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US 10,052,670 B2Granted
Stringer forming device and methods of using the same
AssigneeTriumph Aerostructures, LLC
InventorsHarold M. Brewer, Jr., Steven McDonough, Charles Phy, David Rose, Brian Travis, Keith Willhite
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for bending metal beams and methods of using the same are provided herein.
Claims40
An apparatus for forming a metal beam comprising:
- a. a platform;
- b. a fixed clamp member connected to the platform, the fixed clamp member comprising a first locking clamp for releasably locking a first portion of the metal beam;
- and
- c. a bending clamp member connected to the platform and positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the fixed clamp member, the bending clamp member comprising:
- a second locking clamp for releasably locking a second portion of the metal beam;
- a rotatable bending frame and gimbal supporting the second locking clamp and enabling rotation of the second locking clamp about three orthogonal axes;
- a first bend actuator applying a first bending force along a first axis to the rotatable bending frame;
- a second bend actuator applying a second bending force to the rotatable bending frame, wherein the second bending force is applied along a second axis that is angularly offset from the first axis;
- a linkage assembly including a traveler interposed between the first bend actuator and the rotatable bending frame wherein the traveler is movable transversely to the first axis to transversely translate application of the force from the first bend actuator to the rotatable bending frame;
- and
- a control system that causes the traveler to move transversely to the first axis thereby to modulate the angle at which the first bending force is applied to the rotatable bending frame.
8 more elements
An apparatus for forming a metal beam comprising:
- a. a platform;
- b. a fixed clamp member connected to the platform, the fixed clamp member comprising a first locking clamp for releasably locking a first portion of the metal beam;
- and
- c. a bending clamp member connected to the platform and positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the fixed clamp member, the bending clamp member comprising:
- i. a rotatable bending frame comprising a second locking clamp for releasably locking a second portion of the metal beam;
- ii. a first bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a first bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- iii. a second bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a second bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- and
- iv. a linkage assembly interposed between the first bend actuator and the rotatable bending frame that translates the first bending force to the rotatable bending frame and modulates the angle at which the first bending force is applied to the rotatable bending frame;
- wherein the second locking clamp comprises a beam locking assembly, the beam locking assembly comprising:
- a. at least two opposing shoes that abut at least two opposing surfaces of the metal beam, wherein the at least two opposing shoes releasably lock the second portion of the metal beam in frictional engagement;
- and
- b. a pressure system that extends and retracts the at least two opposing shoes.
10 more elements
An apparatus for forming a metal beam comprising:
- a. a platform;
- b. a fixed clamp member connected to the platform, the fixed clamp member comprising a first locking clamp for releasably locking a first portion of the metal beam;
- and
- c. a bending clamp member connected to the platform and positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the fixed clamp member, the bending clamp member comprising:
- i. a rotatable bending frame comprising a second locking clamp for releasably locking a second portion of the metal beam;
- ii. a first bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a first bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- iii. a second bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a second bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- and
- iv. a linkage assembly interposed between the first bend actuator and the rotatable bending frame that translates the first bending force to the rotatable bending frame and modulates the angle at which the first bending force is applied to the rotatable bending frame;
- wherein the linkage assembly comprises:
- an adjustable linkage that connects the first bend actuator to the rotatable bending frame;
- and
- a linkage actuator that is connected to the adjustable linkage to change the position of the adjustable linkage with respect to the first bend actuator and the rotatable bending frame.
10 more elements
An apparatus for forming a metal beam comprising:
- a. a platform;
- b. a fixed clamp member connected to the platform, the fixed clamp member comprising a first locking clamp for releasably locking a first portion of the metal beam;
- and
- c. a bending clamp member connected to the platform and positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the fixed clamp member, the bending clamp member comprising:
- i. a rotatable bending frame comprising a second locking clamp for releasably locking a second portion of the metal beam;
- ii. a first bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a first bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- iii. a second bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a second bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- and
- iv. a linkage assembly interposed between the first bend actuator and the rotatable bending frame that translates the first bending force to the rotatable bending frame and modulates the angle at which the first bending force is applied to the rotatable bending frame;
- wherein the first locking clamp comprises a beam locking assembly, the beam locking assembly comprising:
- a. at least two opposing shoes to abut at least two opposing surfaces of the metal beam, wherein the at least two opposing shoes releasably lock the second portion of the metal beam in frictional engagement;
- and
- b. a pressure system to extend and retract the at least two opposing shoes.
10 more elements
An apparatus for forming a metal beam comprising:
- a. a platform;
- b. a fixed clamp member connected to the platform, the fixed clamp member comprising a first locking clamp for releasably locking a first portion of the metal beam;
- and
- c. a bending clamp member connected to the platform and positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the fixed clamp member, the bending clamp member comprising:
- i. a rotatable bending frame comprising a second locking clamp for releasably locking a second portion of the metal beam;
- ii. a first bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a first bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- iii. a second bend actuator connected to the rotatable bending frame to apply a second bending force to the rotatable bending frame;
- and
- iv. a linkage assembly interposed between the first bend actuator and the rotatable bending frame that translates the first bending force to the rotatable bending frame and modulates the angle at which the first bending force is applied to the rotatable bending frame;
- wherein the second bend actuator comprises a vertical bend actuator that is substantially perpendicular to the first bend actuator which comprises a horizontal bend actuator.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.