US 11,719,228 B2
Methods and apparatus for maintaining airfoil-shaped body using cart that follows trailing edge
Gary E. Georgeson, Tacoma, WA (US); and Joseph L. Hafenrichter, Auburn, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/475,581.
Application 17/475,581 is a division of application No. 16/106,560, filed on Aug. 21, 2018, granted, now 11,149,718.
Prior Publication US 2022/0003216 A1, Jan. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. F03D 80/50 (2016.01); G01N 29/22 (2006.01); G01N 29/265 (2006.01); G01N 29/24 (2006.01); F03D 17/00 (2016.01)
CPC F03D 80/50 (2016.05) [G01N 29/225 (2013.01); G01N 29/265 (2013.01); F03D 17/00 (2016.05); G01N 29/2493 (2013.01); G01N 2291/2694 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for performing a maintenance operation on an airfoil-shaped body, the method comprising:
orienting an airfoil-shaped body so that a trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body is generally horizontal;
placing a maintenance cart having wheels over the trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body with some of the wheels in contact with first and second side surfaces of the airfoil-shaped body which converge toward the trailing edge;
rolling the maintenance cart along the trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body from a first position to a second position; and
performing first and second maintenance operations on the first and second side surface respectively of the airfoil-shaped body after or during the rolling,
wherein the maintenance cart is placed so that other wheels are in contact with and roll on the trailing edge;
wherein the first and second maintenance operations are performed by a first maintenance tool that is supported by a crawler vehicle, the crawler vehicle being connected to the maintenance cart by a cable; and
wherein the method further comprises:
(a) moving the crawler vehicle to a first position in contact with the first side surface;
(b) activating the first maintenance tool onboard the crawler vehicle to perform the first maintenance operation on the first side surface at the first position;
(c) upon completion of steps (a) and (b), moving the crawler vehicle from the first position to a second position on a leading edge of the airfoil-shaped body;
(d) moving the crawler vehicle from the second position to a third position in contact with the second side surface; and
(e) activating the first maintenance tool to perform the second maintenance operation on the second side surface at the third position.