Abstract:
Part positioning apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus to hold an object comprises: a first assembly including a first post and a first puck fitted onto the first post, the first puck to hold the object such that the first puck eliminates a roll moment of the object; and a second assembly including a second post and a second puck fitted onto the second post, the second puck to hold the object such that the second puck eliminates yaw movement of the object, at least one of the first assembly or the second assembly being adjustable to change a distance between the first and second pucks.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/654,095, filed Jan. 16, 2007. The entirety of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/654,095 is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to positioning assemblies for positioning parts and components, such as aircraft components, for example, for trimming, inspection and other purposes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a part positioning assembly having interchangeable pucks and pins for engaging and positioning parts and components having various sizes and shapes for non-destructive testing applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In many industries, fabrication of parts or components requires that the parts and components be trimmed or inspected such as using ultrasonic means. This requires that the parts and components be repeatably positioned in a precise manner with a minimum of contact area between a support and the part or component being positioned. Generally, tools which are being used for this purpose require a specific tool for a specific part or for specific features in each part. Some tools cover inspectable areas on the part and require multiple part tooling positions and multiple inspection scans for a single part. The requirement of specific tools for specific parts and multiple scan positions increases cost by increasing the number of tools and time which are required to process the parts. Furthermore, finding specific tools for specific parts is time-consuming. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is generally directed to a part positioning assembly which includes single, dual or multiple adjustable assemblies in contact with the part. An illustrative embodiment of the part positioning assembly includes a base, a post carried by the base and a puck detachably carried by the post. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the part positioning assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the part positioning assembly. 
         FIGS. 3-12  are perspective views of various interchangeable pucks and puck pins which are suitable for implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the part positioning assembly. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the puck shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the puck shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  16 - 16  in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the puck shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of a rib, illustrating positioning of the component using a pair of part positioning assemblies. 
         FIG. 20  is an end view, taken along lines  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 , of a puck element of a part positioning assembly, engaging the part. 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  21 - 21  in  FIG. 19 , of a puck element of another part positioning assembly, engaging the part. 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of a spar, engaged by multiple part positioning assemblies. 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of an inter-spar rib (shown in phantom), with an elongated puck supporting the inter-spar rib in typical application of the puck. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the part positioning assembly, hereinafter assembly, is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The assembly  1  includes a base  2 . An elongated post  24 , typically having a narrowed distal end  25  which has a uniform diameter turned on the end to hold the tolerance, extends from the base  2 . In some embodiments, a pin slot  27  is provided in the distal end  25  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. The base  2  may have any suitable design which is capable of supporting the post  24  and allows adjustment between posts  24  of adjacent assemblies  1 . In some embodiments, the base  2 , which may be a Bosch bearing truck with modified plastic bearings, includes an elongated base plate  3 . A pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart base flanges  4  extends from the base plate  3 . Multiple engaging members  10 , each of which typically has a T-shaped cross-section, extend from the bottom or interior surface of the base plate  3  and the interior or facing surfaces of the base flanges  4 . Each of the engaging members  10  may be attached to the corresponding base flange  4  by extending fasteners (not shown) through fastener openings  5  provided in each base flange  4  and through registering fastener openings (not shown) provided in each engaging member  10 . The engaging members  10  may be attached to the base plate  3  in a similar manner. In some embodiments, an adjustable t-nut (not shown) and ratcheting lock handle (not shown) are provided on the base  2 . The base  2  can be mounted on a rail or track system (not shown) for transport thereon, in which rail or track system a rail or track (not shown) extends between the base flanges  4  of the base  2 . 
     A block  14 , which may be a modified  80 / 20  inc stanchion block, for example, is provided on the base  2 . The block  14  includes a pair of block flanges  15  which can be attached to the base plate  3  of the base  2  using multiple block fasteners  16 , for example. A block body  17  extends from the block flanges  15 . A post opening  18  extends through the block body  17 . A block slot  19  extends through the block body  17  and communicates with the post opening  18 . The post  24  is clamped in the post opening  18  and extends from the block body  17  of the block  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a dowel pin  20  is extended through a pin opening (not numbered) provided in the block body  17  and into the post  24  clocks the post  24  relative to the block body  17  and adjustable base rail (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a puck  30  is detachably fitted on the distal end  25  of the post  24 . The puck  30  is sized and shaped to engage and position a part or component in a manufacturing process for trimming, inspection and/or other purposes, as will be hereinafter described. Various alternative pucks are shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 12-18  and will be hereinafter described.  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate magnetic pin pucks  48 ,  54 , respectively, which can be used instead of other puck/pin combinations. Magnetic pins shown in  FIGS. 7-11  capture the puck on the end of the post  24  using a magnet (not shown) provided in the distal end  25  of the post  24 . 
     The puck  30  includes a generally circular or disc-shaped puck body  31 . In other embodiments, the puck  30  may be alternative shapes. A post opening or counterbore  32  extends through substantially the center of the puck body  31  to receive the distal end  25  of the post  24 . Multiple contact teeth  33 , each having a generally elongated contact edge  34 , extend from the edge of the puck body  31 , typically beyond the plane of the puck body  31  and in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. Alternatively, the teeth  33  may extend from other sides of the puck body  31  depending on which parts are to be positioned. The puck  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  has sixteen contact teeth  33 , although the number of contact teeth  33  may be greater or lesser in number. Multiple apertures  36  may be provided in the puck body  31 . A mount collar  35  extends from the bottom edge of the puck body  31 . A collar bore (not shown) extends through the mount collar  35  and communicates with the counterbore  32 . Accordingly, the puck  30  is seated on the post  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , by inserting the distal end  25  of the post  24  through the collar opening (not shown) of the mount collar  35  and the counterbore  32  in the puck body  31 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 3 and 13-16  of the drawings, an alternative puck  30   a  includes eight puck teeth  33 . As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a collar bore  35   a  extends through the collar  35  and communicates with the counterbore  32  in the puck body  31 . The apertures  36  extend completely through the puck body  31 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 4, 17 and 18 , an alternative puck  38  includes a generally elongated, elliptical puck body  39 . A post opening  40  extends through the puck body  39 , adjacent to one end thereof. A mount collar  44  extends from the puck body  39 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , a collar bore  44   a  extends through the mount collar  44 , in aligned relationship with respect to the post opening  40 . A pin  43 , which may be magnetic, extends from the puck body  39 , in spaced-apart relationship with respect to the post opening  40 . In some embodiments, the pin  43  is seated in a pin opening  45  ( FIG. 18 ) provided in the puck body  39 . Multiple contact teeth  41 , each having a generally elongated contact edge  42 , extend from the edge of the puck body  39 , beyond the plane of the puck body  39  and in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. The puck  38  is seated on the post  24  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) by inserting the distal end  25  of the post  24  through the collar bore  44   a  and post opening  40  ( FIG. 18 ). As shown in  FIG. 18 , a cross bore  46  may extend laterally through the mount collar  44 , in communication with the collar bore  44   a.  A clocking pin  47  can be extended through the cross bore  46  and through the pin slot  27  ( FIG. 1 ) provided in the distal end  25  of the post  24  to attach, clock or orient the mount collar  44  to the post  24  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the assembly  1 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5 , in another embodiment, a hemispherical puck  48  includes a generally hemispherical or dome-shaped puck body  49 . A magnetic mount collar or mount pin  50  is typically threaded into a pin opening (not shown) provided in the puck body  49  and extends from the puck body  49 . The magnetic pin  50  magnetically engages the distal end  25  of the post  24  to secure the puck  48  on the post  24 . In some embodiments, the puck body  49  is magnetic. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment, the puck  54  includes a generally cylindrical puck body  55 . Multiple contact teeth  56 , each having a generally elongated contact edge  57 , are provided in an upper edge of the puck body  55 . A pin  58 , which may be magnetic, extends from an upper surface of the puck body  55 . A magnetic pin  59  is threaded into and extends from a pin opening (not shown) provided in the bottom surface of the puck body  55 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment, a puck pin  62  includes a generally elongated, cylindrical puck pin body  63 . A circular puck pin plate  64  is provided on one end of the puck pin body  63 . In some embodiments, the puck pin body  63  is magnetic. The diameter of the puck pin plate  64  is greater than that of the puck pin body  63 . A pin  65 , which may be magnetic, extends from the puck pin plate  64 . The diameter of the pin  65  may have any desired diameter and is less than that of the puck pin body  63  and of the puck pin plate  64 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , in an alternative embodiment, the puck pin  62   a  has a pin  65  the diameter of which is generally equal to the diameter of the puck pin body  63 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 9-11 , in another embodiment, a puck pin  68  includes a generally elongated, cylindrical puck pin body  69 . A generally circular or disc-shaped puck pin head  70 , the diameter of which is greater than that of the puck pin body  69 , is provided on the puck pin body  69 . In some embodiments, the puck pin body  69  and or puck pin head  70  is magnetic. In some embodiments, a shoulder  71  is shaped in the edge of the puck pin head  70 . In alternative embodiments  68   a  and  68   b,  respectively, of the puck pin  68 , shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , respectively, the puck pin head  70  has increasingly larger diameters than that of the puck pin head  70  of the puck pin  68 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 12 , an alternative puck  74  which is similar in design to the puck  30   a  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 13-16  includes a generally cylindrical puck body  75  having a diameter which is less than that of the puck body  31  of the puck  30   a.  Multiple contact teeth  76 , each having a generally elongated contact edge  77 , are provided typically in an upper edge of the puck body  75 , although alternative tooth orientations are possible. A post opening  78  extends through substantially the center of the puck body  75 . A mount collar  79  extends from the puck body  75 . A collar bore (not shown) extends through the mount collar  79  and communicates with the post opening  78 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 19-22 , in typical application, one or multiple assemblies  1  is/are adapted to hold and position various parts or components of an aircraft, for example, for inspection, trimming and/or other procedures which are carried out on the parts or components during fabrication, inspection and assembly of aircraft. However, it is to be understood that the assembly or assemblies  1  can be used in the positioning of parts or components for any of various purposes in any of a variety of industries. The pucks of various design which were heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 1-18  can be selected and detachably and interchangeably fitted on the post  24  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the assembly  1  depending on the size and configuration of the component or part which is to be held and positioned using the assembly  1 . The puck pins of various design which were heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 7-11  can be selected and detachably and interchangeably fitted on the puck to support the component or part. In inspection of the component or part, each puck and/or puck pin is designed to contact the component or part along a contact area (a point or line) which is smaller than the smallest size of any flaw which is to be found in the component or part. The part or component is typically retained on the end of the puck with o-ring cord stock or equivalent that is smaller than the smallest size of any flaw which is to be found in the component. The part is captured by the cord stock as it is pulled around idlers (not shown) and through cleats (not shown). In some embodiments, the puck pin is magnetic to magnetically secure the puck on the post  24  of the apparatus  1 . In an alternate design, the puck can be made with a magnetic component or components to magnetically attract a magnetic part or component to hold the part or component on the puck. 
     In  FIG. 19 , a pair of assemblies  1  is shown supporting and positioning a rib  84  for purposes of ultrasonic inspection, trimming and/or other fabrication and/or inspection procedures which are to be carried out on the rib  84 . The rib  84  shown in  FIG. 19  is one example of a component part of flaperon, aileron, inboard flap and outboard flap elements of a commercial aircraft. These elements of the aircraft include  330  different ribs, spars and d-nose component parts which are amenable to positioning using one or multiple assemblies  1  during various stages of fabrication and/or inspection of the parts. The rib  84  has a generally channel-shaped design and includes a curved and tapered rib body  85  and a pair of spaced-apart rib flanges  86  which extend from the rib body  85  in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 19-21 , a puck  30   a  ( FIGS. 3, 6, and 12-16 ) is detachably fitted on the post  24  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of a first apparatus  1   a.  A puck pin  62  ( FIG. 7 ), which may be magnetic, may be fitted in the counterbore  32  of the puck  30  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The pin  65  of the puck pin  62  is typically about ¼″ in diameter. Under circumstances in which the part has a large opening, the puck pin  62   a  ( FIG. 8 ), puck pin  68  ( FIG. 9 ), puck pin  68   a  ( FIG. 10 ) or puck pin  68   b  ( FIG. 11 ) can be used instead of the puck  30   a.  As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the puck  30   a  is positioned between the rib flanges  86  of the rib  84 , at or generally adjacent to the wide end of the rib  84 , with a bottom surface of the rib body  85  resting on the contact edges  34  of the respective contact teeth  33 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . The dimensions of each contact edge  34  are typically about 0.040″×0.50″. The pin  65  extends through a pin opening  87 , which is typically about ¼″ in diameter, provided in the rib body  85 . The assembly  1   a  locates the height of the rib  84  and eliminates part roll moment. 
     A hemispherical puck  48  ( FIG. 5 ), which is typically about 1″ in diameter, is detachably fitted on the post  24  of a second apparatus  1   b.  As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 , the hemispherical puck  48  of the second apparatus  1   b  is positioned between the rib flanges  86  of the rib  84 , at or generally adjacent to the narrow end of the rib  84 , with the bottom surface of the rib body  85  resting on the dome-shaped puck body  49  of the hemispherical puck  48 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . The assembly  1   b  can be repositioned as necessary to facilitate a secure fit of the puck body  49  between the rib flanges  86 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . An o-ring cord  90  may be used to secure the rib  84  to the puck body  49  at assemblies  1   a  and  1   b  described above. During inspection, trimming and/or other fabrication of the rib  84 , the assemblies  1   a  and  1   b  hold and position the rib  84 . The hemispherical puck  48  locates the height of the rib  84  and eliminates yaw movement. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 22 , a third apparatus  1   c  and a fourth apparatus  1   d  are used to hold and position a spar  94  for inspection, trimming and/or other fabrication of the spar  94 . A pair of spaced-apart pin openings  95  is provided in the spar  94 . A puck pin  62 ,  62   a,    68 ,  68   a  or  68   b  ( FIGS. 7-11 ) is detachably fitted on the post  24  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of each apparatus  1   c  and  1   d,  respectively. Accordingly, the pin  65  and  70  of each puck pin  62 ,  62   a,    68 ,  68   a,    68   b  is inserted through the corresponding pin opening  95  of the spar  94 , with the spar  94  resting on the puck teeth  34  ( FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 12 ) of the puck  62 ,  62   a,    68 ,  68   a,    68   b.  The center distance between apparatus  1   c  and  1   d  is adjusted to match the positions of the openings  95  in the spar  94 . An O-ring cord  90  may be used to secure the spar  94  to the assemblies  1   c  and  1   d.  During inspection, trimming and/or other fabrication of the spar  94 , the assemblies  1   c  and  1   d  hold and position the spar  94 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the diameter of the pin  65  ( FIG. 7 ) of the puck pin  62  and the pin  65  ( FIG. 8 ) of the puck pin  62   a,    68 ,  68   a,    68   b  can vary according to the diameters of the pin openings in the component or part which is to be positioned using the assembly or assemblies  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , in another application, an assembly  1   e  can be configured to support a short inter-spar rib  98  which lacks a taper. Accordingly, the elongated puck  38  ( FIGS. 4, 17 and 18 ) is fitted on the post  24  of the assembly  1   e  by inserting the distal end  25  ( FIG. 1 ) of the post  24  into the post opening  40  of the puck  38 . A puck pin, such as the puck pin  62  which was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 7 , may be inserted in the post opening  40  of the puck body  39 . A second pin  43  is typically seated in the pin opening  45  ( FIG. 18 ) provided in the puck body  39 . The pin  65  of the puck pin  62  and the second pin  43  are typically inserted through respective pin openings (not numbered) provided in the inter-spar rib  98  as the inter-spar rib  98  is lowered to rest on the contact plate  64  ( FIG. 7 ) of the puck pin  62 . The inter-spar rib  98  may additionally rest on the contact edges  42  of the respective contact teeth  41  which extend from the puck body  39 . 
     Although this invention has been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as other variations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.