• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY OF AIRCRAFT SPRAYERS ON PANELS. The present invention relates to a factory for assembling airplane fuselages comprising a plurality of movable easels. Each easel is configured to support a fuselage keel structure and to mount a paneled fuselage in a single vertical construction position.
    公开号:BR102012031757B1
    申请号:R102012031757-5
    申请日:2012-12-13
    公开日:2021-01-12
    发明作者:Harinder S. Oberol；Blair P. Nelson；Alan S. Draper；Charles Y. Hu；Randall Matthewson；Branko Sarh
    申请人:The Boeing Company；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] [0001] The present invention relates to a commercial airplane fuselage which may have a paneled construction. For example, a paneled fuselage may include fuselage panels, such as the crown, side and keel panels attached to a frame. The crown panel is basically subjected to a stress load, the side panels are subjected on a large scale to a pressure and shear load redistribution around the windows and doors, and the keel is mainly subjected to a load and compression redistribution axial from a keel beam.
    [0002] [0002] Factories for mounting fuselages on panels of large commercial aircraft may include large floor spaces with mounting frames and trims attached to the ground. These frames and trims are used to mount the various panels in the fuselages.
    [0003] [0003] The assembly of fuselages on panels of large commercial aircraft is very intense work. Due to the great dependence on manual labor, production rates are subject to constant change. Changes in production rates can increase production times.
    [0004] [0004] It would be desirable to create a more stable environment for assembling the fuselages of large commercial aircraft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0005] [0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a factory for assembling airplane fuselages comprises a plurality of movable easels. Each easel is configured to support a fuselage keel structure and to mount a paneled fuselage in a single vertical construction position.
    [0006] [0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of assembling a plurality of airplane fuselages comprises moving the movable easels to different locations on an assembly floor, and using the easels to assemble the fuselages in panels upwards without changing the fuselage orientations.
    [0007] [0007] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of assembling an airplane fuselage on panels comprises loading a keel structure on an easel, attaching props to a floor grid, positioning the grid of the floor and the struts on the keel structure and the attachment of the struts to the keel structure, and the location of the lower panels on the floor grid. The easel, the floor grid, and the keel structure are used to support the bottom panels.
    [0008] [0008] One aspect of the present invention relates to a factory for assembling airplane fuselages. The factory includes a plurality of movable easels, each easel being configured to support a fuselage keel structure and mount a fuselage on panels in a single vertical construction position.
    [0009] [0009] In one example, the factory also includes an assembly floor that accommodates a plurality of assembly cells, none of the cells having assembly frames or trims attached to the floor.
    [0010] [00010] In a variant, the factory also includes a gantry for moving fuselage panels and other structures across the floor for selected cells.
    [0011] [00011] In an alternative, the factory also includes a plurality of robots for carrying out fuselage fixation operations, the robots being mobile for the selected cells.
    [0012] [00012] In another example from the factory, robots are programmed to use fuselage accessories in order to establish individual frames of reference, and perform subsequent movements and robotic operations in relation to these frames of reference.
    [0013] [00013] In another variant of the factory, the easels and robots are moved using automated guide vehicles.
    [0014] [00014] In another factory alternative, each robot includes a terminal operator for carrying out fuselage fixation operations, a positioning system for positioning the terminal operator, and a controller programmed to control the positioning system in the direction of move the terminal operator through a sequence of fastening locations and control the terminal operator in order to perform the fastening operations at those locations in the sequence.
    [0015] [00015] In yet another example from the factory, the robots include tall robots for making longitudinal splices and circumferential splices on the upper portions of the fuselage, and low robots for making circumferential splices on the lower portions of the fuselage.
    [0016] [00016] In yet another variant, the factory also includes a gantry for moving fuselage panels and other structures through the factory for the selected easels.
    [0017] [00017] In yet another alternative, the factory also includes a means for controlling the placement, sequencing, and operation of the easels, the gantry, and the robots.
    [0018] [00018] In yet another example of the factory, the placement, sequencing and operation includes the use of a set of robots in order to perform clamping operations in a first cell, and then move the set to a second cell after fixing operations on the first cell have been completed.
    [0019] [00019] In yet another variant of the factory, a means is programmed to control the gantry, the easels, and the robots in order to: load a keel structure on one of the easels; loading a floor grid on the keel structure, the floor grid having struts that are positioned on the keel structure; and positioning lower panels on the floor grid and, at the same time, using one of the easels, the floor grid, and the keel structure to support the lower panels.
    [0020] [00020] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of assembling a plurality of airplane fuselages. The method includes moving the movable easels to different locations on an assembly floor and using the easels to mount the fuselages on panels in an upward direction without changing the fuselage orientations.
    [0021] [00021] In an example of the method, mounting each fuselage on panels includes: loading a keel structure on a selected easel; the use of DA mounting holes in order to nail struts to a floor grid; the positioning of the floor grid and the struts on the keel structure and the use of the DA mounting holes in order to nail the struts to the keel structure; and the use of the DA mounting holes for nailing the lower panels over the floor grid, and also the use of the easel, the floor grid, and the keel structure to support the lower panels.
    [0022] [00022] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of mounting an airplane fuselage on panels. The method includes: loading a keel structure on an easel; the attachment of props to a floor grid; the positioning of the floor grid and the struts on the keel structure, and the fixation of the struts on the keel structure; and the location of the lower panels on the floor grid and, also, the use of the easel, the floor grid, and the keel structure in order to support the lower panels.
    [0023] [00023] In one example, the method also includes separating the lower panels with a spacer bar, loading the upper panels on the spacer bar, and mounting the upper panels on the lower panels.
    [0024] [00024] In another example of the method, determinant mounting holes (DA) are used to locate the struts on the floor grid and keel structure. The DA mounting holes are also used to locate the lower panels on the floor grid and to locate the upper panels with respect to the lower panels.
    [0025] [00025] In another variant of the method, when the DA mounting holes are aligned, the floor grid is nailed to the keel structure, the bottom panels are nailed to the floor grid and reinforced by the floor grid, and the upper panels they are nailed to the bottom panels in order to obtain a complete profile of a fuselage section before the amendments are made.
    [0026] [00026] In another alternative of the method, the placement is done manually.
    [0027] [00027] In yet another example of the method, all DA mounting location holes are internal on the fuselage structure.
    [0028] [00028] The terms "example", "variant", and "alternative" used above must be understood as similar or substitutable with each other.
    [0029] [00029] These resources and functions can be obtained independently in several modalities or can be combined in other modalities. Further details of the modalities can be observed with reference to the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0030] [00030] Figure 1 is an illustration of a factory for assembling airplane fuselages.
    [0031] [00031] Figures 2A to 2T are illustrations of an example of assembling a plurality of fuselages.
    [0032] [00032] Figure 3 is an illustration of a robot for carrying out fuselage fastening operations.
    [0033] [00033] Figure 4 is an illustration of a simple clamping operation.
    [0034] [00034] Figure 5 is an illustration of a method of making a vertical fuselage construction.
    [0035] [00035] Figures 6A to 6E are illustrations of a fuselage during the various phases of a vertical construction process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [0036] [00036] Reference is made to Figure 1, which illustrates an automated factory 110 for assembling airplane fuselages. Factory 110 includes an assembly floor 120. For example, floor 120 may include one or more thick concrete slabs with an appropriate supporting capacity. The slabs can be relatively flat and smooth. Unlike a conventional assembly plant, factory 110 does not have a fuselage assembly frame and linings attached to the 120th floor.
    [0037] [00037] In some embodiments, the mounting floor 120 is large enough to accommodate multiple mounting areas or mounting cells. Within each mounting cell, a fuselage can be mounted. Multiple mounting cells allow multiple fuselages to be assembled at the same time.
    [0038] [00038] Factory 110 further includes a plurality of movable easels 130. Each easel 130 is configured to support a fuselage keel structure and to mount a fuselage on panels in a single vertical construction position. A single vertical construction position for a paneled fuselage refers to a process that starts with a keel structure and adds panels vertically without changing the orientation of the fuselage.
    [0039] [00039] In some embodiments, each trestle 130 can be moved through the assembly floor 120 by means of an automatically guided vehicle (AGV). In other embodiments, each trestle 130 can be moved across the floor 120 by means of a crane or forklift.
    [0040] [00040] Factory 110 also includes a gantry 140 for moving fuselage panels and other structures across the floor 120 for selected assembly cells. For example, gantry 140 may include cranes to lift the fuselage panels or floor rails in a first location, and place the floor panels or rails on the easels 130 of the selected assembly cells.
    [0041] [00041] Factory 110 also includes a plurality of robots 150 for carrying out fuselage fastening operations. Examples of fuselage fastening operations include, but are not limited to, perforation, fastener insertion, and fastener termination.
    [0042] [00042] The robots 150 are movable in position along the trestles 130 in the selected cells. Consider an example in which a first and second easels 130 are in service for the assembly of the first and second fuselages. Some robots 150 among the plurality move through the floor 120 to position along the first trestle, while other robots 150 of the plurality move through the floor 120 to position along the second trestle 130. Other robots 150 can still be in other locations on the assembly floor 120. Other robots can still be located in a storage or maintenance warehouse.
    [0043] [00043] In some modalities, each robot 150 can move through the floor 120 by means of an automatically guided vehicle (AGV). In other embodiments, each robot 150 can move through the floor 120 by means of a combination of AGV vehicle and manually assisted vehicles (for example, a crane, a forklift). Both the AGV vehicle and the manually assisted vehicles can be used to move robots 150 across the floor 120 to the selected cell. (During operation, the AGV vehicle is used to move robots 150 along the length and circumference of a fuselage in order to complete the drilling and fastening tasks in the multiple zones.)
    [0044] [00044] Some modalities of factory 110 may also include a control center 160 for the control of placement, sequencing, and operation of trestles 130, gantry 140, and robots 150. Control center 160 may include a computer system and can be placed on the mounting floor 120 with high visibility for the operating personnel and the camera systems visually observe the assembly operations. Easels 130, gantry 140, robots 150 can communicate wirelessly with control center 160. Control center 160 can also be responsible for controlling robots 150 in order to avoid collisions and interruptions in automated manufacturing operations; to determine when a robot 150 needs to be replaced with another robot 150 from the storage or maintenance depot; and to make the repair / replacement decisions on any non-conformities that may occur during the fixing / drilling operations on the fuselages.
    [0045] [00045] In other modalities, easels 130, gantry 140 and robots 150 can be programmed with artificial intelligence, which will allow these systems to perform certain operations autonomously. The autonomous operation reduces the central control load, and distributes some of the load on the trestles 130, the gantry 140 and the robots 150.
    [0046] [00046] Figures 2A to 2T illustrate an example in which multiple fuselages are assembled by the automated factory 110. The control of the easels 130, the gantry 140 and the robots 150 can be done only by the control center 160 or by a combination of control central and autonomous control.
    [0047] [00047] Figure 2A illustrates an example of a factory 110 having a single gantry 140 and an assembly floor 120 that has six assembly cells 210, a feed line area 220, and a robot containment area 230. The cells 210 do not have any fuselage frame racks or trims attached to the 120 floor. Each cell 210 has only markings that indicate the positions of the easel, the passages of the robots, etc. Assembly floor 120 can be marked with ink, tape, RFID identification tags embedded in floor 120, laser projections, etc. As will be explained below, the markings need not be exact.
    [0048] [00048] Feeder line area 220 becomes the area in which fuselage materials are housed. It is also the area in which the built fuselages are left.
    [0049] [00049] The idle robots 150 are placed in the robot containment area 230. In this example, the robots 150 include two different types: the tall robots 150a that make longitudinal seams along the entire fuselage and circumferential seams over the upper portion of a fuselage (for example, at the top of the crown in reinforcer 0); and low robots 150b that perform circumferential splices on the lower portion of a fuselage. Each robot 150a and 150b can be moved by an AGV vehicle. An AGV vehicle can find a 210 cell based on preprogrammed trajectories and mounting floor markings.
    [0050] [00050] Figure 2A does not show any of the easels 130, nor does it show the control center160. Figure 2A shows factory 110 before assembling any fuselages. The assembly floor 120 is empty.
    [0051] [00051] Figure 2B shows the beginning of the assembly of a first fuselage. A first trestle 130 is moved (via an underlying AGV vehicle) to the feeder area 220.
    [0052] [00052] Figure 2C shows the first easel 130 after it has been moved to a first of one of the six mounting cells 210. Easel 130 can be positioned with respect to the exact markings on the floor 120 of that first mounting cell 210. In this example, the first easel 130 is moved to the bottom leftmost cell 210. However, it can be moved to any of the other five cells 210. The selection of assembly cell 210 is not random, but yes, it is based on an order of speed and activation (which determines the optional hardware that was requested by the customer). This selection controls the trajectory and synchronization of all movements by AGV vehicles in order to avoid collisions.
    [0053] [00053] When the first easel 130 moves to the selected mounting cell 210, the fuselage components can be moved to the feed line area 220. Figure 2C shows a front keel structure located in the feed line area 220. The front keel structure and subsequent components can be transferred to the feed line area 220 in large transport / shipping linings, which can be moved by means of forklifts. After the first trestle 130 is moved to the selected assembly cell 210, the AGV 135 vehicle that moved it is returned to the feed line area 220.
    [0054] [00054] Figure 2D shows the gantry 140 positioned on the front keel structure. Gantry 140 lifts the front keel structure and moves that structure along trestle 130, and rests the front keel structure on trestle 130, as shown in Figure 2E. Gantry 140 is automated until delivery of the structure to the mounting cell 210. When the keel structure is positioned along the easel 130, the gantry 130 can be controlled manually in order to lower the keel structure onto the easel 130. Gantry 140 can have a visualization system for locating the initial position of the structure on the easel 130. The gantry visualization system can also be used for collision prevention purposes.
    [0055] [00055] The exact positioning of the keel structure along the easel 130 is not a requirement. The keel structure only needs to be positioned on, and lowered to, the arms 132 of the trestle 130. The arms 132 have a profile in order to guide the keel structure to an initial position.
    [0056] [00056] Easel 130 can be divided into multiple segments 130a - 130d. In this example, the front keel structure is placed on two segments 130a and 130b, which move together in tandem in order to avoid any pre-loads on the keel structure. The easel 130 can have an x, y, and z axis positioning system (not shown) in order to refine the position of the keel structure with respect to the arms 132 (consequently, the position of the easel 130 with respect to the unmarked floor markings. must be exact).
    [0057] [00057] At the same time, an intermediate keel structure moves to the feed line area 220. After the gantry 140 lowers the front keel structure over the trestle 130, it is returned to the feed line area 220.
    [0058] [00058] Gantry 140 moves over the intermediate keel structure, as shown in Figure 2F, and then gantry 140 moves the intermediate keel structure over trestle 130. Gantry 140 then rests on intermediate keel structure on segment 130c of trestle 130, as shown in Figure 2G. The x, y, and z axis positioning system refines the position of the intermediate keel structure.
    [0059] [00059] A rear keel structure is supplied and positioned on segment 130d of trestle 130. When the rear keel structure is positioned, a floor grid moves to the feed line area 220 (Figure 2H). Gantry 140 moves the floor grid and positions it over the middle and rear keel structures, as shown in Figure 2I.
    [0060] [00060] Gantry 140 then moves the front, middle and side panels over the keel structures, as shown in Figures 2J, 2K and 2L. The side panels are attached (for example, nailed) to the keel structures.
    [0061] [00061] Gantry 140 then moves the nose, front, intermediate and rear crown panels over the side panels, as shown in Figures 2M and 2N. The crown panels are attached to the side panels.
    [0062] [00062] The indexing of the side and crown panels can be done through the use of determinant mounting holes, which are precisely drilled in the structural components, such as frames, struts, and floor beams. The use of the determinant mounting holes is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 4.
    [0063] [00063] The keel panels and structures are then fixed together. A set of four tall robots 150a is commanded to move from robot containment area 230 to the first cell 210, as shown in Figure 20. Tall robots 150a are introduced in order to perform high-range operations . The tall robots 150a then position themselves around the fuselage, as shown in Figure 2P. Robots 150a can identify the key holes in the fuselage or can identify other features. The 150a robots use these resources to establish individual frames of reference with respect to the fuselage. Subsequent movements and robotic operations are performed against these frames of reference.
    [0064] [00064] When positioned, the high robots 150a make the longitudinal splices and the upper circumferential splices (the low robots 150b will execute the other circumferential splices). During the splicing, the cladding panels are attached to the cladding panels. For longitudinal seams, an overlap joint can be used in order to secure the cladding panel to the cladding panel. Internal structures, such as reinforcers and tie rods, can be added to the joints. For circumferential splices, a juxtaposition joint can be used to secure the facing panel to the facing panel. Internal structures, such as splice sheets, tie rods, reinforcers and reinforcement splices, can also be attached together with juxtaposition joints.
    [0065] [00065] After the tall robots 150a have performed long-range operations, the low robots 150b are brought in from the robot containment area 230 (Figure 2Q) in order to perform the low access operations. The low robots 150b establish the individual frames of reference with respect to the fuselage, and perform the subsequent movements and the lower circumferential amendments with respect to these frames of reference.
    [0066] [00066] While fixing operations are performed, other fuselages can be assembled. As shown in Figure 2Q, a second easel 130 is moved to a second mounting cell 210, and the keel structures of a second fuselage are loaded onto the second easel 130.
    [0067] [00067] As shown in Figure 2R, an assembly is performed on two other fuselages. After the tall robots 150a finish their operations on the fuselage in the first cell 210, these robots 150a can be moved to the second assembly cell 210 in order to perform operations on the second fuselage. Other tall robots 150a can be moved to a third cell in order to perform operations on a third fuselage. After the low robots 150b have performed their operations on the fuselage in the first cell 210, they can be moved to the second cell 210 or back to the robot containment area 230.
    [0068] [00068] As shown in Figure 2S, additional fuselages are assembled until all six cells 210 are occupied. As shown in Figure 2T, when the assembly of a fuselage is finished, that finished fuselage is removed from the floor 120 by the easel 130. The finished fuselage can be moved to a place for cleaning, sealing and painting.
    [0069] [00069] Therefore, an automated assembly plant is presented that uses mobile easels, gantries and multiple robotic systems that work in tandem for a complete concurrent integration of multiple fuselages. Since the fuselage assembly is largely automated, reliance on manual labor is significantly reduced. Consequently, the production environment becomes more stable.
    [0070] [00070] The floor space of the assembly plant is reconfigurable. Since no gasket or mounting frame is stuck on the mounting floor, the mounting cells can be relocated, and the spacing between the cells can be changed. The reconfigurable floor space also helps with multiple production lines. When a model's supply chain becomes restricted, the floor space can be reconfigured to produce other models until the supply chain recovers.
    [0071] [00071] The assembly plant is scalable. In order to increase the production rate, or convert to a new production line, the floor space is further expanded or reconfigured. Existing robots can be used to service new cells.
    [0072] [00072] Different types of fuselages can be built in different cells at the same time. Once the robots move from one cell to another, their programming and / or terminal operators can be modified.
    [0073] [00073] In the following, reference is made to Figure 3, which illustrates an example of a robot 150. Robot 150 includes a terminal operator 310 that is configured to make fuselage splices. Terminal operator 310 can further be configured to perform operations that include, but are not limited to, inspection, application of sealants, and electromagnetic fixation.
    [0074] [00074] The robot 150 may have a positioning system 320 for the translation and orientation of the terminal operator 310. For example, the combination of an xyz shifter 322 and a spherical pulse 324 offers six degrees of freedom for positioning the terminal operator 310 with respect to the surface of a fuselage. A robotic arm 326 can allow the terminal operator 310 to reach the belly and the fuselage crown.
    [0075] [00075] The robot 150 may include an AGV 330 vehicle, which offers additional degrees of freedom. The AGV 330 vehicle moves the robot 150 through the assembly floor. The AGV 330 vehicle also positions the robot 150 along the fuselage during an operation.
    [0076] [00076] The robot 150 may include a visualization system 340 that helps in positioning. For example, robot 150 is programmed to move to a difficult position in an assembly cell. The visualization system 340, in this case, detects the main features (for example, the edge of the cladding panels, the holes made on the longitudinal and circumferential splices) that provide a frame of reference.
    [0077] [00077] When the frame of reference is established, the robot uses this frame of reference in order to move to a "work area". For example, the AGV 330 vehicle can move the robot 150 by an exact travel distance from the reference frame. The robot can perform clamping and drilling operations at all locations within the work area.
    [0078] [00078] A controller 350 can execute an NC program that commands the robot 150 to execute its operations. In some modalities, operations may include a simple fixation process, which can be done at each location along an amendment.
    [0079] [00079] Next, reference is made to Figure 4, which illustrates a simple fixation process. In block 410, a splicing structure is made using, for example, an electromagnet mounted on the terminal operator of the robot 150 and a steel plate on the opposite side (inside) of the fuselage. The steel sheet can be positioned manually or robotically using the key features of the fuselage frames. In a simple process, fixing not only holds two or more pieces together, it also prevents an interlaminar burr from getting stuck between the fixed pieces. It also prevents a leak in the sealing of the fixed parts. Since there are no chips or burrs stuck between the fixed parts, the simple process increases the fatigue resistance of the joints.
    [0080] [00080] In block 420, a hole is drilled and countersunk. In block 430, the drilled and countersunk hole is inspected. In block 440, a fastener is inserted into the hole. When the joint is screwed on, a sealant can also be applied. These steps can be performed robotically.
    [0081] [00081] In block 450, the fastener is finalized. For example, when the fastener is a screw, a collar and nut can be placed on the threaded end of the screw and tightened. When the fastener is a rivet, a crusher can be used to turn (or crush) the free end. The fastener termination can be done robotically or manually.
    [0082] [00082] In block 460, the amendment structure is uncluttered. Then, the terminal operator 310 is positioned in a new location along the splice. The functions in blocks 410 to 460 are repeated.
    [0083] [00083] When all amendments are made to the robot's work area, the AGV 330 vehicle moves the robot 150 along the fuselage to a new work area. Further amendments are made to the new work area.
    [0084] [00084] Figure 5 illustrates a method of mounting a fuselage on panels in a single vertical construction position. In some embodiments, the panels include an underlying cladding and reinforcement structure. The panels can also include integrated frames (for example, ring frames).
    [0085] [00085] In the following, reference is made to Figure 6A and block 510 of Figure 5. A keel structure 610 is loaded onto an easel 130. In some embodiments, keel structure 610 may include keel panels and a integrated keel beam. The keel structure 610 can be loaded as a unitary structure or can be loaded in sections (Figures 2C to 2H show a keel structure that is loaded in sections). The keel structure 610 is then aligned and leveled.
    [0086] [00086] In the following, reference is made to Figure 6B and block 520 of Figure 5. Mounting struts 630 are attached to a floor grid 620, and struts 630 are lowered onto the keel structure 610 panels. 620 floor grid includes floor beams, vertical struts and other components (for example, seat tracks, floor fittings, and intercostals). The assembled frame is positioned on, and lowered onto the keel frame 610, and the mounting struts 630 are attached to the keel frame 610.
    [0087] [00087] In the following, reference is made to Figures 6C and 6D and block 530 of Figure 5. The bottom panels (for example, side) 640 are loaded onto, and mounted on, the floor beams of a floor grid. 620. Struts 630, keel structure 610 and trestle 130 are used to support the bottom panels 640. In some embodiments, the bottom panels 640 can be loaded as a unitary structure. (In the example shown in Figures 2J, 2K and 2L, the bottom panels are loaded in sections). In the example illustrated in Figures 6C and 6D, a lower left panel 640 is loaded and fixed (Figure 6C) and then a lower right panel 640 is loaded and fixed (Figure 6D). A spacer bar 650 can be used to support the free ends of the bottom panels 640.
    [0088] [00088] Reference is also made to Figure 6E and block 540 of Figure 5. The upper panels (for example, the crown) 660 are loaded. The top panels 660 can be loaded as a unitary structure, or they can be loaded in sections (as shown in Figures 2M and 2N). In Figure 6E, the top panels 660 are loaded onto the spacer 650 and mounted on the bottom panels 640.
    [0089] [00089] The determinant mounting holes (DA) can be used to position the various panels. A first set of DA mounting holes can be used to position the floor grid 620 on the mounting struts 630; a second set of mounting holes DA can be used to position the mounting struts 630 on the keel frame 610; a third set of DA mounting holes can be used to position the bottom panels 640 on the floor grid 620; and a fourth set of DA mounting holes can be used to position the top panels 660 with respect to the bottom panels 640. When the DA mounting holes are aligned, a mechanical device may manually drill the determinant mounting holes.
    [0090] [00090] By following the method of Figure 5, a complete profile of the fuselage section is obtained before making the amendments.
    [0091] [00091] In some embodiments, all DA mounting holes are internal on the fuselage structure (mostly on internal reinforcement structure, such as frames, struts and floor joists), and no DA mounting holes are drilled over the keel structure or over any external structure of the fuselage lining panels. These DA mounting location holes can be precisely machined on the internal structure.
    [0092] [00092] In some embodiments, the front and rear bulkheads of the fuselage section can be used as initial indexing plans. The plans are used to maintain a perpendicular relationship between the bulkheads and the keel structure. This ensures that the entire integration of the panels results in a true cylindrical shape.
    权利要求:
    Claims (13)
    [0001]
    Factory (110) for the assembly of airplane fuselages, the factory characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of movable easels (130), each easel configured to support a fuselage keel structure (610) and mount a fuselage on panels in a single vertical construction position, in which the factory (110) still comprises a mounting floor (120) that accommodates a plurality of mounting frames and trims attached to the floor (120), and a gantry (140) for moving panels. fuselage and other structures across the floor (120) for selected cells (210).
    [0002]
    Factory (110), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a plurality of robots (150) for carrying out fuselage fixing operations, robots (150) being mobile for selected cells.
    [0003]
    Factory (110), according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the robots (150) are programmed to use the fuselage accessories to establish the individual frames of reference, and to carry out the subsequent movements and robotic operations with respect to these frames of reference.
    [0004]
    Factory (110) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that each of the robots (150) includes a terminal operator (310) for carrying out fuselage fastening operations, a positioning system (320) for positioning the terminal operator (310), and a controller (350) programmed to control the positioning system (320) to move the terminal operator (310) through a sequence of attachment locations and control the terminal operator (310) to perform fixing operations at those locations in sequence.
    [0005]
    Factory (110) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the robots (150) include tall robots (150a) for making longitudinal splices and circumferential splices in upper fuselage portions, and low robots (150b) ) to perform circumferential splices in lower fuselage portions.
    [0006]
    Factory (110) according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized by the fact that the gantry (140) is further configured to move fuselage panels and other structures through the factory (110) to the selected easels (130) .
    [0007]
    Factory (110), according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a means (160) for the control of the placement, sequencing, and operation of the easels (130), the gantry (140), and the robots ( 150).
    [0008]
    Factory (110), according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that placement, sequencing and operation include the use of a set of robots (150) in order to perform clamping operations in a first cell, and, then, move the assembly to a second cell (210) after fixing operations on the first cell (210) have been completed.
    [0009]
    Factory (110) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that the medium (160) is programmed to control the gantry (140), the easels (130), and the robots (150) to: loading a keel structure (610) on one of the easels (130); loading a floor grid (620) onto the keel structure (610), the floor grid (620) having struts (630) which are positioned on the keel structure (610); and position lower panels (640) on the floor grid (620) and, at the same time, use one of the easels (130), the floor grid (620), and the keel structure (610) to support the panels (640).
    [0010]
    Method of assembling a plurality of airplane fuselages, the method characterized by the fact that it comprises moving the mobile easels (130) to different locations on an assembly floor (120); and use the easels (130) to mount fuselages on panels vertically without changing the orientations of the fuselages, the method still comprises: loading a keel structure (610) on a selected easel (130); fixing struts (630) to a floor grid (620); position the floor grid (620) and the struts (630) on the keel structure (610) and fix the struts (630) on the keel structure (610); and locate the bottom panels (640) on the floor grid (620) and, at the same time, use the easel (130), the floor grid (620), and the keel structure (610) to support the panels (640).
    [0011]
    Method according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that it still comprises separating the lower panels (640) with a spacer bar (650), loading the upper panels (660) on the spacer bar (650), and assembling the upper panels (660) to the bottom panels (640).
    [0012]
    Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that set of mounting holes (DA) determinants are used to locate (630) struts (630) in the floor grid (620) and the keel structure (610 ), where DA holes are used to locate the bottom panels (640) in the floor grid (620); and where the DA holes are used to locate the upper panels (660) in relation to the lower panels (640).
    [0013]
    Method according to claim 12, characterized in that as the DA holes are aligned, the floor grid (620) is nailed to the keel structure (610), the lower panels (640) are nailed to the floor grid (620), and reinforced by the floor grid (620), and the upper panels (660) are nailed to the lower panels (640) to obtain a complete outline of the fuselage section before the seams.
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    法律状态:
    2015-04-14| B03A| Publication of an application: publication of a patent application or of a certificate of addition of invention|
    2018-12-04| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|
    2019-12-17| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|
    2020-11-24| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2021-01-12| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 13/12/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/327,669|2011-12-15|
    US13/327,669|US9090357B2|2011-12-15|2011-12-15|Method of assembling panelized aircraft fuselages|
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