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US 9,446,444 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for synchronized multi-stage electromagnetic rivet guns
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsTyler Christensen, Branko Sarh, James A. Grossnickle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for installing rivets is disclosed. The method involves positioning a rivet through a structure to be joined. The method further involves positioning a first rivet gun on a first side of the rivet and positioning a second rivet gun on a second side of the rivet. The method also involves synchronizing firing of the first and second rivet guns, so as to cancel forces that otherwise would propagate into the structure during installation of the rivet.
Claims20
A method for installing rivets, the method comprising:
- positioning a rivet through a structure to be joined;
- positioning a first rivet gun on a first side of the rivet;
- positioning a second rivet gun on a second side of the rivet;
- and
- synchronizing firing of the first and second rivet guns, wherein synchronizing firing of the first and second rivet guns comprises timing opposing impacts of the first and second rivet guns based on (i) a force at which the opposing impacts occur, (ii) structural properties of the rivet, and (iii) a speed of impact waves created by the opposing impacts, so that each opposing impact at a given side of the rivet occurs at substantially the same time as an impact wave caused by another opposing impact at the other side of the rivet reaches the given side of the rivet.
2 more elements
A riveting system comprising:
- a first rivet gun;
- a second rivet gun, said first rivet gun and said second rivet gun configured for operation on opposite sides of a rivet to be installed to join a structure;
- and
- a controller, said controller configured to synchronize firing of the first and second rivet guns by timing opposing impacts of the first and second rivet guns based on (i) a force at which the opposing impacts occur, (ii) structural properties of the rivet, and (iii) a speed of impact waves created by the opposing impacts, so that each opposing impact at a given side of the rivet occurs at substantially the same time as an impact wave caused by another opposing impact at the other side of the rivet reaches the given side of the rivet.
1 more element
A riveting system comprising:
- a first rivet gun;
- a second rivet gun, wherein said first rivet gun and said second rivet gun are arranged on opposite sides of a rivet to be installed to join a structure;
- and
- a controller, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first and second rivet guns to impact the rivet a plurality of times, and wherein the controller is configured to control a timing of opposing impacts of the first and second rivet guns based on (i) a force at which the opposing impacts occur, (ii) structural properties of the rivet, and (iii) a speed of impact waves created by the opposing impacts, so that each opposing impact at a given side of the rivet occurs at substantially the same time as an impact wave caused by another opposing impact at the other side of the rivet reaches the given side of the rivet.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.