Tapered extraction device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017246713-A1
Application number	US-201615056667-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 29, 2016
Priority date	Feb 29, 2016
Publication date	Aug 31, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for extracting an assembly component from an assembly uses an extractor that applies a gripping force around a perimeter of the assembly component, a coupler that applies an extraction force to the extractor and a tensioner fastened to the coupler that generates the extraction force, the extraction force causing the assembly component to slide out of the assembly. The tensioner applies an extraction force to the extractor which pulls the assembly component from the assembly.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . An extractor for use with an assembly component, the assembly component having a cross-sectional shape that is hollow with an exterior surface and an interior surface extending about a longitudinal axis, comprising:
a sleeve for fitment about the exterior surface of the assembly component having an interior wall substantially matching the cross-sectional shape of the exterior surface of the assembly component and having a taper along the longitudinal axis; a plug for receipt within the assembly component having an exterior wall substantially matching the cross-sectional shape of the interior surface of the assembly component and having a taper along the longitudinal axis; and a coupler for transferring a pulling force to the sleeve to cause the sleeve to shift along the longitudinal axis and cause the taper of the sleeve and the plug to reduce a gap there between.

2 . The extractor of claim 1 , wherein the plug further comprises a flange that impacts the sleeve, the flange limiting an amount of shift toward the plug, thereby setting a minimum dimension of the gap.

3 . The extractor of claim 2 , where the flange has a threaded hole and a release screw in the threaded hole so that turning the release screw causes contact with the sleeve and forces the sleeve away from the flange.

4 . The extractor of claim 1 , wherein the shift of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis that causes the taper of the sleeve and the plug to reduce the gap there between applies a compression force between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the assembly component.

5 . The extractor of claim 4 , wherein the gap is set greater than zero and less than a thickness of the assembly component.

6 . The extractor of claim 1 , wherein the coupler includes a threaded rod mechanically fastened to the sleeve.

7 . The extractor of claim 1 , wherein the coupler includes an eye bolt mechanically fastened to the sleeve.

8 . The extractor of claim 1 , wherein the coupler is a collar that rests against the sleeve opposite the plug.

9 . The extractor of claim 1 , wherein facing surfaces of the interior wall of the sleeve and the exterior wall of the plug are generally smooth and absent a pattern.

10 . A method of extracting an assembly component from an assembly, the assembly component having a cross-sectional shape that is hollow with an exterior surface and an interior surface extending about a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
placing a sleeve over the assembly component, the sleeve having an interior wall substantially matching the cross-sectional shape of the exterior surface of the assembly component; placing a plug into an interior of the assembly component, the plug having an exterior wall substantially matching the cross-sectional shape of the interior surface of the assembly component; moving the sleeve over the plug to reduce a gap between the interior wall of the sleeve and the exterior wall of the plug; and applying a force to the sleeve in a direction of extraction to remove the assembly component from the assembly.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein moving the sleeve over the plug comprises moving the sleeve into contact with a flange of the plug.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein moving the sleeve into contact with the flange of the plug comprises reducing the gap between the interior wall of the sleeve and the exterior wall of the plug to less than a distance between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the assembly component.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein applying the force to the sleeve comprises attaching an eye bolt to the sleeve.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein applying the force to the sleeve comprises applying the force to a collar touching the sleeve.

15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising activating a release mechanism that forces the sleeve away from the plug after the assembly component is removed from the assembly.

16 . A system for extracting an assembly component from an assembly, the assembly component having a hollow cross-sectional shape with an exterior surface and an interior surface extending about a longitudinal axis, the system comprising:
an extractor that applies a gripping force around a perimeter of the assembly component, the extractor including a coupler that receives an extraction force; and a tensioner fastened to the coupler that generates the extraction force, the extraction force causing the assembly component to slide out of the assembly.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the extractor comprises a sleeve that fits over the exterior surface of the assembly component.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the coupler is an eye bolt screwed into the sleeve.

19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the extractor comprises a plug that fits into the assembly component, an interior of the sleeve and an exterior the plug having a frustum shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the assembly component.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the plug comprises a flange that limits a depth to which the plug can fit into the assembly component.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Moodi Mike M
• Baker Paul A

Classifications

• B23P2700/01

  Aircraft parts · CPC title

• B25B27/06

  inserting or withdrawing sleeves or bearing races · CPC title

• B29C70/446

  Moulding structures having an axis of symmetry or at least one channel, e.g. tubular structures, frames · CPC title

• B64F5/10

  Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor · CPC title

• B64F5/0009

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic