Adjustable system and method for supporting and joining structural members

• US 20040093731A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sarh, Branko
• Granted Patent: US 7,076,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/897.3
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/10 Riveting machines electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/142 Aerospace structures
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/04 for assembling or disassembling parts
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/01 Aircraft parts
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/012 Portals
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/30 controlled in conjunction with the feed mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/58 a single sliding pair
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 11/005 Vacuum work holders
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/10 Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49623 Static structure, e.g., a building component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49943 Riveting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49956 Riveting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53065 with means to fasten by deformation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53422 by deforming

Abstract

An apparatus and associated method for joining structural members are provided. The apparatus includes a support structure of extendable members, each with an adjustable support surface for engaging the structural members so that structural members of different sizes and shapes can be accommodated. Gantries, which are longitudinally adjustable, support a joining device having co-operable heads that engage the structural members. The heads are adjustable in a transverse direction along the gantries so that the heads can be configured in an opposing configuration and used to join the structural members therebetween.

Claims

1. An apparatus for joining at least one structural member, the apparatus comprising:

a support structure for supporting the at least one structural member, the support structure comprising a plurality of extendable members, each extendable member having a support surface for engaging the at least one structural member;

at least one gantry having first and second support beams, extending proximate to said support structure and adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus such that said second support beam is adjustable through a range of motion that intersects said extendable members in an extended position;

a joining device having first and second co-operable heads, said first head connected to said first support beam and said second head connected to said second support beam; and

a guide connected to at least one of said heads of said joining device, said guide extending from the respective head and configured to engage at least one of the structural members and align the structural members,

wherein said first and second heads of said joining device are adjustable in a transverse direction along said gantry and configurable in an opposing configuration with the at least one structural member therebetween, said heads being adapted for cooperably joining the at least one structural member.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said extendable members include suction cups for engaging the at least one structural member.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a source of pressurized gas in fluid communication with said extendable members, said extendable members being configured to direct a flow of the pressurized gas toward the at least one structural member and thereby decrease a frictional force between the at least one structural member and said extendable members.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a vacuum device in fluid communication with said extendable members, said extendable members being configured to evacuate air from between the extendable members and the at least one structural member and thereby increase a friction force therebetween.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said extendable members is transversely adjustable and includes a rigid stop for engaging the at least one structural member in a desired configuration.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second heads is configured to be extended toward the at least one structural member such that the heads engage the at least one structural member at opposing positions.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said joining device comprises a rivet installation device for positioning rivets in rivet apertures defined by the at least one structural member and upsetting the rivets to join the at least one structural member.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said joining device further comprises a drill for forming the rivet apertures in the at least one structural member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second heads of said joining device is configured to rotate relative to said gantry.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second heads includes a detection device for locating a portion of the at least one structural member.

11. An apparatus for joining at least one structural member, the apparatus comprising:

a support structure for supporting the at least one structural member, the support structure comprising a plurality of extendable members, each extendable member having a support surface for engaging the at least one structural member;

at least one gantry having first and second support beams, extending proximate to said support structure and adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus; and

a joining device having first and second co-operable heads, said first head connected to said first support beam and said second head connected to said second support beam,

wherein said first and second heads of said joining device are adjustable in a transverse direction along said gantry, at least one of said heads being configured to extend toward the at least one structural member, and at least one of said heads being configured to rotate relative to said gantry such that the heads can be configured to engage the at least one structural member at opposing positions and cooperably join the at least one structural member therebetween.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said extendable members include suction cups for engaging the at least one structural member.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a source of pressurized gas in fluid communication with said extendable members, said extendable members being configured to direct a flow of the pressurized gas toward the at least one structural member and thereby decrease a friction force between the at least one structural member and said extendable members.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a vacuum device in fluid communication with said extendable members, said extendable members being configured to evacuate air from between the extendable members and the at least one structural member and thereby increase a friction force therebetween.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said extendable members is transversely adjustable and includes a rigid stop for engaging the at least one structural member in a desired configuration.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of said first and second heads is configured to be extended toward the at least one structural member.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said joining device comprises a rivet installation device for positioning rivets in rivet apertures defined by the at least one structural member and upsetting the rivets to join the at least one structural member.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said joining device further comprises a drill for forming the rivet apertures in the at least one structural member.

19. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said first and second heads includes a detection device for locating a portion of the at least one structural member.

20. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a guide connected to at least one of said first and second heads, said guide extending from the respective head in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and configured to engage at least one of the structural members and align the structural members.

21. A method of joining at least one structural member in a desired configuration, the method comprising:

extendably adjusting a plurality of extendable members such that a support surface of each extendable member corresponds to and supports the at least one structural member;

adjusting a gantry in a longitudinal direction of the at least one structural member such that first and second beams of the gantry are disposed in an opposing configuration with the at least one structural member therebetween;

adjusting a first joining head in a transverse direction along the first beam and a second joining head in a transverse direction along the second beam;

extending at least one of the heads toward the at least one structural member to engage the at least one structural member between the heads; and

actuating at least one of the heads to join the at least one structural member.

22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising directing a flow of gas from the extendable members toward the at least one structural member to decrease a friction force between the extendable members and the at least one structural member and thereby facilitating an adjustment of the at least one structural member relative to the extendable members.

23. A method according to claim 21 further comprising engaging the extendable members with the at least one structural member and evacuating a gas from therebetween to thereby increase a friction force therebetween.

24. A method according to claim 21 further comprising extending each of the first and second heads toward the at least one structural member such that the heads engage the at least one structural member at opposing positions.

25. A method according to claim 21 wherein said actuating step comprises positioning a rivet in a rivet aperture defined by the at least one structural member and upsetting the rivet.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said actuating step further comprises using at least one of the heads to drill the rivet aperture in the at least one structural member.

27. A method according to claim 21 further comprising rotating at least one of the first and second heads relative to the gantry to engage the at least one structural member between the heads.

28. A method according to claim 21 further comprising using a detection device to locate a portion of the at least one structural member.

29. A method according to claim 21 further comprising sequentially retracting the extendable members and adjusting the gantry such that the second beam is adjusted through a range of motion that intersects the extendable members in an extended position.

30. A method according to claim 21 further comprising engaging a guide to at least one of the structural members and adjusting the guide to align the structural members.

31. A method according to claim 21 further comprising:

forming a plurality of pads extending from a first structural member;

forming a plurality of elongate pockets in a second structural member to correspond with the pads of the first structural member, the elongate pockets being elongate relative to the pads of the first structural member in a longitudinal direction of the structural members such that the elongate pockets provide a longitudinal range of alignment with the pads; and

positioning the second structural member relative to the first structural member such that the elongate pockets of the second structural member correspond to respective pads of the first structural member.