The Boeing Company

Daniel J Johnson

Luis Felipe Velasquez

Allen James Halbritter

Charlie E Branyon, Iii

Eileen E Miller

Caleb J Handolescu

Jennifer F Branton

Michael J Wieland

Jack M Whitney

David B Hime

Bruce A Chappell

Michael W Swank

Velma C Keyser

John D Friend

Arthur W Burden

Described herein is an end effector for picking up and placing an object on a rigid tool. The end effector comprises a plate and an internal seal attached to the plate. The internal seal comprises an internal permeable layer and an internal impermeable film. The end effector further comprises at least one vacuum port extending through the plate and open to the internal permeable layer. Additionally, the end effector may comprise an external seal attached to the plate. The external seal comprises an external permeable layer and an external impermeable film.

End effector, system and method for picking up and placing an object

Systems and methods are provided for vacuum handling of composite parts. One embodiment is a method for picking up, placing, and compacting an object. The method includes covering a part of an object with an impermeable membrane, applying a negative pressure via an end effector that is sufficient to offset any air leaks between a first portion of the impermeable membrane and the object, thereby forming a suction hold that secures the object to the impermeable membrane, and transporting the object to a rigid tool while the suction hold is retained. The method further comprises applying a negative pressure via the end effector that offsets air leaks between a second portion of the impermeable membrane and the rigid tool, thereby forming a suction hold that compacts the object to the rigid tool.

Placement and compaction of objects via vacuum

A caul plate assembly for applying compaction pressure to a composite structure includes caul plates arranged side-by-side on the surface of the composite structure. The caul plates include overlapping edges of compliant material which form a continuous face applying even pressure and shear across gaps between the caul plates.

Overlapping caul plates and method for composite manufacturing

A method of removing and reinstalling multiple floor-beams concurrently while minimizing aircraft movement. The airplane is supported with jacks in a manner that minimizes internal shear and bending moment stresses. All floor-beams needing to be replaced are removed concurrently. All floor-attach structure such as floor panels, intercostals, seat-tracks, hard points, cargo handling equipment, and electrical and hydraulic standoffs is also removed. Deformation of the airplane is monitored and any significant deformation is restored. A floor-beam complex consisting of floor-beams, and all floor-attach structure such as floor panels, intercostals, seat tracks, hard points, cargo-handling equipment, and electrical and hydraulic standoffs is installed in place of the removed floor structure. The floor-beam complex has splices to facilitate handling during installation. More than one floor-beam complex may be required for a complete airplane. A special lifting tool is utilized to load the floor beam complex into the airplane.

Multi-beam method and apparatus for removing and replacing major structural components while converting an airplane to efficiently carry freight

Growing community of inventors

Oxford, KS, United States of America

Daniel J Johnson