Patent ID: 11931845
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 5:
6. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the first plurality of actuators to pull the first tubular structure away from the second tubular structure in the radially outward direction is performed after longitudinally bisecting the first tubular structure into the first section and the second section and comprises controlling the first plurality of actuators to pull the first section of the first tubular structure away from the second tubular structure in the radially outward direction,
the method further comprising:
operating the vacuum source to engage the second vacuum suction cups of a second plurality of actuators of the second strongback apparatus with the second section of the first tubular structure; and
while the second vacuum suction cups of the second plurality of actuators are engaged with the second section of the first tubular structure, controlling the second plurality of actuators to pull the second section of the first tubular structure away from the second tubular structure in the radially outward direction.