IP Library Granted Patent US 8,122,576
Granted Patent B2
US 8,122,576 · App. 12/387,302 · Granted Feb 28, 2012

Positioning, handling and assembling system for manufacture of aeronautical parts

Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,122,576
App. No.
12/387,302
Granted
Feb 28, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The system has special application in the manufacture of aircraft wing covers ( 10 made of carbon fiber and the stringers ( 3 ) cured jointly with the wing cover during the polymerization in autoclave. The tool pieces ( 4 ) being used are defined by angular elements ( 5, 6 ) copying the geometry of the stringers ( 3 ). The shape of these stringers corresponds to the “T” section. The angular elements ( 5, 6 ) comprise, in their upper part, a pair of battlements ( 7 ) in order to be caught by part of the clamps ( 9 ) of a head ( 10 ) linked to a robot ( 11 ) of the spherical type with articulated arm with six axes. The angular elements ( 5, 6 ) are made of INVAR material and they are used to keep in position the stringers during the curing cycle in the autoclave.

Claims (4)

1. Positioning, Handling And Assembling System For Manufacture Of Aeronautical Parts, defined basically by structures of spars and various stiffening ribs, with carbon fiber cover and stringers, where the stringers are joined to the cover by cobonding, with some positioning tools being located and a vacuum bag which fixes the aeronautical part during polymerization in autoclave, wherein it includes a spherical type robot ( 11 ) with an articulated arm with six axes and a head ( 10 ) adapted to handling the tools, an external axis for displacement of the robot and some containers for storage of some extracted tools, said tools of the stringers ( 3 ) being defined by angular sections ( 5 , 6 ) or “L” shaped profiles of INVAR material which copy the geometry of the stringer ( 3 ) when they are positioned in pairs on one side and the other of them, being linked together and located on the cover ( 1 ) in the specified places, said tool pieces ( 4 ) having some battlements ( 7 ) in the upper part of each of them for connection of the head ( 10 ) of the robot ( 11 ) in the assembly and dismantling operations.

2. Positioning, Handling And Assembling System For Manufacture Of Aeronautical Parts, according to claim 1 , wherein a horizontal wing of the angular sections ( 5 , 6 ) or “L” shaped profiles comprises a housing or channel ( 15 ) in its application surface on the cover ( 1 ), for location of a sealing strip ( 14 ).

3. Positioning, Handling And Assembling System For Manufacture Of Aeronautical Parts, according to claim 1 , wherein the head ( 10 ) of the robot ( 11 ) has two clamps ( 9 ) which grasp at the same time the two battlements ( 7 ) of the same angular section ( 5 , 6 ) of the tool piece ( 4 ), having each pincer ( 9 ) at least two jaws ( 18 ), with one of the jaws ( 18 ) of the pair forming each pincer ( 9 ) having a descending extension on which the angular element ( 5 , 6 ) rests during its detachment by rotation in order to stabilize the same during removal from a mold.

4. Positioning, Handling And Assembling System For Manufacture Of Aeronautical Parts, according to claim 1 , wherein the battlements ( 7 ) of the tool pieces ( 4 ) have some small longitudinal ribs ( 8 ) as safety means in a securing of the pincer ( 9 ) by the head ( 10 ).

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 11, 2010
From: AIRBUS ESPANA, S.L.
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS, S.L.
Reel/Frame 023767/0826 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2009
From: GOMEZ, JOSE MANUEL SANTOS; MARTIN, JOSE MANUEL MENENDEZ; QUIROGA, ANTONIO DURAN; GARCIA, AQUILINO GARCIA; FERNANDEZ, JULIAN SANCHEZ
To: AIRBUS ESPANA, S.I.
Reel/Frame 023262/0816 →
Priority Claims (1)
ES 200803645 · Dec 22, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100154186A1 · Jun 24, 2010