US 11,938,532 B2
Apparatus and method for automated application of rivets
Edward J. Batt, Mount Pleasant, SC (US)
Assigned to THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/483,311.
Prior Publication US 2023/0095667 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B21J 15/44 (2006.01); B21J 15/32 (2006.01)
CPC B21J 15/44 (2013.01) [B21J 15/32 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for automated application of rivets to a part, the apparatus comprising:
a frame assembly defining a periphery;
a tool positioning assembly attached to the frame assembly and comprising a plurality of tool positioning modules, each tool positioning module of the plurality of tool positioning modules comprising a locking cone assembly comprising a locking cone;
a movable tool assembly engaged with the tool positioning assembly and configured to be moved with respect to the tool positioning assembly and the frame assembly about the periphery of the frame assembly,
wherein the tool positioning assembly is configured to be adjusted to correspond with a position of a plurality of rivet holes on a part to be riveted, and
wherein the movable tool assembly is configured to move relative to the part to be riveted to sequentially align with each of the plurality of rivet holes via alignment with the tool positioning assembly and to apply a rivet to each of the plurality of rivet holes;
wherein the movable tool assembly comprises a locking cone receiver configured to be moved into engagement with a respective locking cone and wherein engagement of the locking cone receiver with the respective locking cone positions the movable tool assembly in alignment with a respective rivet hole for applying a rivet to the respective rivet hole.