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US 9,789,980 B2Granted
Method for holding a panel
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorPaul R. Gehlsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for holding a panel. A rigid frame is secured on an aircraft on a rework area on the aircraft. A carrier is attached to the rigid frame. The panel is held on the carrier and the carrier moves the panel about a plurality of axes. The panel moves with the carrier such that the panel has a desired position relative to a rework opening in the rework area. The panel is attached to the aircraft while the panel is held in the desired position relative to the rework opening.
Claims20
A method for holding a panel, the method comprising:
- securing a rigid frame on an aircraft on a rework area on the aircraft;
- attaching a carrier to the rigid frame, wherein the panel is held on the carrier and the carrier moves the panel about a plurality of axes;
- moving the panel with the carrier such that the panel has a desired position relative to a rework opening in the rework area;
- and
- attaching the panel to the aircraft while the panel is held in the desired position relative to the rework opening, but wherein the panel floats within the rework opening when attached to the aircraft due to a gap present between a periphery of the panel and a fuselage of the aircraft, such that loads are not transferred from the fuselage to the panel.
2 more elements
A method for holding a panel, the method comprising:
- securing a rigid frame on an aircraft on a rework area on the aircraft;
- attaching a carrier to the rigid frame, wherein the panel is held on the carrier and the carrier moves the panel about a plurality of axes;
- moving the panel with the carrier such that the panel has a desired position relative to a rework opening in the rework area;
- attaching the panel to the aircraft while the panel is held in the desired position relative to the rework opening;
- moving the carrier such that the panel has the desired position relative to the rework opening;
- moving the panel about the plurality of axes such that the panel has a position over the rework opening;
- marking the panel from a comparison of the panel to the rework opening with the panel over the rework opening;
- and
- trimming the panel for attachment to the aircraft when the panel is in the desired position in the rework opening.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.