A portable doweling jig includes a generally cuboidal body comprising four sets of bores that facilitate the drilling of precisely positioned holes into workpieces for receiving standard-sized construction dowels. Despite the absence of moving parts, the present invention accommodates dowels of different diameters, and also workpieces of both standard and nonstandard thicknesses. Furthermore, the present invention makes possible the creation of three types of dowel joints: edge-to-surface, edge-to-edge, and surface-to-surface.

Fastener alignment systems, fastener alignment kits, and associated methods are disclosed herein. The fastener alignment systems include a fastener orienting structure, a fastener alignment tool, and a transfer structure. The fastener orienting structure is configured to orient a plurality of fasteners in a predetermined fastening location pattern. The fastener alignment tool is configured to operatively engage with the fastener orienting structure at a predetermined relative orientation, to receive a corresponding fastener in each of a plurality of fastener alignment receptacles, and to retain the corresponding fastener. The transfer structure is configured to selectively transfer the plurality of fasteners from the fastener orienting structure to the fastener alignment tool. The fastener alignment kits include the fastener alignment tool and the plurality of fasteners. The methods include methods of utilizing the fastener alignment system.

A novel drill jig includes an edge alignment guide, a hole-spacing assembly, a second guide, a biasing member, and an actuator. The edge alignment guide is configured to abut an edge of a workpiece to facilitate movement of the workpiece along a first straight line. The hole-spacing assembly includes a protrusion disposed to engage a preexisting hole in a workpiece positioned by the edge alignment guide. The second guide is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is configured to facilitate movement of the hole-spacing assembly along a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line. The first biasing member is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is operative to exert a force on the hole-spacing assembly in a direction parallel to the second straight line. An actuator moves the hole-spacing assembly along the second straight line via the first biasing member.

An acoustic panel (200) for an aircraft nacelle (100) may comprise a perforated first skin (220), a second skin (230), and a core (210) sandwiched between them. A damaged portion of the perforated first skin may be removed. A fiberglass ply (510) may be coupled to the acoustic panel. A pressure differential may cause the fiberglass ply to form dimples (515) within the perforations (325) of the first skin. The fiberglass ply may be used as a template to drill holes in a replacement patch (400).

Fastener alignment systems, fastener alignment kits, and associated methods are disclosed herein. The fastener alignment systems include a fastener orienting structure, a fastener alignment tool, and a transfer structure. The fastener orienting structure is configured to orient a plurality of fasteners in a predetermined fastening location pattern. The fastener alignment tool is configured to operatively engage with the fastener orienting structure at a predetermined relative orientation, to receive a corresponding fastener in each of a plurality of fastener alignment receptacles, and to retain the corresponding fastener. The transfer structure is configured to selectively transfer the plurality of fasteners from the fastener orienting structure to the fastener alignment tool. The fastener alignment kits include the fastener alignment tool and the plurality of fasteners. The methods include methods of utilizing the fastener alignment system.

A lock and pin for the structural and fluid tight repair of cracks not amenable to high temperature repairs or synthetic material patches. Fluid tight pins and locks seal the crack while one or more locks prevent the crack from growing. These repairs need to endure the remaining life cycle of the machinery part while withstanding all the strain, pressure, heat and expansion and contraction of the part before the crack(s) were formed. Often these cracks evolved due to engineering design flaws that will require even greater strength from these areas than when new.

An acoustic panel (200) for an aircraft nacelle (100) may comprise a perforated first skin (220), a second skin (230), and a core (210) sandwiched between them. A damaged portion of the perforated first skin may be removed. A fiberglass ply (510) may be coupled to the acoustic panel. A pressure differential may cause the fiberglass ply to form dimples (515) within the perforations (325) of the first skin. The fiberglass ply may be used as a template to drill holes in a replacement patch (400).

A lock and pin for the structural and fluid tight repair of cracks not amenable to high temperature repairs or synthetic material patches. Fluid tight pins and locks seal the crack while one or more locks prevent the crack from growing. These repairs need to endure the remaining life cycle of the machinery part while withstanding all the strain, pressure, heat and expansion and contraction of the part before the crack(s) were formed. Often these cracks evolved due to engineering design flaws that will require even greater strength from these areas than when new.

A device assists in drilling a board with a tool having a drill bit, means for rotatably driving the bit, and a guide memberhaving an outer face with a generally cylindrical shape of revolution about the bit's rotation axisfor guiding the bit in rotation and movement along the bit's longitudinal axis. The device has a rigid body with a flat sole (contact surface). Guide space(s) pass through the rigid body and open onto the sole. Each guide space is delimited laterally toward the outside by a cylindrical internal surface of revolution about a revolution axis orthogonal to the sole's main plane. The internal surface may interact with the guide member and guide the bit in rotation and longitudinal movement along the revolution axis. The internal surface has a radial expansion for stopping, in abutment therewith, the guide member during longitudinal movement of the tool toward the board.

A cooling bore guide for reaming an enlarged portion into a cooling bore of a rotor. The cooling bore guide may include a cutter guide for insertion into the cooling bore and a guide lock for insertion into an adjacent cooling bore.