Utility Fixture for Creating a Distributed Utility Network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016008934-A1
Application number	US-201414559371-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 3, 2014
Priority date	Jul 9, 2014
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distributing a number of utilities. The number of utilities may be coupled between a number of utility sources and a utility fixture. The number of utilities may be coupled between the utility fixture and a mobile system.

First claim

1 . A method for distributing a number of utilities, the method comprising:
coupling the number of utilities between a number of utility sources and a utility fixture; and coupling the number of utilities between the utility fixture and a mobile system.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the number of utilities between the utility fixture and the mobile system comprises:
aligning a coupling unit associated with the utility fixture with a corresponding coupling unit associated with the mobile system; and mating the coupling unit with the corresponding coupling unit to couple the number of utilities between the utility fixture and the mobile system.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
distributing the number of utilities downstream from the number of utility sources, through the utility fixture, to the mobile system.

4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
affixing the utility fixture to a floor.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the number of utilities between the number of utility sources and the utility fixture comprises:
plugging a number of input cables extending from the utility fixture into a number of output connections associated with the number of utility sources.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the number of utilities between the utility fixture and the mobile system comprises:
connecting a set of coupling units associated with the utility fixture to a set of corresponding coupling units associated with the mobile system.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the number of utilities between the utility fixture and the mobile system comprises:
connecting a set of coupling units associated with the utility fixture to a set of corresponding coupling units associated with a drivable tower.

8 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
connecting a set of coupling units associated with the utility fixture to a set of corresponding coupling units associated with a drivable tower to physically couple the utility fixture to the drivable tower.

9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
driving the mobile system into a selected position relative to the utility fixture.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein driving the mobile system comprises:
driving a tower into a selected tower position relative to the utility fixture.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein driving the tower comprises:
driving the tower autonomously from a holding area into the selected tower position within an assembly area.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the number of utilities between the utility fixture and the mobile system comprises:
coupling a tower to the utility fixture; and coupling an assembly fixture to the tower such that the number of utilities flows downstream from the number of utility sources, through the utility fixture, through the tower, and to the assembly fixture.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the number of utilities between the utility fixture and the mobile system comprises:
coupling a tower to the utility fixture to establish a distributed utility network.

14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising:
adding a number of cradle fixtures to the distributed utility network.

15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising:
adding a number of external mobile platforms to the distributed utility network.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein adding the number of cradle fixtures to the distributed utility network comprises:
coupling the number of cradle fixtures to the tower in series.

17 . A coupling unit comprising:
a quick-change device; a number of coupling elements; and an alignment system for aligning the quick-change device with a corresponding quick-change device and the number of coupling elements with a corresponding number of coupling elements.

18 . The coupling unit of claim 17 , wherein the quick-change device is a male quick-change device.

19 . The coupling unit of claim 17 , wherein the number of coupling elements comprises at least one of a power coupling element, an air coupling element, a hydraulic coupling element, a communications coupling element, or a water coupling element.

20 . The coupling unit of claim 17 , wherein the coupling unit is associated with a base structure of a utility fixture.

21 . The coupling unit of claim 17 , wherein the alignment system comprises:
a guidance fork for receiving a roller associated with a mobile system.

22 . The coupling unit of claim 21 , wherein the alignment system further comprises:
a sensor device that generates data for use in aligning the roller relative to the guidance fork along at least one axis.

23 . The coupling unit of claim 22 , wherein the alignment system further comprises:
a set of movement systems that move the guidance fork towards the roller based on the data generated by the sensor device.

24 . The coupling unit of claim 17 , wherein the alignment system comprises:
a roller.

25 . The coupling unit of claim 24 , wherein the alignment system further comprises:
a sensor device that generates data for use in aligning the roller relative to a guidance fork along at least one axis.

26 . The coupling unit of claim 25 , wherein the alignment system further comprises:
a set of movement systems that move the roller towards and guide the roller within the guidance fork based on the data generated by the sensor device.

27 . A method for mating a coupling unit with a corresponding coupling unit, the method comprising:
driving the corresponding coupling unit towards the coupling unit; aligning the corresponding coupling unit with the coupling unit autonomously; and mating the corresponding coupling unit to the coupling unit to couple a number of utilities between the coupling unit and the corresponding coupling unit.

28 - 51 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Oberoi Harinder S
• Gerosa Alfredo Jose
• Barrick Kevin Marion
• Do Quang T
• Hu Yuanxin Charles
• Sarh Branko
• Mackay Scott Allen

Classifications

• G05B19/41865

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

• B21J15/02 Primary

  Riveting procedures · CPC title

• B25J9/1682

  Dual arm manipulator; Coordination of several manipulators · CPC title

• B29C2793/0081

  before shaping · CPC title

• B60G7/001

  Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence) · CPC title