Robot for clamping onto upright frame members
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a frame having spaced apart first and second frame members; and
a robot including an end effector and a plurality of arms extending from the end effector, the plurality of arms configured to clamp onto, and propel on, the first and second frame members to position the end effector between the first and second frame members, wherein the end effector is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, in the first orientation, the plurality of arms are clamped onto, and configured to propel on, the first and the second frame members such that the end effector is in position between the first and the second frame members for longitudinal splicing, and wherein, in the second orientation, the plurality of arms are clamped onto, and configured to propel on, the first and the second frame members such that, during circumferential splicing, the end effector is capable of being propelled circumferentially via the plurality of arms propelling circumferentially on the first and the second frame members.
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Abstract
A system includes a frame having spaced apart first and second upright members, and a robot including an end effector and a plurality of arms. The arms extend from the end effector and clamp onto the first and second frame members to position the end effector between the first and second frame members.
16 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a frame having spaced apart first and second frame members; and a robot including an end effector and a plurality of arms extending from the end effector, the plurality of arms configured to clamp onto, and propel on, the first and second frame members to position the end effector between the first and second frame members, wherein the end effector is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, in the first orientation, the plurality of arms are clamped onto, and configured to propel on, the first and the second frame members such that the end effector is in position between the first and the second frame members for longitudinal splicing, and wherein, in the second orientation, the plurality of arms are clamped onto, and configured to propel on, the first and the second frame members such that, during circumferential splicing, the end effector is capable of being propelled circumferentially via the plurality of arms propelling circumferentially on the first and the second frame members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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an aircraft fuselage including skin panels and a plurality of hoop frame members; and a robot including an end effector and a plurality of arms extending from the end effector, the arms terminating in clamps for clamping onto, and for propelling on, two of the frame members;
the end effector including a tool set for performing a splicing operation and means for positioning the tool set, wherein the splicing operation is one of longitudinal splicing along the aircraft fuselage and circumferential splicing wherein the end effector is circumferentially drivable via circumferential propelling of the clamps on the hoop frame members.
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19. A system comprising:
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a frame having spaced apart first and second frame members; a robot including an end effector and a plurality of arms extending from the end effector, the end effector including a tool and a mechanism for positioning the tool at target locations between the frame members, the end effector including an elongated plate that spans at least two frame members, the tool movable along the plate, the plurality of arms configured to clamp onto the first and second frame members to position the end effector between the first and second frame members, wherein the end effector is rotatable between a first orientation between the first frame member and the second frame member for longitudinal splicing and a second orientation for circumferential splicing, wherein, in the second orientation, the end effector is circumferentially drivable along the frame members, and wherein the robot includes force sensors for sensing movement along the frame members; and a cart including a controller, responsive to the force sensors, for causing the cart to follow the robot.
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Specification