Adjustable retaining structure for a cradle fixture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10835948-B2
Application number	US-201414559303-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 3, 2014
Priority date	Jul 9, 2014
Publication date	Nov 17, 2020
Grant date	Nov 17, 2020

Abstract

A method and apparatus for adjusting an adjustable retaining structure. The adjustable retaining structure may be rotated, passively, about a spherical interface as a panel applies a load to the adjustable retaining structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for aligning a plurality of sub-panels of a fuselage keel panel during an assembly of a fuselage, the method comprising:
the fuselage keel panel comprising the plurality of sub-panels;
placing a first sub-panel of the sub-panels onto a curved beam of an adjustable retaining structure of a cradle fixture comprising a base, the adjustable retaining structure configured to rotate responsive to changing loads on the fuselage assembly during the assembly of the fuselage, the cured beam comprising a shape substantially matching a curvature for a corresponding portion of an outer mold line for the fuselage and supporting the first sub-panel;
aligning the adjustable retaining structure with a curvature of the first sub-panel via the first sub-panel engaging the curved beam and passively rotating the curved beam about an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis with respect to the base, such that the adjustable retaining structure connects to a lift configured to move along first rails parallel to the Y-axis and also move perpendicular to the Y-axis along second rails connected to a third rail transporting a utilities unit and a cable management system along the base;
placing a second sub-panel of the sub-panels onto the curved beam and engaging the first sub-panel with the second sub-panel;
aligning the adjustable retaining structure with a curvature of the second sub-panel via the second sub-panel engaging the curved beam and passively rotating the curved beam about the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis with respect to the base; and
connecting the first sub-panel to the second sub-panel.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein further comprising the base supporting a vertical movement system supporting a connection beam supporting an interface pivotally supporting the curved beam.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
a shape of the first sub-panel and the second sub-panel temporarily connected substantially matching the curvature for the corresponding portion of the outer mold line for the fuselage; and
supporting a load of the first sub-panel and the second sub-panel using the adjustable retaining structure.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
the interface comprising a spherical interface; and
rotating the adjustable retaining structure about the spherical interface in response to the adjustable retaining structure impinging on the first sub-panel.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein rotating the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
rotating the adjustable retaining structure about the spherical interface in response to a loading of the adjustable retaining structure when the adjustable retaining structure impinges on the first sub-panel.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising impinging on the first sub-panel with the adjustable retaining structure to align the curved beam of the adjustable retaining structure with the curvature of the first sub-panel.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the adjustable retaining structure towards the first sub-panel such that the adjustable retaining structure impinges on the first sub-panel.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein moving the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
moving the adjustable retaining structure towards the first sub-panel using at least one scissor lift mechanism.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein moving the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
applying a force against the first sub-panel with the adjustable retaining structure as the adjustable retaining structure is moved in a direction towards the first sub-panel.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein moving the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
translating the adjustable retaining structure along at least one of the X-axis, the Y-axis, or the Z-axis to move the adjustable retaining structure towards the first sub-panel.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein translating the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
translating a connection member with which the adjustable retaining structure is rotatably associated along the at least one of the X-axis, the Y-axis, or the Z-axis.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein translating the connection member comprises:
translating the connection member autonomously along the at least one of the X-axis, the Y-axis, or the Z-axis.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
impinging on the first sub-panel with the adjustable retaining structure; and
wherein rotating the adjustable retaining structure comprises rotating the adjustable retaining structure about a spherical interface about the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis until the curved beam of the adjustable retaining structure aligns with the curvature of the first sub-panel.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
moving the adjustable retaining structure relative to the base of the cradle fixture prior to the first sub-panel being engaged with the adjustable retaining structure.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein moving the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
translating the adjustable retaining structure along at least one of the X-axis, the Y-axis, or the Z-axis to position the adjustable retaining structure relative to the base of the cradle fixture.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein translating the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
translating a connection member with which the adjustable retaining structure is associated along the X-axis relative to the base using a first rail system; and
translating the connection member along the Y-axis relative to the base using a second rail system.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein translating the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
translating a connection member along the Z-axis relative to the base using at least one scissor lift mechanism.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
readjusting an alignment of the adjustable retaining structure with the first sub-panel during building of the fuselage.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein readjusting the alignment of the adjustable retaining structure comprises:
rotating, passively, the adjustable retaining structure about a spherical interface as a load being applied to the adjustable retaining structure changes during the building of the fuselage.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the adjustable retaining structure comprising a number of curved beams comprising a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the outer mold line for the keel panel of the fuselage.

21. A method for adjusting an adjustable retaining structure comprising a curved beam during assembly of a plurality of sub-panels of skin panels in a keel panel, the method comprising:
the keel panel comprising the plurality of sub-panels;
engaging a first skin panel with a second skin panel while supporting at least one of the first skin panel or the second skin panel on the adjustable retaining structure;
aligning the curved beam with a curvature of the first skin panel and the second skin panel, as at least one of the first skin panel or the second skin panel apply loads to the adjustable retaining structure, via rotating, passively, the curved beam of the adjustable retaining structure about a spherical interface about an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, such that the adjustable retaining structure connects to a lift configured to move along first rails parallel to the Y-axis and also move perpendicular to the Y-axis along second rails connected to a

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Oberoi Harinder S
• Gerosa Alfredo Jose
• Barrick Kevin Marion
• Do Quang T
• Hu Yuanxin Charles
• Sarh Branko
• Reese Iv Richard Griffith
• Gudzinski Gregory
• Miller Jeffrey Lawrence

Classifications

• G05B19/41865

  characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow · CPC title

• B64C1/06

  Frames; Stringers; Longerons {; Fuselage sections} · CPC title

• B64C1/068

  Fuselage sections · CPC title

• B64C1/00 Primary

  Fuselages; Constructional features common to fuselages, wings, stabilising surfaces or the like · CPC title

• B64C1/069

  Joining arrangements therefor · CPC title