Patents by Inventor Scott Wesley Lea

Scott Wesley Lea 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: 11485018
    Abstract: A non-destructive inspection system is presented. The non-destructive inspection system comprises a robotic end effector having an extendable actuator and a flange-mounted roller containing an ultrasonic sensor, the flange-mounted roller connected to the extendable actuator by a pivot connection, the extendable actuator configured to extend the flange-mounted roller until the flange-mounted roller contacts an inspection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Daniel James Wright, Scott Wesley Lea, William Joseph Tapia, Gary Ernest Georgeson
  • Publication number: 20210101238
    Abstract: A rotation device to reorient a workpiece includes a retainer. The retainer accepts the workpiece in an open configuration and retains the workpiece in a closed configuration. The retainer forms two or more ring segments in the closed position. The rotation device includes a base to support the retainer. The base includes a plurality of retainer supports in working relation to the two or more ring segments to enable rotation of the retainer from a first orientation where the first structure contacts the retainer supports to a second orientation where the second structure contacts the retainer supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: James J. Troy, William P. Motzer, Scott Wesley Lea, Michael Craig Hutchinson
  • Publication number: 20210078177
    Abstract: A non-destructive inspection system is presented. The non-destructive inspection system comprises a robotic end effector having an extendable actuator and a flange-mounted roller containing an ultrasonic sensor, the flange-mounted roller connected to the extendable actuator by a pivot connection, the extendable actuator configured to extend the flange-mounted roller until the flange-mounted roller contacts an inspection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Daniel James Wright, Scott Wesley Lea, William Joseph Tapia, Gary Ernest Georgeson
  • Patent number: 9234904
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson, Scott Wesley Lea
  • Patent number: 9195235
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an energy source, a position system, and a movement system. The energy source is configured to generate a beam of energy directed at an area on a target for a vehicle. The position system is configured to identify a first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed. The movement system is configured to move the vehicle in a manner that reduces a difference between the first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed and a reference position on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Scott Wesley Lea, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140365063
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an energy source, a position system, and a movement system. The energy source is configured to generate a beam of energy directed at an area on a target for a vehicle. The position system is configured to identify a first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed. The movement system is configured to move the vehicle in a manner that reduces a difference between the first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed and a reference position on the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Scott Wesley Lea, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson
  • Patent number: 8874371
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an energy source, a position system, and a movement system. The energy source is configured to generate a beam of energy directed at an area on a target for a vehicle. The position system is configured to identify a first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed. The movement system is configured to move the vehicle in a manner that reduces a difference between the first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed and a reference position on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Scott Wesley Lea, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140200832
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson, Scott Wesley Lea
  • Patent number: 8713998
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson, Scott Wesley Lea
  • Publication number: 20130041544
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an energy source, a position system, and a movement system. The energy source is configured to generate a beam of energy directed at an area on a target for a vehicle. The position system is configured to identify a first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed. The movement system is configured to move the vehicle in a manner that reduces a difference between the first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed and a reference position on the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Scott Wesley Lea, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120320372
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson, Scott Wesley Lea