US 11,947,330 B2
Tool orientation systems and methods
Brian Arthur Thompson, Media, PA (US); and Jonathan T. Davis, Kennett Square, PA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 6, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/294,845.
Prior Publication US 2020/0282501 A1, Sep. 10, 2020
Int. Cl. G05B 19/402 (2006.01); B23Q 9/00 (2006.01); B23Q 16/02 (2006.01); B23Q 17/22 (2006.01); B25F 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC G05B 19/402 (2013.01) [B23Q 9/0007 (2013.01); B23Q 16/021 (2013.01); B25F 5/00 (2013.01); B23Q 17/22 (2013.01); G05B 2219/37404 (2013.01); G05B 2219/45127 (2013.01); G05B 2219/50353 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a first tool sensor configured to be coupled to a first portion of a tool;
a second tool sensor configured to be coupled to a second portion of the tool;
a third tool sensor configured to be coupled to a third portion of the tool; and
a control module comprising a user interface and configured to:
communicatively couple to the first tool sensor, the second tool sensor, and the third tool sensor; and
perform operations comprising:
receiving, at a first timeframe, calibration data from the first tool sensor, the second tool sensor, and the third tool sensor;
determining a calibration orientation of a major length of the tool from the calibration data;
receiving, at a second timeframe, orientation data from the first tool sensor, the second tool sensor, and the third tool sensor;
determining, from the orientation data, whether the major length of the tool is oriented in accordance with the calibration orientation; and
providing, by the user interface, an indication of whether the major length of the tool is oriented in accordance with the calibration orientation.