The Boeing Company

Michael Leslie Gilbertson

Mark L Carpenter

Jon P Michel

Eric Davis Schwartz

Richard Kevin Johnson

Stephen S Cross

David Wendeborn

Kyle Patrick Bush

Kevin E Clark

Benjamin Curtis Cheatham

Various embodiments are directed to a docking station for the mechanical alignment of an autonomous robotic platform. A correlator may receive the wheels of a moving autonomous robotic platform. A first set of rollers in the correlator may align the wheels, in a substantially linear direction, into a space created by a second set of rollers attached to a frame of a backstop. The second set of rollers may continue to align the wheels of the moving autonomous robotic platform until the wheels come in contact with a stopping roller coupled to the backstop. The stopping roller may be vertically oriented at a height above a wheel radius of the autonomous robotic platform. The stopping roller provides a force to prevent further forward travel. Upon being stopped by the stopping roller, the autonomous robotic platform is positioned for mating with charging contacts in the docking station.

Docking station for the mechanical alignment of an autonomous robotic platform

An electrical pass-through assembly for traversing a structure includes a sleeve defining a fixed end, a locked end, a passage extending between the fixed end and the locked end, a mating feature disposed on the fixed end, and a locking feature disposed on the locked end. The electrical pass-through assembly also includes a fitting configured to attach the structure. The fitting includes an inner surface defining an opening shaped to receive the fixed end of the sleeve. A corresponding mating feature is disposed along the inner surface of the fitting and engages with the mating feature disposed at the fixed end of the sleeve to prevent relative rotation between the fitting and the sleeve. The electrical pass-through assembly also includes a locking retainer including a corresponding locking feature that securely engages with the locking feature disposed at the locked end of the sleeve.

Electrical pass-through assembly for traversing a structure

A transport element support system comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel formed by the first portion and the second portion. The first portion has a hinge pin and the second portion has a receiving element. The receiving element is configured to engage with the hinge pin to couple the first portion to the second portion. The channel is configured to receive a transport element when the first portion and the second portion are coupled to each other. The transport element support system electrically isolates the transport element from a support structure in an aircraft.

Transport element support system

A transport element support assembly comprises a front plate, a back plate, and a grommet. The front plate has a first opening and a first set of holes. The back plate has a second opening and a second set of holes. A chamber is formed by the first opening and the second opening and is configured to hold a transport element. The grommet is positioned within the chamber. The transport element support assembly formed by the front plate, the back plate, and the grommet is configured to provide electrical isolation between the transport element and an aircraft structure.

Transport element support assembly

An apparatus includes first and second electrically conductive tubes, first and second electrical isolators, and a nut. The first electrical isolator has a central passageway. The first electrically conductive tube has a flared end disposed around the first electrical isolator. The flared end includes external threads. The second electrically conductive tube has an outer flange. The second electrical isolator is disposed around the second electrically conductive tube and engages the outer flange. The nut is disposed around the second electrically conductive tube and engages the second electrical isolator. The nut includes internal threads corresponding to the external threads of the flared end of the first electrically conductive tube.

Apparatus and methods for connecting a first electrically conductive tube and a second electrically conductive tube

A transport element clamp system comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and a channel system. The lower portion has a first number of cutouts and the upper portion has a second number of cutouts. The lower portion is configured to bridge a gap between two support structures in an aircraft. The upper portion is configured to interlock with the lower portion. The channel system is formed by the first number of cutouts and the second number of cutouts. The channel system is configured to receive a number of transport elements when the upper portion and the lower portion are coupled to each other. The transport element clamp system electrically isolates the number of transport elements from the two support structures.

Transport element clamp system

Apparatus and methods provide an electrically isolating clamp that is suitable for use, among other locations, within a composite wing structure and other fuel environments. According to embodiments described herein, the clamp includes a clamp body and cushion. The clamp body is manufactured from a non-conductive material and includes a strap and a base. The cushion may be manufactured from a different non-conductive material to provide at least two layers of electrical isolation between the tube or other object being secured and a structure. The cushion material allows for axial movement of the tube through the cushion. The cushion is disposed between the strap and the base. Shoulder flanges prevent axial movement of the cushion with respect to the clamp body. The clamp may have a cushion retention mechanism to secure the cushion within the strap prior to installation around the tube.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, WA, United States of America

Michael Leslie Gilbertson