An automated apparatus comprising: a chassis configured to be mounted on an airfoil-shaped body without contacting its trailing edge; a carriage translatably coupled to the chassis; and an end effector pivotably coupled to the carriage. The chassis comprises: a frame; a motorized drive rolling element rotatably coupled to the frame; a rocker mechanism pivotably coupled to the frame; first and second ball and socket bearings mounted to opposing ends of the rocker arm; and a third ball and socket bearing mounted to the frame. During a maintenance procedure, the airfoil-shaped body is oriented at a non-zero angle of attack with the leading edge higher than the trailing edge and with the balls of the ball and socket bearings in contact with the airfoil-shaped body. A gravitational force exerted urges the chassis toward the trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped body for all chordwise positions of the carriage.


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    Title :

    Automated Apparatus for Moving an End Effector Over a Surface of an Airfoil-Shaped Body


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2019-06-13


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen / B23Q DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING , Einzelheiten, Bestandteile oder Zubehör für Werkzeugmaschinen, z.B. Anordnungen zum Kopieren oder Steuern



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