Fuselage Manufacturing System
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJeffrey H. Hunt, Naveed Moayyed Hussain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for processing fuselage sections. A first fuselage section is held in a cradle system. A current shape of the first fuselage section in the cradle system is measured. Forces to change the current shape of the first fuselage section to a desired shape for connecting the first fuselage section to a second fuselage section are identified. The forces identified are applied using a system to change the current shape of the first fuselage section towards the desired shape.
Claims20
1-20. (canceled)
A system for changing a shape of a fuselage of an aircraft, the system comprising:
- a plurality of actuators arranged on a frame, the plurality of actuators directed inwardly relative to the frame, wherein each of the plurality of actuators comprises a corresponding motor, a corresponding linear member attached to the corresponding motor, and a corresponding foot attached to a corresponding first end of the corresponding linear member, wherein the corresponding foot faces an interior of the frame, and wherein the plurality of actuators are further arranged on the frame to form an approximately semi-circular shape or an approximately ovoid shape.
A method of using a system for changing a shape of a fuselage of an aircraft, the system comprising a plurality of actuators arranged on a frame, the plurality of actuators directed inwardly relative to the frame, wherein each of the plurality of actuators comprises a corresponding motor, a corresponding linear member attached to the corresponding motor, and a corresponding foot attached to a corresponding first end of the corresponding linear member, wherein the corresponding foot faces an interior of the frame, and wherein the plurality of actuators are further arranged on the frame to form an approximately semi-circular shape or an approximately ovoid shape, and wherein the method comprises:
- actuating multiple ones of the plurality of actuators to alter the shape of the fuselage to a desired shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.