# US 8,769,839 B1 · Clamps and methods of using clamps to measure angular positions of components

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- Number: US 8,769,839 B1
- Document ID: US8769839B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/370,052
- Filed: 2012-02-09
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-02-09
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: Antonio Paesano; Francis Kendra; Frank J. Gill
- Inventors: Antonio Paesano; Francis Kendra; Frank J. Gill
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769839B1

## CPC

- G01C 9/005: {specially adapted for use in aircraft}
- B64C 27/008: {Rotors tracking or balancing devices}
- G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S)
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS

## Abstract

Methods and apparatus to measure an angular position of craft components are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an opening to receive a component along a first plane; and a first magnetic coupler positioned along a first exterior side of the apparatus to removably couple an inclinometer to the apparatus at a first angle relative to the first plane.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus to measure an angular position of a component, comprising:
an opening to receive a component along a first plane; and
a first magnetic coupler positioned along a first exterior side of the apparatus to removably couple an inclinometer to the apparatus at a first angle relative to the first plane.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second coupler positioned along a second exterior side of the apparatus to removably couple the inclinometer to the apparatus at a second angle relative to the first plane.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the first angle is ninety degrees and the second angle is zero degrees.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to secure the component along the first plane to a receiving surface of the apparatus, wherein the receiving surface is parallel to the first plane.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the receiving surface comprises a replaceable insert.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first magnetic coupler comprises a first magnet to couple to a second magnet of the inclinometer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the component is a trim tab of a rotor blade.

### Claim 8

An apparatus to measure an angular position, comprising:
a clamp to secure a component to a receiving surface;
a first exterior side to be oriented relative to the receiving surface at a first angle, wherein the first exterior side is to removably couple an inclinometer to the apparatus at the first angle; and
a second exterior side to be oriented relative to the receiving surface at a second angle, wherein the second exterior side is to removably couple the inclinometer to the apparatus at the second angle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the clamp comprises a rotatable handle operatively coupled to a plunger to force the component against the receiving surface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the clamp comprises a replaceable insert.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the first exterior side is to removably couple the inclinometer using a first magnet.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the first magnet is configured to align with a second magnet of the inclinometer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the inclinometer is a digital inclinometer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the first angle is ninety degrees and the second angle is zero degrees.

### Claim 15

A method to measure an angular position of a trim tab, comprising:
securing a trim tab of a rotor blade to a receiving surface of a clamp;
removably coupling an inclinometer to a first magnetic coupler positioned along a first exterior side of the clamp, the first exterior side of the clamp being oriented at a first angle relative to the receiving surface of the clamp; and
recording a first reading from the inclinometer as a first angular position of the trim tab while the inclinometer is coupled to the first exterior side of the clamp and while the trim tab is secured to the receiving surface of the clamp.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising securing a trailing edge of the rotor blade to the receiving surface of the clamp.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising removably coupling the inclinometer to the first magnetic coupler of the clamp and recording a second reading from the inclinometer as a second angular position of the trailing edge while the inclinometer is coupled to the first exterior side of the clamp and while the trailing edge is secured to the receiving surface of the clamp.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising calculating a difference between the first angular position of the trim tab and the second angular position of the trailing edge.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising recording the calculated difference as the angular position of the trim tab relative to the trailing edge.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising replacing an insert that forms the receiving surface of the clamp.