Systems and methods for assembling containerized aircraft

US11807397B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Joseph D. Anderson · Union City, US
• Don Russell · Arlington, US
• Matthew B. Moore · Salem, US
• Jason Warner · Granite Falls, US
• David Jon Herman · Monroe, US
• Patrick B. Stone · Monroe, US
• Michael Collier · Portland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 19, 2022
• Grant date: Nov 7, 2023
• Expiry date: Apr 19, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C2211/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods and systems for assembling containerized aircraft as complete aircraft. The methods comprise removing aircraft components from shipping container(s), unloading the aircraft components from shipping fixture(s), removing tooling comprising aircraft component positioning structure(s) from the shipping container(s), loading aircraft component(s) onto aircraft component positioning structure(s), positioning the aircraft components in aircraft component installation positions, positioning the aircraft component(s) using the aircraft component positioning structure(s), and attaching the aircraft components to assemble the complete aircraft. The systems comprise aircraft components configured to be loaded into shipping container(s) in a shipping arrangement, unloaded from the shipping arrangement and attached to at least one other aircraft component to assemble the complete aircraft; shipping fixture(s) configured to support the aircraft components in the shipping arrangement, and tooling configured to facilitate assembly of the aircraft components and comprising aircraft component positioning structure(s) configured to position aircraft component(s) in aircraft component installat…