Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for manufacturing a tubular structure

US9957031B2 · kind B2 · utility

108Cited by
44References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 31, 2015
Grant dateMay 1, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/40
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system and method determine a size and a shape for identical geodesic modules that are used to form a structure. The system and method may include analyzing input data regarding a size and a shape of the structure to be formed, and determining the size and the shape for each of the identical geodesic modules based on the size and the shape of the structure to be formed. The structure may include a framework including the identical geodesic modules. Each of the geodesic modules has a size and a shape that are the same as all of the other of the geodesic modules. A forming system and method position a framework and a covering skin of the structure in relation to a mandrel, and drill and rivet the framework to the covering skin with a plurality of operating heads.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.