Patents by Inventor Robert M. Watson
Robert M. Watson 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: 10717242Abstract: A compaction device for use with an automated fiber placement machine includes multiple compaction rollers mounted for independent displacement on a supporting frame. The attitude of the compaction rollers change relative to each other when fiber tows are laid up at an angle over an edge of a tool in order to maintain compaction pressure on the tows and thereby reduce non-compacted areas of the tows.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Stephen Howard Williams
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Publication number: 20180117860Abstract: A compaction device for use with an automated fiber placement machine includes multiple compaction rollers mounted for independent displacement on a supporting frame. The attitude of the compaction rollers change relative to each other when fiber tows are laid up at an angle over an edge of a tool in order to maintain compaction pressure on the tows and thereby reduce non-compacted areas of the tows.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 25, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Stephen Howard Williams
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Patent number: 9849635Abstract: A compaction device for use with an automated fiber placement machine includes multiple compaction rollers mounted for independent displacement on a supporting frame. The attitude of the compaction rollers change relative to each other when fiber tows are laid up at an angle over an edge of a tool in order to maintain compaction pressure on the tows and thereby reduce non-compacted areas of the tows.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Stephen Howard Williams
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Publication number: 20160332394Abstract: A compaction device for use with an automated fiber placement machine includes multiple compaction rollers mounted for independent displacement on a supporting frame. The attitude of the compaction rollers change relative to each other when fiber tows are laid up at an angle over an edge of a tool in order to maintain compaction pressure on the tows and thereby reduce non-compacted areas of the tows.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Michael Robert Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Stephen Howard Williams
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Patent number: 8418740Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
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Patent number: 8303758Abstract: Methods for manufacturing composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
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Publication number: 20120180942Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
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Patent number: 8168023Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
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Publication number: 20090139641Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
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Patent number: 7503368Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael R. Chapman, Robert M. Watson, Donald A. Anderson, Marc J. Piehl, Joseph L. Sweetin, Douglas L. Grose
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Patent number: 7445900Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5? to 3? nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification, assay.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: David H. Gelfand, Pamela M. Holland, Randall K. Saiki, Robert M. Watson
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Publication number: 20080171315Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5? to 3? nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification, assay.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2005Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventors: David H. Gelfand, Pamela M. Holland, Randall K. Saiki, Robert M. Watson
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Patent number: 7141377Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5? to 3? nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: David H. Gelfand, Pamela M. Holland, Randall K. Saiki, Robert M. Watson
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Patent number: 6909459Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus to extend the signal range of a digital image beyond the nominal sensor or data format range. The method and apparatus automatically acquires a scaled series of source data, applies noise reduction to the source data, and constructs a scaled composite with usable signal ranges greater than that of the individual data sources. Applied to digital images, the invention permits presentation and analysis of all signals from a subject in a single composite or an image resulting from the method and apparatus of the present invention. The present invention overcomes two defects in prior art systems: increased noise in the resultant composite image arising from rescaling of component images and dependence on evaluating image content to determine image scaling. Because this invention can be automated, it can be applied in numerous fields requiring high throughput.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Alpha Innotech CorporationInventors: Robert M. Watson, Jr., John J. Kang
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Publication number: 20040036775Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus to extend the signal range of a digital image beyond the nominal sensor or data format range. The method and apparatus automatically acquires a scaled series of source data, applies noise reduction to the source data, and constructs a scaled composite with usable signal ranges greater than that of the individual data sources. Applied to digital images, the invention permits presentation and analysis of all signals from a subject in a single composite or an image resulting from the method and apparatus of the present invention. The present invention overcomes two defects in prior art systems: increased noise in the resultant composite image arising from rescaling of component images and dependence on evaluating image content to determine image scaling. Because this invention can be automated, it can be applied in numerous fields requiring high throughput.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Alpha Innotech CorporationInventors: Robert M. Watson, John J. Kang
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Patent number: 6214979Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5′ to 3′ nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Roche Molecular SystemsInventors: David H. Gelfand, Pamela M. Holland, Randall K. Saiki, Robert M. Watson
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Patent number: 5804375Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5' to 3' nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1995Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: David H. Gelfand, Pamela M. Holland, Randall K. Saiki, Robert M. Watson
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Patent number: 5491063Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for controlling the light emission of an oligonucleotide labeled with a light-emitting label that are useful in nucleic acid detection assays. A reaction that results in the cleavage of single-stranded oligonucleotide probes labeled with a light-emitting label is carried out in the presence of a DNA binding compound that interacts with the label to modify the light emission of the label. The methods utilize the change in light emission of the labeled probe that results from degradation of the probe. The methods are applicable in general to assays that utilize a reaction that results in cleavage of oligonucleotide probes, and, in particular, to homogeneous amplification/detection assays wherein hybridized probe is cleaved concomitant with palmer extension. A homogeneous amplification/detection assay is provided which allows the simultaneous detection of the accumulation of amplified target and the sequence-specific detection of the target sequence.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1994Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.Inventors: Mary E. Fisher, Robert M. Watson
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Patent number: 5487972Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides which uses the 5' to 3' nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and thus releasing labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1993Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.Inventors: David H. Gelfand, Pamela M. Holland, Randall K. Saiki, Robert M. Watson
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Patent number: 5210015Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides. This process uses the 5' to 3' nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1990Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Assignee: Hoffman-La Roche Inc.Inventors: David H. Gelfand, Pamela M. Holland, Randall K. Saiki, Robert M. Watson