Method of operating a production line

US7992278B2 · 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: Oct 24, 2008
• Grant date: Aug 9, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 13, 2030

Classification

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

Abstract

A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.