Apparatus, system, and method for supporting a wing assembly
First Claim
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1. A method for supporting a structure, the method comprising:
- connecting a load-balancing structure to;
a first support comprising first rails aligned vertically along a z-axis;
a second support comprising second rails aligned vertically along the z-axis; and
to a connecting device located between the first support and the second support;
positioning, via using a first movement system, the first support and the second support relative to a work surface;
moving, using a second movement system comprising the first rails and the second rails, the load-balancing structure and positioning the load-balancing structure relative to the structure via moving a connecting device connected to the first rails and connected to the load-balancing structure;
moving, using a third movement system, an element associated with the connecting device and the load-balancing structure and positioning the element relative to a location on the structure, the element being configured to move, relative to the load-balancing structure, in any of;
an x axis, a y axis, and the z axis, and to rotate about the z axis, such that the z axis aligns substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the work surface;
supporting the structure via connecting a detachable fitting into the element and to a control point of the structure; and
distributing loads along the load-balancing structure to the first support and to the second support.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for supporting a structure. The apparatus may comprise a support, a load-balancing structure associated with the support, and a set of connection devices associated with the load-balancing structure. The set of connection devices may be configured to connect to the structure to form a set of control points. Each of the set of connection devices may be configured to independently control a location of a corresponding control point in the set of control points.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for supporting a structure, the method comprising:
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connecting a load-balancing structure to; a first support comprising first rails aligned vertically along a z-axis; a second support comprising second rails aligned vertically along the z-axis; and to a connecting device located between the first support and the second support; positioning, via using a first movement system, the first support and the second support relative to a work surface; moving, using a second movement system comprising the first rails and the second rails, the load-balancing structure and positioning the load-balancing structure relative to the structure via moving a connecting device connected to the first rails and connected to the load-balancing structure; moving, using a third movement system, an element associated with the connecting device and the load-balancing structure and positioning the element relative to a location on the structure, the element being configured to move, relative to the load-balancing structure, in any of;
an x axis, a y axis, and the z axis, and to rotate about the z axis, such that the z axis aligns substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the work surface;supporting the structure via connecting a detachable fitting into the element and to a control point of the structure; and distributing loads along the load-balancing structure to the first support and to the second support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for supporting a structure, the method comprising:
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a base comprising; a first movement system for moving the base about on a work surface; and a vertical support member comprising a vertical rail system aligned with a z-axis; associating a load-balancing structure with the support member; positioning, to a first level of precision, the base relative to the structure; positioning, to a second level of precision, a connection device associated with a center of the load-balancing structure, relative to the support via moving, using a second movement system comprising the vertical rail system, the load-balancing structure; connecting a fitting, configured to connect to an element of the connection device, to the connection device; and moving the element of the connection device relative to the load-balancing structure to position, to a third level of precision, the element at a location on the structure, via moving, using a third movement system, the element of the connection device relative to the load-balancing structure, the third level of precision being more precise than either the first level of precision or the second level of precision, and the element being configured to move, relative to the load-balancing structure, in any of;
an x-axis, a y-axis, and the z-axis, and to rotate about the z-axis, such that the z-axis aligns substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the work surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification