The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 1995
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1993
Michael J Wheetley, Bedford, TX (US);
David A Schaller, Dallas, TX (US);
Vought Aircraft Company, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A seam tracking robotic drilling machine (10) is disclosed which is capable of moving a drill head along the seam (12) between abutting skin panels (16, 18) to drill a plurality of precisely positioned holes (18) through the panel. The machine (10) includes a perimeter support frame (20) which mounts a platform (36) for rotation about an axis (38) generally perpendicular the panels to be drilled. The platform supports a carriage (48) for movement along an axis 50 parallel the surface of the panels and in the direction of the seam while the carriage (48) supports an inner carriage (62) for movement along axis 60 perpendicular thereto. A drill head (74) is mounted on the inner carriage (62). A series of variable height vacuum cup assemblies (22-28) support the perimeter support frame (20). A similar series of variable height vacuum cup assemblies (66-72) support the inner carriage (62). When one set of vacuum cup assemblies is activated for attachment to the panels, the other set is deactuated to allow the machine to walk along the seam.