Superconducting crawler system for a production line

US7461711B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Kevin E. McCrary · Port Orchard, US
• Arthur C. Day · Renton, US
• John Edwards · Kent, US
• Richard A. Hawkins · Puyallup, US
• Mark David Higgins · Woodinville, US
• Philip Edward Johnson · Apple Valley, US
• John A. Mittleider · Kent, US
• James R. Schindler · Lynnwood, US
• Michael Strasik · Renton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 24, 2004
• Grant date: Dec 9, 2008
• Expiry date: Jul 14, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49829
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An equipment-carrying crawler (20) includes a rolling track (44) and a structural support (70). The structural support (70) supports equipment (16). Lifting magnets (72) are coupled to the rolling track (44) and to the structural support (70). The lifting magnets (72) are configured to oppose each other, lift the structural support (70), and aid in the translation of the rolling track (44).