Abstract: A magneto-electrophoretic medium that can be globally and locally addressed and erased. The medium provides a writeable display with no perceivable lag and the ability to write and erase with only minimal power requirements. In particular, the magneto-electrophoretic medium can be erased by providing a subthreshold electric stimulus and supplementing a second non-electric stimulus that disturbs the written state and allows the magneto-electrophoretic particles to return to their original state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a fuselage assembly for an aircraft. A number of fixtures may be drive across a floor to an assembly area to form an assembly fixture. The fuselage assembly may be built on the assembly fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a fuselage assembly for an aircraft. A number of fixtures may be drive across a floor to an assembly area to form an assembly fixture. The fuselage assembly may be built on the assembly fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly. A tower having a number of platform levels may be driven into a selected tower position within an assembly area. The interior of the fuselage assembly may be accessed using the number of platform levels.

Abstract: A dual-interface coupler includes a utilities unit, a number of utility cables configured to provide a number of utilities to the utilities unit, a first coupling unit associated with the utilities unit, and a second coupling unit associated with the utilities unit. The first coupling unit is configured to mechanically couple the utilities unit to a first corresponding coupling unit and comprises a utility interface. The number of utilities are configured to flow from the utilities unit through the utilities interface. The second coupling unit is configured to mechanically couple the second coupling unit to a second corresponding coupling unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder may include a cylindrical tube, a piston head with a piston rod disposed within the cylindrical tube, a cylinder head secured in one tube end of the cylindrical tuba and having the piston rod extending through a piston rod opening, and a cylinder cap with a cap sealing portion inserted in the opposite tube end of the cylindrical tube. The tube end is crimped down onto the cap sealing portion so that a tube material of the cylindrical tube is disposed within the plurality of annular cap grooves in the cap seal portion to retain the cylinder cap. The cylinder head may have a similar plurality of annular head grooves, with the corresponding tube end being crimped down onto the cylinder head.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder may include a cylindrical tube, a piston head with a piston rod disposed within the cylindrical tube, a cylinder head secured in one tube end of the cylindrical tuba and having the piston rod extending through a piston rod opening, and a cylinder cap with a cap sealing portion inserted in the opposite tube end of the cylindrical tube. The tube end is crimped down onto the cap sealing portion so that a tube material of the cylindrical tube is disposed within the plurality of annular cap grooves in the cap seal portion to retain the cylinder cap. The cylinder head may have a similar plurality of annular head grooves, with the corresponding tube end being crimped down onto the cylinder head.

Abstract: Cleaning implement apparatus for cleaning boreholes formed within various different substrates, such as, for example, concrete slabs, concrete blocks, bricks, or the like, comprises a first embodiment for use within a power-operated tool, such as for example, a roto-hammer type power tool for drilling boreholes within concrete or brick substrates, while a second embodiment of the apparatus comprises a manually-operated tool. The first embodiment comprises a bit member having a slotted drive shank (SDS) connection for mounting within the chuck mechanism of the roto-hammer type power tool. In this manner, the same roto-hammer type power tool can be used for both drilling the borehole within the substrate as well as for cleaning the borehole by exchanging the cleaning implement for the drill bit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an assembly operation. A tool may be macro-positioned within an interior of a fuselage assembly. The tool may be micro-positioned relative to a particular location on a panel of the fuselage assembly. An assembly operation may be performed at the particular location on the panel using the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting an adjustable retaining structure. The adjustable retaining structure may be rotated, passively, about a spherical interface as a panel applies a load to the adjustable retaining structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building an assembly fixture for holding a fuselage assembly. A number of cradle fixtures may be driven across a floor to an assembly area. The number of cradle fixtures may be configured to form the assembly fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an assembly operation. A tool may be macro-positioned relative to an exterior of a fuselage assembly. The tool may be micro-positioned relative to a particular location on the exterior of the fuselage assembly. An end effector is removably associated with an external robotic device associated with an external mobile platform. The tool is removably associated with the end effector. An assembly operation may be performed at the particular location on the panel using the tool.

Abstract: A dual-interface coupler includes a utilities unit, a number of utility cables configured to provide a number of utilities to the utilities unit, a first coupling unit associated with the utilities unit, and a second coupling unit associated with the utilities unit. The first coupling unit is configured to mechanically couple the utilities unit to a first corresponding coupling unit and comprises a utility interface. The number of utilities are configured to flow from the utilities unit through the utilities interface. The second coupling unit is configured to mechanically couple the second coupling unit to a second corresponding coupling unit.

Abstract: A method for coupling a number of utilities between a first system and a second system is provided. A first interface that couples the number of utilities between the first system and the second system is created between the first system and a utilities unit. The first interface is activated. A second interface between the second system and the utilities unit is deactivated, while the first interface remains activated.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly. A tower having a number of platform levels may be driven into a selected tower position within an assembly area. The interior of the fuselage assembly may be accessed using the number of platform levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly. A tower having a number of platform levels may be driven into a selected tower position within an assembly area. The interior of the fuselage assembly may be accessed using the number of platform levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a fuselage assembly for an aircraft. A number of fixtures may be drive across a floor to an assembly area to form an assembly fixture. The fuselage assembly may be built on the assembly fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a fuselage assembly for an aircraft. A number of fixtures may be drive across a floor to an assembly area to form an assembly fixture. The fuselage assembly may be built on the assembly fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an assembly operation. A tool may be macro-positioned relative to an exterior of a fuselage assembly. The tool may be micro-positioned relative to a particular location on the exterior of the fuselage assembly. An end effector is removably associated with an external robotic device associated with an external mobile platform. The tool is removably associated with the end effector. An assembly operation may be performed at the particular location on the panel using the tool.

Abstract: A drilling drive system is provided. The drilling drive system has a mast having a longitudinal axis and a surface extending along the longitudinal axis. A bar is fixed to the surface of the mast and extends along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of rungs is disposed along the length of the bar, and a floating chain is disposed around the mast. A drive sprocket has a plurality of teeth that engage the plurality of rungs and the floating chain.