Charles N Richards

US Patent:

8044991, Oct 25, 2011

Filed:

Sep 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/863755

Inventors:

Scott Lea - Renton WA, US
Gary E. Georgeson - Federal Way WA, US
James Troy - Issaquah WA, US
Marc Matsen - Seattle WA, US
Jeffrey Hansen - Renton WA, US
Charles Richards - Kent WA, US
Matthew W. Smith - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H04N 5/14
H04N 5/225
H04N 5/228

US Classification:

348 25, 3482071, 34820711, 3482083

Abstract:

A local positioning system which includes a video camera, a computer communicating with the video camera and a target object sighted by the video camera and having a target object coordinate system. The computer is adapted to define a relative position and orientation of the video camera with respect to the target object, determine a position and orientation of the video camera in the target object coordinate system, and determine the position of a point of interest in the target object coordinate system. The system can also be used to aim the camera at a previously recorded point of interest on the target object. Contact with, or close proximity to, the target object is not required. A local positioning method is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20130024067, Jan 24, 2013

Filed:

Aug 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/210899

Inventors:

James J. Troy - Issaquah WA, US
Scott W. Lea - Renton WA, US
Gary E. Georgeson - Federal Way WA, US
Karl Edward Nelson - Shoreline WA, US
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B60W 10/04
B60W 40/12
B60W 10/30
B60K 7/00
B60W 30/18

US Classification:

701 36, 180 696

Abstract:

Holonomic-motion ground vehicles (i.e., mobile platforms) that are capable of controlled movement across non-level surfaces, while carrying one or more non-destructive inspection sensors or other tools. The mobile platform comprises a frame having four (or a multiple of four) Mecanum wheels, each wheel driven by a respective independently controlled motor, and further having a plurality (e.g., two) of independently controlled suction devices. The Mecanum wheels enable holonomic motion, while the suction devices facilitate sufficiently precise control of motion on non-level surfaces.

US Patent:

60697008, May 30, 2000

Filed:

Jul 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/904225

Inventors:

Fredrick C. Rudnick - Shoreline WA
Jeffrey M. Hansen - Renton WA
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01B 902

US Classification:

356359

Abstract:

A system for producing high accuracy surface scans of large and/or complex parts using a host machine such a machine for milling the part, a digitizing head attached to the host machine, and a remote laser tracking system for tracking the position of a retroreflector cube attached to the digitizing head.

US Patent:

20220324688, Oct 13, 2022

Filed:

Nov 30, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/537658

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Katherine L. Varela - Seattle WA, US
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA, US
Nicholas Gholdoian - Kirkland WA, US

International Classification:

B66F 17/00
B66F 11/04
B66F 9/075

Abstract:

The system includes a drive vehicle configured to attach to the platform at a pivot point and to move the platform relative to the target object. One or more distance sensors are positioned to sense the target object, and one or more rotation angle sensors acquire an angular position of the drive vehicle relative to the platform. A processing circuit is configured to calculate one or more distances between the platform and the target object based on inputs from the one or more distance sensors. The processing circuit receives a command to move the drive vehicle in one or more forward, reverse, or rotational directions. The processing circuit allows motion in one or more directions in which the platform will not contact the target object and prevents motion in one or more directions that would cause the platform to contact the target object.

US Patent:

20230030042, Feb 2, 2023

Filed:

Jul 15, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/866032

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Daniel M. DE OLIVEIRA - Renton WA, US
Andrei V. AREVALO - Marysville WA, US
Charles M. RICHARDS - Kent WA, US
James E. WILDER - Maple Valley WA, US
James J. TROY - Issaquah WA, US

International Classification:

B25B 23/10
B25B 13/48

Abstract:

An apparatus for retaining a fastener is described. The apparatus includes a base, including a first aperture including a central axis; and a sidewall extending outward from the base and surrounding the central axis, where the sidewall is configured to hold on to a socket; an arm extending outward from the base, including a biasing mechanism connecting a first end of the arm to the base, where the biasing mechanism configured to relieve stress between the base and the arm when the arm is actuated; and a lip disposed at a second end of the arm, where the second end is at an opposite end of the arm than the first end, and where the lip is configured to retain the fastener or a wrenching element of the fastener; and a finger flange configured to actuate the arm, where the finger flange is attached to the arm.

US Patent:

20170094729, Mar 30, 2017

Filed:

Sep 30, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/870531

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Jeffrey M. Hansen - Renton WA, US
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA, US

International Classification:

H05B 6/10
B29C 71/04
B65H 61/00
B65H 59/38
B65H 54/04
B65H 54/22

Abstract:

A method and system for fabricating a susceptor coil assembly ribbon. An apparatus comprising a tensioning section that provides a predetermined amount of tension to a plurality of susceptor coil assemblies , a collimating section that receives the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies from the tensioning section and aligns the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies . An impaling section receives the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies aligned by the collimating section and impales the plurality of susceptor coil assemblies into a matrix material so as to fabricate a susceptor coil assembly ribbon

US Patent:

20140339002, Nov 20, 2014

Filed:

Jul 30, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/446465

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Karl Edward Nelson - Shoreline WA, US
Gary Georgeson - Tacoma WA, US
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA, US
Scott Lea - Renton WA, US
Daniel J. Wright - Mercer Island WA, US

International Classification:

B62D 57/024

US Classification:

180164

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, and system for adhering a vacuum to a surface is provided. A seal is positioned relative to a surface. The seal is associated with a structure and is in communication with a channel within the structure. The seal is rotated relative to the structure such that the seal at least partially conforms to the surface. Air is drawn into the channel within the structure through the seal such that the seal adheres to the surface.