Gregory J Clark

US Patent:

6927560, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

May 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/448560

Inventors:

Samuel F. Pedigo - Seattle WA, US
Gary E. Georgeson - Federal Way WA, US
Raymond D. Rempt - Woddinville WA, US
Gregory L. Clark - Issaquah WA, US
Joseph L. Hafenrichter - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01R033/02
G01B007/00

US Classification:

324 67, 32420717, 324260

Abstract:

A method for locating a device producing a magnetic field in a blind or inaccessible position of a work piece. A magnet is initially placed on a first side of the work piece such that a magnetic field produced by the magnet extends through the work piece. Probes are then positioned over a second surface of the work piece to determine the location of the axis of the magnet via the strength of the sensed magnetic field and the location where the strength measurements are made. Once the position of the axis of the magnet is determined, the work surface is either marked or worked on through the platform on which the probes are positioned. In particular, the present invention allows a very accurate positioning of a work tool on the second surface without the need to first visualize the first surface of the work piece.

US Patent:

7259535, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

May 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/430453

Inventors:

Thomas W. Pastusak - Kent WA, US
Gregory L. Clark - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B25J 15/02

US Classification:

31856821, 31856812, 31856816, 07449001, 07449003

Abstract:

An apparatus coupled with a mechanism and cooperating with the mechanism to locate an end-effector within a predetermined distance of a work site for situating the end-effector with respect to the work site includes: (a) a positioning unit coupled with the end-effector for moving the end-effector an adjustment distance with respect to the workpiece; (b) a sensing unit coupled with the apparatus for sensing extant locus of the end-effector with respect to at least one reference locus; and (c) an error determining device coupled with the sensing unit and the positioning unit; the error determining device determining a difference between the extant locus and the work locus. The positioning unit moves the end-effector in response to the difference indicating signal to reduce the difference.

US Patent:

7384220, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

Jan 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/752285

Inventors:

Gregory L. Clark - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B23B 47/00

US Classification:

408 13, 408 75, 408 76, 408 97, 409178

Abstract:

A laser-guided coordination hole tool for precisely drilling holes in large parts includes a positioning table, a bushing cavity for receiving drill bushings, a clamping device, and a laser target. A laser-guided coordination hole tool may include a software interlock to prevent drilling in an improper location on the part. A method of drilling coordination holes includes probing a part to determine its reference frame, rigidly affixing a laser-guided coordination hole tool to the part, probing a target on the laser-guided coordination hole tool to determine the reference frame for the laser-guided coordination hole tool, accurately positioning a drill bushing over the hole location, and drilling a hole. A system for drilling coordination holes includes a laser-guided coordination hole tool, a bushing, a tooling, a drill motor, a laser tracker, and a computer running a coordination-hole drilling program.

US Patent:

7498796, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

May 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/143242

Inventors:

Gary E Georgeson - Federal Way WA, US
Joseph L Hafenrichter - Redmond WA, US
Raymond D Rempt - Woodinville WA, US
Gregory L Clark - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01R 33/02
G01B 7/00

US Classification:

324 67, 324260

Abstract:

A magnetic indexer for locating a device producing a magnetic field in a blind or inaccessible position of a work piece. A magnet is initially placed on a first side of the work piece such that a magnetic field produced by the magnet extends through the work piece and substantially perpendicular to a surface of the work piece. A device comprising a plurality of probes for sensing magnetic fields is then positioned over a second surface of the work piece. The probes are then moved over the second surface to determine the location of the axis of the magnet via the strength of the sensed magnetic field. Once the position of the axis of the magnet is determined, the work surface is either marked or worked on through the platform on which the probes are positioned. In particular, a hole may be accurately drilled or otherwise formed directly over the magnet even when the first surface of the work piece cannot be seen. Additionally, the present invention allows a very accurate positioning of a work tool on the second surface without the need to first visualize the first surface of the work piece.

US Patent:

7578044, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

Oct 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/256134

Inventors:

Gregory L. Clark - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B25B 27/14

US Classification:

2952502, 292815, 298972, 294071, 408 76

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for use are disclosed for coordinating a hole of one part with a hole of another part. The apparatus may include a base member, a pin member defined by a slot having a first length in one direction which is greater than a second length in a second direction, and an index member extending beyond an end of the base member. The index member may be adapted to position the first length of the slot in a position parallel to a datum of a part being joined by the apparatus. During operation, a portion of the pin member may be inserted in a hole of one part. The slot may be at least partially aligned with a second, smaller hole in another part.

US Patent:

7668632, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Nov 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/994773

Inventors:

John L. Vian - Renton WA, US
Gregory J. Clark - Seattle WA, US
Paul E. R. Pigg - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01M 17/00
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

701 29, 700 26, 700 79, 701 1, 701 35, 707102, 707201, 709224

Abstract:

A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

US Patent:

7768249, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Mar 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/056325

Inventors:

Gary E. Georgeson - Federal Way WA, US
Joseph L. Hafenrichter - Redmond WA, US
Raymond D. Rempt - Woodinville WA, US
Gregory L. Clark - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01R 33/02
G01B 7/00

US Classification:

324 67, 324260

Abstract:

A magnetic indexer for locating a device producing a magnetic field in a blind or inaccessible position of a work piece. A magnet is initially placed on a first side of the work piece such that a magnetic field produced by the magnet extends through the work piece and substantially perpendicular to a surface of the work piece. A device comprising a plurality of probes for sensing magnetic fields is then positioned over a second surface of the work piece. The probes are then moved over the second surface to determine the location of the axis of the magnet via the strength of the sensed magnetic field. Once the position of the axis of the magnet is determined, the work surface is either marked or worked on through the platform on which the probes are positioned. In particular, a hole may be accurately drilled or otherwise formed directly over the magnet even when the first surface of the work piece cannot be seen. Additionally, the present invention allows a very accurate positioning of a work tool on the second surface without the need to first visualize the first surface of the work piece.

US Patent:

7768250, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Aug 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/197580

Inventors:

Gary E. Georgeson - Federal Way WA, US
Joseph L. Hafenrichter - Redmond WA, US
Raymond D. Rempt - Woodinville WA, US
Gregory L. Clark - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01R 33/02
G01B 7/00

US Classification:

324 67, 324260

Abstract:

A method for locating a device, which produces a field, with a probe assembly affected by the field. The method may involve: placing a device on a first side of a work piece; producing a field with the device through the work piece; using a robot to hold and to place a probe assembly adjacent a second side of the work piece; providing information from the probe assembly to the robot that is used by the robot to move the probe assembly to substantially determine a position of the device; determining a location of a center field axis of the field with the probe assembly; and providing a physical confirmation of the center field axis to a user.