Canted Panel Aperture Drilling With Locator-Guided Coaxial Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming fastener apertures in aircraft propulsion system components, such as nacelle inner barrels, face challenges due to the canted orientation of apertures, particularly when replacing worn panels while reusing existing panel mounts with formed apertures, leading to difficulties in accurate alignment and efficient drilling.
Innovation Solution
A method and assembly involving a support structure, locator, and drill guide system that allows for angular offset drilling, enabling the formation of apertures with precise alignment and adjustment, using a pilot tool to create a pilot aperture and a finishing tool to form a coupling aperture, ensuring accurate alignment and efficient drilling through both panel surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a drill is used to form apertures at canted angles in replacement panels, then the apertures can be formed to match existing fastener positions, but accurate alignment and positioning become significantly more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs drill guides as intermediary devices that interface between the drill tool and the panel. These drill guides are positioned using locators that mate with existing fastener apertures or mounting structures, thereby mediating the alignment process and enabling accurate canted angle drilling without requiring complex direct measurement and positioning procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes existing fastener apertures in the mounting structure as preliminary reference features. By creating locators that mate with these pre-existing apertures, the system establishes accurate positioning references before the actual drilling operation, eliminating the need to measure and calculate positions during the drilling process itself
2Productivity
If panel mounts with formed apertures are reused, then cost and time are saved, but alignment with new panels becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates locators that replicate or copy the positioning function of the existing fastener apertures in the reused panel mount. These locators are manufactured to match the geometry and position of the original fastener holes, thereby copying the alignment references and enabling accurate positioning for new panel installation without requiring the original panel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of valuable panel mounts by providing a method to transfer their aperture positions to new panels. The locators and drill guides allow the mounting structure to be separated from the old panel and accurately repositioned on a replacement panel, thereby recovering the mount for continued use while discarding only the worn panel
3Device complexity
If conventional drilling methods are used for canted apertures, then simpler equipment can be used, but the drilling process becomes time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drilling system into separate functional components: locators for positioning, drill guides for angle control, and standard drill tools. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the use of simple, readily available drill equipment while maintaining high drilling efficiency through the specialized positioning and guiding subsystems
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method (400) includes drilling a first aperture (146) in a panel (22) that extends between a panel first surface (48) and a panel second surface (44). The first aperture (146) projects into the panel (22) along a first centerline (146) from the panel first surface (48). The first centerline (146) is angularly offset from the panel first surface (48) by a first angle (84). A first tool (150) is arranged with the panel (22). The first tool (150) includes a support structure (152), a locator (156) and a drill guide (154). The locator (156) is mounted to the support structure (152) and projects into the first aperture (146). The drill guide (154) is mounted to the support structure (152) and is arranged adjacent the panel second surface (44). A second aperture (220) is drilled in the panel (22) using the drill guide (154). The second aperture (220) projects into the panel (22) along a second centerline (222) from the panel second surface (44) to the first aperture (146). The second centerline (222) is coaxial with the first centerline (148).