Rivet fastening system for radial fuselage joints
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorBranko Sarh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a fastening assembly system for applying fasteners along the seams of a cylindrical structure. The fastening apparatus includes a base unit which releasably attaches to a cylindrical structure, and a first fastening device coupled the base unit for applying fasteners along a seam of the cylindrical structure. The base unit may be embodied as either two crescent shaped members in parallel alignment for attaching to the upper half of the cylindrical structure. Alternatively, the base unit may include a base plate that is attachable to the floor beams on the interior of the cylindrical structure. In the preferred embodiment, the first fastening device cooperate with a second fastening device located on the opposite side of the cylindrical structure during the fastening process.
Claims12
A fastening assembly apparatus for securing two cylindrical fuselage sections together at a seam formed along adjacent edge portions of each said fuselage section, said apparatus comprising:
- a base unit removably securable to portions of each of said cylindrical fuselage sections generally parallel to said seam and having at least one accurate guide rail which generally follows the circumference of the cylindrical fuselage sections;
- a plurality of suction elements spaced circumferentially about the base unit for releasably coupling the base unit to the fuselage sections;
- a first fastening mechanism including:
- a first drive assembly coupled to said guide rail and movable along a circumferential path defined by said guide rail and over said seam, and adjacent to a first surface of each of said fuselage sections;
- a second drive assembly supported by said first drive assembly and movable perpendicularly to a direction of movement of said first drive assembly;
- a second fastening system including;
- a tower assembly movable independently of said guide rail and disposed so as to face a second surface of each of said fuselage sections for supporting a fastening tool and moving said fastening tool controllably towards and away from said second surface of each of said fuselage sections along said seam;
- a fastening device supported on said tower assembly for applying a plurality of fasteners to the fuselage sections, said fastening device being movable along three axes of movement.
A fastening assembly apparatus for securing two cylindrical fuselage sections together at a seam formed along adjacent edge portions of each said fuselage section, said apparatus comprising:
- a circumferential base unit having a pair of arcuate guide rails adapted to extend over and to follow the circumference of said two fuselage sections, said guide rails being disposed generally parallel to one another and extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending coaxially through said fuselage section such that said guide rails are disposed on said fuselage sections on opposite sides of a seam to be formed along edges of said fuselage sections, and extend generally parallel to the seam,
- a plurality of suction elements carried by each of said guide rails and spaced circumferentially along each said guide rail for releasably coupling said guide rails to the fuselage sections and holding said fuselage sections in a desired orientation while said fuselage sections are being secured to one another;
- a first fastening mechanism including:
- a first drive assembly facing a first surface of each of said fuselage sections and coupled to said guide rails and movable along said guide rails;
- and
- a second drive assembly supported by said first drive assembly and movable perpendicularly to a direction of movement of said first drive assembly;
- a second fastening system including:
- a tower assembly disposed adjacent second surfaces of said fuselage sections and moveable independently of said guide rails for supporting a fastening tool, and moving said fastening tool controllably towards and away from a second surface of each of said fuselage sections;
- and
- a fastening device supported on said tower assembly for applying a plurality of fasteners to the fuselage sections, the fastening device being movable along three axes of movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.