiber tows using the machine; scanning the test layup to determine the position of the test layup relative to reference standards; determining misplacements in the position of the test layup; and, modifying the programmed instructions to compensate for the misplacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert A. Kisch
  • Patent number: 9522506
    Abstract: A tape laminating machine having a compaction roller lays up composite tape over a substrate having a convex radius. The compaction roller folds the tape as it moves over the convex radius, while simultaneously pivoting about a trailing edge of the tape to prevent the compaction roller from lifting off the tape laid just before the convex radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, James Blades Andersen
  • Patent number: 9393744
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a composite filler includes at least one die and a device for moving a stack of reinforced ply strips through the die. The die has peripheral die face adapted for forming the ply strip stack into a desired cross sectional shape. The cross section of the die face may vary around the periphery of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Michael Robert Chapman, Robert A. Kisch, Kenneth Paul Zaballos
  • Publication number: 20140283981
    Abstract: A tape laminating machine having a compaction roller lays up composite tape over a substrate having a convex radius. The compaction roller folds the tape as it moves over the convex radius, while simultaneously pivoting about a trailing edge of the tape to prevent the compaction roller from lifting off the tape laid just before the convex radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, James Blades Andersen
  • Patent number: 8741084
    Abstract: A tape laminating machine having a compaction roller lays up composite tape over a substrate having a convex radius. The compaction roller folds the tape as it moves over the convex radius, while simultaneously pivoting about a trailing edge of the tape to prevent the compaction roller from lifting off the tape laid just before the convex radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, James Blades Andersen
  • Publication number: 20140069586
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a composite filler includes at least one die and a device for moving a stack of reinforced ply strips through the die. The die has peripheral die face adapted for forming the ply strip stack into a desired cross sectional shape. The cross section of the die face may vary around the periphery of the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Michael Robert Chapman, Robert A. Kisch, Kenneth Paul Zaballos
  • Patent number: 8591685
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a composite filler includes at least one die and a device for moving a stack of reinforced ply strips through the die. The die has peripheral die face adapted for forming the ply strip stack into a desired cross sectional shape. The cross section of the die face may vary around the periphery of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Michael Robert Chapman, Robert A. Kisch, Kenneth Paul Zaballos
  • Patent number: 8528618
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for removing backing film from tape during a fiber placement process. A passive (non-powered) take-up roller is used to wind up the backing film that has been separated from the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Kyle Jeffries, Dustin Schmidt, Peter Vogeli
  • Patent number: 8454788
    Abstract: An automatic composite tape placement head includes a roller for compacting tape on a substrate, and a cutter adjacent the roller for cutting the tape at the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Kisch
  • Publication number: 20130105072
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a composite filler includes at least one die and a device for moving a stack of reinforced ply strips through the die. The die has peripheral die face adapted for forming the ply strip stack into a desired cross sectional shape. The cross section of the die face may vary around the periphery of the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Michael Robert Chapman, Robert A. Kisch, Kenneth Paul Zaballos
  • Patent number: 8388884
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite item may include dispensing a composite material comprising a reinforcement and a resin. The method may further include energizing an infrared heat source. The infrared heat source may tend to generate a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is preferentially absorbed by the reinforcement. The method may additionally include controlling power to the infrared heat source to cause the infrared heat source to emit a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the resin to a relatively greater extent than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Spencer G. Nelson, Robert A. Kisch, Peter Vogeli, Richard Calawa
  • Patent number: 8256484
    Abstract: An end effector constructing composite members, in which a compaction roller and redirect rollers translate synchronously along the compaction axis. Additionally, the end effector includes an advantageous arrangement of spools and rollers that directs tow to the redirect rollers at substantially a right angle. Movement of the compaction roller along the compaction axis induces little, if any, changes in tow tension. The substantially constant tow tension advantageously reduces rewinding of the tow supply spools, which can degrade the quality of the lay up and contribute to despooling problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Peter Vogeli, Kyle Jeffries, Russell DeVlieg
  • Publication number: 20120138232
    Abstract: An end effector, and methods for constructing composite members, in which a compaction roller and redirect rollers translate synchronously along the compaction axis. Additionally, the end effector includes an advantageous arrangement of spools and rollers that directs tow to the redirect rollers at substantially a right angle. Movement of the compaction roller along the compaction axis induces little, if any, changes in tow tension. The substantially constant tow tension advantageously reduces rewinding of the tow supply spools. which can degrade the quality of the lay up and contribute to despooling problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Peter Vogeli, Kyle Jeffries, Russell DeVlieg
  • Patent number: 8147637
    Abstract: To fabricate a composite item, a first end effector is selected from a plurality of end effectors to apply tows to a form. The first end effector includes an integrated creel configured to store spools of the tow on an assembly of spindles. The assembly of spindles is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first integrated creel. The first end effector is secured to a positioning device. The tows are applied to the form and the tows are compacted on the form with a compaction device. The assembly of spindles are disposed circumferentially about the compaction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Robert A. Kramp, Matthew K. Lum, Robert R. Wampler
  • Publication number: 20110315325
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for removing backing film from tape during a fiber placement process. A passive (non-powered) take-up roller is used to wind up the backing film that has been separated from the tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Kyle Jeffries, Dustin Schmidt, Peter Vogeli
  • Publication number: 20110240218
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite item may include dispensing a composite material comprising a reinforcement and a resin. The method may further include energizing an infrared heat source. The infrared heat source may tend to generate a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is preferentially absorbed by the reinforcement. The method may additionally include controlling power to the infrared heat source to cause the infrared heat source to emit a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the resin to a relatively greater extent than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Spencer G. Nelson, Robert A. Kisch, Peter Vogeli, Richard Calawa