Riveter Patents (Class 29/243.53)
  • Patent number: 6240613
    Abstract: A rivet setting tool is provided with a cycle control whereby a pressure switch or pressure transducer enables the electronic logic controller to monitor tool hydraulic pressure. When the pressure reaches a predetermined threshold and subsequently drops below a second threshold valve the controller deduces that a rivet has been set and removes pressure from the tool so that the tool can be immediately reset, thus reducing the tools cycle time. Upon determining that a rivet has been set, a mandrel collection window is set. The controller monitors whether a mandrel is returned to the mandrel collection system prior to the expiration of the timed window, and if not, the controller provides a fault signal to the operator. Multiple windows are utilized so that more than one mandrel can be in the return tube at one time without delaying operation of rivet setting system. The pressure sensors can also be utilized to confirm that a rivet has been loaded into the rivet setting tool without the use of a rivet sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Bill O'Connor, James M. Bradbury
  • Patent number: 6237210
    Abstract: A fuselage is substantially simultaneously fabricated, equipped and outfitted in an assembly area including adjacent riveting, equipping and outfitting zones. The riveting zone includes an external riveting apparatus working from the outside of the aircraft fuselage, and an internal riveting apparatus working from the inside of the fuselage to fabricate and join a first fuselage section to an initial structure. The first fuselage section is moved from the riveting zone into an equipping zone, wherein equipment, such as pipes, ducts, hoses, pumps, blowers and structural components and fittings of the aircraft, is installed in the first fuselage section, while simultaneously a second fuselage section is being rivet-joined onto the first fuselage section in the riveting zone. The second fuselage section is moved from the riveting zone into the equipping zone, and the first fuselage section is moved from the equipping zone into the outfitting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Stoewer, Bernd Koehler, Norbert Kosuch
  • Patent number: 6233803
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a riveting device. The riveting device is provided with a body defined by a body longitudinal axis and having a pressure port formed therein. The riveting device is further provided with a jaw defined by a jaw plane. The jaw has first and second jaw extensions with the first jaw extension having a jaw plunger orifice extending therethrough. The riveting device is further provided with an angular attachment having an attachment plunger orifice extending therethrough. The angular attachment is attached to the first jaw extension with the attachment plunger orifice being axially aligned with the jaw plunger orifice. The angular attachment is further attached to the body and formed to maintain the jaw plane at an angular orientation relative to the body longitudinal axis. The riveting device is further provided with a rivet plunger having opposing rivet and base ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Rose
  • Patent number: 6223413
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning tooling for operation on a curved workpiece wherein a gantry beam assembly having a movable head assembly thereon carrying tooling is pivotally connected on a pivot axis to a pair of spaced apart pedestals each having a longitudinal axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis and wherein the workpiece is supported on a fixture between the pedestals and so that the gantry beam assembly extends along the workpiece. The pivot axis of the gantry beam assembly is moved along the longitudinal axes of the pedestals, the pivot axis of the gantry beam assembly is moved along a path substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the pedestals and the head assembly is moved along the gantry beam assembly. The foregoing operations move the head assembly relative to the workpiece enabling the tooling to perform operations thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: General Electro Mechanical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Crocker, Kenneth Benczkowski