The Boeing Company patent applications published on November 30th, 2023

Summary of the patent applications from The Boeing Company on November 30th, 2023

The Boeing Company has recently filed several patents related to various aspects of aircraft technology and manufacturing processes. These patents cover a range of innovations, including data analysis for identifying potential issues in aircraft components, rerouting systems for aircraft, activity logging and classification systems for vehicles, fabrication methods for shaping workpieces, sol-gel films and substrates, adjustable support links for aircraft, header assemblies for aircraft cabins, flaperon actuation systems, printing beds for 3D printers, and bond primer compositions for aerospace parts.

Notable applications include:

• A method and system for analyzing data from aircraft components to identify potential issues before they occur. This involves dividing the data into subsets, calculating Mutual Information values, constructing relationship graphs, and analyzing the time-ordered sequence of clustered relationship graphs to identify potential problems.

• A system for rerouting aircraft based on various factors such as current and predicted positions of the aircraft, in-flight hazards, and the flight paths of other aircraft within the airspace. Reroute options are generated by a rerouting control unit and may be based on fuel or weight considerations.

• A system that connects with a vehicle's onboard system to collect an activity log and classify episodes of activity based on log messages.

• A method for fabricating a finished workpiece with a shaped portion using superplastic formation diffusion bonding and cold spray additive manufacturing. This involves using a mold, cold spraying an additive material, and performing superplastic forming to achieve the desired shape.

• Sol-gel films and substrates with low water content for coating vehicle components.

• Adjustable support links for aircraft that include rod ends, a barrel nut, and a channel for adjusting the distance between the rod ends.

• A header assembly for aircraft cabins that includes movable panels made from an opaque material to create an enclosed space and provide privacy.

• Flaperon actuation systems for aircraft that allow for movement along multiple degrees of freedom.

• A printing bed for 3D printers that includes a support structure to prevent collapse or distortion of overhanging parts of printed objects.

• A method for applying a bond primer composition to a metal surface of an aerospace part, involving the application of multiple layers and the use of a foam applicator.

Overall, these patents demonstrate Boeing's ongoing commitment to innovation in aircraft technology, manufacturing processes, and passenger comfort.