Systems and methods for positioning aircraft engine components

US11530623B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Robert Steven Wright · Spring, US
• James Tane Iwamoto · Renton, US
• Jack W. Mauldin · Mill Creek, US
• August West McKenna · Everett, US
• Richard Kevin Wilson · Sunbury, US
• Bruce Allen Biskup · Bothell, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 11, 2019
• Grant date: Dec 20, 2022
• Expiry date: Apr 11, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2230/68
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Positioning system and method for positioning engine components on an aircraft, the system including a moveable support for the engine component, a laser assembly, and a system controller. First and second lasers of the laser assembly align their respective beams with an engine target position on the aircraft and provide an indication of a first angle of the first laser beam to a reference line, and an indication of a second angle of the second laser beam to the reference line; and the system controller is configured to rotate the moveable support to rotationally position the engine component, determine the vertical distance between the engine component and the target position based at least in part on the first and second angles, and to control a lift mechanism to reduce the vertical distance between the engine component and the engine.