Tool designer Aaron Pedersen noticed a recurring safety concern with a ventilation tool used in confined spaces and developed a fix that became Boeing South Carolina’s 1,000th U.S. patent.
An inspired invention: Pedersen prototyped a unique airtight coupler that would prevent ventilation hose air supply from failing. He tested and refined his concept using computer-aided models, rapid prototyping and 3D printing, evolving the design until it met ergonomic, pressure and durability needs.
The coupler, which is now being used in the 787 Dreamliner program’s Final Assembly factory and is compatible with any supplied-air handler system, eliminates taped‑up workarounds, streamlines line moves and reduces clean‑up and rework. Most critically, it reduces the chance that the ventilation hose could fail.
- “I want everyone, including the next generation and my children, to come home the same way they came in,” said Pedersen, whose two sons also work at Boeing South Carolina (BSC). “When it comes to innovation, I feel like an idea not shared could be a missed opportunity.”
A culture of innovation: Since 2009, nearly 6,000 BSC teammates have submitted more than 3,100 unique invention disclosures, leading the enterprise on a per-capita basis. Additionally, more than 1,600 BSC teammates have secured U.S. patents for Boeing over that time, many of which were the result of multiple teammates working together.
Pedersen credits the collaborative and supportive innovation culture at BSC for nurturing his design inspiration and expertise. He said support from his mentor Andrew Ponton and Boeing Technical Fellow Li Chang were key factors in turning his ideas into reality, reflecting the site’s commitment to empowering teammates to innovate and solve real-world challenges.
- “This patent highlights how a shop‑floor issue, tackled with rapid iteration and practical design, can become a manufacturable, unique invention that spreads meaningful safety and productivity gains,” said Chang. “BSC’s culture of innovation empowers teammates to think creatively, collaborate, and protect their ideas.”