Abstract: The rivet injector system includes a set of grasping spring-loaded rivet fingers which are mounted on a rivet ram portion of an automatic riveting machine. The rivet injector assembly receives a rivet from a feed tube into a chamber in the assembly. A stopper pin and a moveable forward end stop within the chamber are operated to hold the rivet axially, the rivet being supported on a rivet pad in the chamber. A tower portion of the injector assembly is slidably mounted to raise the rivet, forcing it between the spring-loaded rivet fingers, which firmly grasp the rivet. The forward end stop and the stopper pin are then retracted and the tower portion lowered, leaving the rivet grasped by the rivet fingers, permitting the rivet to be moved forwardly into a hole in the workpiece.

Abstract: The apparatus and method includes a spindle portion which holds a cutting tool. The drill is initially moved forwardly of a pressure foot portion of the apparatus. The pressure foot portion is then moved forwardly along with the spindle and drill to clamp the mechanical assembly. A thrust control arrangement produces a reduction of the thrust on the tool holder such that as the assembly is being clamped, the tool initially contacts the workpiece and then remains stationary while the pressure foot moves forward to complete clamp-up. The positions of the tip of the tool and the surface of the workpiece are recorded and compensation is then made to the apex position of the spindle stroke, using a previously determined reference position of the tool relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: The system includes means for moving a rivet or a collar from a storage bin to an initial position for the respective gripping assemblies. The presence of the rivet and/or collar is recognized as it moves through a feeding mechanism. After the rivet or collar is gripped, they are moved either into an opening in the workpiece, in the case of a rivet, or onto the tail of a lockbolt, in the case of a collar. The gripping assembly is then released from the rivet or the collar, with the gripping means moving back to an initial position. Further operations can then be carried out on the rivet or collar.

Abstract: The system includes means for moving a rivet or a collar from a storage bin to an initial position for the respective gripping assemblies. The presence of the rivet and/or collar is recognized as it moves through a feeding mechanism. After the rivet or collar is gripped, they are moved either into an opening in the workpiece, in the case of a rivet, or onto the tail of a lockbolt, in the case of a collar. The gripping assembly is then released from the rivet or the collar, with the gripping means moving back to an initial position. Further operations can then be carried out on the rivet or collar.

Abstract: The system includes means for moving a rivet or a collar from a storage bin to an initial position for the respective gripping assemblies. The presence of the rivet and/or collar is recognized as it moves through a feeding mechanism. After the rivet or collar is gripped, they are moved either into an opening in the workpiece, in the case of a rivet, or onto the tail of a lockbolt, in the case of a collar. The gripping assembly is then released from the rivet or the collar, with the gripping means moving back to an initial position. Further operations can then be carried out on the rivet or collar.

Abstract: The power supply, useful with an electromagnetic force apparatus such as a riveter or a bolt inserter, includes two capacitor banks which are charged through charging doubler modules. Each charging doubler module includes an AC capacitor which is responsive to a power source. The AC capacitor is connected to a node point between two diode elements, which are connected in series across the capacitor bank. An analog-to-digital converter converts the voltage on the capacitor bank to a digital voltage for comparison with a selected digital charge voltage in a controller. The selected digital charge voltage may vary over time by means of a compensating algorithm. A ground fault indicator using a biasing voltage is connected between a selected electrical circuit portion of the force apparatus and earth ground. A gas discharge tube in combination with a current sensing element is connected to the capacitor banks to determine a possible over-voltage condition.

Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extending lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.

Abstract: A collar-swaging die includes two portions which are slidable relative to each other for alignment of the collar onto the exposed end of the bolt.

Abstract: A base assembly for use with a riveting apparatus such as an electromagnetic riveter (EMR). In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes a base plate (42) having a raised beveled portion (80) extending upwardly from the upper surface (54) of the base plate (42). A mounting plate (72) fits on and is secured to the base plate (42) by a plurality of coil springs (90-93). The mounting plate (72) has a recessed portion (66) in the lower surface thereof which mates with the raised portion (80) of the base plate (42). Trip switches (104-107) are positioned in the mounting plate (72) for detection of movement of the mounting plate (72) relative to the base plate (42) in response to undesired contact between the EMR and a part assembly or fixture therefor. An output signal indication is provided when one or more of the trip switches (104-107) are actuated.

Abstract: The power supply, useful with an electromagnetic force apparatus such as a riveter or a bolt inserter, includes two capacitor banks which are charged through charging doubler modules. Each charging doubler module includes an AC capacitor which is responsive to a power source. The AC capacitor is connected to a node point between two diode elements, which are connected in series across the capacitor bank. An analog-to-digital converter converts the voltage on the capacitor bank to a digital voltage for comparison with a selected digital charge voltage in a controller. The selected digital charge voltage may vary over time by means of a compensating algorithm. A ground fault indicator using a biasing voltage is connected between a selected electrical circuit portion of the force apparatus and earth ground. A gas discharge tube in combination with a current sensing element is connected to the capacitor banks to determine a possible overvoltage condition.

Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extending lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.

Abstract: The bolt insertion apparatus includes a driver which is partially contained within an interior volume defined by an inner cylindrical sleeve which is secured at its front end to a forward mass portion of the apparatus. An actuator coil is also positioned within the interior volume for electromagnetic actuation of the driver. An outer cylindrical sleeve includes a recoil mass at the rear end thereof, with the coil extending forwardly from the recoil mass into the interior volume of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is movable longitudinally relative to the inner sleeve. A spacer element is selectively removable between a forward end of the apparatus and a clamp-up nosepiece member. The apparatus is initially positioned such that there is a gap between a tool on the end of the driver and the head of the bolt. The collar-swaging apparatus includes a driver element mounted for longitudinal movement.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a riveting assembly (10) which includes a rivet die (18) having a concave configuration which is brought into contact with one end of a rivet to be upset. The die (18) is driven into a rivet end by a rivet ram (16) a first time, resulting in an interference fit between the rivet shank and the part being riveted. When the die (18) is withdrawn, the newly formed rivet head will in some instances expand outwardly away from the surface of the part, leaving a gap between the formed end of the rivet and the part. A second strike assembly includes an L-shaped second strike element (28) which is moved between the die (18) and the rivet head. The ram (16) is then driven a second time, forcing the second strike element (28) against the formed end of the rivet, forcing the formed end of the rivet to flow outwardly and toward the part, resulting in the filling of the gap between the rivet head and the surface of the part.

Abstract: A two axis tracer (10) includes a back plate (34) and a front plate assembly (49) which includes a single sensing member (24) at the top end of which is a mushroom-shaped cap portion (28). Mounted on back plate (34) is a slider assembly (38) which moves in one direction between the front and rear edges of the back plate (34). The front plate assembly (49) is mounted to the slider assembly (38). A first air cylinder (60) operating a lever arm (52) provides movement of the sensing member (24) in the other direction, which is perpendicular to the one direction. A second air cylinder (68) includes an extendable rod, the end of which is secured to the back plate (34), providing movement of the front plate assembly (49) by action of the slider assembly (38). The top and peripheral edge of the cap portion (28) contact surfaces of the part to be worked in the two directions.

Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extendign lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.

Abstract: The deicing system includes a plurality of relatively thin, flat coils positioned between an aircraft surface and an outer sheet. If the aircraft surface is electrically conducting such as aluminum, such that eddy currents may be established therein, then the outer sheet is resistant to eddy currents being established therein. An electrically conducting layer may be positioned between the coil and the aircraft surface to improve efficiency. If the aircraft surface is resistant to eddy currents being established therein, then outer sheet is electrically conducting. However, if an electrically conducting layer is positioned between coil and outer sheet, the outer sheet may be made from non-conducting material. A rapidly rising current through the coil will result in a rapid repulsion between the coil and the particular member which is electrically conducting, causing ice to be removed (shattered) from the outer sheet.