Mark D Little

US Patent:

7337673, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Jul 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/178637

Inventors:

James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Mark L. Little - Auburn WA, US
Clyde T. Uyehara - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/265
G01N 29/28

US Classification:

73633

Abstract:

Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a probe with sled appendages and an axial braking system. The probe uses pulse echo ultrasonic signals to inspect the structure. The sled appendages permit the probe to contact and ride along the surface of the structure and are rotatably connected and curved away from the surface of the structure to compensate for contoured surfaces and inspection around holes and edges. The axial braking system, in coordination with a motion control system moving the probe, fixes the positions of the sled appendages just before the probe travels over a hole or off an edge of the structure to prevent the probe from falling through the hole or off an edge and to permit the probe to return to the surface of the structure to continue inspection of the structure.

US Patent:

7628075, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

Jun 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/759105

Inventors:

James C. Kennedy - Kent WA, US
Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US
Jeffry J. Garvey - DeMotte IN, US
Mark L. Little - Auburn WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/24
G01N 29/28

US Classification:

73628, 73644

Abstract:

Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a probe having two ultrasonic transducer arrays. This enables simultaneous testing using two different test frequencies. The probe uses pulse echo ultrasonic signals at different frequencies to inspect the structure. The probe includes a support body having a fluid conduit formed therein. The fluid conduit provides flow paths for a couplant (such as water) that is used to couple the ultrasonic signals between the structure under test and the arrays. The fluid conduit is configured to quickly eject couplant and bubbles contained in the couplant.

US Patent:

7640810, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Jul 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/178584

Inventors:

James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Mark L. Little - Auburn WA, US
Clyde T. Uyehara - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/265

US Classification:

73634, 73602

Abstract:

Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a pedestal robot mounted on a rail system, a probe extension coupler, and an inspection probe capable of performing pulse echo ultrasonic inspection. A probe may also include sled appendages and an axial braking system to inspect over holes and off edges. A probe may also include an ultrasonic pulse echo transducer array for high rate inspection; the transducer array may be mounted in a bubbler shoe for individually coupling each of the transducers in the array. A rail system may also include an optical encoder for providing location information for the robot and axial braking system. A probe extension coupler presses the inspection probe against the structure for adjusting to changes in surface contours.

US Patent:

7640811, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Nov 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/263566

Inventors:

James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Mark L. Little - Auburn WA, US
Clyde T. Uyehara - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/265
G01N 29/06

US Classification:

73634, 73602

Abstract:

Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a pedestal robot mounted on a rail system, a probe extension coupler, and an inspection probe capable of performing pulse echo ultrasonic inspection. A probe may also include sled appendages and an axial braking system to inspect over holes and off edges. A probe may also include an ultrasonic pulse echo transducer array for high rate inspection; the transducer array may be mounted in a bubbler shoe for individually coupling each of the transducers in the array. A rail system may also include an optical encoder for providing location information for the robot and axial braking system. A probe extension coupler presses the inspection probe against the structure for adjusting to changes in surface contours.

US Patent:

20140005840, Jan 2, 2014

Filed:

Jun 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/534014

Inventors:

William P. Motzer - Seattle WA, US
James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Michael C. Hutchinson - Kent WA, US
Martin L. Freet - Federal Way WA, US
Ronald E. VonWahlde - Puyallup WA, US
Steven Ray Walton - Wilkeson WA, US
Jeffry J. Garvey - Burien WA, US
Scott W. Lea - Renton WA, US
James J. Troy - Issaquah WA, US
Daniel James Wright - Mercer Island WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Kent WA, US
Michael Joseph Duncan - Lake Tapps WA, US
Mark L. Little - Auburn WA, US
William Joseph Tapia - Kapowsin WA, US
Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Seal Beach CA

International Classification:

G05D 7/00
G06F 1/26
G01N 29/04

US Classification:

700282, 73618, 700286

Abstract:

A system and method that allow inspection of hollow structures made of composite material, such as an integrally stiffened wing box of an aircraft. A wing box comprises top and bottom skins connected by a plurality of spaced spars. The system employs a plurality of scanners for inspecting different portions of each spar. The system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to connect an external drive tractor to computer-controlled scanners that carry respective sensors, e.g., linear ultrasonic transducer arrays. A system operator can control the various components by means of a graphical user interface comprising multiple interaction regions that represent the individual scanner motion paths and are associated with respective motion script files.

US Patent:

20230054446, Feb 23, 2023

Filed:

Oct 4, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/937997

Inventors:

- Beaverton OR, US
Ted N. Myerson - New York NY, US
Mark Little - Matthews NC, US
Steven Mason - Las Vegas NV, US
Samantha LaFever - Greeley CO, US
Howard Kaushansky - Kaushansky CO, US

International Classification:

G06F 21/62
H04L 9/40

Abstract:

Various systems, computer-readable media, and computer-implemented methods of providing improved data privacy, anonymity and security by enabling subjects to which data pertains to remain “dynamically anonymous,” i.e., anonymous for as long as is desired—and to the extent that is desired—are disclosed herein. Embodiments include systems that create, access, use, store and/or erase data with increased privacy, anonymity, and security—thereby facilitating the availability of more qualified and accurate information. When personal data is authorized by data subjects to be shared with third parties, embodiments described herein may facilitate the sharing of information in a dynamically-controlled manner that also enables the delivery of temporally-, geographically-, and/or purpose-limited information to the receiving party. In one example, the disclosed techniques may be used to functionally separate geospatial information, such that it remains “dynamically anonymous,” i.e., anonymous for as long as is desired—and to the extent or degree that is desired.

US Patent:

20170361691, Dec 21, 2017

Filed:

Jun 15, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/183550

Inventors:

Steve Fuller - Kent WA, US
Mark Little - Renton WA, US
Richard Kaye - Auburn WA, US

International Classification:

B60J 7/14
B60J 7/19

Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to a cover for protecting the contents of the bed of a pickup truck. In some examples, the cover is designed for use in any standard pickup truck without the need for after-market modifications to the truck. In some examples, the truck bed cover comprises a panel system that is easily installed using the existing stake holes of the truck. In some further examples, the cover includes ability to convert the panels to sidewalls to protect taller cargo. In still further examples, the cover includes retaining cables, support bars, moisture protection, and a locking mechanism.