Geodesic structure forming systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9789548-B2
Application number	US-201514840845-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2015
Priority date	Aug 31, 2015
Publication date	Oct 17, 2017
Grant date	Oct 17, 2017

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for forming a structure, the system comprising:
a mandrel; and
a plurality of operating heads that one or both of drill or rivet one or both of a framework or a covering skin of the structure, wherein the plurality of operating heads are moveably secured on a plurality of rails, and wherein the plurality of operating heads are configured to linearly move in relation to the mandrel on the plurality of rails, wherein a number of the plurality of operating heads on the plurality of rails equals a number of seed nodes generated by a geodesic module determination system.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an actuator; and
a central axle coupled to the actuator and the mandrel, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the mandrel through rotation of the axle, and wherein the framework and the covering skin are positioned on the mandrel.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mandrel is configured to be selectively moved into and out of a forming chamber proximate to the plurality of operating heads, wherein the mandrel is configured to be removed from the forming chamber in response to the framework being fully secured to the covering skin.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a plurality of pads that are moveable between deployed and retracted positions, wherein the plurality of pads securely retain the framework and the covering skin in the deployed position, and wherein the plurality of pads allow the framework and the covering skin to be removed from the mandrel in the retracted position.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tool ring that retains the plurality of operating heads, wherein the tool ring is rotatable with respect to the mandrel and the structure.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein one or both of the tool ring and the mandrel is linearly translatable over an outer surface of the structure.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the mandrel is fixed in position, and wherein the tool ring is moveably secured to the mandrel through one or more racks.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the framework is a framework for a constant section.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the constant section comprises a constant curvature and constant cross-sectional radius between opposed circular ends.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the framework includes a plurality of identical geodesic modules, wherein each of the plurality of identical geodesic modules has a size and shape that is the same as all of the other of the plurality of identical geodesic modules.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of identical geodesic modules comprises a plurality of interconnected frame segments that are identical in size and shape.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interconnected frame segments comprises four interconnected frame segments defining a geodesic area therebetween.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the geodesic area is diamond shaped.

14. A method for forming a structure, the method comprising: providing a mandrel; positioning a framework and a covering skin on the mandrel; positioning a plurality of operating heads on a plurality of rails, wherein a number of the plurality of operating heads on the plurality of rails equals a number of seed nodes generated by a geodesic module determination system; linearly moving the plurality of operating heads on the rails in relation to the mandrel; and drilling or riveting the framework or the covering skin with a plurality of operating heads.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising: coupling an actuator to the mandrel through a central axle; and operating the actuator to rotate the mandrel in relation to the plurality of operating heads.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
selectively moving the mandrel into and out of a forming chamber proximate to the plurality of operating heads; and
removing the mandrel from the forming chamber in response to the framework being fully secured to the covering skin.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
moving a plurality of pads on the mandrel between deployed and retracted positions;
retaining the framework and the covering skin on the mandrel when the plurality of pads are in the deployed position;
removing the framework and the covering skin from the mandrel when the plurality are in in the retracted position.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
retaining the plurality of operating heads on a tool ring; and
rotating the tool ring relative to the mandrel and the structure.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising linearly translating one or both of the tool ring and the mandrel over an outer surface of the structure.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
securing the mandrel in a fixed position relative to the structure; and
moveably securing the tool ring to the mandrel through one or more racks.

21. The method of claim 14 , wherein the framework is a framework for a constant section.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the constant section comprises a constant curvature and constant cross-sectional radius between opposed circular ends.

23. The method of claim 14 , wherein the framework includes a plurality of identical geodesic modules, wherein each of the plurality of identical geodesic modules has a size and a shape that are the same as all of the other of the plurality of identical geodesic modules.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein each of the plurality of identical geodesic modules comprises a plurality of interconnected frame segments that are identical in size and shape.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the plurality of interconnected frame segments comprises four interconnected frame segments defining a geodesic area therebetween.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the geodesic area is diamond shaped.

27. A system for forming a structure, the system comprising: a mandrel including a plurality of pads that are moveable between deployed and retracted positions; and a plurality of operating heads that drill or rivet a framework or a covering skin of the structure, wherein the plurality of pads securely retain the framework and the covering skin in the deployed position, and wherein the plurality of pads allow the framework and the covering skin to be removed from the mandrel in the retracted position.

28. The system of claim 27 , further comprising:
an actuator; and
a central axle coupled to the actuator and the mandrel, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the mandrel through rotation of the axle, and wherein the framework and the covering skin are positioned on the mandrel.

29. The system of claim 27 , wherein the mandrel is configured to be selectively moved into and out of a forming chamber proximate to the plurality of operating heads, wherein the mandrel is configured to be removed from the forming chamber in response to the framework being fully secured to the covering skin.

30. The system of claim 27 , further comprising a tool ring that retains the plurality of operating heads, wherein the tool ring is rotatable with respect to the mandrel and the structure.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein one or both of the tool ring and the mandrel is linearly translatable over an outer surface of the str

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Golshany Sina
• Ahn Junghyun
• Alderks Derek
• Erickson Todd William

Classifications

• B64F5/10

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

• Y10T29/49616

  Structural member making · CPC title

• Y10T29/49943

  Riveting · CPC title

• Y10T29/49622

  Vehicular structural member making · CPC title

• B23B2215/04

  Aircraft components · CPC title