Dual hidden point bars

{
  "publication_number": "US9874628B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Dual hidden point bars",
  "abstract": "A system is provided including a first elongated object proximate a first surface on a first side of a structure and a second elongated object proximate a second surface on a second side of the structure, the second surface and the second side opposite the structure relative to the first surface and the first side, the first object aligned with the second object at a first point on the first surface. The system also includes a first plurality of corner cubes affixed to the first object at first known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the first object abuts the first surface at the first point. The system also includes a second plurality of corner cubes affixed to the second object at second known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the second object abuts second surface at second point opposite first point.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of establishing and utilizing a coordinate measurement reference on surface at predetermined locations, comprising: attaching a first bar to a second bar through a first hole in a structure, a third bar to a fourth bar through a second hole in the structure, and a fifth bar to a sixth bar through a third hole in the structure, wherein the first bar, the third bar, and the fifth bar abut against an interior surface of the structure respectively at a first point, a third point, and a fifth point, and wherein the second bar, the fourth bar, and the sixth bar abut against an exterior surface the structure respectively at a second point, a fourth point, and a sixth point; while the respective bars are attached, determining, by a computer, first, third, and fifth reference coordinates of the first point, third point, and fifth point, respectively, in an internal coordinate system for the interior surface using signals reflected from targets positioned at known distances from the first point, the third point, and the fifth point, wherein the targets comprise a first, third and fifth plurality of corner cubes affixed respectively to the first, third and fifth bar; while the respective bars are attached, determining, by the computer, second, fourth, and sixth reference coordinates of the second point, fourth point, and sixth point, respectively, in an external coordinate system for the exterior surface using signals reflected from targets positioned at known distances from the second point, fourth point, and sixth point, wherein the targets comprise a second, fourth, and sixth plurality of corner cubes affixed respectively to the second, fourth, and sixth bar; mapping, by a computer, the second, fourth, and sixth reference coordinates to the first, third, and fifth reference coordinates, respectively; adapting, by the computer, the external coordinate system to the internal coordinate system to form an adaptation based on the mapping; and moving and positioning a first robot on the interior surface according to the internal coordinate system, and a second robot on the exterior surface according to the external coordinate system, wherein movements and positions of the first robot and the second robot are coordinated using the adaptation.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interior surface is on an interior of an aircraft fuselage and the exterior surface is on an exterior of the aircraft fuselage.",
    "3. The method of claim 2, wherein the measurements comprise laser lights and wherein laser interferometry devices situated at the interior of the aircraft fuselage and at the exterior of the fuselage project lasers from known distances to the first plurality, the third plurality, and the fifth plurality of corner cubes and the second plurality, the fourth plurality, and the sixth plurality of corner cubes, respectively, to determine the first reference coordinates and the second reference coordinates, respectively.",
    "4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first, the third, and the fifth plurality of corner cubes on the first bar, the third bar, and the fifth bar, respectively, and the second, the fourth plurality, and the sixth plurality of corner cubes on the second bar, the fourth bar, and the sixth bar, respectively, are affixed at known distances from each other and are affixed at known distances from the first point, the third point, and the fifth point, respectively.",
    "5. The method of claim 1, wherein shanks protruding from ends of the first bar, the third bar, and the fifth bar abutting the interior surface pass through the first hole, the second hole, and the third hole, respectively, are inserted into a fourth hole, a fifth hole, and a sixth hole, respectively, in the ends the second bar, the fourth bar, and the sixth bar abutting the exterior surface.",
    "6. The method of claim 5, wherein insertion of the shanks through the first hole, the second hole, and the third hole in the structure and into the fourth hole, the fifth hole, and the sixth hole of the second bar, the fourth bar, and the sixth bar, respectively, enables the first bar and the second bar, the third bar and the fourth bar, and the fifth bar and the sixth bar, respectively, to abut the interior surface and the exterior surface, respectively, in a flush manner.",
    "7. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurements are taken at least using a first measurement device directed the first, the third, and the fifth plurality of corner cubes.",
    "8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first measurement device is disposed proximate the first surface.",
    "9. The method of claim 8, wherein first measurement device receives reflected measurements from the first, the third, and the fifth plurality of corner cubes.",
    "10. The method of claim 9, wherein the measurements are also taken using a second measurement device directed at the second, the fourth, and the sixth plurality of corner cubes.",
    "11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second measurement device is disposed proximate the second surface.",
    "12. The method of claim 11, wherein second measurement device receives reflected measurements from the second, the fourth, and the sixth plurality of corner cubes.",
    "13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first measurement device comprises a first laser and wherein the second measurement device comprises a second laser.",
    "14. The method of claim 12 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth plurality of corner cubes comprise mirrors.",
    "15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: determining coordinate positions for points on the first bar and the second bar that are hidden by the structure or by the holes.",
    "16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: performing a manufacturing operation using the first robot and the second robot.",
    "17. The method of claim 16, wherein the manufacturing operation comprises riveting a structure.",
    "18. The method of claim 17, wherein the structure comprises an aircraft.",
    "19. The method of claim 18, wherein the structure comprises a fuselage.",
    "20. A method of establishing and utilizing a coordinate measurement reference on surface at predetermined locations, comprising: attaching a first bar to a second bar through a first hole in a structure, a third bar to a fourth bar through a second hole in the structure, and a fifth bar to a sixth bar through a third hole in the structure, wherein the first bar, the third bar, and the fifth bar abut against a first surface of the structure respectively at a first point, a third point, and a fifth point, and wherein the second bar, the fourth bar, and the sixth bar abut against a second surface the structure respectively at a second point, a fourth point, and a sixth point; while the respective bars are attached, determining, by a computer, first, third, and fifth reference coordinates of the first point, third point, and fifth point, respectively, in an internal coordinate system for the first surface using signals reflected from targets positioned at known distances from the first point, the third point, and the fifth point, wherein the targets comprise a first, third and fifth plurality of corner cubes affixed respectively to the first, third and fifth bar; while the respective bars are attached, determining, by the computer, second, fourth, and sixth reference coordinates of the second point, fourth point, and sixth point, respectively, in an external coordinate system for the second surface using signals reflected from targets positioned at known distances from the second point, fourth point, and sixth point, wherein the targets comprise a second, fourth, and sixth plurality of corner cubes affixed respectively to the second, fourth, and sixth bar; the computer mapping the second, fourth, and sixth reference coordinates to the first, third, and fifth reference coordinates, respectively; the computer, adapting the external coordinate system to the internal coordinate system to form an adaptation based on the mapping; and coordinating movements of a first robot on the first surface and a second robot on the second surface based on the adaptation."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field The present disclosure relates generally to measurement systems used in manufacturing of aircraft and, in particular, to aligning coordinate systems of external and internal aircraft volumes during aircraft manufacture to maneuver robots and other devices on the opposing aircraft surfaces in concert. 2. Background Manufacturers of aircraft and other complex products may require precision in placement of components in their products. An aircraft maker may install many thousands of rivets, fasteners, and other components in various locations in an aircraft fuselage during manufacturing. Ensuring that the correct rivet is placed in the intended rivet hole may present challenges. Installing a rivet in the fuselage of a jet aircraft during manufacturing or maintenance may require simultaneous controlled movement of a rivet assembly and tooling on both the inside and outside surfaces of the fuselage. Instruments on the opposite surfaces of the fuselage panel must be positioned at the correct locations or the rivet or other component will not be installed properly.\n\nThe illustrative embodiments provide for a system. The system includes a first elongated object proximate to a first surface on a first side of a structure. The system also includes a second elongated object proximate to a second surface on a second side of the structure, the second surface and the second side being opposite the structure relative to the first surface and the first side, the first elongated object aligned with the second elongated object at a first point on the first surface.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01B 21/042",
    "B21J 15/142",
    "B21J 15/28",
    "B25J 11/007",
    "B25J 13/089",
    "B64F 5/10",
    "G01B 11/002",
    "G01S 17/06",
    "G01S 17/66",
    "G01S 7/4808",
    "G05B 2219/45088",
    "Y10S 901/01"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B64F 5/00",
    "B64F 5/10",
    "G01B 11/00",
    "G01B 21/04",
    "G01S 17/66",
    "G01S 7/48",
    "G05B 19/41"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BOEING CO"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "DORSEY-PALMATEER JOHN WILLARD",
    "KENNEDY MICHAEL RICHARD"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-11-12",
  "publication_date": "2018-01-23",
  "grant_date": "2018-01-23",
  "priority_date": "2013-11-12",
  "application_number": "US-201314078230-A",
  "family_id": "51999216",
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}