Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Assembly line fabrication and assembly of aircraft wings
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Application No.: US17454282Application Date: 2021-11-10
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Publication No.: US11919661B2Publication Date: 2024-03-05
- Inventor: Daniel R. Smith , Darrell D. Jones
- Applicant: The Boeing Company
- Applicant Address: US IL Chicago
- Assignee: The Boeing Company
- Current Assignee: The Boeing Company
- Current Assignee Address: US IL Chicago
- Agency: Yee & Associates, P.C.
- Main IPC: B64F5/10
- IPC: B64F5/10 ; B64C3/18 ; B64C3/26 ; B64F5/50 ; B64F5/60

Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for installing ribs and/or spars to a wing panel while a contour is enforced. Methods include suspending a wing panel beneath a shuttle that enforces the contour, advancing the wing panel through work stations via the shuttle, and installing a rib or a spar (or another wing panel) at a work station, while the contour is enforced. Other methods include locating a wing panel beneath a shuttle, coupling adjustable-length pogos to the wing panel at locations distinct from those corresponding with an installation location, e.g. for a rib or a spar, and controlling the length of the pogos to enforce a contour to the wing panel. Some systems include a track, work stations disposed along the track, and a shuttle to advance along the track and convey a wing panel to each of the work stations while enforcing a contour onto the wing panel.
Public/Granted literature
- US20220153441A1 ASSEMBLY LINE FABRICATION AND ASSEMBLY OF AIRCRAFT WINGS Public/Granted day:2022-05-19
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