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US 2010/0071192 A1Published application
Electromagnetic clamping device
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsBranko Sarh, Harry Asada, Manas Chandran Menon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus may comprise a permanent magnet unit, an end effector, and an electromagnetic clamping device. The end effector may be capable of performing workpiece operations. The electromagnetic clamping device may have an activated state and a deactivated state.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- a permanent magnet unit;
- an end effector capable of performing workpiece operations;
- and
- an electromagnetic clamping device having an activated state and a deactivated state.
1 more element
An electromagnetic clamping system for clamping a workpiece having a plurality of components, the electromagnetic clamping system comprises:
- a permanent magnet unit comprising:
- a housing;
- a number of permanent magnets;
- a number of low friction surfaces comprising a number of wheels;
- an end effector capable of performing workpiece operations, wherein the end effector comprises at least one of a drill and a riveter;
- an electromagnetic clamping device having an activated state and a deactivated state, wherein the electromagnetic clamping device comprises:
- a first coil system capable of generating a first magnetic field causing a number of normal forces on the permanent magnet unit and the electromagnetic clamping device;
- a second coil system capable of generating a second magnetic field causing a side force on the permanent magnet unit;
- a third coil system capable of generating a third magnetic field causing a rotational force on the permanent magnet unit;
- a core, capable of providing access to a surface of the workpiece to perform the operations on the workpiece, wherein the core is capable of concentrating a force from a number of magnetic fields on a surface of the core contacting the surface of the workpiece;
- and
- wherein the electromagnetic clamping device generates the number of magnetic fields in the activated state at a strength causing the permanent magnet unit to clamp the workpiece to the electromagnetic clamping device;
- wherein the electromagnetic clamping device changes the strength of the number of magnetic fields in the deactivated state to a level causing the permanent magnet unit to become moveable along the surface of the workpiece;
- wherein when the electromagnetic clamping device is in the deactivated state, the permanent magnet unit is in a rolling mode in which the number of wheels engages the surface of the workpiece and the number of permanent magnets moves away from the surface of the workpiece;
- wherein when the electromagnetic clamping device is in the deactivated state, the permanent magnet unit generates a magnetic field such that movement of the electromagnetic clamping device pulls the permanent magnet unit;
- wherein when the electromagnetic clamping device is in the activated state, the permanent magnetic unit is in a fixed mode in which the number of wheels is disengaged from the surface of the workpiece and the number of permanent magnets moves to engage the surface of the workpiece.
13 more elements
A method for performing an operation on a workpiece, the method comprising:
- positioning a permanent magnet unit on a first surface of the workpiece;
- positioning an electromagnetic clamping device on a second surface of the workpiece, wherein the first surface opposes the second surface;
- placing the electromagnetic clamping device in an activated state such that a number of forces caused by magnetic field clamps the workpiece between the electromagnetic clamping device and the permanent magnet unit;
- and
- performing an operation on the workpiece.
2 more elements
A method for performing an operation on a workpiece having at least two components with an electromagnetic clamping system, the method comprising:
- positioning a permanent magnet unit in the electromagnetic clamping system on a first surface of the workpiece;
- positioning an electromagnetic clamping device in the electromagnetic clamping system on a second surface of the workpiece, wherein the first surface opposes the second surface;
- placing the electromagnetic clamping device in an activated state such that a number of forces caused by a magnetic field clamps the workpiece between the electromagnetic clamping device and the permanent magnet unit;
- performing the operation on the workpiece, wherein the operation is selected from at least one of a drilling operation and a fastening operation;
- placing the electromagnetic clamping device in a deactivated state after performing the operation such that the electromagnetic clamping device changes the magnetic field to a strength of the number of forces allowing the permanent magnet unit to become moveable on the first surface;
- and
- moving the permanent magnet unit with the electromagnetic clamping device by at least one of moving the electromagnetic clamping device, wherein the electromagnetic clamping device pulls the permanent magnet unit, and generating another magnetic field causing a side force to move the permanent magnetic unit on the first surface.
4 more elements
A method for assembling parts, the method comprising:
- placing a sealant between a plurality of parts in a stack up to form a workpiece;
- clamping the workpiece using a permanent magnet unit and an electromagnetic clamping device in an activated state such that a number of forces caused by a magnetic field clamps the workpiece between the electromagnetic clamping device and the permanent magnet unit;
- drilling a number of holes in the work piece;
- and
- installing a number of fasteners in the number of holes.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.