Process for repairing a structure

• US 20020166220A1
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Airlines, Inc. (United Airlines Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Air Lines Incorporated (United Airlines Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dailidonis, John R., Imundo, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US09/853,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20020166220A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/402.09
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 6/00 Restoring or reconditioning objects straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/40 Maintaining or repairing aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49732 by attaching repair preform, e.g., remaking, restoring, or patching

Abstract

A method for repairing structures uses an accurate measurement of the part to be repaired and the structure into which it fits. The method allows for a digital measurement of features of the part and the structure, and eliminates tedious and inaccurate hand-measurement methods previously used. The method is primarily applicable to one-of a-kind parts requiring exact measurements, because of the unique shape that a part may assume when it is subject to stress and strain over time and many cycles of use.

Claims

1. A method for repairing a portion of a structure, comprising:

orienting a multi-axis digital measuring device;

measuring at least a portion of the structure with the device;

saving data generated in measuring the structure; and

using said data to automatically manufacture a repair part.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding additional data for use in automatically manufacturing the repair part.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising planning a process to manufacture the repair part.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing the repair part.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising orienting the device with respect to the structure via an orienting feature selected from the group consisting of plumb lines, orientation holes, a feature of the structure and a feature of the portion.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting a mounting bracket for the multi-axis device on the structure.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically manufacturing comprises a multi-step process for material removal and material shaping.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring the repair part from a first workstation to a second workstation.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising translating the data from a first format to a second format.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a data manipulation step selected from the group consisting of exporting data, importing data, verifying data, and transferring data.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting a laser-scanning device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adding additional data for use in automatically manufacturing the sheetmetal repair part.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising planning a process to manufacture the repair part.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising installing the repair part.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising orienting the device with respect to the structure via an orienting feature selected from the group consisting of plumb lines, orientation holes, a feature of the structure and a feature of the portion.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising mounting a mounting bracket for the multi-axis device on the structure.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein automatically manufacturing comprises a multi-step process for material removal and material shaping.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising transferring the sheetmetal repair part from a first workstation to a second workstation.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising a data manipulation step selected from the group consisting of exporting data, importing data, verifying data, and transferring data.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising translating the data from a first format to a second format.

22. The method of claim 12, further comprising mounting a laser-scanning device.

12. A method for repairing a sheetmetal portion of a structure, comprising:

orienting a multi-axis digital measuring device;

measuring at least a portion of the structure with the device;

saving data generated in measuring the structure; and

using said data to automatically manufacture a sheetmetal repair part.