Methods and apparatuses for decoupling a fuselage from a mandrel

Abstract

In an example, a system is disclosed. The system comprises a one-piece mandrel, a fuselage coupled to the one-piece mandrel, and a strongback apparatus positioned on the fuselage. The strongback apparatus comprises an arcuate central body comprising a front end, a rear end, and a plurality of elongated members that connect the front end to the rear end, and actuators mounted to the plurality of elongated members. The actuators are configured to move in a radially outward direction from extended positions to retracted positions and comprise (i) proximal ends mounted to the plurality of elongated members and (ii) distal ends having vacuum suction cups. In the extended positions, the vacuum suction cups engage the fuselage on which the strongback apparatus is positioned. As the actuators moves from the extended positions to the retracted positions, the vacuum suction cups pull the fuselage away from the one-piece mandrel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.