Bruce W Howard

US Patent:

6862814, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/323806

Inventors:

Stephen J. Bennison - Bellevue WA, US
Bruce S. Howard - Bellevue WA, US
Vincent Thompson - Seattle WA, US
Paul E. Jennerjohn - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01B005/20

US Classification:

33554, 33551

Abstract:

An inspection device includes a mount that secures the inspection device to the object for travel along the object, a sensor attached to the mount that measures characteristics of the object, and a position indicator attached to the mount that determines the position of the inspection device on the object.

US Patent:

7665221, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

May 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/442013

Inventors:

Stephen J. Bennison - Bellevue WA, US
Bruce S. Howard - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01B 3/00
G01B 5/00

US Classification:

33544, 33542, 33819, 33836

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for measuring the bore diameter of a hole as a function of hole depth is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a diametric probe, for generating first measured bore diameter data along a diametric probe sensitive axis; a foot, for positioning the diametric probe sensitive axis in a plane parallel to the hole; a linear distance probe, coupled to the diametric probe, for generating first measured depth data describing the depth of the diametric probe sensitive axis within the hole; and a data acquisition system, for recording first measured bore diameter data from the diametric probe and first measured depth data from the linear distance probe of an insertion of the diametric probe into the hole.

US Patent:

20070174257, Jul 26, 2007

Filed:

Jan 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/622624

Inventors:

BRUCE THOMAS HOWARD - Canton GA, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707 3

Abstract:

Systems and methods for providing sorted search results are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises receiving a search request to return results based on at least one keyword, sorting the returned results into at least two result groups based on sorting criteria, and outputting the results to a display device such that the result groups are displayed differently in a user interface. In one version the sorted results of at least two result groups are simultaneously displayed in different portions of a user interface and, in another version, indicators for the at least two result groups are simultaneously displayed in different portions of a user interface. Sorting may be based on any desired criteria such a document type, URL, secure or nonsecure web site, etc.

US Patent:

48475521, Jul 11, 1989

Filed:

Jul 7, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/070409

Inventors:

Bruce S. Howard - Mercer Island WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01V 308

US Classification:

324 67

Abstract:

A metal body located below a metal surface layer is detected by energizing inductance coils in a bridge circuit at a frequency below 10 KHz to avoid skin effect as one of the coils is placed proximate said body. A threshold circuit determines when bridge unbalance is caused by other than the surface layer and provides positive identification of the metal body.

US Patent:

57772460, Jul 7, 1998

Filed:

Sep 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/710699

Inventors:

Mark Allen Woods - Renton WA
Bruce Stanley Howard - Bellevue WA
Victor Gary Hart - Kent WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01M 1900

US Classification:

738658

Abstract:

A fastener measurement system includes a number of gauge blocks, each having a tapered bore disposed therein. Each gauge block has a number of conical inserts that fit within the tapered bore. The inserts have a central bore of varying sizes to receive fasteners of different shank diameters. The gauge block includes a beveled surface at the point where the bore meets a top surface of the gauge block. The beveled surface reduces wear and allows the gauge block to be easily calibrated. A computer system receives measurements made by a linear transducer that measures the height of the fastener above the surface of the gauge block a correction factor. delta. is added to the height measured to produce an indication of the true head height of the fastener. The computer system prompts the user to test the head heights of a random sample of fasteners and prints a report of the head heights as well as an indication of whether the sample of fasteners meets engineering specifications.

US Patent:

50227513, Jun 11, 1991

Filed:

Aug 21, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/396495

Inventors:

Bruce S. Howard - Mercer Island WA

Assignee:

Sundstrand Data Control, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G01C 300
G01C 308
G01B 1126

US Classification:

356 1

Abstract:

A portable siting system particularly useful for siting a portable localizer for a collocated approach guidance system for aircraft utilizes a laser range finder in conjunction with a shaft encoder to determine the distance between the localizer and two arbitrary points along a runway center line as well as the azimuth offset between the two points. A microprocessor is used to compute the number of degrees the antenna of the localizer must be rotated so that its beam intersects the extended runway center line at a predetermined point based on trigonometric computations performed on the two measured distances and the measured angle.

US Patent:

61846945, Feb 6, 2001

Filed:

Aug 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/135475

Inventors:

Patrick L. Anderson - Redmond WA
Christer E. Bjorkegren - Woodinville WA
Lori E. Kovarik (Forner) - Seattle WA
Bruce S. Howard - Bellevue WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01R 2704

US Classification:

324635

Abstract:

A measuring instrument and method for measuring paint and coating thickness on conductive and poorly conductive substrates. The instrument uses a microwave amplifier, a measurement cavity, and a reference cavity with supporting electronics to measure the apparent changes in the length of the measurement cavity due to the changes in the paint and coating thickness. The measurement cavity resonates when the measurement cavity is set upon the test surface. The oscillating signal is sent through a reference cavity tuned to give the desired filtered response to cover the paint and coating thickness range allowed. The filtered response of the reference cavity is converted to a dc level signal that serves as input to a data acquisition circuit. The data acquisition circuit converts the input signal to digital form so that the calibration method may be used to associate a given response with the corresponding paint and coating thickness.

US Patent:

56738390, Oct 7, 1997

Filed:

Nov 29, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/564717

Inventors:

Bruce S. Howard - Mercer Island WA
James C. Van Avery - Fall City WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B21J 1528

US Classification:

227119

Abstract:

A real-time fastener measurement system includes an anvil (10) having a striking surface (16) that engages a fastener as it is upset. Three proximity sensors (20) are disposed at 120. degree. intervals around a striking surface of the anvil. A computer system (110) reads the electronic signals produced by the proximity sensors just after the fastener has been upset and converts the signals to digital values. The computer stores a piecewise linear function that has been predetermined for each sensor and uses the function to convert the digital values of the proximity sensor to fastener head height.