Automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels

{
  "publication_number": "US9844929B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels",
  "abstract": "An automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels is provided. A first module receives and secures a composite panel with respect to an origin of a first coordinate system, wherein the composite panel has opposed major surfaces and defines an insert-receiving orifice extending through one of the major surfaces, and is secured such that one of the major surfaces is externally accessible. A second module engages each of a plurality of fastener inserts with an installation aide. Third module determines a configuration of the orifice defined by the composite panel, selects a corresponding one of the fastener inserts engaged with the installation aide, inserts the selected fastener insert into the orifice, and dispenses an adhesive material through the installation aide and into the orifice about selected fastener insert such that the adhesive material secures the selected fastener insert within the orifice. Associated systems are also provided.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels, comprising: a panel handling module configured to receive and secure a composite panel with respect to an origin of a first coordinate system, the composite panel having opposed major surfaces and defining an insert-receiving orifice extending through one of the major surfaces, the composite panel being secured such that one of the major surfaces is externally accessible, and the insert-receiving orifice being formed in the composite panel in a previous process prior to receipt of the composite panel by the panel handling module; a fastener insert assembly module configured to engage each of a plurality of fastener inserts with an installation aide; and a fastener insert installation module configured to determine a configuration of the insert-receiving orifice formed in the previous process, the configuration being a through-hole configuration or a blind hole configuration, or a size of the insert-receiving orifice formed in the previous process, the size being a lateral size or a longitudinal size, defined by the composite panel secured by the panel handling module, to select a corresponding one of the fastener inserts engaged with the installation aide from the fastener insert assembly module in response to the determined configuration or size of the insert-receiving orifice, to insert the selected fastener insert into the insert-receiving orifice, and to dispense an adhesive material through the installation aide and into the insert-receiving orifice about selected fastener insert such that the adhesive material secures the selected fastener insert within the insert-receiving orifice.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the panel handling module comprises opposing frame members, at least one of the frame members being pivotable about one end thereof with respect to the other frame member, the at least one of the frame members being pivotable between an open position with respect to the other frame member, to receive the composite panel therebetween, and a closed position with respect to the other frame member, to secure the composite panel therebetween.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener insert assembly module is configured to sort the fastener inserts by a configuration or a size thereof.",
    "4. The system of claim 3, wherein the fastener insert assembly module is configured to sort the plurality of fastener inserts according to a through-hole insert configuration or a blind-hole insert configuration.",
    "5. The system of claim 4, wherein the fastener insert assembly module is configured to sort the through-hole insert configuration of the plurality of fastener inserts or the blind-hole insert configuration of the plurality of fastener inserts according to a lateral size or a longitudinal size.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein each fastener insert includes an engagement surface defining a plurality of adhesive application orifices spaced apart about the engagement surface, and wherein the fastener insert assembly module is configured to manipulate the fastener inserts to engage the engagement surfaces of the fastener inserts with the respective installation aides.",
    "7. The system of claim 6, wherein each fastener aide defines a plurality of adhesive application orifices, and wherein the fastener insert assembly module is configured to align the adhesive application orifices of the fastener insert and the installation aide, prior to engaging the engagement surface of the fastener insert with the installation aide.",
    "8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener insert installation module is configured to select a corresponding one of the plurality of fastener inserts engaged with the installation aide from the fastener insert assembly module according to the determined configuration and size of the insert-receiving orifice.",
    "9. The system of claim 8, wherein the installation aide includes an adhesive material on a surface thereof engaging the fastener insert, and wherein the fastener insert installation module is configured to insert the selected corresponding one of the plurality of fastener inserts into the insert-receiving orifice such that the surface of the installation aide engages and adheres to the major surface of the composite panel having the insert-receiving orifice extending therethrough, so as to support the selected corresponding one of the plurality of fastener inserts at a desired position within the insert-receiving orifice.",
    "10. The system of claim 1, comprising an adhesive material preparation module configured to mix and actuate the adhesive material in an adhesive material kit.",
    "11. The system of claim 10, wherein the fastener insert installation module is configured to receive the adhesive material kit from the adhesive material preparation module, to dispense the actuated adhesive material from the adhesive material kit.",
    "12. The system of claim 11, wherein the adhesive material preparation module or the fastener insert installation module is configured to limit dispensation of the actuated adhesive material from the adhesive material kit to within a predetermined working time.",
    "13. The system of claim 12, wherein the adhesive material preparation module is configured to prepare a subsequent adhesive material kit for mixing and actuation of the adhesive material therein prior to expiration of the working time of the actuated adhesive material in a previous adhesive material kit received by the fastener insert installation module.",
    "14. The system of claim 11, wherein the adhesive material preparation module or the fastener insert installation module is configured to monitor dispensation of the actuated adhesive material from the adhesive material kit with respect to a predetermined working time, and to direct the adhesive material preparation module to prepare a subsequent adhesive material kit for mixing and actuation of the adhesive material therein prior to an earlier occurrence of exhaustion of the actuated adhesive material or expiration of the working time of the actuated adhesive material, within a previous adhesive material kit received by the fastener insert installation module.",
    "15. The system of claim 10, wherein the fastener insert installation module is configured to dispense the actuated adhesive material from the adhesive material kit through the installation aide and into the insert-receiving orifice about selected fastener insert, and to exert a negative pressure on the actuated adhesive material, upon dispensation of a selected amount of the actuated adhesive material from the adhesive material kit, so as to retract excess actuated adhesive material back into the adhesive material kit."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure is directed to an automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels. Description of Related Art Composite panels, such as honeycomb-cored sheets, often cannot have mechanical fasteners directly affixed thereto. In some instances wherein such a composite panel may require a mechanical fastener to be affixed thereto, a fastener-receiving insert may first be installed in and secured to the composite panel, and the mechanical fastener is then engaged with the insert. In this manner, the mechanical fastener can be used with the installed insert to secure the composite panel to other composite panels or structures. However, such inserts often require a high degree of precision and conformance to tolerances when installed in the composite panel in order to provide an effective anchor for the mechanical fastener. For example, there may be several configurations or sizes of inserts, and each insert requires that the insertion orifice in the composite panel be correspondingly configured or sized. It is not desirable to install an insert configured for a through-hole orifice in a blind-hole-configured orifice, and vice versa. Moreover, insert-receiving-orifice defined by the composite panel must have an appropriate diameter and/or length/depth corresponding to the diameter and/or length of the insert received thereby.",
  "cpc": [
    "B32B 37/142",
    "B21J 15/32",
    "B23P 19/001",
    "B23P 19/04",
    "B29C 65/483",
    "B29C 65/542",
    "B29C 65/564",
    "B29C 65/7802",
    "B29C 66/30321",
    "B29C 66/30325",
    "B29C 66/474",
    "B29C 66/721",
    "B29C 66/72525",
    "B29C 66/863",
    "B29L 2031/3076",
    "B32B 2305/024",
    "B32B 2607/00",
    "B32B 3/12",
    "B32B 37/12",
    "B32B 37/146",
    "F16B 11/006",
    "F16B 5/01"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 19/00",
    "B23P 19/04",
    "B29C 65/00",
    "B29C 65/48",
    "B29C 65/54",
    "B29C 65/56",
    "B29C 65/78",
    "B29L 31/30",
    "B32B 3/12",
    "B32B 37/12",
    "B32B 37/14",
    "F16B 5/01"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BOEING CO"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "COON AARON",
    "MCINELLY CHRIS G",
    "HOEKSEMA BRET",
    "LILLIBRIDGE RYAN",
    "ALLEN TOM",
    "SOLACK STEVE",
    "BOWE KEVIN",
    "ALLEN GARY K"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-11-23",
  "publication_date": "2017-12-19",
  "grant_date": "2017-12-19",
  "priority_date": "2015-11-23",
  "application_number": "US-201514949384-A",
  "family_id": "56936281",
  "citations": [
    "EP0160160A1",
    "EP0618022A1",
    "FR2990890A1",
    "US4203204A",
    "US4242158A",
    "US4310964A",
    "US4978265A",
    "US8136328B2",
    "US8661684B1",
    "WO2007038740A2",
    "WO9946079A1"
  ]
}