US 11,891,193 B2
Assembly line fabrication and assembly of aircraft wings
Daniel R. Smith, Woodinville, WA (US); and Darrell D. Jones, Mill Creek, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/454,289.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/115,057, filed on Nov. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0153445 A1, May 19, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B64F 5/50 (2017.01); B23P 21/00 (2006.01); B64C 3/18 (2006.01); B64C 3/26 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 5/10 (2017.01) [B23P 21/004 (2013.01); B64C 3/185 (2013.01); B64C 3/187 (2013.01); B64C 3/26 (2013.01); B64F 5/50 (2017.01); B23P 2700/01 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system configured to assemble a wing, such that the system comprises:
a shuttle that the shuttle that comprises pogos that extend down from the shuttle and are configured to suspend an upper wing panel of an aircraft beneath the shuttle and enforce a predetermined contour in the upper wing panel; and
a cart that comprises:
supports configured to engage a bottom edge of a length of a rib of the wing and hold a web of the rib vertically upright;
a chassis configured to translate the rib with the web of the rib vertically upright to a position directly beneath a location on the upper wing panel to which the rib will be affixed; and
a lifting apparatus configured to lift the rib vertically and into direct contact between an upper edge of the length of the rib with the upper wing panel.