Seam tracking drilling machine

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5468099
SERIAL NO

08104621

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A seam tracking robotic drilling machine (10) is disclosed which is capable of moving a drill head along the seam (12) between abutting skin panels (16, 18) to drill a plurality of precisely positioned holes (18) through the panel. The machine (10) includes a perimeter support frame (20) which mounts a platform (36) for rotation about an axis (38) generally perpendicular the panels to be drilled. The platform supports a carriage (48) for movement along an axis 50 parallel the surface of the panels and in the direction of the seam while the carriage (48) supports an inner carriage (62) for movement along axis 60 perpendicular thereto. A drill head (74) is mounted on the inner carriage (62). A series of variable height vacuum cup assemblies (22-28) support the perimeter support frame (20). A similar series of variable height vacuum cup assemblies (66-72) support the inner carriage (62). When one set of vacuum cup assemblies is activated for attachment to the panels, the other set is deactuated to allow the machine to walk along the seam.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
VOUGHT AIRCRAFT COMPANYC/O THE CARLYLE GROUP ATTN W CONWAY 1001 PENN AVE NW SUITE 220 WASHINGTON DC 20004 WASH DC

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Schaller, David A Dallas, TX 5 284
Wheetley, Michael J Bedford, TX 4 132

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation