Abstract: A system for navigating an aircraft in a hangar, having at least one optical sensor firmly connected to the aircraft, wherein the sensor can be used to continuously capture surroundings contour data relative to the aircraft, and having a data processing apparatus, connected to the sensor, that has a data memory storing reference data, wherein the data processing apparatus can be used to detect an aircraft collision risk by continuously matching captured surroundings contour data with the reference data. Also, methods of navigating an aircraft in a hangar.

Abstract: A system for navigating an aircraft in a hangar, having at least one optical sensor firmly connected to the aircraft. The sensor can be used to continuously capture surroundings contour data relative to the aircraft. A data processing apparatus, connected to the sensor, has a data memory storing reference data and can be used to determine an aircraft actual position by continuously matching captured surroundings contour data with the reference data and to identify a position deviation by comparing the determined actual position with a stored target position. Also, a method for navigating an aircraft in a hangar with such a system.

Abstract: A method for the connection of moulded parts, wherein a locking collar pin with locking grooves or with an external thread, is driven through the moulded parts and subsequently a locking collar is locked together with at least some of the locking grooves, or with threaded sections of the locking collar pin, by the application of radial pressure, or by means of a screwing operation. A connecting system with a locking ring pin, which has a punching section for purposes of punching through the moulded parts, and also locking grooves for purposes of active engagement with a locking ring; the latter extends over at least two adjacent locking grooves in the axial direction, or over at least two adjacent threads in the axial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (and a corresponding operation method) for automated maskless painting of an external paint on a complex surface using a coloring agent, wherein the complex surface is part of an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a multi-axis robot comprising at least one applicator for the coloring agent, wherein the at least one applicator is configured to apply the coloring agent to the complex surface using a coloring agent ejection technology.

Abstract: A device for painting a curved outer surface of an aircraft includes a paint applicator having a plurality of spray painting heads each assigned to one of a plurality of different base color supply units containing one of polyurethane aircraft paint and ink. The device further includes a spatially adjustable positioning device configured to move the paint applicator relative to the curved outer surface and at least one sensor device configured to determine a three-dimensional geometry of the curved outer surface. The device also includes a control unit configured to coordinate a movement of the positioning device with a paint output of the paint applicator, wherein the control unit is configured to alternately activate each of the plurality of spray painting heads so as to produce a picture motif so as to derive a two-dimensional driving geometry based on the three-dimensional geometry.

Abstract: A device for painting a curved outer surface of an aircraft includes a paint applicator having a plurality of spray painting heads each assigned to one of a plurality of different base color supply units containing one of polyurethane aircraft paint and ink. The device further includes a spatially adjustable positioning device configured to move the paint applicator relative to the curved outer surface and at least one sensor device configured to determine a three-dimensional geometry of the curved outer surface. The device also includes a control unit configured to coordinate a movement of the positioning device with a paint output of the paint applicator, wherein the control unit is configured to alternately activate each of the plurality of spray painting heads so as to produce a picture motif so as to derive a two-dimensional driving geometry based on the three-dimensional geometry.

Abstract: A device for the temporary position fixing of adjacently arranged aircraft structures to be interconnected includes a support frame with at least one vacuum suction cup for temporary surface attachment and with clamping means for the position fixing of the aircraft structures to be interconnected. The support frame with the at least one vacuum suction cup in the region of a transverse gap is attached on the side of one aircraft structure. The support frame includes mechanical contact pressure means for the gap-bridging position fixing of the adjacent other aircraft structure. On the support frame there is a counter support to pressure elements of the contact pressure means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the manufacture of an aircraft fuselage with at least two fuselage barrels wherein connecting segments are firstly prepared for the formation of a transverse joint region for a later transverse joint, and the fuselage barrels are then constructed around the connecting segments; also disclosed is an aircraft fuselage with ring-type connecting segments for the formation of such a transverse joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning segments with one another include a positioning device and a projection device, installed on the construction site, projecting projection lines onto the segments from different directions so that distances between the projection lines and reference points applied to the segments can be determined. The position of the individual reference points on the segments can be determined with reference to a coordinate system by an evaluation device. Based on the spatial arrangement of the reference points, theoretical best-fit planes and best-fit lines are then generated for each segment. The segments are levelled by moving the positioning device or adjusting the shortest possible distance between the theoretical best-fit planes and best-fit lines to the projection lines and are aligned by again moving the positioning device so that the distances between the theoretical best-fit planes and best-fit lines of the first segment and of the second segment are minimised.

Abstract: A connection arrangement for at least two abutting components to be firmly connected to one another, includes a self-piercing rivet having a rivet head for punching of a hole and subsequent riveting of the components, wherein a washer is allocated to the self-piercing rivet at the distal end region opposite to the rivet head, with the washer including a frontal area for the insertion of a circular indentation to create a firm compression connection between a hole in the washer and the distal end region of the self-piercing rivet.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for the connection of two components indirectly or directly in an overlap joint, wherein component sections located in the overlap are pressed together for each drilling procedure by means of a clamping unit formed from a pressure application device on the drilling machine side and a guide on the component side, such that any penetration of chips between the component sections is prevented and temporary connecting elements can be dispensed with.

Abstract: A device and method for the contactless and therefore non-destructive measurement of a degree of dryness of a coat of paint applied to a substrate. The device comprises at least one transmitter for electromagnetic radiation, at least one receiver for determining the absorption of the electromagnetic radiation radiated into the coat of paint, and a measuring means. In the measuring means, the raw measured values measured by the receiver are processed and the degree of dryness, calculated therefrom, of the coat of paint is displayed. Either microwave radiation or infrared radiation in the near infrared range is used as measuring radiation, at least one time-dependent measurement of the absorption at a constant wavelength being made in both cases. In addition, the invention relates to a method for determining the degree of dryness of a coat of paint by means of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a base plate and a support for adjusting the height of an assembly, in particular of a galley module in an aircraft, without using tools. According to the invention, two opposing wedge bodies are arranged such that they can be displaced horizontally between the base plate and the support, the oppositely directed manual displacement of the two wedge bodies, when the lock levers have been raised, causes in the “adjusting position” a raising or lowering of the support for the height adjustment. The assembly is connected to the support, for example by a conventional screw connection through the attachment hole in the support. The device according to the invention allows a user to perform a simple and rapid height adjustment of an assembly arranged thereon, thereby greatly reducing the assembly effort required for prefabricated assemblies or modules in aircraft.

Abstract: A clamping device is provided for an assembly of a stringer coupling in a region of a lateral butt joint between a first and a second fuselage section of an aircraft for coaxially connecting a respective first and second stringer of the first and the second fuselage sections, the stringer coupling intersecting a frame element profile in the region of the lateral butt joint. A supporting yoke is configured to bridge the frame element profile in an arc-shaped manner and includes a first end foot supported by the stringer coupling on the first side of the frame element profile and a second end foot supported by the stringer coupling on the second side of the frame element profile. The supporting yoke includes a middle tensioning hook configured to interact with the frame element profile. The first and the second end feet are tensionable against the stringer coupling.

Abstract: A device for the temporary position fixing of adjacently arranged aircraft structures to be interconnected includes a support frame with at least one vacuum suction cup for temporary surface attachment and with clamping means for the position fixing of the aircraft structures to be interconnected. The support frame with the at least one vacuum suction cup in the region of a transverse gap is attached on the side of one aircraft structure. The support frame includes mechanical contact pressure means for the gap-bridging position fixing of the adjacent other aircraft structure. On the support frame there is a counter support to pressure elements of the contact pressure means.

Abstract: A method for the connection of moulded parts, wherein a locking collar pin with locking grooves or with an external thread, is driven through the moulded parts and subsequently a locking collar is locked together with at least some of the locking grooves, or with threaded sections of the locking collar pin, by the application of radial pressure, or by means of a screwing operation. A connecting system with a locking ring pin, which has a punching section for purposes of punching through the moulded parts, and also locking grooves for purposes of active engagement with a locking ring; the latter extends over at least two adjacent locking grooves in the axial direction, or over at least two adjacent threads in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method of fitting a fuselage shell of an aircraft with at least one window frame of a cabin window includes positioning an uncured laminate including a fiber-reinforced plastic-based composite material configured to form a fuselage shell on a mold surface. A window aperture is introduced into the laminate. A window frame including a fiber-reinforced plastic-based composite material is positioned on the laminate in a region of the window aperture. The laminate is cured under the action of pressure and temperature so as to connect the window frame with the laminate by a material bond.

Abstract: A device for pretreating an exterior surface of an aircraft coated with an aircraft-specific base material so as to prepare the surface for a final painting with aircraft paint includes a pretreating tool. The pretreating tool has a laser head configured to activate the aircraft-specific base material using a laser. The device also includes a support construction including a robot device and a control unit configured to control and move the laser head over the surface using the robot device.

Abstract: A method for tolerance compensation in an overlap joint between a first and a second body section of adjacent fuselage rings includes introducing a plurality of holes into a first body section corresponding to a pattern of rivets; arranging the first and second body section in an overlapping configuration so as to form an overlap; injecting a filler mass through the plurality of holes into a gap formed in the overlap; and hardening the filler mass.

Abstract: A lightweight structure is disclosed, in particular a lightweight structure for an aircraft which is formed from a large number of components which can be joined together by weld joining processes. According to the invention, the lightweight structure has a component thickness which is increased corresponding to the loads in the joint region of the at least one welded joint compared to a thickness of the component outside the joint region.