Patent ID: 9266625
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: B62D,B64F,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method for scanning a wing box skin, comprising: (a) placing a first tractor vehicle in a position external to the wing box and in contact with the skin; (b) placing first and second trailer vehicles in respective interior spaces of the wing box with a first spar of the wing box therebetween; (c) magnetically coupling the first and second trailer vehicles to the first tractor vehicle with the skin therebetween and to each other with the first spar therebetween; (d) coupling a payload platform to the first tractor vehicle in a position external to the wing box, the payload platform comprising a frame and a maintenance tool that is movable relative to the frame; (e) moving the first tractor vehicle along a path that follows the first spar; (f) stopping the first tractor vehicle; and (g) moving the maintenance tool of the payload platform in a first direction relative to the frame of the payload platform while the first tractor vehicle is stopped in step (f).