# US 11,079,063 B2 · Zero-G lift assist device

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- Number: US 11,079,063 B2
- Document ID: US11079063B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/406,126
- Filed: 2019-05-08
- Published: 2020-11-12
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-08
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: The Boeing Company; University of Washington
- Inventors: Kareem Shehab; Donald W. Coffland; Alexander de Marne; W. Tony Piaskowy; Cameron Fasola; Lance O. McCann
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079063B2

## CPC

- F16M 11/18: with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
- B64F 5/10: Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor
- B66F 3/10: with telescopic sleeves
- F16M 11/046: {adapted to upward-downward translation movement}
- F16M 11/06: allowing pivoting
- F16M 11/2014: {around a vertical axis (F16M11/2035 takes precedence)}
- F16M 11/28: Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
- G01G 19/083: {lift truck scale}
- G01G 19/52: Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture (with walking sticks A45B3/08)
- G01L 5/0038: {applying a pushing force}
- G05D 13/62: characterised by the use of electric means, e.g. use of a tachometric dynamo, use of a transducer converting an electric value into a displacement {(electric motor control H02P)}
- G05D 15/01: characterised by the use of electric means
- F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00)
- G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16)
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES

## Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for providing a zero-G condition to a part to assist in allowing an operator to weightlessly move a part and assist an operator in the installation of a part into an assembly. Present methods, systems, and apparatuses further provide a zero-G lift able to alter the lift velocity of a part, from first predetermined velocity to a second predetermined velocity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
supporting a part onto a zero-G positioning device;
providing a countering force to the part;
establishing a zero-G condition on the part;
applying a directional force to the part;
sensing the directional force applied to the part;
generating a directional force signal;
delivering the directional force signal to a controller;
actuating the drive mechanism; and
moving the part at a first predetermined velocity in the direction of the directional force.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
terminating the directional force applied to the part;
sensing terminating the directional force;
terminating the directional force signal;
terminating movement of the drive mechanism; and
terminating movement of the part.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of applying a directional force to the part, the directional force applied is an upward force or a downward force.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of applying a directional force to the part, the directional force applied is a torque.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of applying a directional force to the part, the directional force applied is a manually applied directional force.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the directional force applied is a force ranging up to about 20 N.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of moving the part at a first predetermined velocity, the first predetermined velocity is less than or equal to a first maximum velocity.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising;
sensing a part location relative to an installation location;
generating a part location signal corresponding to a location of the part relative to the installation location,
sending the part location signal to a controller, said controller configured to control the drive mechanism; and
altering the first predetermined velocity of the part to a second predetermined velocity.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of moving the part at a first predetermined velocity in the direction of the directional force occurs substantially simultaneously with applying the directional force to the part.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

Installing a part into an assembly according to the method of claim 1.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

Installing a part into a vehicle assembly according to the method of claim 1.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

Installing a part into an aircraft assembly according to the method of claim 1.

### Claim 13 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the step of terminating movement of the part occurs substantially simultaneously with terminating the force.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein, in the step of altering the first predetermined velocity, the first predetermined velocity is less than or equal to a first maximum velocity.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the step of sensing the part location relative to an installation location further comprises:
sensing the position of the part relative to an installed part location.

### Claim 16 (depends on 8)

Installing a part into an assembly according to the method of claim 8.

### Claim 17 (depends on 8)

Installing a part into an aircraft assembly according to the method of claim 8.

### Claim 18

An apparatus comprising:
a support configured to support a part;
a weight measurement mechanism configured to sense a part present on the support, said weight measurement mechanism in communication with the support;
a force sensor in communication with the support, said force sensor configured to sense a directional force;
a controller in communication with the force sensor, and said controller further in communication with the weight measurement mechanism;
a drive mechanism in communication with the controller;
wherein the weight measurement mechanism is configured to send a signal to the drive mechanism;
wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a countering force to the part; and
wherein the drive mechanism is configured to move the part in response to the presence of the directional force.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the countering force is configured to establish a zero-G condition on the part.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to comprise a screw lift mechanism.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to comprise at least one of: a scissor-lift mechanism; a magnetic drive mechanism, a pully system, a rack-and-pinion mechanism, a pneumatic system, a hydraulic mechanism, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to move a part in the direction of the directional force.

### Claim 23 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the directional force is an upward force or a downward force.

### Claim 24 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, the directional force is a torque.

### Claim 25 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the directional force is a manually applied directional force.

### Claim 26 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the directional force is a force ranging up to about 20 N.

### Claim 27 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to move the part in response to the directional force within a time ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.05 seconds from the time the directional force is applied to the part.

### Claim 28 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a position sensor configured to sense a part location relative to an installation location, said position sensor in communication with the controller, and said position sensor configured to send a position sensor signal to the controller.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the controller is configured to receive the position sensor signal, and wherein the controller is configured to send the position sensor signal to the drive mechanism.

### Claim 30 (depends on 28)

The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to alter a velocity from a first drive velocity to a second drive velocity based upon the position of the part; and
wherein, the first drive velocity comprises a velocity that is less than or equal to a first maximum velocity.