Abstract: A fastening system to couple a first aircraft structure and a second aircraft structure is disclosed. The fastening system includes a fastener, a nutplate having a body defining an opening to receive the fastener, a flange extending from the body to engage an outer surface of the first structure, and a first sleeve protruding from the flange in a direction away from the body, the first sleeve to couple to a first bore formed in the first structure and prevents rotation of the nutplate relative to the first structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to secure a workpiece with a recess or a projection on one end of the workpiece. The device includes a base; a body portion having a first end coupled to the base and a second end coupleable to the workpiece via the recess or the projection on one end the workpiece; and one or more fastener openings in the body portion, each fastener opening adapted to receive a fastener, each fastener opening further including a pivot module including a compression spring and a clamp pivot to secure the workpiece to the body portion.

Abstract: System for training an interventionalist to perform an invasive percutaneous or endoscopic intervention on an organ includes a pipe having a size and/or shape similar to a body vessel or tubular body cavity connected to the organ. An exit of the pipe simulates or represents an exit of the vessel or cavity at the organ. A tool is inserted at an entrance of the pipe and pushed through the pipe. A stereoscopic camera acquires images of an end portion of the tool as it exits from the pipe. A model generating unit generates a real-time 3D model of this end portion from the images. A merging unit merges in real time the real-time model and a pre-computed 3D model of the organ into a common environment displayed so that the interventionalist can see in real-time where the real-time model of the tool is located with respect to the pre-computed model.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable arbor assembly apparatus with dynamically attachable and removable components. The dynamically configurable arbor assembly apparatus provides plural configurations with removable and attachable components to both a top surface and bottom surface that can be dynamically adjusted and configured to be used with a large variety of power tools, lathes and/or milling machines including plural different attachment interfaces. The dynamically configurable arbor assembly apparatus can also replace a chuck component the power tools, lathes and/or milling machines.

Abstract: A one-piece mechanical timepiece part formed by a gear for timepiece mechanisms, a wheel for timepiece mechanisms and/or a pinion for timepiece mechanisms, and its related method. The method for manufacturing the one-piece mechanical timepiece part by laser light includes the steps of providing a one-piece material part, oscillating and/or rotating the rotary element and forming the one-piece mechanical timepiece part by power and time modulation of the laser light.

Abstract: A device for mounting a toolbox to a rack system for organizing the toolboxes allowing quick removal and mounting of the toolboxes. The device has a body, a fastener tab extends downward from a proximal end of the body, a screw is configured into the fastener tab to secure the device to the slot in the rack. A handle support tab extends outwards from the middle of the body, wherein the handle support tab is configured to snugly receive a handle of the toolbox. A clip at the proximal end can be engaged to the slot.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting an axle in a bore of a bogie mounted on a landing gear of an aircraft, the landing gear being in a gear-down position, the bore extending in a substantially horizontal direction referred to as the axle installation direction, between a first open end and a second open end are disclosed. The method includes a) supplying a mobile bearing structure (30) comprising means for moving the axle (12) which are able to move along a direction substantially parallel to the axle installation direction, b) installing the axle (12) on the means for moving the axle, c) aligning the axis (C) of the axle (12) with the axis (B) of the bore (14), and d) inserting the axle (12) into said bore (14) of the bogie (16) by moving the means for moving the axle (12) along the direction substantially parallel to the axle installation direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for disassembling a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section, a static structure and a bypass duct. The static structure houses and supports the compressor section, the combustor section and the turbine section. The static structure includes a turbine support structure. The bypass duct includes an inner duct wall, an outer duct wall and a bypass flowpath formed radially between the inner duct wall and the outer duct wall. The outer duct wall extends axially along the static structure and overlaps the turbine support structure. During the method, the turbine support structure is removed from the gas turbine engine while the outer duct wall remains installed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of lifting and installing a fuel tank on a vehicle are provided. In particular, a lifting apparatus may (1) receive fasteners and fuel tank bands prior to lifting, the fasteners secured/extended through fastener openings of the fuel tank bands; (2) lift, in a first lifting stage, the received fuel tank bands to a ground-facing surface of a fuel tank (the fuel tank may be resting on a pedestal or a similar support structure) such that the fuel tank bands cradle the fuel tank; and (3) lift, in a second lifting stage, the received fuel tank bands and the cradled fuel tank to the underside of a vehicle for installation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for tray heads and wear plates for tray heads for a railroad spike dispenser. An example wear plate set includes a first wear plate configured to couple to a first sloped surface of a first wall of a tray head. The first wear plate defines a first sloped wear edge along which a head of a railroad spike is to slide when the first wear plate is coupled to the first wall and a shank of the railroad spike travels through a channel. A second wear plate is configured to removably couple to a second sloped surface of a second wall of the tray head. The second wear plate defines a second sloped wear edge along which the head is to slide when the second wear plate is coupled to the second wall and the shank of the railroad spike travels through the channel.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a part being machined from a first fixture to a second fixture so that an un-machined side of the part can be exposed for machining, where the first fixture is secured to a first actuator and the second fixture is secured to a second actuator. The method includes securing the part to the first fixture and machining the part on sides of the part except a side of the part coupled to the first fixture. The method slides the first actuator away from the second actuator, operates the first actuator and the second actuator so that the part secured to the first fixture is aligned with the second fixture, slides the first actuator back towards the second actuator, secures the part to the second fixture and releases the part from the first fixture, and slides the first actuator away from the second actuator again.

Abstract: A control circuit can be operably coupled to the drive motor, a manually actuatable trigger switch. A pull rod position sensor can be coupled to the control circuit. The pull rod position sensor can be operable to provide at least one of an extended position signal to the control circuit in response to the non-rotating pull rod and the spike puller jaws being in the extended position, and a retracted position signal to the control circuit in response to the non-rotating pull rod and the spike puller jaws being in the retracted position. A pair of operating handles can each have an operating manual gripping portion for ergonomically operating the spike puller in an upright operating orientation. A pair of carrying handles can each include a carrying manual gripping portion oriented for ergonomically carrying the spike puller in a side-laying carrying orientation that borders an opening through the plastic housing.

Abstract: A bottom bracket tool is disclosed. The bottom bracket tool has a rim body having a plurality of teeth defined at an outer periphery thereof, the teeth configured for cooperating with a chain of a chain whip tool. The bottom bracket tool has a connector portion defining a coupling of the bottom bracket tool adapted to engage a correspondingly shaped coupling portion of the bottom bracket assembly. A method of removing a bottom bracket assembly from a bicycle frame is disclosed. The method comprises registering correspondingly shaped coupling portions of the bottom bracket assembly and of a bottom bracket tool, mounting a chain whip tool on teeth defined at an outer periphery of a rim body of the bottom bracket tool, and generating a torque on the bottom bracket tool mounted to the bottom bracket assembly via the chain whip tool.

Abstract: An optical connector production device of the present invention is configured to produce an optical connector that includes a ferrule and a first optical transmission member. The production device includes a jig body, and a fixing part which allows the ferrule to fit thereto to hold the ferrule and which is disposed in the jig body.

Abstract: A method for an operation-safe replacement of a control head is provided. The control head is configured to actuate a movement of a target and defines at least a first operating position according to which the target is arranged prior to exchanging the control head for a replacement control head. After exchange, the replacement control head receives configuration data and parameters of the exchanged control head. The replacement control head defines at least a second operating position. The second operating position of the replacement control head generally corresponds to the first operating position defined by the exchanged control head. A position sensing system is provided to sense a position of the target after the exchange procedure. An indicator unit is used to provide a state indicator, wherein the state indicator at least depends on a difference between the position of the target and the second operating position defined by the replacement control head.

Abstract: A system to adjust extension lengths of slats of a work platform relative to a workpiece includes sensors to collect first data associated with a position of an outer surface of the workpiece at a height of the slats. The system includes actuators configured to extend or retract the slats. The system also includes a controller coupled to the sensors and to the actuators. The controller is configured to receive the first data and second data associated with rotation of the workpiece. The controller is configured to provide signals to the actuators of the work platform based on the first data and the second data. The signals cause the actuators to adjust or maintain extension lengths of the slats of the work platform to maintain separation distances between ends of the slats and the outer surface of the workpiece within a separation distance range as the workpiece rotates.

Abstract: A positioning tool (100) includes a lift mechanism (102), multiple curved rails (106), a carriage (110), and multiple clamps (114). The lift mechanism (102) has multiple stages (104) configured to move linearly between a retracted position (152) and an engaged position (154). The curved rails (106) are mounted on the stages (104). The carriage (110) is coupled to the curved rails (106) and is configured to be adjusted into an alignment with a panel (82). The clamps (114) are coupled to the carriage (110) and are configured to releasably couple a part (88) to the carriage (110) while the stages (104) are in the engaged position (154), hold the part (88) in the carriage (110) while the stages (104) are between the engaged position (154) and the retracted position (152), and releasably couple the part (88) to the carriage (110) while the stages (104) are in the retracted position (152).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling aircraft fuselages. One embodiment is a method for assembling a fuselage of an aircraft. The method includes indexing an arcuate section of a fuselage to a frame installation station, feeding a frame at the frame installation station into a concavity defined by the arcuate section, placing the frame against an Inner Mold Line (IML) of the arcuate section while the frame is within the concavity, and affixing the frame to the arcuate section.

Abstract: A centerline clamp assembly sized to insert into an end aperture of a pipe structure, characterized by two or more symmetrically-formed linkages interoperably connected in series, with each of these linkages comprising respective opposing toggle joints pivotally joined at their inner ends to a shared common linkage assembly and at their outer ends by a respective first linkage assembly and a second linkage assembly, with each linkage assembly defining a respective bore configured to concurrently receive an actuating shaft in position along a common geometric centerline axis of the pipe. Multiple alternative configurations may be used in which the number of linkages and linkage assemblies may be increased to achieve clamping action at multiple locations in a pipe structure, thus varying the clamping force according to the properties of the pipe. The configuration and number of linkage assemblies may serve as mounting platforms for instruments, tools, and/or accessories.

Abstract: A portable cutting apparatus is described. The portable cutting apparatus includes a cutting board having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface includes sockets configured to receive legs of an elevation system. Each socket is threaded to include an alignment component and teeth. The alignment component biases rotation of the elevation system component during insertion into the socket to enable full insertion. The teeth are configured to mesh with corresponding teeth of the leg and mechanically secure the leg within the socket. The leg is threaded opposite an end configured for insertion into the socket to include a table foot, in a manner that enables individual height adjustment for each leg of the elevation system. The table foot is configured with a hollow cavity that permits articulation of a base of the table foot to adapt to various surfaces when the portable cutting apparatus is deployed.