U.S. patent application number 14/501944 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-31 for system and method for transporting wire components through pneumatic tubes between wire component processing stations.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Boeing Company. Invention is credited to Nick S. Evans, Bradley J. Mitchell.
Application Number | 20160090247 14/501944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55583686 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160090247 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitchell; Bradley J. ; et
al. |
March 31, 2016 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING WIRE COMPONENTS THROUGH
PNEUMATIC TUBES BETWEEN WIRE COMPONENT PROCESSING STATIONS
Abstract
In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, a system for transporting wire components during the
assembly of wire bundles includes an air-operated tube network
connecting a transport source station to a plurality of transport
destination stations, the air-operated tube network comprising a
junction coupled between the transport source station and the
plurality of transport destination stations, and a system
controller that includes a wire bundle assembly program, the system
controller programmed to automatically transmit wire components
from the source station to at least one of the transport
destination stations based on the wire bundle assembly program.
Inventors: |
Mitchell; Bradley J.;
(Snohomish, WA) ; Evans; Nick S.; (Lynnwood,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Boeing Company |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55583686 |
Appl. No.: |
14/501944 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 51/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65G 51/02 20060101
B65G051/02 |
Claims
1. A system for transporting wire components during the assembly of
wire bundles comprising: an air-operated tube network connecting a
transport source station to a plurality of transport destination
stations, the air-operated tube network comprising a junction
coupled between the transport source station and the plurality of
transport destination stations, and a system controller that
includes a wire bundle assembly program, the system controller
programmed to automatically transmit wire components from the
source station to at least one of the transport destination
stations based on the wire bundle assembly program.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a junction coupled
between the transport source station and the plurality of transport
destination stations, the junction being controlled by the system
controller.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a manifold, where the
system controller operates the at least one manifold to route the
wire components from the transport source station to a
predetermined transport destination station.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a set of air control
valves configured to enable the wire components from the transport
source station to be selectively routed to the predetermined
transport destination station.
5. The system of claim 4, further comprising at least one sensor
configured to enable the system controller to control the set of
air control valves to effect routing of the wire components through
a predetermined route between the transport source station and the
predetermined transport destination station.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors
configured to determine a location of the wire components within
the air-operated tube network.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor at
one or more ends of the air-operated tube network configured to
control pressurization of the air-operated tube network.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor at
one or more ends of the air-operated tube network configured to
signal the system controller to effect one or more wire component
preparation steps at the transport source station.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more wire component
preparation steps includes at least one of informing the system
controller of the status of an assembly process, initiating the
assembly of the wire component or controlling when the next wire
component may be routed into the air-operated tube network from the
transport source station.
10. A method for transporting wire components comprising:
pneumatically transporting a wire component from a transport source
station to at least one transport destination station through an
air-operated tube network connecting the transport source station
and the at least one transport destination station based on a wire
bundle assembly program.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling the
pressurization of the air-operated tube network with a sensor
arranged at an end or along the length of the air-operated tube
network and a system controller.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling the
routing of the wire component through a predetermined route of the
air-operated tube network with a system controller and a sensor
arranged at an end or along the length of the air-operated tube
network.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling at least
one assembly step of the source station with a system controller
based on signals provided by a sensor arranged at an end or along
the length of the air-operated tube network.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a
location of the wire component within the air-operated tube network
based on signals provided by a sensor arranged at an end or along
the length of the air-operated tube network.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising signaling a system
controller to effect one or more wire component preparation steps
based on signals provided by a sensor arranged at an end or along
the length of the air-operated tube network.
16. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer
readable program code embodied therein for transporting wire
components that, when executed, performs: pneumatically
transporting a wire component from a transport source station to at
least one transport destination station through an air-operated
tube network connecting the transport source station and the at
least one transport destination station based on a wire bundle
assembly program.
17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16,
further comprising computer readable program code embodied therein
for transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
controlling the pressurization of the air-operated tube network
with at least a sensor arranged at an end or along the length of
the air-operated tube network.
18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16,
further comprising computer readable program code embodied therein
for transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
controlling the routing of the wire component through a
predetermined route of the air-operated tube network with at least
a sensor arranged at an end or along the length of the air-operated
tube network.
19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16,
further comprising computer readable program code embodied therein
for transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
controlling at least one assembly step of the transport source
station based on signals provided by at least a sensor arranged at
an end or along the length of the air-operated tube network.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16,
further comprising computer readable program code embodied therein
for transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
determining a location of the wire component within the
air-operated tube network based on signals provided by at least a
sensor arranged at an end or along the length of the air-operated
tube network
Description
FIELD
[0001] The aspects of the exemplary embodiment generally relate to
a system for transporting wire components and, more particularly,
to a system for transporting wire components through pneumatic
tubes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wire component transport systems are often employed in the
transportation of wire components between wire component processing
stations within a manufacturing system. The wire component
transport systems employed today often are unchanged from the
systems used in the 1940s. These conventional wire component
transport systems are often expensive and inefficient. For example,
many of the conventional means for transporting wire components
involve a worker or a machine placing bundles of wire components
prepared at a wire component processing station in a transportable
container such as a hopper, tote, bucket or other container. These
transportable containers are often transported or hand-delivered by
way of carts or conveyor systems or other conventional transport
means.
[0003] Conventional wire component transport systems introduce
several disadvantages to their use. For example, conventional wire
component transport systems often employ workers engaging in manual
labor. Because of this, the labor costs associated with a
conventional wire component transport system may be quite high.
Further, because of the manual labor involved in conventional wire
component transport systems, there is also the risk of human error
associated with the conventional systems as well as possible
injuries experienced by workers. Additionally, conventional wire
component transport systems often have high Mean Time Between
Operations (MTBO). For example, often, after a wire component is
processed, the wire component is then bundled and placed in
containers/buckets in batches. These batches are then sent to a
destination processing station one batch at a time. Because of
this, the average time between transports of wire component may be
high, adding to lost time and inefficiency as the system waits for
the containers or buckets to be sufficiently filled before sending
it out. Because of this, conventional wire component transport
systems are often inefficient.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, a system for transporting wire components during the
assembly of wire bundles includes an air-operated tube network
connecting a transport source station to a plurality of transport
destination stations, the air-operated tube network comprising a
junction coupled between the transport source station and the
plurality of transport destination stations, and a system
controller that includes a wire bundle assembly program, the system
controller programmed to automatically transmit wire components
from the source station to at least one of the transport
destination stations based on the wire bundle assembly program.
[0005] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, a method for transporting wire components includes
pneumatically transporting a wire component from a transport source
station to at least one transport destination station through an
air-operated tube network connecting the transport source station
and the at least one transport destination station based on a wire
bundle assembly program.
[0006] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium having
computer readable program code embodied therein for transporting
wire components that, when executed, includes pneumatically
transporting a wire component from a transport source station to at
least one transport destination station through an air-operated
tube network connecting the transport source station and the at
least one transport destination station based on a wire bundle
assembly program.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Having thus described examples of the disclosure in general
terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein like
reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout
the several views, and wherein:
[0008] FIGS. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a wire component
transport system according to aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2A-C are exemplary cross-sectional diagrams
illustrating a wire component entry port of the wire component
transport system according to aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional diagram of a manifold
of the wire component transport system according to aspects of the
present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating an
aspect of the wire component transport system according to aspects
of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating an
aspect of the wire component transport system according to aspects
of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating an
aspect of the wire component transport system according to aspects
of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram according to aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of aircraft production and service
methodology in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an aircraft in
accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0017] In the block diagram(s) referred to above, solid lines, if
any, connecting various elements and/or components may represent
mechanical, electrical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic and other
couplings and/or combinations thereof. As used herein, "coupled"
means associated directly as well as indirectly. For example, a
member A may be directly associated with a member B, or may be
indirectly associated therewith, e.g., via another member C.
Couplings or connections other than those depicted in the block
diagrams may also exist. Dashed lines, if any, connecting the
various elements and/or components represent couplings or
connections similar in function and purpose to those represented by
solid lines; however, couplings or connections represented by the
dashed lines may either be selectively provided or may relate to
alternative or optional aspects of the disclosure. Likewise,
elements and/or components, if any, represented with dashed lines,
indicate alternative or optional aspects of the disclosure.
Environmental elements, if any, are represented with dotted
lines.
[0018] In the block diagram(s) referred to above, the blocks may
also represent operations and/or portions thereof. Lines connecting
the various blocks do not imply any particular order or dependency
of the operations or portions thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed
concepts, which may be practiced without some or all of these
particulars. In other instances, details of known devices and/or
processes have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
disclosure. While some concepts will be described in conjunction
with specific examples, it will be understood that these examples
are not intended to be limiting. It is further noted that all
numbers, temperatures, etc. are "about" and provided for exemplary
purposes only. All specific numbers, temperatures and any other
specific information may be more or less or any suitable number or
temperature.
[0020] Reference herein to "one example" or "one aspect" means that
one or more feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the example or aspect is included in at least one
implementation. The phrase "one example" or "one aspect" in various
places in the specification may or may not be referring to the same
example or aspect.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, a processing system 10 according to
an aspect of the present disclosure is shown. The processing system
10 is a system for the processing of wire components where the wire
components may include wires, wire assemblies, wire processing
components and/or wire assembly components such as contacts, seal
plugs, heat-shrink "pigtails" or any other suitable wire assembly
components (generally referred to as wire components w). In one
aspect, the processing system 10 includes a first wire component
processing station 101, a second wire component processing station
106 and a wire component transport system 100 in communication with
both the first and second processing stations 101, 106. While only
two wire component processing stations are illustrated in FIG. 1,
it should be understood that the processing system 10 includes any
suitable number of wire component processing stations connected to
each other by the wire component transport system 100. The wire
component transport system 100 enables wire components (not shown
in FIG. 1) to be transported between the first wire component
processing station 101 and second wire component processing station
106. The processing system 10 further includes a controller 140
which is communicably connected to the first wire component
processing station 101, second wire component processing station
106 and the wire component transport system 100. The controller 140
controls various aspects of the operations of the first wire
component processing station 101, second wire component processing
station 106 and wire component transport system 100 as described
herein. The controller 140 may be, for instance, a general purpose
computer system or server, but in other aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, may be a dedicated controller system configured to
control any aspects of manufacturing, transport and/or processing
of wire components w within the processing system 10.
[0022] The first wire component processing station 101 of the
processing system 10 is a station which can perform a processing
task on wire component. For example, the first wire component
processing station 101 may be configured to perform one or more of:
draw a wire component w (for example, a segment of wire) from a
collection of components (for example, a spool of wire); mark the
wire component with information such as a wire component bundle or
batch number, wire component number and wire component gauge; or
process the wire component to a predetermined state (such as cut to
length, assemble connectors to a wire segment, etc.). In the case
of wire processing, the first wire component processing station 101
may also strip one or more ends of a wire segment and/or crimp an
electrical contact onto one or both ends of the wire segment.
However, in other aspects, the first wire component processing
station 101 performs any suitable processing tasks on a wire
component. Some or all of the tasks performed by the first wire
component processing station 101 may therefore be controlled by the
controller 140.
[0023] The wire component transport system 100 further includes a
wire component entry port 108, a pneumatic tube 107, a fluid flow
source such as a pressurized air supply 102, a manifold 103 and a
pneumatic tube 104. In other aspects, the wire component transport
system 100 also includes a junction 105 and pneumatic tubes 109.
The first wire component processing station 101 is communicably
connected to the second wire component transport station 106 via
the wire component transport system 100 through the wire entry port
108. The wire component entry port 108 is disposed adjacent, for
example, a first end of the transport tubes (e.g. collectively
tubes 107, 104 and 109 described below are referred to a transport
tube network which form a continuous transport path between source
and destination stations) and is configured to accept a wire
component w from the first wire component processing station 101
and/or any other wire component processing stations via automated
or manual transfer. For example, the wire component w from the wire
component processing station 101 may be automatically loaded into a
first end of, for example, the transport tubes through the wire
component entry port 108 through any suitable automated mechanism
such as a robot, conveyor or other automation. However, in other
aspects of the disclosed embodiment, the wire component entry port
108 may be loaded with a wire component w by any other suitable
method, including, for example, manual loading of the wire
component entry port 108 (e.g. a worker may manually remove a wire
component from the first processing station 101 and load the wire
component w into the wire component entry port 108).
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-C, schematic views illustrating
the operation of the wire component entry port 108 are shown. The
wire component entry port 108 is configured to receive a wire
component w from the first wire component processing station 101
through an inlet 504 and propel the wire component w through the
pneumatic tube 107 via a flow of fluid from, for example, the
pressurized (positive) air supply 102. The wire component entry
port 108 shown in FIGS. 2A-C has a frame 507 which defines an air
channel 503 as well as the inlet 504. In one aspect one or more of
the transport tubes of the wire component transport system 101 has
a fluid flow source at one or more ends of the transport tubes. For
example, the wire component entry port 108 has a pneumatic fitting
502 that is coupled to the frame 507 and configured to communicably
couple the air channel 503 to the pressurized air supply 102. As
may be seen in FIGS. 2A-C, the pneumatic fitting 502 may have
threading or other suitable features to facilitate a substantially
air-tight seal with the frame 507 of the wire component entry port
108. The pressurized air supply 102 may be, for example, a shop air
source, however, in other aspects of the disclosed embodiment, the
fluid flow source, such as the pressurized air supply 102 may be
any suitable source of pressurized gas (e.g., a positive air flow
source) or, as described below, a vacuum source (e.g., a negative
air flow source) that provides a pressure differential within
pneumatic tubes of the wire component transport system 100. The air
channel 503 is further in communication with a compression fitting
506 (or any other suitable fitting) configured to couple the wire
component entry port 108 to the pneumatic transport tube 107. As
may be seen in FIGS. 2A-C, the air channel 503 may be relatively
wide where the air channel 503 is coupled to the pneumatic fitting
502 and may gradually narrow or taper where the air channel 503 is
coupled to the compression fitting 506 to provide for greater
pressure from the pressurized air supply 102 and so that a cross
section of the air channel 503 is substantially the same as the
cross section of the tube 107. As may be realized, the air channel
503 and pneumatic tube 107 are sized so that there is suitable
clearance for the wire component w to pass while allowing some
pressurized gas flow to pass over the wire component w (e.g. there
is some leakage between the wire component w and the pneumatic tube
107 and air channel 503). In other aspects, there may not be any
fluid leakage past the wire component w during transport within the
air channel 503 and/or pneumatic tube 107. As with the pneumatic
fitting 502, the compression fitting 506 may have suitable features
to facilitate a substantially air-tight seal as it is coupled to
the frame 507 of the wire component entry port 108. The pneumatic
tube 107 may be any suitable flexible or rigid tube which may allow
for the transport of a wire component w through the length of the
pneumatic tube 107. The inlet 504 of the wire entry port 108
provides another opening to the air channel 503 that is
substantially closed by a valve or closure member 501, which is
moveable between open and closed positions to allow for the
introduction of wire components w into or through the inlet 504. In
one aspect, the valve member 501 has any suitable configuration for
opening and closing the inlet 504 such as, for example, a hinged
coupling to the frame 507 or a non-hinged coupling to the frame
507. The valve member 501 may be made of plastic, metal, composite,
rubber, silicone or any suitable rigid, resilient or flexible
material. The valve member 501 may be, for example, configured to
be biased in a closed position with a spring or other biasing
member. In other aspects, the valve member 501 could be a flapper
type member that bends and flexes as a wire component w is
introduced. In yet other aspects, the valve member could extend
into the air channel 503 and is held closed by the air flow within
the air channel 503. The valve member 501 opens when the wire
component w pushes, presses or otherwise engages the valve member
501 for entry into the air channel 503 and closes after passage of
the wire component w through the inlet 504. The inlet 504 is
positioned on the frame 507 so that the wire component w is
introduced through the inlet 504 into the narrower portion of air
channel 503. As the wire component w is introduced into the inlet
504, the valve member 501 yields to open the inlet 504 and the wire
component w is guided toward the compression fitting 506 and
pneumatic tube 107 by the valve member 501 and/or the contours
(e.g. the internal walls) of the air channel 503. Referring now to
FIG. 2C, after the wire component w enters the opening of the
compression fitting 506 and pneumatic tube 107, the flow of air
from the pressurized air supply 102 passing over and around the
wire component w effects movement of the wire component w through
the transport tubes,. It is noted that the wire component w is
uncontained and, as such, is not placed into a transport container
during transport. Thus, in one aspect the flow of air flows around
and impinges directly on one or more surfaces of the wire component
w to propel (e.g. push or pull) the wire component w through the
wire component transport system 100. It should be realized that in
other aspects of the disclosed embodiment, the pressurized air
supply 102 may be replaced by any other suitable device that
generates a flow of air (or pressure differential) through the wire
component transport system 100. For example, in one aspect of the
disclosed embodiment, a vacuum source may be used to draw the wire
component w through the pneumatic tube 107. In yet other aspects,
there may be devices for providing pneumatic pressure/flow which
effects bi-directional movement of the wire component w through the
pneumatic tubes 107, for example, a pressurized air source located
at opposite ends of the wire component transport system 100 for
bi-directionally providing air flow through the pneumatic tubes or
a source configured to alternate between a vacuum source and a
pressurized air source. In yet other aspects, the pressurized gas
flow may effect movement of the wire component w as it travels
through the pneumatic tube 107 in any other suitable manner. For
example, the pressurized gas flow may provide lubrication within
the transport tube where the wire component w is propelled through
the transport tubes in any suitable manner such as by magnets.
[0025] Referring again to FIG. 1, the wire component entry port 108
is connected to a manifold 103 via the pneumatic tube 107.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic view of the manifold 103 is
shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The
manifold 103 is configured to selectively route the wire component
w from a source location (e.g. such as the first wire component
processing station 101) to a predetermined destination such as the
second wire component processing station 106 disposed adjacent a
second end of the transport tube network (e.g. which form a
continuous transport path between the source and destination
stations). The manifold 103 has a manifold frame 150 to which a
manifold head 112 is moveably mounted and to which one or more
manifold receivers 113 are mounted. The manifold head 112 is
communicably coupled to the pneumatic tube 107. Arranged along the
pneumatic tube 107 are one or more sensors 110 and wire component
brake(s) 111. The sensor 110 is any suitable sensor configured to
detect the presence or absence of a wire component w as it
traverses within the pneumatic tube 107, such as, for example, one
or more inductive proximity sensors. However, in alternate aspects,
the sensor 110 may be any suitable sensor, including, for example,
a sensor configured to read indicia information on the wire
component w and/or a sensor configured for detecting wire component
type and/or wire component destination. The sensor 110 is in
communication with the controller 140 and is configured to signal
the controller 140 whenever the wire component w and any
information associated with wire component w is detected (or not
detected). In other aspects, the sensor(s) 110 are disposed along
the pneumatic tubes 107, 104, 109 to detect the location of a wire
component w within the wire component transport system 100. In this
case, the sensor 110 is any suitable sensor configured to detect a
wire component such as an RFID sensor, inductive proximity sensor,
a light beam sensor or any other suitable sensor. The wire
component brake(s) 111 is/are arranged along any portion of the
length of the pneumatic tube 107. The wire component brake 111 is
configured to stop or otherwise slow a traveling velocity or speed
of the wire component w within the pneumatic tube 107. In one
aspect of the disclosed embodiment, the wire component brake 111
may function electromagnetically (i.e. by means of an electromagnet
which prevents the wire component w from traveling beyond a
predetermined location within the pneumatic tube 107). However, in
other aspects, the wire component brake 111 may be pneumatically
operated, such as by a vent or valve that redirects the flow of air
so that the wire component w is no longer propelled through the
pneumatic tube 107 by the fluid flow source (i.e. the pressurized
air supply 102). In yet other aspects, the wire component brake 111
may operate on any suitable principle which prevents the wire
component w from traversing through the pneumatic tube 107. The
wire component brake 111 is also communicably connected to the
controller 140 and is configured to be controlled by the controller
140 based on, for example, signals obtained from the sensor
110.
[0026] The manifold head 112 is mounted on the frame 150 of the
manifold 103 so as to be selectively moveable between multiple
manifold outputs such as, for example, manifold receivers 113. For
example, the manifold head 112 is repositioned to selectively
couple with one of the pneumatic tubes 104 via a respective
manifold receiver 113. The manifold head 112 may be repositioned by
an actuator 151 such as a servo, motor, pneumatic actuators,
magnetic actuators or any other suitable actuating device. The
actuator 151 is under the control of the controller 140 which
commands the actuator 151 to move the manifold head 112 to a
predetermined manifold receiver 113 based on a predetermined
destination of the wire component w. The manifold head 112 may have
a tapered shape which may facilitate the alignment of the selective
coupling of the manifold head 112 and manifold receiver 113. The
manifold receiver 113 may selectively mate with the manifold head
112 so that the pneumatic tube 104 is aligned with the pneumatic
tube 107 to allow for the wire component w to pass between the
pneumatic tube 107 and pneumatic tube 104. The manifold receiver
113 may have resilient members 113a which bias the manifold
receiver 113 against the manifold head 112 to ensure that a seal is
created when the manifold receiver 113 and manifold head 112 are
coupled so that the wire component w may pass from the pneumatic
tube 107 to the pneumatic tube 104 without substantial loss of air
pressure/flow.
[0027] Referring still to FIG. 3, when the pneumatic tube 107 is
aligned with the pneumatic tube 104, the wire component w may be
propelled by the flow of air from the pressurized air supply 102
through the pneumatic tube 107 and into the pneumatic tube 104. The
pneumatic tube 104 may be substantially similar in construction and
form as pneumatic tube 107. Each of the pneumatic tubes 104 in the
manifold 103 couples the manifold head 112 (and hence pneumatic
tube 107 and the wire component source station, such as inlet 108)
to a respective destination (such as a second wire component
processing station 106 or other terminus of the wire component
transport system 100, such as an end of the pneumatic tube 104
and/or a mechanism SP coupled to the second end of one or more
tubes of the transport system and being configured to coil the wire
component upon arrival) for the wire component w. The pneumatic
tube 104 may also have sensors 114 and wire component brake 115
(similar to those described above), each respectively controlled by
the controller 140 in a manner substantially similar to that of
sensor 110 and wire component brake 111 coupled to pneumatic tube
107. The wire component brake 115 (in response to a detection of
the wire component w by the sensor(s) 114) stops or slows down the
travel velocity or speed of the wire component w so that the wire
component w can be withdrawn from the pneumatic tube 104. When the
wire component w reaches the second wire processing station 106
(e.g. the destination), in one or more aspect, withdrawal of the
wire component w from the pneumatic tube 104 is effected in any
suitable manner such as manually or by automated machinery. In
other aspects, the velocity of the wire component is slowed by the
brake by any suitable amount so that the flow of air ejects the
wire component w from the pneumatic tube 104 into a holding
location of the second wire component processing station 106. In
still other aspects, the flow of air at least partially ejects the
wire component w from the pneumatic tube 104 so that the wire
component w is gripped manually or by any suitable automation.
After the wire component w is withdrawn from the pneumatic tube
104, the wire component w is placed in the second wire component
processing station 106 for further processing. The second wire
component processing station 106 may be used to perform one or more
of: marking a wire component w with information such as wire
component bundle/batch number, wire component number and wire
component gauge information; processing a wire component w to a
predetermined state (such as cut to length, assemble connectors to
a wire segment, etc.). In the case of wire component processing,
this may also include stripping one or more ends of a wire;
crimping an electrical contact onto one or both ends of the wire;
assembly of one or both ends of the wire into connectors; routing
wire onto a wire bundle assembly form board; routing the wire
through a conduit; grouping wire with other wire segments; tying
groups of wire segments into a bundle; and/or any other suitable
wire preparation tasks.
[0028] It should be realized that the controller 140 can receive
signals from the sensors 110 and 114 positioned along the pneumatic
tubes 107 and 104. The signals received from sensors 110 and 114
may facilitate the timing of the movement of the wire component w
within the wire component transport system 100. For example, the
controller 140 may determine when to transport a wire component w
from the first wire processing station 101 to the second wire
component processing station 106 based on the detected presence or
absence of a wire component w by sensors 110 and 114. This may be
realized in the form of just-in-time manufacturing techniques. For
example, when a wire component processing task is completed (and/or
a wire component is removed from the wire component transport
system 100) at a second wire component processing station 106, the
completion of the wire component processing task (and/or a wire
component is removed from the component transport system 100) may
trigger wire component preparation tasks in the first wire
component processing station 101. The sensor 114 may detect the
presence of wire component w arriving at the second wire component
processing station 106 via the pneumatic tube 104. When the
presence of the wire component w is no longer detected by the
sensor 114 (i.e. the wire component w has been withdrawn or
otherwise been placed into the second wire component processing
station 106), the sensor 114 may signal the controller 140 to
initiate the first wire component processing station 101 to begin
preparation of a next wire component w or to send the next wire
component w to the pneumatic tube 107 for transport. In another
aspect of the disclosed embodiment, the signals from the sensors
110 and 114 may also effect the actuation of the manifold. The
sensors 110 and 114 may be configured to read indicia information
marked on a wire component w (for example, information marked by
the first wire component processing station 101). Sensors 110 and
114 may include optical scanners, RFID scanners, or any other
suitable scanning technology capable of reading information from
the wire component w. The indicia information on the wire component
w may include indications of the predetermined destination and
source of the wire component w. By detecting the destination and/or
source information marked on the wire component w, the controller
140 dynamically effect actuation of the manifold head 112 with the
actuator 151 based on the signals from sensors 110 and 114, to
selectively couple with a predetermined manifold receiver 113 and
pneumatic tube 104 which corresponds to the predetermined
destination of the wire component w. Thus, the wire component w may
be dynamically routed from the first wire component processing
station 101 to a predetermined second wire component processing
station 106 as the wire component w arrives at the manifold 103. In
yet other aspects, the manifold 103 may be actuated at any suitable
time to effect transport of a wire component w between a first wire
component processing station 101 and a second wire processing
station 106. For example, the manifold 103 may be positioned ahead
of time (e.g. prior to sending wire component w through the wire
transport system 100) by a controller 140 to allow for direct
transport of the wire component w through the pneumatic tube 107,
manifold head 112, manifold receiver 113 and pneumatic tube 104 to
the second wire component processing station 106. By selectively
coupling the manifold head 112 and the predetermined manifold
receiver 113 ahead of time, the wire component w may be transported
directly between the first wire component processing station 101
and the second wire component processing station 106 without any
stoppage. However, in other aspects, routing of the manifold head
112 may occur after the wire component w enters the wire component
transport system 100. For example, as the wire component w is
traveling through the pneumatic tube 107, the wire component w may
be stopped by the wire component brake 111. As the wire component w
is stopped by the wire component brake 111, the controller 140 may
actuate the manifold head 112 to selectively couple to a
predetermined manifold receiver 113 corresponding to a
predetermined second wire component processing station 106. After
the manifold head 112 is selectively coupled to the predetermined
manifold receiver 113, the wire component w may be released by the
wire component brake 111 and sent to the predetermined second wire
component processing station 106. In other aspects, the wire
component brake 111 may be a device for relieving pneumatic
pressure before the end of the pneumatic tubes 107 and 104. This
may be achieved by, for example, vents or valves which allows the
flow of fluid to escape the pneumatic tubes 107 and 104. This
relieving of pneumatic pressure may allow the wire component w to
complete its movement through one or more of the pneumatic tubes
107, 104, 109 substantially by the gravity and/or by the momentum
of the wire component w and come to rest at a predetermined
location of the wire component transport system 100 such as a
terminus of one of the tubes (e.g. manifold 103, end of a tube,
mechanism SP, etc.). In yet other aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the wire component transport system 100 may accommodate
multiple wire components w being transported within the system at
any given time. There may be additional fluid flow sources disposed
at the manifold 103 so that when the pneumatic tube 107 is
disconnected from the pneumatic tube 104 the wire component w is
traveling through, the wire component w continues to be propelled
through the pneumatic tube 104 by the fluid flow source originating
at the manifold 103 (or downstream of the manifold 103 in the case
of a vacuum fluid flow source). In other aspects, there may be any
suitable number of fluid flow sources arranged in any suitable
configuration within the wire component transport system 100 to
provide air flow to propel any number of wire components w through
the different pneumatic tubes of the wire component transport
system 100. As noted above, the controller 140 may detect signals
from sensors 110 and 114 to dynamically route each wire component w
to its predetermined destination as each wire component w arrives
at the manifold 103.
[0029] It should be realized that the processing system 10 may be
arranged to have multiple destinations for a common source (that
is, multiple second wire component processing stations 106 may
exist for a common first wire component processing station 101). It
should also be realized that multiple sources within the processing
system 10 may exist for a common destination (i.e. multiple first
wire component processing stations 101 may exist for a common
second wire component processing station 106). In other aspects,
there may be multiple destinations for multiple sources.
[0030] For example, referring again to FIG. 1, after the wire
component w is transported through the manifold 103, the wire
component w is then sent through pneumatic tube 104 to a
predetermined destination (e.g. second wire component processing
station 106). In one aspect, the pneumatic tube 104 may be sent
through a junction 105. The junction 105 may allow for pneumatic
tube 104 to be joined to a multiple pneumatic tubes 109. In other
aspects, multiple pneumatic tubes 104 may be joined to multiple
pneumatic tubes 109. It should be understood that the junction 105
allows for multiple first wire component processing stations 101 to
have common access to a common second wire component processing
station 106, a common first wire component processing station 101
to have access to multiple second wire component processing
stations 106 and/or multiple first wire component processing
stations 101 to have access to multiple second wire component
processing stations 106. It should also be understood that the
junction 105 is a passive junction, however, in other aspects, the
junction 105 includes one or more air control valves that are
controlled by the controller 140 to selectively route a wire
component w to a predetermined destination as will be described
below. The pneumatic tube 109 then terminates at a second wire
component processing station 106. It should be understood the wire
component w received at the second wire component processing
station 106 may be automatically unloaded from the pneumatic tube
109 through any suitable automated mechanism such as a robot,
conveyor or other automation. In alternate aspects, the wire
component w may be unloaded through any other suitable manner,
including, for example, being manually unloaded from the pneumatic
tube 109 by a worker. In yet other aspects, as noted above, there
is a mechanism SP coupled to the end of the pneumatic tube 109
terminating at the second wire processing station 106 configured to
coil wire components w upon arrival at the second wire component
processing station 106.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 4, a pneumatic tube network is
illustrated. The pneumatic tube network shown in FIG. 4 is a
network where there is a dedicated pneumatic tube 104 connecting
each first wire component processing station 101 (and its
respective manifold 103) and each second wire component processing
station 106. The pneumatic tube network shown in FIG. 4 forms a
continuous transport path for a wire component w as it travels from
a first wire component processing station 101 to a second wire
component processing station 106. Each of the dedicated pneumatic
tubes 104 in FIG. 4 leads to a junction 105 associated with each
second wire component processing station 106. The junction 105
joins the dedicated pneumatic tube 104 from each first wire
component processing station 101 to a pneumatic tube 109 which
leads to the second wire component processing station 106. Each
junction 105 is shown in FIG. 4 in the form of a Y-junction,
joining pneumatic tubes from each of the first wire component
processing station for transport to each second wire component
processing station 106. In other aspects, for systems with more
first wire component processing stations 101, the junction 105 may
accept wire component w from any suitable number of first wire
component processing stations 101 and have any suitable
configuration.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5, another pneumatic tube network is
shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Similar
to the pneumatic tube network shown in FIG. 4, the pneumatic tube
network shown in FIG. 5 also forms a continuous transport path for
a wire component w. Where, in FIG. 4, the manifold 103 selects from
one of several dedicated pneumatic tubes 104 corresponding to one
of the second wire component processing stations 106, in FIG. 5,
the manifold 301 selects from one of the pneumatic tubes of a
"raceway" 303 of pneumatic tubes (e.g. the pneumatic tubes of the
raceway 303 are common to each source and each destination and
provide side-by-side wire component transport lanes in a manner
similar to that of lanes of travel on a racetrack). For example, a
wire component w sent through the manifold 301. The manifold 301
sends the wire component w to one of multiple pneumatic tubes
within a junction 302. The junction 302 leads to the raceway 303 of
pneumatic tubes which travels to each of the second wire processing
stations 106. As a wire component w within each of the pneumatic
tubes of the raceway 303 passes a predetermined second wire
processing station 106, the wire component w is passed through a
selection junction 304. The selection junction 304 is controlled by
the controller 140 to determine whether the wire component w will
continue along the raceway 303 or whether the wire component w will
be routed to the predetermined second wire component processing
station 106 coupled to the selection junction 304. In one aspect of
the disclosed embodiment, as noted above, the selection junction
304 includes a set of air control valves 304V that are controlled
by any suitable controller such as controller 140 to selectively
redirect the wire component w to a predetermined second wire
component processing station 106 at a predetermined output of the
selection junction 304. For example, the valves 304V are controlled
to either direct the wire component w to continue along a
respective tube 104 of the raceway 303 or to exit the raceway tube
104 and travel along an exit tube 109 to a predetermined
destination. The aspect shown in FIG. 5 greatly reduces the number
of pneumatic tubes necessary for the wire transport system 100. By
reducing the number of pneumatic tubes to a raceway 303, the aspect
shown in FIG. 5 avoids a geometric increase of the number of
pneumatic tubes with each additional second wire component
processing station 106 and/or first wire component processing
station 101 as complexity of the pneumatic tube network increases.
Further, the multiple pneumatic tubes of the raceway 303 allow for
substantially simultaneous transport of more than one wire
component w between the first and second wire component processing
stations 101, 106. Because the raceway is shared, multiple wire
components w may be transported along the raceway 303 from the air
flow of a common pressurized air supply 102.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 6, another pneumatic tube network is
shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Similar
to the pneumatic tube network shown in FIG. 4, the pneumatic tube
network shown in FIG. 6 forms a continuous transport path for a
wire component w. The manifold 401 is substantially similar to the
manifold 301. The manifold 401 may be configured to send the wire
component w into a junction 402, which is configured to transfer a
wire component w along two different directions along a raceway of
transport tubes 403. In the aspect shown in FIG. 6, each pneumatic
tube of a raceway 403 is configured to allow for wire component w
to bi-directionally travel along the length of the raceway 403. As
can be seen in FIG. 6, the manifold 401 may selectively output a
wire component w to one of many tracks of the junction 402. The
various tracks of the junction 402 allow for the wire component w
to exit the junction 402 in any direction along the pneumatic tubes
of raceway 403. The junction 402 is, in other words, configured to
route the wire component w in different directions of the pneumatic
tube within raceway 403. For example, the junction 402 effects
bi-directional transfer of components w in a common tube and/or
transport of wire components w in opposite directions in different
tubes. The wire component w may be sent to a predetermined second
wire component processing stations 106 more directly instead of
having to potentially travel the length of entire raceway 403 as
would be the case with the aspect shown in FIG. 5. When the wire
component w reaches the selection junction 404, the controller 140
is configured to dynamically or otherwise route the wire component
w to the predetermined second wire component processing station
106. In one aspect of the disclosed embodiment, the selection
junction 404 includes a set of air control valves 304V in a manner
similar to that described above to redirect the wire component w to
a predetermined output of the selection junction 404 so as to be
transported to a destination such as a second wire component
processing station 106. By allowing for bidirectional travel within
the raceway 403, the travel distance and transport time of a wire
component w traveling from first wire component processing station
101 and second wire component processing station 106 may be reduced
while allowing for the sources and destinations to be arranged
substantially linearly.
[0034] It should be realized that in other aspects, the pneumatic
networks illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 may also be generally
bidirectional. For example, there may be a pressurized air supply
102 or a vacuum source arranged at both the first wire component
processing station 101 and second wire component processing station
106. By having a pressurized air supply 102 or vacuum source
arranged at both first wire component processing station 101 and
second wire component processing station 106 (and/or at
intermediate points such as the manifolds and/or junctions), a wire
component w may bi-directionally travel back and forth between a
first wire component processing station 101 and a second wire
component processing station 106. Referring now to FIG. 7, a block
diagram illustrating the operation of the processing system 10 is
shown. At block 601, a manifold position for a predetermined second
wire component processing station 106 is selected by the controller
140 and actuated on the manifold 103 in the manner described above.
At block 602, the wire component w is loaded into the wire
component entry port 108 from the first wire component processing
station 101. At block 602, the wire component w is transported
through the pneumatic tube 107 with pressurized gas, through the
manifold 103 and through pneumatic tube 104. At block 604, the wire
component w is received at the second wire component processing
station 106.
[0035] It should be realized that in other aspects, the pneumatic
networks illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 provide a means for every second
wire component processing station 106 to have access to the
resources of all first wire component processing stations 101. For
example, a second wire component processing station 106 may be
supplied with wire components w of a first type from one first wire
component processing station 101 and may be supplied with wire
components w of a second type from another first wire component
processing station 101.
[0036] It should be realized that in other aspects, the pneumatic
networks illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 provide a means for balancing or
optimizing the total throughput of the manufacturing system by
enabling any number of first wire component processing stations 101
to supply components to second component processing stations 106.
For example, a higher capacity second wire component processing
station 106 may be supplied with wire components w from more first
wire component processing stations 101, whereas a lower capacity
second wire component processing station 106 may be supplied with
wire components w from fewer first wire component processing
stations 101.
[0037] The disclosure and drawing figures describing the operations
of the method(s) set forth herein should not be interpreted as
necessarily determining a sequence in which the operations are to
be performed. Rather, although one illustrative order is indicated,
it is to be understood that the sequence of the operations may be
modified when appropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may be
performed in a different order or simultaneously. It should be
noted that the blocks of FIG. 7 may be performed in any suitable
order. For instance, block 602 may be performed first and the block
601 performed second. This may be seen in an instance where the
wire component w is stopped by wire component brakes 111 while the
manifold 103 position is actuated. Additionally, in some aspects of
the disclosure, not all operations described herein need be
performed.
[0038] Examples of the disclosure may be described in the context
of an aircraft manufacturing and service method 1100 as shown in
FIG. 8 and an aircraft 1102 as shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, the
processing system 10 described herein may be employed, for
instance, in any stage of aircraft manufacturing. During
pre-production, illustrative method 1100 may include specification
and design 1104 of the aircraft 1102 and material procurement 1106.
During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 1108 and
system integration 1110 of the aircraft 1102 take place. The
processing system 10 described herein may be employed as part of
the component and subassembly manufacturing process 1108.
Thereafter, the aircraft 1102 may go through certification and
delivery 1112 to be placed in service 1114. While in service by a
customer, the aircraft 1102 is scheduled for routine maintenance
and service 1116 (which may also include modification,
reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on).
[0039] Each of the processes of the illustrative method 1100 may be
performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party,
and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this
description, a system integrator may include, without limitation,
any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system
subcontractors; a third party may include, without limitation, any
number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator
may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service
organization, and so on.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the aircraft 1102 produced by the
illustrative method 1100 may include an airframe 1118 with a
plurality of high-level systems and an interior 1122. Examples of
high-level systems include one or more of a propulsion system 1124,
an electrical system 1126, a hydraulic system 1128, and an
environmental system 1130. Examples of systems which may include
electrical systems assembled using the processing system 10 may
include propulsion system 1124, electrical system 1126, hydraulic
system 1128 and environmental system 1130. Although an aerospace
example is shown, the principles of the invention may be applied to
other industries, such as the automotive and maritime
industries.
[0041] Apparatus and methods shown or described herein may be
employed during any one or more of the stages of the manufacturing
and service method 1100. For example, components or subassemblies
corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing 1108 may
be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or
subassemblies produced while the aircraft 1102 is in service. Also,
one or more aspects of the apparatus, method, or combination
thereof may be utilized during the production states 1108 and 1110,
for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing
the cost of an aircraft 1102. Similarly, one or more aspects of the
apparatus or method realizations, or a combination thereof, may be
utilized, for example and without limitation, while the aircraft
1102 is in service, e.g., maintenance and service 1116.
[0042] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, a system for transporting wire components during the
assembly of wire bundles includes an air-operated tube network
connecting a transport source station to a plurality of transport
destination stations, the air-operated tube network comprising a
junction coupled between the transport source station and the
plurality of transport destination stations, and a system
controller that includes a wire bundle assembly program, the system
controller programmed to automatically transmit wire components
from the source station to at least one of the transport
destination stations based on the wire bundle assembly program.
[0043] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further includes a junction coupled between
the transport source station and the plurality of transport
destination stations, the junction being controlled by the system
controller.
[0044] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further includes a manifold, where the
system controller operates the at least one manifold to route the
wire components from the transport source station to a
predetermined transport destination station.
[0045] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further comprises a set of air control
valves configured to enable the wire components from the transport
source station to be selectively routed to the predetermined
transport destination station.
[0046] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further includes at least one sensor
configured to enable the system controller to control the set of
air control valves to effect routing of the wire components through
a predetermined route between the transport source station and the
predetermined transport destination station.
[0047] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further includes one or more sensors
configured to determine a location of the wire components within
the air-operated tube network.
[0048] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further includes at least one sensor at one
or more ends of the air-operated tube network configured to control
pressurization of the air-operated tube network.
[0049] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further includes at least one sensor at one
or more ends of the air-operated tube network configured to signal
the system controller to effect one or more wire component
preparation steps at the transport source station.
[0050] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the one or more wire component preparation steps
includes at least one of informing the system controller of the
status of an assembly process, initiating the assembly of the wire
component or controlling when the next wire component may be routed
into the air-operated tube network from the transport source
station.
[0051] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the system further comprises a mechanism coupled to one
of the transport destination stations configured to coil the wire
components upon arrival.
[0052] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, a method for transporting wire components includes
pneumatically transporting a wire component from a transport source
station to at least one transport destination station through an
air-operated tube network connecting the transport source station
and the at least one transport destination station based on a wire
bundle assembly program.
[0053] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further comprises performing a first wire
component preparation task with the transport source station where
the first wire component preparation task includes at least one of
wire component cutting, wire component marking, component
stripping, or crimping of electrical contacts onto the end of the
wire component.
[0054] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further comprises performing a second wire
component preparation task with the at least one transport
destination station where the second wire component preparation
task includes at least one of wire component cutting, wire
component marking, wire component stripping, crimping electrical
contacts onto the end of the wire component, forming a wire bundle,
tying a wire component bundle or coiling a wire component.
[0055] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further comprises providing a positive fluid
flow within the air-operated tube network with a pressurized fluid
flow source during the pneumatic transportation of the wire
component from the transport source station to the at least one
transport destination station.
[0056] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further comprises providing a negative fluid
flow within the air-operated tube network with a vacuum fluid flow
source during the pneumatic transportation of the wire component
from the transport source station to the at least one transport
destination station.
[0057] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further comprises redirecting the wire
component from the transport source station to the at least one
transport destination station through a manifold configured to
redirect the wire component through the air-operated tube
network.
[0058] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further comprises controlling the manifold
with a system controller, where the system controller operates the
manifold to route the wire component from the transport source
station and the at least one transport destination station.
[0059] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further includes controlling the
pressurization of the air-operated tube network with a sensor
arranged at an end or along the length of the air-operated tube
network and a system controller.
[0060] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further includes controlling the routing of
the wire component through a predetermined route of the
air-operated tube network with a system controller and a sensor
arranged at an end or along the length of the air-operated tube
network.
[0061] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further includes controlling at least one
assembly step of the source station with a system controller based
on signals provided by a sensor arranged at an end or along the
length of the air-operated tube network.
[0062] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the at least one assembly step includes at least one of
informing a system controller of the status of an assembly process,
initiating the assembly of a next wire component or controlling
when the next wire component may be routed into the air-operated
tube network from the transport source station.
[0063] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further includes determining a location of
the wire component within the air-operated tube network based on
signals provided by a sensor arranged at an end or along the length
of the air-operated tube network.
[0064] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the method further includes signaling a system
controller to effect one or more wire component preparation steps
based on signals provided by a sensor arranged at an end or along
the length of the air-operated tube network.
[0065] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium having
computer readable program code embodied therein for transporting
wire components, when executed, includes pneumatically transporting
a wire component from a transport source station to at least one
transport destination station through an air-operated tube network
connecting the transport source station and the at least one
transport destination station based on a wire bundle assembly
program.
[0066] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs a first
wire component preparation task with the transport source station
where the first wire component preparation task includes at least
one of wire component cutting, wire component marking, component
stripping, or crimping of electrical contacts onto the end of the
wire component.
[0067] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs a second
wire component preparation task with the at least one transport
destination station where the second wire component preparation
task includes at least one of wire component cutting, wire
component marking, wire component stripping, crimping electrical
contacts onto the end of the wire component, forming a wire bundle,
tying a wire component bundle or coiling a wire component.
[0068] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
providing a positive fluid flow within the air-operated tube
network with a pressurized fluid flow source during the pneumatic
transportation of the wire component from the transport source
station to the at least one transport destination station.
[0069] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
providing a negative fluid flow within the air-operated tube
network with a vacuum fluid flow source during the pneumatic
transportation of the wire component from the transport source
station to the at least one destination station.
[0070] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
redirecting the wire component from the transport source station to
the at least one transport destination station through a manifold
configured to redirect the wire component through the air-operated
tube network.
[0071] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
controlling the manifold to route the wire component from the
transport source station and the at least one transport destination
station.
[0072] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
controlling the pressurization of the air-operated tube network
with at least a sensor arranged at an end or along the length of
the air-operated tube network and the system controller.
[0073] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
controlling the routing of the wire component through a
predetermined route of the air-operated tube network with the
system controller and at least a sensor arranged at an end or along
the length of the air-operated tube network.
[0074] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
controlling at least one assembly step of the transport source
station with the system controller based on signals provided by at
least a sensor arranged at an end or along the length of the
air-operated tube network.
[0075] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components that, when executed, performs
determining a location of the wire component within the
air-operated tube network based on signals provided by at least a
sensor arranged at an end or along the length of the air-operated
tube network
[0076] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed
embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium further
comprises computer readable program code embodied therein for
transporting wire components where the at least one assembly step
include at least one of initiating the assembly of a next wire
component or controlling when the next wire component may be routed
into the air-operated tube network from the transport source
station based on an assembly status.
* * * * *