The Boeing Company

Chin Hoi Toh

Rodney Stephen Wright

James E Engel

Branko Sarh

Trent Rob Logan

John Walter Pringle, Iv

Chris J Erickson

Edward Bruce Harman

William Talion Edwards

Maurice Peter Bianchi

Scott W Hall

A method and apparatus for controlling a tooling operation to be performed by a tooling system in an assembly process. A current set of parameter values for a set of parameters for the tooling system are modified iteratively, until the current set of parameter values are determined to result in the tooling operation producing an output that meets a set of criteria, to form a final set of parameter values. The tooling operation is performed with the tooling system using the final set of parameter values. A determination is made as to whether the output of the tooling operation meets the set of criteria based on sensor data about the output. A new set of parameter values are identified as the current set of parameter values to be evaluated in response to a determination that the output of the tooling operation does not meet the set of criteria.

Real-time feedback control for performing tooling operations in assembly processes

A method and apparatus for depositing a fluid over an interface. A nozzle may comprise a body having a first end and a second end, an input located at the first end of the body, an output located at the second end of the body, and a plurality of channels located within the body. The input may be configured to receive a fluid. The plurality of channels may have a configuration that causes the fluid received through the input to flow through the plurality of channels and exit the output to form a deposition having a desired shape over an interface.

High viscosity fluid dispensing system

A method and apparatus for dispensing a fluid. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a housing comprising a chamber, a dispensing device, and a nozzle system. The housing may be configured to receive the fluid. The housing may be configured to increase a tendency of the fluid to flow within the chamber. The dispensing device may be configured to move the fluid in the chamber towards an exit of the chamber such that the fluid is dispensed through the exit of the chamber. The nozzle system may be configured to control an exit pressure of the fluid that is dispensed through the nozzle system.

A system and method for generating electricity from acoustic energy from an aircraft on a runway. Acoustic wave collectors mounted along the runway collect the acoustic energy and direct such acoustic energy to an associated acoustic converter assembly. A vibrating element is mounted within a housing of the acoustic converter assembly. The vibrating element moves in response to the acoustic energy. This movement draws air into the housing below the vibrating element and then forces the air downward to form an output air flow. The output air flow is directed to an associated turbine assembly to cause a shaft to rotate at a rate proportional to the magnitude of the received output air flow. An associated generator that is coupled to the shaft generates electricity proportionally to the rate of rotation of the shaft. The electricity from each generator is converted and sent to a substation for distribution.

Method and system for producing electricity from airport acoustical energy

An ultrasonic riveting tool and an associated method for installing a rivet are provided. The ultrasonic riveting tool and the associated method rely upon acoustic energy to cause the rivet to be installed. In the context of a method, a rivet is inserted into a bore defined by one or more workpieces. The rivet extends from a head to an opposed tail. The method also includes placing a bucking bar in an operative position with respect to the tail of the rivet. The method further includes applying acoustic energy to the head of the rivet to cause interaction between the rivet and the bucking bar such that the tail of the rivet is deformed. In this regard, the method may drive the rivet through the bore in response to application of acoustic energy so as to force the tail of the rivet into operative contact with the bucking bar.

Ultrasonic riveting tool and method

Doped adhesive tape is used during the manufacture of aircraft, including positioning marks, covering orifices from debris, allowing locations to be marked. Any doped adhesive tape inadvertently left in sub-assemblies during the manufacturing process can be detected using backscatter X-ray inspection technology. Detection is facilitated in one embodiment by making the tape thicker, to produce an increased mass density, and in another embodiment by adding a dopant comprising an element that is readily detected by the backscatter X-ray technology. The element can be iodine, and can be incorporated into the backing layer or the adhesive layer of the tape during manufacturing. The use of both thicker tape and a dopant can be used in combination to facilitate detection. If the doped adhesive tape is detected after components are assembled using a backscatter X-ray inspection device, then the doped adhesive tape is removed.

Thick doped adhesive tape to enhance backscatter X-ray detectability

A method for detecting an anomaly associated with a structure is described. The method includes obtaining a baseline scan of the structure, changing at least one condition associated with the structure which is intended to impart a movement of the structure or a movement of objects within the structure, obtaining a secondary scan of the structure, the secondary scan obtained from a same position, with respect to the structure, as the baseline scan, determining any differences between the baseline scan and the secondary scan, and identifying at least one of a foreign object proximate the structure and a structural anomaly associated with the structure based on any differences between the baseline scan and the secondary scan.

Methods and systems for enhancing backscatter X-ray foreign object debris detection

An assembly system and method for assembling an aircraft wing box or other structure that may define an interior area accessible through at least one access opening are provided. The method includes inserting a robot having an assembly tool mounted thereto into the interior area through the at least one access opening. The assembly tool may be positioned at a fastener location, and may be clamped to the structure. A hole may be made through the structure, and a fastener may be installed in the hole.

Robot-deployed assembly tool and method for installing fasteners in aircraft structures

Presented is a system and method for dynamically adjusting X-ray power levels to achieve consistent image quality. The method comprises estimating power and photon density based on current process parameters, comparing those estimates with reference values associated with desirable image quality, adjusting the X-ray power level in response to the operation of comparing, and then performing the operations of estimating, comparing, and adjusting so that the estimates approach the reference values. In embodiments, the estimating, comparing, and adjusting operations are performed dynamically as process parameters, such as X-ray spot size and distance to the target, dynamically change. The system comprises a database for storing the reference values and a processor for estimating the photon and power density based on current process parameters, comparing the reference values with the estimates, and outputting a signal to adjust one of the current process parameters such as X-ray power level.

Dynamically computed X-ray input power for consistent image quality

Methods and systems for X-ray imaging enable inspection of an area of an object that is located separate and apart from a location of an X-ray generator. An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray generator to generate X-rays. A collimator filters the generated X-rays to consolidate the generated X-rays and move the generated X-rays in a direction parallel to a centerline axis of the collimator. A small diameter tube transmits the directed X-rays and an end retainer emits the transmitted X-rays at an inspection object. A first filter of the collimator may initially filter the generated X-rays that are not parallel to the centerline axis of the collimator by passing the X-rays through a plurality of apertures. A second filter of the collimator may consolidate the generated X-rays and move the generated X-rays in a direction parallel to the centerline axis of the collimator by passing the generated X-rays through a channel.

Small diameter X-ray tube

Robot-deployed assembly tool

The different advantageous embodiments provide a system for identifying a likelihood of detecting objects with a backscatter x-ray system comprising a structure having a number of objects, a plurality of databases, and a processor unit configured to execute a detection analysis process. The processor unit executes the detection analysis process to identify the number of objects, identify a number of densities associated with each of the number of objects, determine a likelihood of detecting each of the number of objects with the backscatter x-ray system, and generate a three-dimensional diagram of the likelihood of detecting each of the number of objects.

Method and system to predict detectability and identify foreign objects

A bushing and associated drill are provided that may be actuated either pneumatically or with a spring in order to be biased into contact with a structure, such as a multi-layer structure, to reduce gaps therewithin. The bushing includes a housing and a nose piece slidably disposed relative to the housing. The bushing also includes a gas inlet in communication with the internal cavity such that the nose piece may be pneumatically urged forwardly relative to the housing and into operable contact with the structure. The bushing may also include a mounting mechanism for releasably attaching the housing to a drill motor. The mounting mechanism permits the housing to be detached from the drill motor to access the internal cavity, thereby permitting a spring to be inserted that will bias the nose piece forwardly relative to the housing. Spring actuation may be an alternative or a supplement to pneumatic actuation.

Growing community of inventors

Orange, CA, United States of America

Chin Hoi Toh