Patents by Inventor Robert Kramp

Robert Kramp 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: 8641847
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include various exemplary methods relating to composite lamination using one or more arrays of parallel material dispensing heads. In one example, a method of fabricating a high aspect ratio composite article is disclosed which may involve applying a first strip material to a work surface datum at a first angle with a first material dispenser, and applying a plurality of second strip materials to a work surface datum each at a second angle with a plurality of rotatable parallel material dispensers. The method may also involve advancing the first material dispenser and the rotatable parallel material dispensers as a unit the width of the second strip material and continuing application of the first strip material by the first material dispenser and a plurality of second strip materials by the rotatable parallel material dispensers until a desired length is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Nelson, Robert A. Kramp, Jr., Matthew K. Lum
  • Publication number: 20120247643
    Abstract: A method comprises forming a composite layup, including dispensing fiber material; and monitoring the dispensed material prior to laydown for a marker. The marker provides information about an upstream location of the material. The forming further includes using the information in the marker to adjust material course length to control where the upstream location will be deposited, if at all.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert A. Kramp
  • Patent number: 8180479
    Abstract: The feed rate of an ultrasonic knife used to cut composite material is optimized using adaptive control. One or more parameters such as ultrasonic power or side load on the knife is sensed and used to generate feedback control signals. The feedback control signals are used to optimize the commanded feedrate of the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Liangji Xu, Stephen Halladin, Robert A. Kramp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8158210
    Abstract: Systems and methods for avoidance of tape flaw or splices in manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of applying a tape onto a workpiece includes feeding the tape from a tape supply using a tape application assembly, and applying the tape onto the workpiece using the tape application assembly. Simultaneously with the feeding of the tape, the tape is monitored for a marker indicating a defect within the tape, the marker being spaced apart along the tape from the defect such that the marker arrives prior to the defect. The method further includes detecting the marker, and avoiding the application of a portion of the tape that includes the defect onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Kramp
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8029644
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for removing scrap from tape material on original backing paper includes a supply reel, at least one cutting member, at least one heating member and/or cooling member, and at least one removal member. The supply reel is for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper. The at least one cutting member is for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper. The at least one of a heating member and a cooling member are for at least one of heating and cooling cut unrolled tape material on original backing paper. The at least one removal member is for removing scrap cut unrolled tape material from original backing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Beoing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kramp, Robert A. Kisch, Matthew K. Lum
  • Publication number: 20090198369
    Abstract: The feed rate of an ultrasonic knife used to cut composite material is optimized using adaptive control. One or more parameters such as ultrasonic power or side load on the knife is sensed and used to generate feedback control signals. The feedback control signals are used to optimize the commanded feedrate of the knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: LIANGJI XU, Stephen Halladin, Robert A. Kramp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090127374
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for removing scrap from tape material on original backing paper includes a supply reel, at least one cutting member, at least one heating member and/or cooling member, and at least one removal member. The supply reel is for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper. The at least one cutting member is for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper. The at least one of a heating member and a cooling member are for at least one of heating and cooling cut unrolled tape material on original backing paper. The at least one removal member is for removing scrap cut unrolled tape material from original backing paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: ROBERT A. KRAMP, ROBERT A. KISCH, MATTHEW K. LUM
  • Publication number: 20090078361
    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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. KISCH, Robert A. Kramp, Matthew K. Lum, Robert R. Wampler
  • Patent number: 7472736
    Abstract: A composite item is fabricated with a device. The device includes and end effector and a positioning device. The end effector places a tow. The end effector includes a spindle, compaction device, and a path. The spindle detachably secures a spool of tow and the path is disposed from the spool to the compaction device. The positioning device positions the end effector. The end effector is detachably secured to the positioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Kisch, Robert A. Kramp, Matthew K. Lum, Robert R. Wampler
  • Publication number: 20070095451
    Abstract: Systems and methods for avoidance of tape flaw or splices in manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of applying a tape onto a workpiece includes feeding the tape from a tape supply using a tape application assembly, and applying the tape onto the workpiece using the tape application assembly. Simultaneously with the feeding of the tape, the tape is monitored for a marker indicating a defect within the tape, the marker being spaced apart along the tape from the defect such that the marker arrives prior to the defect. The method further includes detecting the marker, and avoiding the application of a portion of the tape that includes the defect onto the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert Kramp
  • Publication number: 20060180264
    Abstract: A composite item is fabricated with a device. The device includes and end effector and a positioning device. The end effector places a tow. The end effector includes a spindle, compaction device, and a path. The spindle detachably secures a spool of tow and the path is disposed from the spool to the compaction device. The positioning device positions the end effector. The end effector is detachably secured to the positioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Kisch, Robert Kramp, Matthew Lum, Robert Wampler
  • Publication number: 20060162143
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include various exemplary embodiments of systems and methods relating to composite lamination using one or more arrays of parallel material dispensing heads. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a high aspect ratio composite article generally includes applying a first strip material to a work surface datum at a first angle with a first material dispenser, and applying a plurality of second strip materials to a work surface datum each at a second angle with a plurality of rotatable parallel material dispensers. The method also includes advancing the first material dispenser and the rotatable parallel material dispensers as a unit the width of the second strip material and continuing application of the first strip material by the first material dispenser and a plurality of second strip materials by the rotatable parallel material dispensers until a desired length is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Paul Nelson, Robert Kramp, Matthew Lum