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US 2026/0264880 A1Published application
Clamping device for clamping at least two components of a structure with a predetermined clamping force, and method for assembling a structure
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorDirk STERMANN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clamping device for clamping at least two components of a structure with a predetermined clamping force, particularly in the manufacture of aircraft or spacecraft. Also a method for assembling a structure, particularly in the manufacture of aircraft or spacecraft with such a clamping device. The clamping device utilizes a preloaded force before the components are clamped.
Claims15
A clamping device for clamping at least two components of a structure with a predetermined clamping force, the clamping device comprising:
- a housing with a longitudinal axis;
- a pull rod assembly having a free end region and a guided end region, wherein the guided end region is configured to be slidably mounted in the housing along the longitudinal axis, wherein the free end region has a connecting element which is integrally connected to the pull rod assembly by friction, or form locking, or both, and wherein the connecting element is fixed in relation to the guided end region in such a way that two components of a structure to be connected to each other are clamped between the housing and the connecting element;
- a spring unit arranged in the housing and configured to be compressed or decompressed by moving the guided end region relative to the housing;
- and,
- a linear actuator configured to push the pull rod assembly into a preparation position in which the spring unit is preloaded with a predetermined preload force.
2 more elements
A method for assembling a structure, the method comprising:
- providing at least two components to be connected to each other at a connection point to form an assembly, each of the components of the at least two components having a connection area;
- and,
- clamping the connection areas of the at least two components against each other to achieve a clamped state with at least one clamping device, and wherein the clamping comprises:
- preloading a spring unit of the at least one clamping device with a predetermined preload force, wherein a pull rod assembly of the at least one clamping device is pressed into a preparation position,
- fixing a connecting element of the pull rod assembly in relation to a guided end region of the pull rod assembly so that the connecting areas are clamped between a housing of the at least one clamping device and the connecting element, and
- releasing the spring unit from the predetermined preload force, whereby the connection areas are pressed together in the clamped state with a predetermined clamping force.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.