Benjamin K Lee

US Patent:

20200368977, Nov 26, 2020

Filed:

Aug 12, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/991933

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Samuel F. Zambrana - Auburn WA, US
Daniel M. Rotter - Lake Forest Park WA, US
Michael Robert Chapman - Federal Way WA, US
Stephen K. Halladin - Renton WA, US
Benjamin Bowen Lee - Tacoma WA, US
Joshua Dee Little - Marysville WA, US
Douglas Alan McCarville - Bonney Lake WA, US
Jason A. Medenciy - Seattle WA, US
Russell D. Chiupka - Kirkland WA, US
Marcin Artur Rabiega - Kent WA, US
Andrey F. Yurchik - Redmond WA, US
Martin W. Hansen - Edgewood WA, US
Thomas P. Harper - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

B29C 70/30
B29C 70/38
B29C 31/08
B29C 65/02

Abstract:

Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

US Patent:

20180371835, Dec 27, 2018

Filed:

Jun 22, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/629911

Inventors:

- CHICAGO IL, US
Florante M. Halili - Renton WA, US
Benjamin Bowen Lee - Tacoma WA, US
Jesse A. Webb - Bothell WA, US
John F. Jenkins - Everett WA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - CHICAGO IL

International Classification:

E06C 1/38
E06C 7/08
E06C 1/04
B64F 5/60

Abstract:

A ladder includes a pair of generally curved side rails arranged in a spaced apart manner, a plurality of fixed rungs disposed between the side rails, a plurality of pairs of rung supports, and a plurality of hinged rungs. Each of the pairs of rung supports is horizontally aligned with each other and disposed on respective inner sides of the side rails. The rung supports are spaced apart from the fixed rungs along lengths of the side rails. Each rung support includes a flanged end portion having an aperture therein. Each hinged rung is associated with a respective pair of rung supports. Each hinged rung has a first end pivotally coupled to the flanged end portion of a first rung support in the respective pair of rung supports such that each hinged rung is pivotal between a secured position between the rung supports and a retracted position.

US Patent:

20160368226, Dec 22, 2016

Filed:

Jun 16, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/740493

Inventors:

- Huntington Beach CA, US
Samuel F. Zambrana - Auburn WA, US
Daniel M. Rotter - Lake Forest Park WA, US
Michael Robert Chapman - Federal Way WA, US
Stephen K. Halladin - Renton WA, US
Benjamin Bowen Lee - Tacoma WA, US
Joshua Dee Little - Marysville WA, US
Douglas Alan McCarville - Bonney Lake WA, US
Jason A. Medenciy - Seattle WA, US
Russell D. Chiupka - Kirkland WA, US
Marcin Artur Rabiega - Kent WA, US
Andrey F. Yurchik - Redmond WA, US
Martin W. Hansen - Edgewood WA, US
Thomas P. Harper - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Huntington Beach CA

International Classification:

B29C 70/30
B64F 5/00
B29C 65/02

Abstract:

Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

US Patent:

20160263879, Sep 15, 2016

Filed:

Mar 12, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/656424

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Blake Rafferty - Seattle WA, US
Michael Karas - Seattle WA, US
Mark S. Bunker - Renton WA, US
Erik Lund - Issaquah WA, US
Garrett C. Hanson - Renton WA, US
Stephen G. Holley - Gig Harbor WA, US
Benjamin B. Lee - Tacoma WA, US
John D. O'Connell - Snohomish WA, US
John D. Morris - Seattle WA, US
Derek J. Flolid - Bothell WA, US
Bruce S. Howard - Bellevue WA, US
Mark C. Boberg - Bellevue WA, US
Eric J. Walker - Bellevue WA, US
Silas L. Studley - Seattle WA, US
Derek Willis - Edmonds WA, US

International Classification:

B32B 41/00
B32B 37/14
B32B 38/10

Abstract:

An apparatus for forming a material layer onto a form tool may include at least one nosepiece configured to laterally sweep a ply carrier onto a form tool contour. The apparatus may include a pair of tension arms configured to support opposing lateral sides of a ply carrier having a material layer mounted to a lower surface thereof. The apparatus may include one or more actuators configured to position the tension arms during forming of the ply carrier to the form tool contour. The one or more actuators may be configured to sense and control lateral tension in the ply carrier during forming of the ply carrier to the form tool contour.