Zero-G lift assist device

1. A method comprising:

supporting a part onto a zero-G positioning device;

providing a countering force to the part;

establishing a zero-G condition on the part;

applying a directional force to the part;

sensing the directional force applied to the part;

generating a directional force signal;

delivering the directional force signal to a controller;

actuating the drive mechanism; and

moving the part at a first predetermined velocity in the direction of the directional force.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

terminating the directional force applied to the part;

sensing terminating the directional force;

terminating the directional force signal;

terminating movement of the drive mechanism; and

terminating movement of the part.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the step of applying a directional force to the part, the directional force applied is an upward force or a downward force.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the step of applying a directional force to the part, the directional force applied is a torque.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the step of applying a directional force to the part, the directional force applied is a manually applied directional force.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the directional force applied is a force ranging up to about 20 N.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the step of moving the part at a first predetermined velocity, the first predetermined velocity is less than or equal to a first maximum velocity.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising;

sensing a part location relative to an installation location;

generating a part location signal corresponding to a location of the part relative to the installation location,

sending the part location signal to a controller, said controller configured to control the drive mechanism; and

altering the first predetermined velocity of the part to a second predetermined velocity.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the part at a first predetermined velocity in the direction of the directional force occurs substantially simultaneously with applying the directional force to the part.

10. Installing a part into an assembly according to the method of claim 1 .

11. Installing a part into a vehicle assembly according to the method of claim 1 .

12. Installing a part into an aircraft assembly according to the method of claim 1 .

13. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of terminating movement of the part occurs substantially simultaneously with terminating the force.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein, in the step of altering the first predetermined velocity, the first predetermined velocity is less than or equal to a first maximum velocity.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of sensing the part location relative to an installation location further comprises:

sensing the position of the part relative to an installed part location.

16. Installing a part into an assembly according to the method of claim 8 .

17. Installing a part into an aircraft assembly according to the method of claim 8 .

18. An apparatus comprising:

a support configured to support a part;

a weight measurement mechanism configured to sense a part present on the support, said weight measurement mechanism in communication with the support;

a force sensor in communication with the support, said force sensor configured to sense a directional force;

a controller in communication with the force sensor, and said controller further in communication with the weight measurement mechanism;

a drive mechanism in communication with the controller;

wherein the weight measurement mechanism is configured to send a signal to the drive mechanism;

wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a countering force to the part; and

wherein the drive mechanism is configured to move the part in response to the presence of the directional force.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the countering force is configured to establish a zero-G condition on the part.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to comprise a screw lift mechanism.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to comprise at least one of: a scissor-lift mechanism; a magnetic drive mechanism, a pully system, a rack-and-pinion mechanism, a pneumatic system, a hydraulic mechanism, or combinations thereof.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to move a part in the direction of the directional force.

23. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the directional force is an upward force or a downward force.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein, the directional force is a torque.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the directional force is a manually applied directional force.

26. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the directional force is a force ranging up to about 20 N.

27. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to move the part in response to the directional force within a time ranging from about 0.01 to about 0.05 seconds from the time the directional force is applied to the part.

28. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a position sensor configured to sense a part location relative to an installation location, said position sensor in communication with the controller, and said position sensor configured to send a position sensor signal to the controller.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the position sensor signal, and wherein the controller is configured to send the position sensor signal to the drive mechanism.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to alter a velocity from a first drive velocity to a second drive velocity based upon the position of the part; and

wherein, the first drive velocity comprises a velocity that is less than or equal to a first maximum velocity.