Abstract: A device for fabricating a composite article having a plurality of material dispensers to increase productivity. The device includes a structure defining a work surface datum, the plurality of material dispensers which are movable relative to the structure, where each of the material dispensers applies a strip material to the work surface datum along a predetermined axis, and wherein each of said predetermined axes are parallel to one another and where the strip material as applied to the work surface datum forms a layer. A method for fabricating a composite in accordance with the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a part on a fixture in a precisely known predetermined position includes pressing a surface of the part against a vacuum head and sealing an annular elastomeric sealing ring against the part surface. A valve button of a valve is engaged by the part surface to open the valve and establish communication between a vacuum source. The part is pulled by the vacuum against a hard stop in the vacuum head having a fixed precisely known relationship to said vacuum head reference surface. The hard-stop can be mounted in the base of the vacuum head for pivoting about at least one axis to self-align the hard-stop face with the part face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling aircraft airflow. An apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can include an air scoop having an inlet and an outlet and configured to mount to the aircraft and be movable relative to at least a portion of the aircraft between a first position and a second position. The air scoop can be oriented to capture air when in the second position. The outlet can be configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a pressurized portion of the aircraft when the air scoop is in the second position to convey air from the inlet to the pressurized portion. The air scoop can be configured to significantly increase the drag of the aircraft from a first value when the air scoop is in the first position to a second value when the air scoop is in the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing large, semi-flexible metal components includes a fixture that holds the component blank in a desired position for manufacturing operations by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling aircraft airflow. An apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can include an air scoop having an inlet and an outlet and configured to mount to the aircraft and be movable relative to at least a portion of the aircraft between a first position and a second position. The air scoop can be oriented to capture air when in the second position. The outlet can be configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a pressurized portion of the aircraft when the air scoop is in the second position to convey air from the inlet to the pressurized portion. The air scoop can be configured to significantly increase the drag of the aircraft from a first value when the air scoop is in the first position to a second value when the air scoop is in the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a part on a fixture in a precisely known predetermined position includes pressing a surface of the part against a vacuum head and sealing an annular elastomeric sealing ring against the part surface. A valve button of a valve is engaged by the part surface to open the valve and establish communication between a vacuum source. The part is pulled by the vacuum against a hard stop in the vacuum head having a fixed precisely known relationship to said vacuum head reference surface. The hard-stop can be mounted in the base of the vacuum head for pivoting about at least one axis to self-align the hard-stop face with the part face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a part on a fixture in a precisely known predetermined position includes pressing a surface of the part against a vacuum head and sealing an annular elastomeric sealing ring against the part surface. A valve button of a valve is engaged by the part surface to open the valve and establish communication between a vacuum source. The part is pulled by the vacuum against a hard stop in the vacuum head having a fixed precisely known relationship to said vacuum head reference surface. The hard-stop can be mounted in the base of the vacuum head for pivoting about at least one axis to self-align the hard-stop face with the part face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wings includes a fixture that holds wing panels for drilling and edge trimming by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the wing. Spars are attached to the wing panel using the coordination holes to locate the spars accurately on the panel in accordance with the original engineering design, and in-spar ribs are attached to rib posts on the spar using accurately drilled coordination holes in the ends of the rib and in the rib post. The wing contour is determined by the configuration of the spars and ribs rather than by any conventional hard tooling which determines the wing contour in conventional processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wings includes a fixture that holds wing panels for drilling and edge trimming by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the wing. Spars are attached to the wing panel using the coordination holes to locate the spars accurately on the panel in accordance with the original engineering design, and in-spar ribs are attached to rib posts on the spar using accurately drilled coordination holes in the ends of the rib and in the rib post. The wing contour is determined by the configuration of the spars and ribs rather than by any conventional hard tooling which determines the wing contour in conventional processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing large, semi-flexible metal components includes a fixture that holds the component blank in a desired position for manufacturing operations by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the part.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating wing panels from a plurality of elongated wing planks attached together with splice stringers along adjacent longitudinal edges and stiffened with stringers parallel to each other and to the splice stringers includes a fixture having a series of headers on which the planks can be assembled and held at the desired curvature with attachment devices for holding the planks as assembled on the fixture. An elevator supports the fixture in an elongated pit for precise adjustment in a generally vertical direction of the fixture and the assembled wing planks. A stringer positioning device is mounted along one longitudinal edge of the pit for positioning a stringer loaded thereon against the assembled wing planks accurately in accordance with the wing design. A downwardly opening yoke having two arms depending from a top cross member is suspended over the pit on a support structure.

Abstract: A system, method and software product provides for true multimedia document retrieval by receiving multimedia queries containing various types of data, such as text keywords, images, audio or other data types, and processing such queries against a multimedia index that commonly indexes multimedia documents, including any of their multimedia components. The unified index allows query retrieval by evaluation of a query structure which can contain any of the multimedia data types, and operators which can be evaluated on any of these data types. The system indexes multimedia documents by separating them into their multimedia components, and processing each component into a number of tokens. The tokens are stored in the index along with information identifying the documents that contain the token, and reference data describing the position of the token within the documents, and any other data extracted from the multimedia component of the document, such as color, texture, luminance, recognized speech, or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wing spars includes a fixture that holds spar webs for drilling and edge trimming by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the wing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating wing panels from a plurality of elongated wing planks attached together with splice stringers along adjacent longitudinal edges and stiffened with stringers parallel to each other and to the splice stringers includes a fixture having a series of headers on which the planks can be assembled and held at the desired curvature with attachment devices for holding the planks as assembled on the fixture. An elevator supports the fixture in an elongated pit for precise adjustment in a generally vertical direction of the fixture and the assembled wing planks. A stringer positioning device is mounted along one longitudinal edge of the pit for positioning a stringer loaded thereon against the assembled wing planks accurately in accordance with the wing design. A downwardly opening yoke having two arms depending from a top cross member is suspended over the pit on a support structure.

Abstract: A bi-directional cargo restraint (20) for restraining a cargo container (22) from movement across an interior surface of an aircraft. The cargo restraint having a frame (40) with an upper surface (60) positionable flush or below the surface of the aircraft, a first end (56), a second end (58), and an axis extending between the first and second ends. The cargo restraint also having a first stop member (42), a second stop member (44), and an abutment member (46) with a top portion (82) and a base portion (80). The top portion of the abutment member is movably mounted to the frame for movement of the abutment member between an extended position and a retracted position. The abutment member in the extended position capable of being toggled against either the first or second stop member. The first end of the abutment member having first and second restraining surfaces (84 and 86) on opposite sides of the first end.

Abstract: An end effector adapted for attachment to and accurate positioning by a robot is provided for positioning a right angle shaped workpiece at a desired position against a panel and drilling a pair of accurately located positioning holes through the workpiece and the panel. The end effector includes a rear plate having a conventional tool connector and adapter that can be grasped and manipulated by the robot. A frame is cantilevered on the rear plate and supports a shuttle mounted on horizontal linear bearings for lateral motion of the shuttle. A pair of vertical bearings on the shuttle supports two horizontal support plates for vertical motion on the shuttle. A drill and an inserter are mounted on the support plates for lateral motion with the shuttle, and for vertical motion on the shuttle.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for holding a plurality of workpieces in proper position for manufacturing. The fixture includes an array of interleaved uniformly spaced contoured headers, with a predetermined set of headers corresponding to a predetermined workpiece contour. Each set of contoured headers may be simultaneously laterally displaced from an inactive stored position to a locked, active forward position, wherein the selection and movement of the set of headers is controlled by a computer controller. Each contoured header has a set of vacuum cups, that, when activated, pulls the predetermined workpiece against the contoured edges of the predetermined set of headers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming composite members has a frame assembly which is lowered onto a table. A sheet of vacuum bagging material, supported by the frame, covers a tooling surface on the table. Attached to the sheet is a downwardly depending seal which continuously extends around the sheet's periphery. This seal inserts into an upwardly opening channel that surrounds the perimeter of the table's tooling surface as the frame is lowered. The seal is inflated while in the channel and this provides in airtight seal between the sheet and tooling surface.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for use in conjunction with a crane/boom in which an ject is held fast to a foam cushion within the system. A hook that forms part of the system grasps a sling holding the object and secures the object against the foam cushion. The object can be aligned by being rotated or tilted while held fast to the cushion. The object is prevented from swinging and swaying, thereby greatly reducing danger.

Abstract: A self-contained portable device for quickly and efficiently recovering a precious metal, such as gold, from bimetallically coated substrate material, such as printed circuit board connectors or tabs. The base metal to which the desired precious metal is bonded must be soluable in nitric acid and be partially exposed. The device includes a processing chamber into which the material to be processed is placed. An etching solution, having a prescribed composition that typically includes nitric acid and at least one effervescent compound, is used to dissolve away the base metal, causing a tunneling effect to free the desired precious metal. Selected agitation, coupled with the frothing action of the effervescent compound(s), greatly enhance the rate at which the precious metal is freed from the bimetallic material. Recirculation of the etching solution from a storage tank to the processing chamber, and vice versa, allows a relatively small amount of the etching solution to be used.