Patents by Inventor Steven Joseph Plummer

Steven Joseph Plummer 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).

  • Tool and method for forming contoured composite stringers having reduced wrinkling
    Patent number: 11760040
    Abstract: A tool for making contoured composite hat stringers allows control of stringer wrinkling. The tool includes a set of first openings that allow the tool to flex during contouring of the stringer, and a set of second openings into which portions of the composite charge may strain during the contouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Paul Chace Wilcoxson
  • Stringer Forming Apparatus and Method
    Publication number: 20230278297
    Abstract: Composite laminate stiffeners such as stringers are punch formed between first and second universal dies respectively carried on first and second trays. The second tray is mounted for sliding movement relative to the first tray between a punch position and a compaction position. Parts of the first and second dies are easily reconfigurable, allowing different shapes of stiffeners to be formed on the same forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Lisa Christina Carlson, Silas Lawton Studley, Daniel Saeil Martin, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Gagandeep Saini, Steven Joseph Plummer
  • Constrained Forming of Contoured Composite Hat Stringers
    Publication number: 20230256663
    Abstract: Cap wrinkling in a contoured composite hat stringer is reduced by constraining the cap as the hat stringer is being formed from a flat composite charge. The cap is constrained by an inflatable bladder placed in a tool set used to form the composite charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Megan E. Bliss
  • Tool and Method for Forming Contoured Composite Stringers Having Reduced Wrinkling
    Publication number: 20220080680
    Abstract: A tool for making contoured composite hat stringers allows control of stringer wrinkling. The tool includes a set of first openings that allow the tool to flex during contouring of the stringer, and a set of second openings into which portions of the composite charge may strain during the contouring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Paul Chace Wilcoxson
  • Net Shape Forming of Composite Stringers Containing Out-Of-Plane Features
    Publication number: 20220080683
    Abstract: A tool is configured to form a composite charge into a stringer having a net shape with at least one out-of-place feature. The out-of-plane feature is formed by a shim removably attached to the tool. A family of the shims may be used to form a range of out-of-plane features having varying characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Andrew Elmer Modin, Raviendra S. Suriyaarachchi, Megan E. Bliss
  • Constrained Forming of Contoured Composite Hat Stringers
    Publication number: 20220080649
    Abstract: Cap wrinkling in a contoured composite hat stringer is reduced by constraining the cap as the hat stringer is being formed from a flat composite charge. The cap is constrained by an inflatable bladder placed in a tool set used to form the composite charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Plummer, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden, Megan E. Bliss