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:
Aug. 09, 2011
Filed:
Oct. 24, 2008
Kevin E. Mccrary, Graham, WA (US);
Arthur C. Day, Seattle, WA (US);
John Edwards, Kent, WA (US);
Richard A. Hawkins, Puyallup, WA (US);
Mark D. Higgins, Woodinville, WA (US);
Philip E. Johnson, Auburn, WA (US);
John A. Mittleider, Kent, WA (US);
James R. Schindler, Lynnwood, WA (US);
Michael Strasik, Sammamish, WA (US);
Kevin E. McCrary, Graham, WA (US);
Arthur C. Day, Seattle, WA (US);
John Edwards, Kent, WA (US);
Richard A. Hawkins, Puyallup, WA (US);
Mark D. Higgins, Woodinville, WA (US);
Philip E. Johnson, Auburn, WA (US);
John A. Mittleider, Kent, WA (US);
James R. Schindler, Lynnwood, WA (US);
Michael Strasik, Sammamish, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.