Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Maeder

Thomas A. Maeder 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).

  • Publication number: 20220214290
    Abstract: Systems and methods inspect a fastener installed at least partially through a hole in a part, by measuring fastener concentricity, measuring fastener flushness with a surface, and/or detecting foreign object debris near the fastener. Systems include an x-ray imaging system, a first camera device, a second camera device, a first support structure, and at least one processing unit. The first camera device produces a first image of the fastener from a first vantage point, and the second camera device produces a second image of the fastener from a second vantage point, such that a 3D image of the fastener can be created from the first image and the second image. The system inspects the fastener based on the x-ray image and/or the 3D image, to determine concentricity and/or flushness of the fastener. Systems may be automated and mounted on robot arms to be positioned relative to the fasteners being inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Maeder, Jyani S. Vaddi, William D. Meade
  • Patent number: 11225026
    Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a printhead, at least one profilometer, and a control system. The printhead extrudes a material onto a substrate and forms a new bead during additive manufacturing of an in-work article. The profilometer moves with the printhead and measures an in-work cross-sectional profile of existing beads of the in-work article. The control system generates in-work profile data including the in-work cross-sectional profile at a plurality of in-work profile locations, and continuously compares the in-work profile data to reference profile data of a reference article. The reference profile data includes a reference cross-sectional profile at a plurality of reference profile locations. The control system adjusts, based on the profile comparison, one or more bead forming parameters and causes the printhead to form the new bead according to the bead forming parameters to reduce or prevent nonconformities associated with forming the new bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Bharath K. Kodumuru, Hong H. Tat, Edward J. Kang, Nathan J. Chapdelaine, Thomas A. Maeder
  • Publication number: 20200368970
    Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a printhead, at least one profilometer, and a control system. The printhead extrudes a material onto a substrate and forms a new bead during additive manufacturing of an in-work article. The profilometer moves with the printhead and measures an in-work cross-sectional profile of existing beads of the in-work article. The control system generates in-work profile data including the in-work cross-sectional profile at a plurality of in-work profile locations, and continuously compares the in-work profile data to reference profile data of a reference article. The reference profile data includes a reference cross-sectional profile at a plurality of reference profile locations. The control system adjusts, based on the profile comparison, one or more bead forming parameters and causes the printhead to form the new bead according to the bead forming parameters to reduce or prevent nonconformities associated with forming the new bead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Bharath K. Kodumuru, Hong H. Tat, Edward J. Kang, Nathan J. Chapdelaine, Thomas A. Maeder
  • Patent number: 10295480
    Abstract: A measurement system is provided that includes a radiographic source, a detector, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the detector and configured to: position the radiographic source in a first position relative to the object to image a first portion of the object, with the first position configured to maintain parallax for the first portion within a predetermined amount; obtain first imaging information of the first portion of the object in the first position; adjust the position of the radiographic source relative to the object to a second position, with the second position configured to maintain parallax for the second portion within a predetermined amount; obtain second imaging information of the second portion of the object in the second position; and generate an image of the object using the first imaging information and the second imaging information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Hutchinson, Steven K. Brady, William D. Meade, Thomas A. Maeder
  • Publication number: 20170284947
    Abstract: A measurement system is provided that includes a radiographic source, a detector, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the detector and configured to: position the radiographic source in a first position relative to the object to image a first portion of the object, with the first position configured to maintain parallax for the first portion within a predetermined amount; obtain first imaging information of the first portion of the object in the first position; adjust the position of the radiographic source relative to the object to a second position, with the second position configured to maintain parallax for the second portion within a predetermined amount; obtain second imaging information of the second portion of the object in the second position; and generate an image of the object using the first imaging information and the second imaging information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Hutchinson, Steven K. Brady, William D. Meade, Thomas A. Maeder
  • Patent number: 8065927
    Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Denis Crottet, Ion Petros Pappas, Thomas Maeder, Caroline Jacq, Hannes Bleuler
  • Publication number: 20090288502
    Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Denis Crottet, Ion Petros Pappas, Thomas Maeder, Caroline Jacq, Hannes Bleuler
  • Patent number: 7587945
    Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Denis Crottet, Ion Petros Pappas, Thomas Maeder, Caroline Jacq, Hannes Bleuler
  • Publication number: 20080306413
    Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Denis Crottet, Ion Petros Pappas, Thomas Maeder, Caroline Jacq, Hannes Bleuler
  • Patent number: 7412897
    Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Denis Crottet, Ion Petros Pappas, Thomas Maeder, Caroline Jacq, Hannes Bleuler
  • Publication number: 20070180922
    Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Denis Crottet, Ion Pappas, Thomas Maeder, Caroline Jacq, Hannes Bleuler