Charles N Richards

US Patent:

7246631, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Dec 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/024333

Inventors:

Gary E. Georgeson - Federal Way WA, US
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA, US
Richard H. Bossi - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G05D 11/13

US Classification:

137 5, 73 6142, 73 6171, 137 93

Abstract:

A system for measuring a mixture ratio associated with a two-part fluid, at least one of the two parts including conductive particles. The system includes a pair of electrodes, a circuit, and an output. The electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the two-part fluid and sense the dielectric strength of the fluid. The circuit communicates with the electrodes to sense the dielectric strength and outputs a signal representing the dielectric strength. Preferably, the circuit includes a capacitive bridge, an input for a set-point, and an output for an error signal. Also, the system can include a housing for the electrodes. A timer may also be provided to measure the time elapsed from the beginning of the mixing of the two-part fluid. Preferably, the two-part fluid is an adhesive with aluminum particles that is made from a resin and a hardener. Methods of producing two-part fluids are also provided.

US Patent:

7993480, Aug 9, 2011

Filed:

Nov 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/941931

Inventors:

Robert L. Anderson - Tacoma WA, US
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA, US
Barry P. VanWest - Bellevue WA, US
Jeffrey M. Hansen - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B32B 37/10
B32B 37/22

US Classification:

156285, 156361, 156577, 156185

Abstract:

A ply placement device uses a ply guide to place plies on a curved substrate surface. The ply guide includes a guide surface and a guide edge that are each curved to match the contour of the substrate so that the ply transitions smoothly from its planar form to a curved form as the ply is placed onto the substrate. The ply guide may be flexible or segmented to allow reconfiguration of the guide surfaces to match various substrate contours.

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:

20110192541, Aug 11, 2011

Filed:

Apr 21, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/091503

Inventors:

Robert L. Anderson - Tacoma WA, US
Charles M. Richards - Kent WA, US
Barry P. VanWest - Bellevue WA, US
Jeffrey M. Hansen - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B32B 37/10

US Classification:

156349

Abstract:

A ply placement device uses a ply guide to place plies on a curved substrate surface. The ply guide includes a guide surface and a guide edge that are each curved to match the contour of the substrate so that the ply transitions smoothly from its planar form to a curved form as the ply is placed onto the substrate. The ply guide may be flexible or segmented to allow reconfiguration of the guide surfaces to match various substrate contours.

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.