One up assembly aircraft panel drilling system
US11370036B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/45064
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An end effector provides one up assembly drilling through mated components, including a panel, by preloading the components. The end effector includes a drill and clamp dispenser for temporarily inserting and removing expansible single-sided clamps at various pre-drilled locations in the panel. In one method, pilot holes are first pre-drilled into mated components, for example an aircraft wing panel and a wing rib or spar; an initial pilot hole location is identified, and an expansible clamp is inserted into a pilot hole adjacent a desired initial fastener hole location. The clamp is torqued, causing its expansion for preloading the wing panel and rib and/or spar components under a predetermined load. The fastener hole is then drilled, the end effector untorques and removes the clamp and identifies a second (and/or next) pilot hole location, and the process is replicated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.