End Effector for Manufacturing Operations in Confined Spaces
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsHarinder Singh Oberoi, Kevin Marion Barrick, Yuanxin Charles Hu, Melissa A. Johnson, Laura Carolyn Foster
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Abstract
An end effector for confined space manufacturing operations and methods of use are presented. The end effector comprises a pair of kinematic machines connected in series, and an operational head connected to a first platform of a first kinematic machine of the pair of kinematic machines, the operational head configured to perform number of manufacturing operations on a structure.
Claims23
An end effector for manufacturing operations in a confined space, the end effector comprising:
- a pair of kinematic machines connected in series;
- and
- an operational head connected to a first platform of a first kinematic machine of the pair of kinematic machines, the operational head configured to perform number of manufacturing operations on a structure.
An end effector for manufacturing operations in a confined space, the end effector comprising:
- a first hexapod;
- a second hexapod connected to a base of the first hexapod;
- and
- an operational head connected to a first platform of the first hexapod.
A method of performing a manufacturing operation on a structure within a confined space, the method comprising:
- moving an end effector towards a structure using a robot, the end effector comprising a pair of kinematic machines connected in series and an operational head connected to a first platform of a first kinematic machine of the pair of kinematic machines;
- actuating the first kinematic machine to move the operational head relative to the structure;
- and
- performing a number of manufacturing operations on the structure using the operational head at least one of while actuating the first kinematic machine to move the operational head or after actuating the first kinematic machine.
(canceled)
21-24. (canceled)
A method of performing a manufacturing operation on a structure within a confined space, the method comprising:
- moving an end effector towards a structure using a robot, the end effector comprising a pair of kinematic machines connected in series and an operational head connected to a first platform of a first kinematic machine of the pair of kinematic machines;
- actuating at least one of the first kinematic machine or a second kinematic machine of the pair of kinematic machines to move the operational head in an operational path relative to the structure;
- and
- performing a number of manufacturing operations on the structure using the operational head as the operational head moves along the operational path.
26-28. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.