Gary A Coleman

US Patent:

6483069, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Sep 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/966969

Inventors:

Gary W. Coleman - Snohomish WA
Terry L. Smith - Renton WA
Joseph Peter Reilley - Seattle WA
Warner B. Vanaken - Kent WA
James H. Lee - Ravensdale WA
Kevin L. Nash - Bonney Lake WA
Julius J. Schaan - Bonney Lake WA
Scott W. Franz - Lynnwood WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B23K 1500

US Classification:

2191213, 21912164

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a structural assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing first and second structural members having preselected shapes and dimensions. The first structural member defines a first raised portion and the second structural member defines a second raised portion. According to one embodiment, the providing step includes forming the first and second structural members into preselected shapes and dimensions. The first and second structural members can comprise plates, T-stiffeners or tubular members. The first raised portion of the first structural member is positioned adjacent to the second raised portion of the second structural member following the providing step to thereby define an interface therebetween and wherein the first and second raised portions define a substantially consumable weld land. Thereafter, the first and second structural members are irradiated with a high-energy source along the interface to thereby substantially consume the weld land and join the first and second structural members to form a structural assembly. The first high-energy source preferably comprises an electron beam or a laser.

US Patent:

6709766, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Sep 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/247879

Inventors:

Gary W. Coleman - Snohomish WA
Terry L. Smith - Renton WA
Joseph Peter Reilley - Seattle WA
Warner B. Vanaken - Kent WA
James H. Lee - Ravensdale WA
Kevin L. Nash - Bonney Lake WA
Julius J. Schaan - Bonney Lake WA
Scott W. Franz - Lynnwood WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B32B 704

US Classification:

428594, 428615, 428650, 428660, 21912113, 21912163

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a structural assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing first and second structural members having preselected shapes and dimensions. The first structural member defines a first raised portion and the second structural member defines a second raised portion. According to one embodiment, the providing step includes forming the first and second structural members into preselected shapes and dimensions. The first and second structural members can comprise plates, T-stiffeners or tubular members. The first raised portion of the first structural member is positioned adjacent to the second raised portion of the second structural member following the providing step to thereby define an interface therebetween and wherein the first and second raised portions define a substantially consumable weld land. Thereafter, the first and second structural members are irradiated with a high-energy source along the interface to thereby substantially consume the weld land and join the first and second structural members to form a structural assembly. The first high-energy source preferably comprises an electron beam or a laser.

US Patent:

6884966, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Oct 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/277903

Inventors:

Gary W. Coleman - Snohomish WA, US
John R. Fischer - Winthrop WA, US
Marc R. Matsen - Seattle WA, US
Elizabeth M. Mull - Seattle WA, US
David S. Nansen - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H05K001/00

US Classification:

219243, 148698, 266114

Abstract:

There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.

US Patent:

7270297, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Jan 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/768935

Inventors:

Karl J. Schaefer - Everett WA, US
Thanh V. Duong - Renton WA, US
Gary W. Coleman - Snohomish WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B64C 1/22

US Classification:

2441371

Abstract:

A device is provided for hoisting a module for mounting into an overhead space, such as the crown of an aircraft fuselage. The device includes a frame that supports the module, and a lifting device that lifts the first frame to properly place the module. The lifting device includes a frame, attachment devices that attach the frame of the lifting device to overhead support frames, and a driving device that moves the frame of the lifting device up the attachment devices. The frame of the lifting device receives the frame that supports the module as the frame of the lifting device is moved by the driving device.

US Patent:

20050145309, Jul 7, 2005

Filed:

Feb 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/057567

Inventors:

Gary Coleman - Snohomish WA, US
John Fischer - Winthrop WA, US
Marc Matsen - Seattle WA, US
Elizabeth Mull - Seattle WA, US
David Nansen - Bellevue WA, US

International Classification:

B21J001/06

US Classification:

148654000

Abstract:

There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.

US Patent:

20100021578, Jan 28, 2010

Filed:

Oct 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/571539

Inventors:

Gary W. Coleman - Snohomish WA, US
John R. Fischer - Winthrop WA, US
Marc R. Matsen - Seattle WA, US
Elizabeth M. Mull - Seattle WA, US
David S. Nansen - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B29C 45/78
B29C 45/03
B29C 45/77

US Classification:

425 3, 425547, 425170

Abstract:

There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.

US Patent:

20230082207, Mar 16, 2023

Filed:

Sep 14, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/447683

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Gary W. Coleman - Snohomish WA, US
Ryan J. Glamm - Kent WA, US
Gregory E. Trepus - Enumclaw WA, US
Chul Y. Park - Snohomish WA, US

International Classification:

B23K 10/02
B23K 37/04

Abstract:

A method of welding a workpiece assembly includes positioning a flange adjacent to a web to form a workpiece assembly having an interface between a flange edge surface and a web side surface, and in which a web edge portion protrudes beyond a flange front surface on a front side of the workpiece assembly. The method additionally includes constraining the flange and the web against movement, and moving a plasma arc welding (PAW) torch, located on the front side of the workpiece assembly, along a lengthwise direction of the interface, while causing a plasma arc to pass through a flange edge portion and the web side surface, and generate molten material that joins the flange to the web.

US Patent:

20210362264, Nov 25, 2021

Filed:

May 20, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/878751

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Gary W. Coleman - Snohomish WA, US
David Griffiths - Cambridge, GB
Michelangelo Mortello - Cambridge, GB
Robert James Scudamore - Sheffield, GB
Lei Xu - Cambridge, GB

International Classification:

B23K 10/02
B23K 35/32
B23K 37/02
B23K 26/082
B23K 26/08
B23K 26/00
B33Y 10/00
B33Y 30/00
B33Y 70/00
B33Y 80/00

Abstract:

A method of fabricating of an object includes causing a first heat source to heat a feed material to form a melt pool of the feed material on a surface. The method further includes causing a second heat source to heat the melt pool on the surface to regulate grain formation of the feed material in the melt pool as the melt pool cools and solidifies on the surface to form at least a portion of the object. The method also includes causing the first heat source and the second heat source to move relative to the surface as the melt pool is formed and cooled.