The Boeing Company

Theboeing Company

Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.

Yuanxin Charles Hu

Harinder Singh Oberoi

Kevin Marion Barrick

Branko Sarh

Jeffrey Lawrence Miller

Quang T Do

Alfredo Jose Gerosa

Richard Griffith Reese, Iv

Alan S Draper

Melissa Ann Findlay

Jorge Alberto Arriaga

Michael J Kozak

Melissa A Johnson

Laura Carolyn Foster

Gregory Gudzinski

John Willard Dorsey-Palmateer

Gabriel Burnett

Katherine S Vogt

Donald K Stull

Scott Allen Mackay

Bill V Vogt

Richard Griffith Reese Iv

Vanco Stojanoski

Hwangyu Shin

Gi Jun Hong

Youngwoo Koh

Richard Driffith Reese Iv

Richard Griffith Iv Reese

Gerosa Alfredo Jose Jose

Alfredo Jose Geraso

An end effector for confined space manufacturing operations and methods of use are presented. The end effector comprises a pair of kinematic machines connected in series, and an operational head connected to a first platform of a first kinematic machine of the pair of kinematic machines, the operational head configured to perform number of manufacturing operations on a structure.

End effector for manufacturing operations in confined spaces

A method and apparatus for building a fuselage assembly for an aircraft. A number of fixtures may be drive across a floor to an assembly area to form an assembly fixture. The fuselage assembly may be built on the assembly fixture.

Autonomous flexible manufacturing system for building a fuselage

A fastening end effector is presented. The fastening end effector comprises a hammering insertion die translatable into and out of a housing of the fastening end effector along a longitudinal axis of the fastening end effector; and grippers positioned circumferentially around the hammering insertion die to hold a head of a fastener against the hammering insertion die, the grippers independently moveable relative to the hammering insertion die.

Fastening end effector

A sealant application nozzle comprises a manifold with a incurvate face; bristles extending outward from the incurvate face; and channels within the manifold culminating in outlets exiting through the incurvate face to dispose sealant onto the incurvate face and base of the bristles.

Sealant application assembly and methods of use

An end effector is presented. The end effector comprises a torque wrench and a first vacuum source. The torque wrench is configured to hold a collar and apply a single-sided clamp-up to a structure. The first vacuum source is pneumatically connected to the torque wrench and configured to supply a vacuum for the single-sided clamp-up.

End effector and methods of use

An apparatus for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly. A tower having a number of platform levels may be driven into a selected tower position within an assembly area. The interior of the fuselage assembly may be accessed using the number of platform levels.

Towers for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly

A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a fuselage assembly. The end effector is positioned relative to an expected reference location for a reference point on the fuselage assembly using data from a first metrology system. After positioning the end effector relative to the expected reference location, an actual reference location for the reference point on the fuselage assembly is identified using data from a second metrology system. The end effector is positioned at an operation location based on the actual reference location identified.

Metrology-based system for operating a flexible manufacturing system

A method and apparatus for adjusting an adjustable retaining structure. The adjustable retaining structure may be rotated, passively, about a spherical interface as a panel applies a load to the adjustable retaining structure.

Adjustable retaining structure for a cradle fixture

A method and apparatus for distributing a number of utilities. The number of utilities may be coupled between a number of utility sources and a utility fixture. The number of utilities may be coupled between the utility fixture and a mobile system.

Utility fixture for creating a distributed utility network

A method and apparatus for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly. A tower having a number of platform levels may be driven into a selected tower position within an assembly area. The interior of the fuselage assembly may be accessed using the number of platform levels.

Method of using a tower for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly

Methods and means for reconfiguring an aircraft assembly plant that receives fuselages or fuselage sections via a public railroad system. In cases where the aircraft assembly plant comprises a first assembly line for installing (i.e., stuffing) equipment inside fuselages or fuselage sections and a second assembly line for installing equipment on exteriors of internally equipped fuselages or fuselage sections, both assembly lines being housed in the same building, the facility can be reconfigured by moving at least one fuselage stuffing operation of the first assembly line to an auxiliary building which overlies a railroad track connected to the public railroad system. The moved fuselage stuffing operations will be performed inside the auxiliary building while each fuselage or fuselage section is supported in an upright position on a respective railroad flat car.

Fuselage stuffing building and feeder lines

A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a fuselage assembly. A configuration of the fuselage assembly may be determined. The end effector may be positioned relative to the fuselage assembly based on the configuration determined. A set of actual reference locations may be identified for a set of reference points on the fuselage assembly. The end effector may be positioned at an operation location based on the set of actual reference locations identified.

Growing community of inventors

Newcastle, WA, United States of America

Yuanxin Charles Hu