Darrell W Jones

US Patent:

6430796, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

May 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/563596

Inventors:

Darrell Darwin Jones - Mill Creek WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B23P 1100

US Classification:

2924353, 29 34 B, 298972

Abstract:

An apparatus for assembling panel-shaped workpieces such as aircraft wing panels includes a traveling gantry that supports a tool-holding frame on which are supported a plurality of tools such as drills, riveters, rivet shavers, inspection tools, and the like. The frame is movable along a plurality of axes and is rotatable about at least one axis for positioning the tools in relation to the workpiece. The apparatus also includes a fixture for holding a workpiece, the fixture comprising a plurality of slidable holders that can be extended or retracted along a horizontal direction generally perpendicular to the surfaces of a wing panel or the like. The holders have clamps and/or vacuum cups for engaging the workpiece to hold the workpiece in a desired position. The holders are retractable to create a clearance between the workpiece and the holders to allow the frame to be passed through the clearance. The gantry can be rotated about a vertical axis by differentially driving one wheel assembly along one of the rails relative to the other wheel assembly on the other rail.

US Patent:

6855099, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Oct 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/004060

Inventors:

Laurance N. Hazlehurst - Seattle WA, US
James N. Buttrick - Seattle WA, US
Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
Kostadinos D. Papanikolaou - Southfield MI, US
David P. Banks - Lake Stevens WA, US
Terrence J. Rowe - Seattle WA, US
Ronald Outous - Shoreline WA, US
Charles H. Glaisyer - Everett WA, US
Harry E. Townsend - Seattle WA, US
Mark Boberg - Bellevue WA, US
Paul Elfes Nelson - University Place WA, US
John R. Porter - Lynnwood WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B23Q003/157
B23P023/00

US Classification:

483 38, 483 36, 483 31, 483 28, 29712, 292815, 29714, 29720, 29 34 B, 29464, 295241, 2952506, 294071, 2940709, 408236, 408 12, 408 13, 408 16, 408 97, 408116, 408115 R, 409178, 409210, 409201, 33286

Abstract:

A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.

US Patent:

6979288, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/026242

Inventors:

Laurance N. Hazlehurst - Seattle WA, US
James N. Buttrick - Seattle WA, US
Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
Kostadinos D. Papanikolaou - Southfield MI, US
David P. Banks - Lake Stevens WA, US
Terrence J. Rowe - Seattle WA, US
Ronald Outous - Shoreline WA, US
Charles H. Glaisyer - Everett WA, US
Harry E. Townsend - Seattle WA, US
Mark Boberg - Bellevue WA, US
Paul Elfes Nelson - University Place WA, US
John R. Porter - Lynnwood WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B23P003/157
B23P023/00

US Classification:

483 1, 408 1 R, 408 12, 408 13, 408 16, 408 88, 29712, 292815, 29714, 29720, 29 34 B, 29464, 295241, 2952506, 294071, 2940709

Abstract:

A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.

US Patent:

7164474, Jan 16, 2007

Filed:

Jul 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/191268

Inventors:

Paul R. Arntson - Bothell WA, US
Christopher D. Condliff - Issaquah WA, US
Robert A. Cullen - Everett WA, US
David P. Himmel - Sedona AZ, US
Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
Ronald W. Outous - Shoreline WA, US
David W. Princehouse - Hood River OR, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01B 11/26
G01B 11/00
G01C 1/00
G01C 15/00
B25B 23/18
B23B 49/00
B23G 1/00

US Classification:

356154, 356399, 362119, 33286, 408 16

Abstract:

The apparatus for normalization of a drilling tool to a work surface includes a light source, a beam splitter, and a screen. The beam splitter directs and the screen receives at least a portion of the light reflected off of the work surface. When the received light is located in a predetermined portion of the screen, then the drilling tool is normal to the work surface. The method for normalization of a drilling tool to a work surface includes positioning the drilling tool proximate the work surface, transmitting light toward the work surface, creating an image of the light that has reflected off of the work surface upon a screen, thereby permitting the orientation of the drilling tool to be adjusted until the image of the reflected light is located in a predetermined portion of the screen that is indicative of proper alignment.

US Patent:

7406758, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Jul 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/903713

Inventors:

Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
Theodore Boyl-Davis - Snohomish WA, US
Roger Gage - Marysville WA, US
Laurance N. Hazlehurst - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B23B 45/14

US Classification:

29 34B, 408 76, 408 88, 408 1 R, 409178, 2482055, 2482063, 248362

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for manufacturing operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vacuum cup assembly includes a housing having a vacuum generator formed therein, and a compliant sealing member coupled to the housing. The vacuum generator is coupleable to a source of pressurized fluid and is adapted to generate a reduced pressure region. The sealing member forms an enclosable region in fluid communication with the reduced pressure region. In another embodiment, a method of performing a manufacturing operation includes installing a coordinating pin into an indexing hole, the coordinating pin including a quantum of indexing information. The quantum of indexing information is sensed, and a manufacturing operation is performed based at least partially on the quantum of indexing information.

US Patent:

7497921, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

Sep 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/162257

Inventors:

Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
Kurtis S. Willden - Kent WA, US
Michael A. Lee - Kent WA, US
Richard B. Evans - Maple Valley WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156285, 264101, 269 21

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for securing a plurality of stringers to a mandrel during lay-up is provided, the plurality of stringers and mandrel forming a lay-up surface. The apparatus includes a vacuum source and a first vacuum attachment assembly in communication with said vacuum source to tightly secure the first vacuum attachment assembly down against the lay-up surface. A second vacuum attachment assembly is provided in communication with the vacuum source to force it tightly down against the lay-up. A flexible spacer is in rigid communication with the second vacuum attachment assembly and includes an extended end in communication with the first vacuum attachment assembly such that the flexible spacer presses one of the stringers against the mandrel.

US Patent:

7527759, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Apr 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/105104

Inventors:

Michael A. Lee - Kent WA, US
Kurtis S. Willden - Kent WA, US
Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
Richard B. Evans - Maple Valley WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B27N 3/18

US Classification:

264319, 264299, 264239

Abstract:

A method and associated apparatus for forming a composite structural member from a charge are provided. The charge can be disposed on a first die of the apparatus and formed to a desired configuration defined by a recess of the die by inserting a second die or a tool into the recess. In some cases, the first die can include two portions that are adjustable in a transverse direction so that the recess can be opened by the insertion of the second die or tool. The second die or tool can be a substantially rigid member or an inflatable bladder. In either case, the charge can be disposed on the first die, formed, and then further processed on the first die, thereby facilitating indexing of the charge for each operation.

US Patent:

7574933, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

Sep 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/227941

Inventors:

Laurance N. Hazlehurst - Seattle WA, US
James N. Buttrick - Seattle WA, US
Darrell D. Jones - Mill Creek WA, US
Kostadinos D. Papanikolaou - Southfield MI, US
David P. Banks - Lake Stevens WA, US
Terrence J. Rowe - Seattle WA, US
Ronald Outous - Shoreline WA, US
Charles H. Glaisyer - Everett WA, US
Harry E. Townsend - Seattle WA, US
Mark Boberg - Bellevue WA, US
Paul Elfes Nelson - University Place WA, US
John R. Porter - Lynnwood WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01M 19/00

US Classification:

738658, 2940709

Abstract:

A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.

Address:

7293 E Hinsdale Pl, Centennial, CO 80112

VIN:

JHMAP21487S003349

Make:

HONDA

Model:

S2000

Year:

2007